McGehee School Board to meet
The McGehee School Board will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at the high school library. The agenda includes invoices and financial statement, school safety project, salary schedules, student academic data or performance and executive session, according to a news release.
Air Force band ensemble to perform
The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble of United States Air Force will perform several free Arkansas concerts, including a southeast Arkansas event.
On April 10 at 7:30 p.m., the band will perform at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Fine Arts Center as part of UAM Jazz Week.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The award-winning USAF Band of Mid-America will also present free concerts April 5-12 in Little Rock, Springdale, Fayetteville and elsewhere.
The band performs a variety of styles, ranging from traditional big band jazz to bebop, swing, and modern jazz. At one of their concerts you are just as likely to hear the music of contemporary composers as you would the classic sounds of Count Basie or Glenn Miller.
All concerts are free and open to the public. Tickets are required. Request tickets and see dates and times of concerts at afbandtix.org. The show is approximately 75 minutes.
Simmons opens Jonesboro site
Simmons Bank marked the grand opening of the new regional office in Jonesboro. Associates celebrated the grand opening of the site with the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Simmons Bank operates approximately 64 full-service branches throughout Arkansas, according to a news release.
“With this new regional office, Simmons Bank is expanding its presence to better serve the community and local businesses in Northeast Arkansas,” said Kent Bridger, regional community president for Simmons. “Our commitment to providing personalized financial services to Jonesboro and the surrounding areas is stronger than ever.”
The 19,790-square-foot financial center features a full-service branch. Flynco Construction served as the contractor and Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects was the architectural firm of record.
Chamber seeks Expo award nominees
Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the Business Person of the Year and Non-profit of the Year awards.
These awards will be announced at the Business Expo breakfast on May 1. The deadline to make nominations is 5 p.m. March 21.
The Chamber also invites agencies to build their network at Business Expo 2025: America At Work, the premier event for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations, according to the Chamber newsletter.
Business Expo will be held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on May 1 beginning the Expo Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and the trade show at 9 for VIP admission and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for general admission.
Breakfast tickets are $25 each for members, $30 non-members or a seated table of eight for $300 each for members and $350 non-members.
Booth fees for the Expo trade show are $250 for members and $360 non-members. Details: Chamber Director Jennifer Kline at jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or (870) 535-0110.
Ag leaders to speak at conference
Attendees of the third annual Western Water, Agricultural, and Environmental Law Conference will have the opportunity to hear perspectives on water, agriculture, and food policy issues from top Western state leadership.
The session, “Western Water, Ag, & Food: Perspectives from State Departments of Agriculture,” will be held June 19-20 in Reno, Nev., with a livestream option.
The conference will be moderated by Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture and current president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The conference is co-hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center and the NASDA Foundation.
The Western will also feature the opportunity for continuing education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. Full information and registration can be found at nationalaglawcenter.org/western2025.
The panel will feature:
J.J. Goicoechea, director of the Nevada Department of Agriculture.
Christy Clark, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Jeff Witte, director and secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
“Conference attendees can expect an engaging, interactive session that tackles the challenges and opportunities facing Western agriculture,” said NALC Director Harrison Pittman. “It’s a great, fun opportunity to hear directly from state agriculture leaders and ask questions about important issues.”
The speakers will give important information, according to Ward.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to moderate a panel of some of the best in the business as we discuss important agricultural topics that impact the West,” said Ward. “This panel will provide important insights into state departments of agriculture and how we can all work together.”
Details: nasda.org/about-nasda/state-agriculture-departments or nationalaglawcenter.org.