Sergeant graduates from course
The Jefferson County sheriff’s office announced that Sgt. Clayton Cantrell graduated from the School of Law Enforcement Supervision session LXII May 9.
SLES is a four-week program that focuses on leadership and advanced management education for Arkansas law enforcement supervisors.
“It provides an excellent opportunity for law enforcement professionals to receive a foundation on which that can build progressive careers in leadership. Ultimately, the innovative four-week training prepares first-line and advanced level supervisors for increased responsibility within the agencies and communities,” according to a news release.
Cantrell has been employed with the JCSO since Oct. 1, 2024, and is a supervisor in the Criminal Investigations Division.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“He continues to be a valuable asset within our organization, and we are proud of his accomplishment in graduating from SLES. We also look forward to the positive effect this will have on those he leads in accomplishing the mission of the JCSO,” according to the release.
Summit Soundz to present concert
The Summit Soundz Celebration Band will present its spring concert at 6 p.m. Saturday in the worship center of Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road.
The concert is free and open to the public.
“The first half of the concert is all patriotic music featuring the Watson Chapel High School ROTC Color Guard,” Lewis Hinkle, Summit Soundz director, said in a news release. “All of your favorite Americana music will be played by the band. The second half of the concert will include familiar hymn arrangements and timeless spirituals.”
The band is made up of high school and college students as well as adults from Pine Bluff, White Hall, Star City and Monticello. During this concert, recipients of summer band camp scholarships will be announced. These total more than $4,000.
“We want you to bring your family and friends because it’s going to be a true musical moment,” said Scott Jones, Summit’s pastor. “There will be something appealing for every person no matter your age!”
Local among top burger sites
The Arkansas Beef Council announced the top five finalists of the second annual Arkansas’ Best Burger Contest. Finalists include a Pine Bluff restaurant.
The statewide competition celebrates 100% beef burgers prepared by Arkansas restaurants, according to a news release.
The five regional finalists are:
Region 1: Cheeseburger – The Ozark Farmhouse (food truck), Clinton;
Region 2: Big Daddy Burger – Johnson’s Country Cookin’, Melbourne;
Region 3: Pickleback – E&R Bar and Grill, El Dorado;
Region 4: Bubba Burger – Momma’s Diner, 3015 W. 28th Ave.;
Region 5: Sweet Hot Burger – Copper Grill, Little Rock.
Nominations were open from April 1-30. The winning burger will be announced by May 31.
“We are thrilled to announce the top five finalists in the 2025 Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest,” said Beef Council Chairman Caleb Plyer. “With more than 2,100 nominations submitted from across the state, the competition highlights the passion and pride Arkansans have for their local burger joints and the quality beef they serve.” Details: arkansasbeef.org/.
Corps releases finding on Lock 4
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Little Rock District, is releasing the Left Embankment Repair (LER) and associated works at Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam #4 (ESLD) draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
A 30-day public comment period will begin May 14. The draft documents will be made available on the Little Rock District at https://www.swl.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning/Emmett-Sanders-Embankment-Repair/.
The draft EA for the proposed ESLD-LER evaluated potential impacts resulting from implementation of the Proposed Action to increase protection and resilience of the left embankment of the ESLD from erosion and scouring during future flood events. Pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, the EA also evaluated anticipated impacts from a No Action alternative.
The repairs would consist of the removal of existing emergency repair materials and the placement of a new engineered soil composition and rip rap to prevent erosion during flood events. To accommodate this new material, the left embankment toe/heel locations would be readjusted, which will require the removal of up to 1.6 acres of bottomland hardwood forest (BHF).
Mitigation for the loss of 1.6 acres of BHF would occur via planting and maintaining up to 1.75 acres of fallow field, converting it to BHF within the Sheppard Island Public Use Area.
The associated work would consist of building an access road on the left embankment crown, as well as navigation pass through it. The access road is needed to allow repair and emergency vehicles access to the left embankment armoring on the Arkansas River. The navigation pass is needed to facilitate the safe of passage of emergency vessels through the embankment during flood conditions.
Comments, suggestions, and questions on the proposed repairs and additions can be mailed to the attention Paul Brown – project manager, 4305 Charles Wooden Road, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601, or emailed to: CESWL-EmmettSandersEmbankmentRepair@usace.army.mil.