Agencies to close Monday
Several agencies will be closed Monday in observance of Washington’s Birthday.
City Hall — Pine Bluff City Hall and related offices will be closed Monday.
Courthouse — The Jefferson County Courthouse will be closed Monday.
Area Agency — The main office of Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will be open Monday. The senior centers will be closed and Southeast Arkansas Transportation (SEAT) will be running for dialysis and cancer patients’ appointments.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
State offices –The state of Arkansas will observe George Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Gatson Bates Day as an official state holiday on Monday. Due to the Legislature being in session, all state offices, boards, and commissions in Pulaski County must remain open with at least partial staff, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Locals graduate in Mississippi
Two area students graduated in December at Mississippi State University. Approximately 1,500 students are on the fall 2024 graduation list, according to a news release.
Jeff Carmical of Monticello received the Master of Business Administration degree from MSU’s College of Business.
Abby Miles of McGehee received the Master of Science degree from MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Area Agency tells menu
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas offers lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
Feb. 17 — Senior center is closed for Presidents Day.
Feb. 18 — Lemon pepper chicken, baked corn casserole, zucchini and tomatoes, chocolate pie, and milk.
Feb. 19 — Pork roast, sliced potatoes, glazed beets, wheat bread, cake, and milk.
Feb. 20 — Swiss steak, rice, okra, roll, apricots, and milk.
Feb. 21 — Chicken and dumplings, green beans, stewed tomatoes, butterscotch bars, and milk.
USACE issues small craft advisory
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is issuing a small craft advisory for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Arkansas. Heavy rainfall in western Arkansas over the last 48 hours will result in Arkansas River flows exceeding 70,000 cubic feet per second over the next few days from Dardanelle Lock and Dam downstream to Wilbur D. Mills Lock and Dam.
Small craft advisories are issued when flows exceed 70,000 cfs. Strong currents and large debris can threaten the safety of pleasure craft during high flows. Current flows at Dardanelle are near 90,000 cfs. A crest near 90,000 cfs will make its way downstream over the next few days, according to a news release. Daily river information can be obtained at www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil.
UAMS career program seeks locals
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is accepting applications for the 2025 session of the Arkansas Delta Health Careers Opportunity Program Academy, an initiative that supports students in the Delta and South Arkansas as they pursue careers in health care.
The program is open to rising high school seniors. Applicants must be enrolled at a school in these counties: Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Cleveland, Columbia, Crittenden, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln, Monroe, Ouachita, Phillips, Sevier, St. Francis and Union.
The deadline to submit applications is March 14, according to a news release.
HCOP Academy equips students with the skills they need to gain admission to and succeed in health professional programs, according to a news release.
New students will attend a residential summer academy from June 9-July 18 at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Participants will receive a stipend, academic enrichment, ACT preparation, tips for writing essays and college applications, community-based primary care experiences, leadership development and instruction.
The program will culminate in summer 2026 with a four-week academy that prepares them for their postsecondary education.
HCOP Academy is operated by the UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships with the assistance of UAMS and community collaborators.
For details, parents and students may attend one of HCOP Academy’s virtual informational sessions at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 4 and 11. To sign up for a session or to apply for the academy, visit partnerships.uams.edu.
Walk Across Arkansas to begin
For Arkansans looking to achieve their fitness goals or develop new healthy habits this spring, Walk Across Arkansas offers an eight-week, group-based exercise program that helps get people moving.
The free program is offered each spring and fall by the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Participants can sign up in teams of up to 30 people, and they log their total number of minutes spent being physically active each day, according to a news release.
“We encourage participants to get creative with the types of exercise they engaged in, not just walking,” said Heather Wingo, extension health program associate for the Division of Agriculture. “If you’ve been curious about yoga, strength training, or taking a Zumba class, this is a great time to try that out. Any moderate to vigorous physical activity counts, as long as you get your heart rate up.”
Individuals can participate in the program alone, but Wingo encourages Arkansans to participate alongside their peers.
Registration for the spring 2025 session opens Feb. 24. Participants can register and log exercise minutes at walk.uada.edu/walk/. The competition starts March 10 and ends May 4.