Early voting begins Nov. 7
Early voting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 7-13 at the Jefferson County Courthouse for the Nov. 14 special election for the Go Forward Pine Bluff tax proposals.
A special election will be held on a five-eighths-cent sales tax for Go Forward Pine Bluff projects and a three-eighths-cent sales tax for public safety. Only residents of Pine Bluff can vote on these issues.
Also Nov. 14 is the annual school election day in the Watson Chapel School District. There is one ballot item pertaining to Watson Chapel, an annual referendum on the rate of 39.8 mills as approved in August 2022. Details: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, (870) 541-5322.
City, AT&T to address copper thefts
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The city of Pine Bluff and AT&T will discuss copper thefts at 1:30 p.m. today in the Pine Bluff City Council Chambers, 200 E. Eighth Ave.
Officials will discuss the AT&T service in the Pine Bluff area, and the challenges due to increased occurrences in copper theft, according to a news release.
Mayor Shirley Washington, Pine Bluff Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, AT&T Asset Protection Manager/personnel, area business owners, and city council members will be present to determine strategies to address this issue.
At 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30, the city will host a press conference in the council chambers in partnership with AT&T to provide follow up information regarding the challenges due to the copper theft. Attendees will include elected officials, city council members, AT&T representatives, areas business owners, and law enforcement.
Suspicious activity regarding phone lines and copper thefts can be reported anonymously to AT&T Asset Protection at (800) 807-4205.
Family agency plans meeting
Family Community Development Corp. will have its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at 1001 N. Palm St. Everyone in the Fourth Ward is invited to attend, according to a news release.
HBCU Small Business Expo set
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Jackson State University will present the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Small Business Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the UAPB Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St. The expo is presented during the day of the game between UAPB and Jackson State, according to a flier.
Smoke on the Water BBQ contest set
Sissy’s Log Cabin Smoke on the Water barbecue contest will be held from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at Pine Bluff Regional Park, according to a flier.
“Come sample World Championship BBQ, live music and more,” a spokesman said. “Special Entertainment includes The Son of a Sailor Band, a tribute band to the late, legendary Jimmy Buffett. They are so authentic you will feel you are in Margaritaville. The Jimmy Buffett tribute band and Port City Blues Band will be playing in the evening.”
Sissy’s Log Cabin Smoke on the Water is presented by Saracen Casino Resort.
Pop Up in the Bluff set
Pop Up in the Bluff festival will be held in downtown Pine Bluff from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 28. The event will be set on Second Avenue between Main and Walnut streets. Pop Up will feature refreshments, entertainment, and family activities, according to a flier.
“Mark your calendar for the 5th Annual Pop Up in the Bluff Event. There will be retail vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, local artists and great musical entertainment,” a spokesman said. “Bring your friends and family for a fun-filled Saturday.”
Children are urged to wear their Halloween costumes. There will be a costume contest for children 12 and under. Prizes will be awarded for the Most Creative, Funniest and Scariest costumes.
For details or registrations for vendors and food trucks, contact Pine Bluff Downtown Development, (870) 536-8742 or email pbdd110pine@yahoo.com.
Simmons reports earnings
Simmons First National Corp. reported Tuesday net income of $47.2 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $58.3 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $80.6 million for the third quarter of 2022. Diluted earnings per share were $0.37 for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.46 in the second quarter of 2023 and $0.63 in the third quarter of 2022, according to a news release.
Adjusted earnings for the third quarter of 2023 were $48.8 million, compared to $61.1 million for the second quarter of 2023 and $82.3 million in the third quarter of 2022. A summary of certain items, consisting primarily of merger related costs, branch right-sizing costs and early retirement program costs, are described in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables on the release. Details: https://ir.simmonsbank.com/2023-10-24-Simmons-First-National-Corporation-Reports-Third-Quarter-2023-Results.
DAV sets virtual career fair
Disabled American Veterans DAV) and RecruitMilitary will co-host the National Logistics Virtual Veterans Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The event is free to veterans, their spouses, active-duty military personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserve, according to a news release.
More than 20 employers will be on-site representing a range of industries, from construction to medical to administrative and logistics. To register for the career fair and access additional free resources for veterans and their families, go to jobs.dav.org.