GVI sets violence awareness rally
On June 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Wear Orange National Gun Violence Awareness Rally will be kicking off to help inform youth and people of all ages about the impact of gun violence on the community.
The event will be held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The rally will feature, games, food and refreshments, interactions with law enforcement, music and additional resources for citizens.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
GVI and several other Pine Bluff organizations will lead the event.
“Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention (GVI) maintained fidelity to the model that our consultants with the National Network for Safe Communities gave us,” Judge Earnes Brown Jr. said in a news release. “The success in Pine Bluff can be attributed to faith and prayer, determination, and collaboration from the partners that make it the strong three legged stool (law enforcement, support and outreach, and community.)”
Sponsors include the City of Pine Bluff Office of Mayor Vivian L. Flowers, Sixth Division Circuit Court-Juvenile Division, United Family Services, Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Pine Bluff Police Department, United Family Services, First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry, Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits, Pine Bluff Convention Center Super One Foods, Simmons Bank, Relyance Bank, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, New Morning Star Baptist Church–Altheimer, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc, Pine Bluff Chapter of the Links, Inc., St. John AME Church, Central Moloney Incorporated, Pine Bluff Branch NAACP and Saint Francis Ministries.
“PLEASE wear the color orange and bring a child, teen and/or young adult with you,” said GVI Program Manager Kevin Crumpton Sr. “Join us as WE work together to better Pine Bluff, with our Voices, and through OUR Actions.”
“On Jan. 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, a high school student who marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade, was shot one week later and killed in a playground in Chicago. Soon after the tragedy, Hadiya’s childhood friends decided to commemorate her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear to protect themselves from others. Wear Orange originated June 2, what would have been Pendleton’s 18th birthday. It is observed nationally, on the first Friday in June,” according to the release.
The city of Pine Bluff is joining cities across the nation in honoring June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Established in 2015, Gun Violence Awareness Month is acknowledged annually by cities, towns and communities nationwide. Launched on the first Friday of every June, this year the month is commemorated on June 7.
Also known as Wear Orange Day, Pine Bluffians should wear orange gear to honor survivors and victims of gun violence nationwide.
Soybean challenge opens
Arkansas soybean producers are invited to apply for the 15th annual Grow for the Green Soybean Yield Challenge (GFTG), a competition that rewards high yields, spotlights innovation and promotes best practices to benefit producers statewide. Applications are open through Aug. 1, according to a news release.
GFTG is administered by the Arkansas Soybean Association (ASA) and funded by the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board (ASPB) with support from the University of Arkansas Extension Services (UAEX). In addition to rewarding winners, the challenge gathers and shares production data to help growers adopt effective, yield-boosting practices.
Cash prizes are awarded to the top three producers in each division: First place: $7,500, Second place: $5,000 and Third place: $2,500.
Producers compete in these regions:
Southeast Delta: Jefferson, Lincoln, Drew, Ashley, Chicot and Desha counties;
Northeast Delta: Mississippi, Crittenden, and East of Crowley’s Ridge in Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett and Cross counties;
Northeast: Randolph, Lawrence and West of Crowley’s Ridge in Clay, Greene, Craighead, Poinsett and Cross counties
White River Basin: Independence, Jackson, Woodruff, White and Monroe counties;
Central and Grand Prairie: Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie and Arkansas counties;
East Central Delta: St. Francis, Lee, Phillips and Desha (Snow Lake Area) counties;
Western: Remainder of the state;
Conventional Division: Entire State non-GMO production.
Producers who achieve 100 bushels per acre will be inducted into the 100 Bushel Club. First-time members are eligible for a share of an additional $5,000 in prizes, along with a paid trip to Commodity Classic 2026, the country’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational event, in San Antonio, Texas.
Returning 100 Bushel members will compete in a dedicated division for a $5,000 grand prize, while past winners will take part in an exclusive champions division.
GFTG production data and results from previous years are available at ArkansasSoybean.com. Applications can be downloaded from TheMiracleBean.com and submitted by mail, email or fax to ASA. Applicants are encouraged to confirm receipt with ASA. Details: (501) 666-1418 or swsoy@aristotle.net.