3rd Ward residents to meet
The Third Ward Community Watch Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. June 17 at Destiny Worship Center, 4700 W 28th Ave. The president is Evelyn Bass, according to a news release.
Area Agency tells menu
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas offers lunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
Monday — Breaded pork cutlet with gravy, mashed potatoes, squash medley, banana pudding, and milk.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Tuesday — Pinto beans with ham, sliced tomato and onion, cooked cabbage, cornbread, cake, and milk.
Wednesday — Meatloaf, okra and tomatoes, scalloped potatoes, peaches, and milk.
Thursday — Breaded chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, beets, tropical fruit, and milk.
Friday — Pepper steak over rice, green beans, roasted carrots, autumn delight, and milk.
VA sets virtual claims clinic
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. June 26. To reserve a time slot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. June 25, according to a news release.
Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. Staff will answer questions about existing VA benefits claims and assist with filing new claims. Details: http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
Session to teach credit building
“How to Build Credit and Protect Your Money,” a free lunch-and-learn session, will take place at noon on June 12 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave.
Cassandra Kidd of U.S. Bank will share how to effectively manage debts and obligations for a healthy personal credit history. The session will also explore the large role personal finances play in obtaining a business loan and how to safeguard your money from scams and thieves, according to a news release.
The event is presented by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center and co-sponsored by U.S. Bank. There’s no cost to attend, but registration is required to have lunch provided. To register, call (501) 804-4530 or visit asbtdc.org/asbtdc-events.
ARDOT warns of scam texts
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) warns Arkansans to be cautious of fraudulent texts asking for personal information or payment information.
ARDOT has received reports of fraudulent text messages posing as the “Arkansas Vehicle Administration” to collect payments for traffic violations. These scam messages include fake links that appear to come from ARDOT, and some even use real ticket numbers.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) is separate from ARDOT. There is no validity to these messages, according to a news release.
“DFA will never send you a text regarding a traffic ticket,” DFA spokesman Scott Hardin said. “Please ignore it and warn friends and family. Thousands of Arkansans are receiving this text today.”
These fraudulent messages come on the heels of a previous texting scam relating to toll roads. In February 2025, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin alerted Arkansans to a scam targeting mobile phone users through fraudulent text messages. Those behind the text messages were posing as toll service providers to steal personal information and trick recipients into making fake payments.
“If you get one of these texts, please fill out the robocall reporting form on my website, and do not send payment to any entity that only contacts you via text,” Attorney General Tim Griffin said.
To report a scam text message, visit https://arkansasag.gov/divisions/public-protection/robocall-reporting-form/.