Housing board to meet
The Housing Authority of the city of Pine Bluff will hold its board of commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Colonial Steakhouse, 111 W. Eighth Ave., according to a news release. Details: (870) 541-0706.
Local on Monroe Dean’s List
Ava Dunigan, a psychology major from Lake Village, was named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List of the University of Louisiana Monroe. Eligibility for the Dean’s List requires full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 semester hours completed) and an undergraduate student is required to earn at least a 3.5 grade point average, according to a news release.
Brookshire hosting food drive
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Brookshire Grocery Co. launched its annual Compassion in Action Food Drive to further support local food pantries and communities.
All Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market, FRESH by Brookshire’s and Reasor’s stores are collecting monetary donations for local service organizations and food pantries.
The event began Wednesday and will continue until June 10. Customers will be given the option to purchase $10 scan coupons at the register during checkout, which is used to purchase a bag of food for donation, or they can donate any monetary amount they wish, according to a spokesman.
Every dollar of donated funds will be given to the local food bank or pantry to restock their shelves for the summer months.
Corps urges water safety
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reminding everyone to practice good water safety habits over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
“Memorial Day is one of the busiest weekends on the water across the region,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District Construction Safety Manager, Bill Rayner.
“We’re asking visitors to be patient and courteous at boat launch ramps and to slow down and watch out for other boaters on the water.”
Due to staffing shortages, visitors may experience delays in service requests and general operations. USACE appreciates your patience and cooperation during this time and kindly asks for your help in keeping the parks and facilities clean and safe for everyone, according to the news release.
Please remember to wear your life jacket, don’t drink alcoholic beverages and operate a boat, never swim alone, stick to designated swim areas and check river and lake levels before heading out.
Daily river and lake information is available through the USACE Little Rock Water Level Mobile App, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play by searching ‘USACE Little Rock.’
Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace and on X at https://x.com/usacelittlerock.
UAM event offers free freshman housing
The Weevil Jumpstart Program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a full campus housing scholarship to eligible first-time freshman students who enroll in six credit hours during the Summer II session as part of the program. Classes will run from July 1-31.
The program is open to incoming first-time freshmen who have been admitted to UAM for the 2025-2026 academic year. The program guides incoming students as they navigate the transition to college life.
By offering a comprehensive array of activities and workshops tailored to students’ specific needs, the program is focused on academic excellence and personal development, according to a news release.
“I am thrilled to share our excitement regarding the remarkable success of the first year of the Weevil Jumpstart Program,” said Jessica Foxworth, UAM associate vice chancellor for Student Engagement and dean of students. “With an impressive retention rate of 83%, we are well-positioned to support first-time freshman students entering UAM for the 2025-2026 academic year. This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for our students, and I am confident that we will continue to empower our incoming students, paving the way for their success at UAM.”
Wesley Reese, a freshman forestry student at UAM, participated in the program last summer.
“The Weevil Jumpstart Program helped me feel more comfortable and prepared when I started classes in the fall. I didn’t visit UAM before move-in day, so knowing where everything was located already was a big help,” Reese said.
Program participants will have the opportunity to engage in academic enrichment activities to strengthen foundational skills in key subject areas; receive personalized advising and support to develop academic goals and create a roadmap for success; connect with faculty, staff and peers through mentorship opportunities and group activities; gain valuable insights into campus resources, support services and extracurricular opportunities; and cultivate essential life skills, such as time management, study techniques and effective communication.
Interested students should complete the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to be considered for financial aid. Eligible students may receive funds to cover tuition and fees for the six credit hours during the Summer II session, in addition to receiving the full campus housing scholarship provided through the program.
For details, visit the Weevil Jumpstart Program webpage or contact Jessica Foxworth at foxworth@uamont.edu.