HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Dr. Donald Blagdon is back in Arkansas.

After spending the past eight years in Maine, Dr. Blagdon has joined St. Joseph’s Mercy Clinic in Hot Springs as a family practice physician. He’s done a little bit of everything in his years as a physician.

“I’m going on 30 years in family practice. I’ve done obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency room, even house calls back in Maine,” Dr. Blagdon said. “I was always interested in Gerontology and was a nursing home director for many of those 30 years.”

This is the English Harbour East, Newfoundland, Canada native’s second tour of duty in Arkansas. He previously worked at Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden.

“I was born on the island of Newfoundland in far eastern Canada, about as far east as you can get pretty much,” Dr. Blagdon said.

Dr. Blagdon attended the Medical School at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s.

High pressure aloft will build over the region over the next couple of days. High heat and humidity will once again plague the region.

Slight chances of showers and thundershowers today with dry and hot weather Saturday.

Friday: Partly Cloudy, 20% T'Storms, H igh 95. Wind NE/SE 5-10.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – After a nationwide search that included input from Oaklawn Park-based horsemen and respected racing officials from across the country, Oaklawn Park has selected Jamie Richardson as its new track superintendent. Richardson, who will assume the year-round position June 20, comes to the Hot Springs track with nearly 25 years of experience, working in similar roles at Pimlico and Laurel racetracks in Maryland.

What began as a summer job after graduating high school for Richardson, became his career. He was promoted to track superintendent at Pimlico in 1989 and remained in that position until Laurel and Pimlico consolidated their track maintenance departments in 2008. In addition to his work in Maryland, he was instrumental in the installation of the dirt and turf courses at Colonial Downs in 1997. He developed his love of horses and horse racing through his father, the late Jimmy Richardson, who bred and trained Thoroughbreds primarily in Maryland.