Chamber sets July 2 luncheon
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 2 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St.
The program will be the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Project.
Lunch will be $15 and catered by Leon’s Catfish. Lunch must be paid for in advance, according to the Chamber newsletter.
Details: Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Civic panel to meet
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commissioner will meet at noon June 24. Commissioners will be sworn in, according to a news release. To join by conference call, dial (978) 990-5002 with access code: 7020010. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.
JCSO warns of arrest warrant scams
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public about a fraudulent arrest warrant that recently surfaced and was sent to at least one local citizen.
This document, which falsely claims to be an “Order of Arrest” issued by the sheriff’s office and other state officials, is a scam intended to mislead and potentially extort money from unsuspecting individuals, according to a news release.
The fake document mimics the appearance of an official court order and includes fabricated charges, case numbers, and references to Arkansas law. It even includes falsified signatures, official-looking seals, and QR codes designed to give it an air of legitimacy.
The document falsely claims that a citizen failed to appear for a federal grand jury summons and demands a $20,000 bail, payable directly to the State of Arkansas.
Important facts about this scam:
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office does not issue arrest warrants via email or personal delivery by mail.
No government agency will ever demand prepayment of bail or personal financial details in this manner.
Warrants for arrest are issued only through legitimate judicial channels, and individuals are typically notified in person by law enforcement or through proper court proceedings.
“We take the safety and peace of mind of our citizens very seriously,” Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. said. “This type of scam is not only illegal — it is dangerous. We encourage the public to be cautious, verify all suspicious communications, and report anything that seems questionable to law enforcement immediately.”
If you or someone you know receives a document similar to the one mentioned in this alert, do not respond or send money. Instead, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office directly at (870) 541-5351 to verify its legitimacy.
Additionally, if you have been targeted or believe you may have fallen victim to this scam, report it to the sheriff’s office and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division at (800) 482-8982 or www.arkansasag.gov.
FEMA grants available
Under the major disaster declaration approved for the April 2-22 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, these 36 counties were designated eligible for FEMA Public Assistance funding: Clark, Clay, Craighead, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Fulton, Greene, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Izard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Little River, Lonoke, Marion, Miller, Monroe, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Pike, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sevier, Sharp, St. Francis, Stone and Woodruff.
The deadline to submit a request for public assistance is Friday, according to a news release.
FEMA Public Assistance provides grants to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, and certain types of private nonprofits such as houses of worship, hospitals and academic institutions so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
In Arkansas, public assistance funding is provided to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations and benefits neighborhoods, cities and counties, according to the release.
Filing a request for public assistance is the first step to apply for federal reimbursement under FEMA’s Public Assistance program.
To qualify for a grant, state agencies and private nonprofit organizations must submit projects that are authorized, well documented, necessary and reasonable.
Prospective applicants can contact their county’s emergency manager to begin the process.
The deadline is Friday. Public Assistance funding is reimbursed for emergency work and permanent work. Details: fema.gov/assistance/public/process.