Editor’s Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Monday, March 15
Election commission to meet
A special meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Election Commissioners will be held Monday, March 15, at 6 p.m. at the election office. The purpose is to approve the White Hall School Board ballot for the upcoming election.
City council to meet
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Pine Bluff City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The agenda includes committee reports and other proposals. Details: Mayor Shirley Washington’s Face-book page.
House of Bread to give away food
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 500 S. Main St., will give away food in a drive-through setting Monday, March 15. Food will be handed out from 1-4:30 p.m. or until the 250 food boxes run out, according to a news release. Only one box per household will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Everyone must bring proof of address (utility bills and driver’s license.) Details: House of Bread apostle, Saint Mary Harris, (870) 872-2196.
Caregivers Alzheimer’s Supporters to meet online
The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host the Caregivers Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting from 10 a.m. to noon March 15 by Zoom. The topics will be Healthy Living for the Brain, Covid 19 Scams and Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation. Speakers will be Charlotte Clausen and Nicole Bates of the Univerisity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/96748541774?pwd=Ym5IY3BtS0lKVzJETnRaMHJ5MnZhQT09. The meeting ID is 967 4854 1774 with passcode: 6309. Participants may also call (346) 248 7799. Those who plan to attend should call Carolyn Ferguson at Area Agency, (870) 543-6300.
Through Monday, March 15
UAPB students rally support to win grant
Students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are using social media to win in the annual Home Depot Retool Your School grant program contest. UAPB is one of 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country that could win thousands of dollars from the grant program. The community can help UAPB win by voting through Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #UAPB_RYS21. People can also vote for the school directly by visiting the Home Depot Retool Your School Website. Voting ends at 11:59 a.m. March 15, according to the news release.
Foundation accepting scholarship applications
Pine Bluff and Jefferson County students can apply for scholarships from the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation. The deadline to apply is March 15. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. In general, the community foundation scholarships are for area students pursuing higher education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs, according to a news release. Students can begin their application by visiting www.arcf.org/apply/scholarships/.
Tuesday, March 16
New Life Church to give away food
New Life Church in Jefferson Square will distribute food boxes Tuesday, March 16, beginning at 1 p.m. The line up will start at 12:15 p.m., according to a news release. The church is in need of volunteers to help unload the truck. Details: Mary Liddell, community outreach coordinator, (870) 643-2383.
Gould council to meet
The Gould City Council will meet March 16 at 7p.m. at Gould City Hall. The regularly scheduled meeting on the second Tuesday of each month was postponed to obtain and research information to expedite city business, according to a news release. Details: Mayor Matthew Smith, (870) 263-4416.
Kennel Club to host dog obedience class
The Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club is sponsoring a dog obedience class at He-stand Stadium each Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. for eight weeks. Sessions began March 2. The cost is $65, according to a news release. Details: (870) 879-3384.
Wednesday, March 17
Arkansas 4-H hosts fundraiser
Arkansas 4-H is hoping people will help the educational program on the most green-intensive day of the year: St. Patrick’s Day. All money raised supports Arkansas 4-H youth scholarships and program/trip sponsorships, according to a news release. Supporters can click the “donate” button in the top right of the foundation page: https://arkansas4hfoundation.org /. To learn more about 4-H, people can contact a county extension office or visit https://4h.uada.edu/.
Deadline set for SBA loan forms from spring storms
The deadline to apply for loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for assistance after the storms in the spring of 2020 is March
- In Jefferson County, applicants may apply for SBA federal disaster loans for economic injury caused by severe storms and straight-line winds that occurred April 12, 2020. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at
(800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov .
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadine to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Announcements can be for in-person services or online services as well as other ministry events. Articles may be submitted by email to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Please include your phone number, the name and location of your ministry or city where you reside, and your photo.