Generator sets business pitch contest
The Generator, 435 S. Main St., will host a mini business pitch competition and workshop along with a Success is Sweet Business Networking Mixer from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 13. The community is invited to attend, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
From 5-6 p.m., the Pitch Your Passion mini pitch competition workshop will help entrepreneurs craft a pitch that stands out.
From 5:30-6 p.m., entrepreneurs will present their one to three minute pitches for the chance to win 1st Place: an iPad, 2nd Place: a laptop, or 3rd place: A Business Funding and Government Contract Preparation Session.
From 6-7 p.m., the Success is Sweet Business Networking Mixer will be held. There will be music, drinks, sweet treats, and charcuterie boxes from local vendors.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
To enter the pitch competition, call The Generator at (870) 663-0200. Follow The Generator on Facebook.
Historical society meets
The Jefferson County Historical Society met Jan. 19 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center.
President Lela R. Murray called the meeting to order. Secretary, Sue Trulock read the minutes. There were no corrections and the minutes were approved. Treasurer, Sue Merritt presented the treasury report.
Paul Perdue was a special guest. Perdue, a former Pine Bluff resident who now lives in Dallas, Texas, owns a substantial collection of Pine Bluff memorabilia, and he displayed several scrapbooks from his family and their business, The Perdue Co.
Murray introduced the speaker, Todd R. Gold, senior director of hospitality at Saracen Casino Resort.
“Gold is one of the most accomplished and acclaimed culinary names in Arkansas, and an award winning chef,” according to a news release. “His journey in the culinary world began as a teenager at Bruno’s Little Italy in Little Rock where he eventually was promoted to kitchen manager. Later, he was the owner of the Purple Cow Restaurant in Little Rock. Gold was instrumental in establishing the culinary school at the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, where he served as associate dean and south site director for more than a decade.”
Gold discussed his work at the casino and the plans for the hotel, which is in progress of being built, and the services the hotel will offer to the Pine Bluff community and surrounding areas.
Simmons declares dividend
Simmons First National Corp. announced its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on Simmons’ Class A common stock of $0.2125 per share, which is payable on April 1, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 14, 2025. The cash dividend rate represents an increase of 1 percent from the dividend paid for the same time period last year, according to the announcement Thursday.
Ohio college names local to Dean’s list
Michael Reeves of Pine Bluff was named to the 2024 autumn semester Dean’s List at Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio. Reeves is studying digital design and graphics. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be enrolled for six or more credit hours, according to a news release.
Mississippi State tells honors’ lists
Mississippi State University named area students to the fall 2024 President’s and Dean’s lists.
PRESIDENT’S LIST
President’s List recipients achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.
Honorees are:
Hannah Pieroni of Lake Village;
Sophia Jones of Lake Village;
Tanner Cater of Monticello;
Ethan Holzhauer of Gillett.
DEAN’S LIST
Students named to the Deans’ List at Mississippi State must have achieved a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.79, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.
Honorees include:
Nathan Bass of Lake Village;
Madison Cain of Lake Village;
Taylor Yelvington of Stuttgart;
Addison Johnson of Pine Bluff;
Ansley Norris of Lake Village;
Aidan Cox of Lake Village;
John Gray of Monticello;
Mackenzie Herring of Stuttgart.
Championship goose contest Sunday
Mack’s Prairie Wings of Stuttgart and Ducks Unlimited are hosting a statewide conservation snow goose hunting competition on Sunday. This event allows teams of up to 10 members to showcase their skills.
The entry fee is $1,250 per team. Hunting is limited to Arkansas, but competitors don’t need to be from Arkansas to participate. Every goose harvested will be donated to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and all proceeds will support Ducks Unlimited and Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, according to a news release.
“The World Championship Snow Goose Conservation Hunt embodies our commitment to conservation and community,” said Chuck Lock, executive vice president of Mack’s Prairie Wings. “This event helps protect Arkansas’ ecosystem by managing the light goose population and supports meaningful causes like Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry and Ducks Unlimited. We’re proud to turn an environmental challenge into an opportunity that benefits hunters, farmers and those in need across the state.”
Each Team member on the winning team will win one prize package with an estimated value of more than $5,300, with the team prize package valued up to $53,000 for 10 team members. To register, visit mackspw.com/snow-goose-conservation-hunt.
Sponsors also include Winchester Ammunition, Benelli, Stoeger, Banded, Drake, Sitka, Yeti, Exoxgear, Lucky Duck, Higdon Outdoors, Streamlight, Patternmaster and Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Details: www.ducks.org.