GVI to observe Peace Week
Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention is observing Peace Week through Friday. Events will include seminars, a Peace Walk and school presentations, according to a news release.
The National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC), the GVI consultants for the local group, will present seminars at the Kevin Collins Center at the Civic Center.
The agenda includes:
Today — Call In Training beginning at 10 a.m. Sessions include the Role of Probation and Parole in conjunction with the Pine Bluff Police Department and Jefferson County sheriff’s office.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Wednesday — Shooting Review and Group Audit Training beginning at 11 a.m.
Thursday — Meeting with the program director beginning at 1o a.m. Also, from 5:30-7 p.m. the Peace Walk will be held at Family Church Pine Bluff.
House of Bread to give away food
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 1501 W. Second Ave., will hold its monthly food giveaway Saturday, from 11 a.m. until all food boxes are gone. Proof of address must be at least the participant’s driver’s license, identification, or utility bills, according to a news release. Details: Saint Mary Harris, pastor/apostle of House of Bread, (870) 872-2196.
AM&N credit union meeting set
All Arkansas AM&N College Federal Credit Union members are invited to attend the annual meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday in the STEM building, room 103, at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Door prizes will be awarded.
“Come and hear all about your credit union’s successes the past year as well as challenges to be faced in the future,” according to a news release. “You will also have an opportunity to meet your board of directors and participate in the election of two directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.”
SeaPerch Challenge set
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Arkansas 4-H will host the 2025 Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater robotics competition Friday at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Aquatic Center. At least 154 students will represent 54 teams from 16 counties. Event participation has grown by more than 400% since 2016, according to a news release.
The SeaPerch is a remotely operated submersible built from more than three dozen parts, including PVC pipe, pool noodles, three 12-volt motors and batteries. During the contest, teams must navigate their SeaPerch through obstacle courses and complete other tasks, such as moving plastic rings from one part of the course and successfully placing them to another part. The goal is to ignite students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
During this year’s competition, competitors will use their SeaPerch robots to simulate ocean exploration and mapping. Robots are becoming more common as scientists use submersibles to document regions of the ocean where manned craft cannot safely go.
The winner of the Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge will advance to the International SeaPerch Challenge that will be held May 31-June 1 at the University of Maryland.
Free smoke alarm installation available
The American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas, along with the Monticello, Stuttgart, Dermott and Gould fire departments are offering free smoke alarm installations for residents of those four cities during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This effort is part of a national Sound the Alarm initiative to install free smoke alarms and help families create fire escape plans annually in neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. Local Sound the Alarm events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,284 lives since launching in October 2014.
Monticello, Stuttgart, Dermott and Gould residents in need of smoke alarms may sign up online at www.redcross.org/smokealarmar to receive an alarm Saturday.
Those who want to help can meet at the participating fire departments Saturday to install smoke alarms in homes in need. No prior experience is needed and training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information.
Fire stations participating are:
Monticello Fire Department – 114 W. Wood St., Monticello
Stuttgart Fire Department – 1210 S. Main St., Stuttgart
Dermott Fire Department – 201 N. Main St., Dermott
Gould Fire Department – 301 N. Gould Ave., Gould.
Details: redcross.org/homefires.
Also, Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services offers free smoke alarms and installations to residents within the city limits of Pine Bluff, according to a recent news release. For details or to schedule an appointment for an installation, call Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services, (870) 730-2048.