Arsenal to change commanders
Col. Collin K. Keenan will relinquish command of the Pine Bluff Arsenal, to Col. Matthew C. Mason, at 9 a.m. July 10 at the Armed Forces Reserve Center near the Creasy Complex outside the Plainview-White Hall Gate.
Keenan has been in command of the Arsenal since April 13, 2023. He plans to retire from military service, according to the news release.
Mason will become the Arsenal’s 42nd commander. Mason comes to the Arsenal from the United States Forces Korea and Combined Forces Command at Camp Humphreys, Korea, where he was the chief of the CWMD (Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction) Combined Joint Interagency Coordination Group.
In December 2001, he was commissioned as a chemical officer from the Army ROTC program at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Mason deployed twice in support of OEF and twice in support of OIF.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Mason is a Missouri native. He earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., a Master of Arts in environmental management from Webster University of St. Louis, Mo., and a Bachelor of Science in geography from the University of Central Missouri.
Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Duncan, commanding general for the U.S. Army Joint Munition Command, will officiate the ceremony.
SOAR plans Murry’s roast/toast
Ernie Murry, executive director of SOAR (Students of Achievement & Responsibility), and a former Arkansas Razorbacks basketball star, will be the honoree at a roast and toast at 6 p.m. July 17 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The special guest will be former Razorbacks Basketball Coach Nolan Richardson. The SOAR board invites the community to attend.
Tables for eight people are $1,500, which include a VIP reception. Individual tickets are $100. All proceeds will benefit the SOAR Program. The title sponsor is Simmons Bank. The convention center has a clear bag policy, according to a news release.
Details: Ernie Murry at (870) 329-2926 or erniemurry8@gmail.com or Anita Smith at (870) 592-2795 or asmith.soar@gmail.com.
COED Church Kickball Tournament set
COED Church, in collaboration with Redirecting Paths, will host a community kickball tournament beginning at 9 a.m. July 19 at Regional Park.
The tournament is designed to bring area churches together for a day of fellowship and faith.
“Churches of all sizes, from youth groups and young adults to adult ministries are invited to form coed teams and join us for an uplifting day of friendly competition and spiritual unity,” according to a news release.
Teams must be coed, a minimum of eight players, maximum of 10, and at least four males and four females per team. The registration deadline is July 12.
“This event is a celebration of unity across congregations and an opportunity to build lasting relationships within the Pine Bluff community,” according to the release.
The event is free. For details, team registration, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Redirectingpaths@gmail.com or Torey Foote at (501) 799-3836.
APA honors Allen as new leader
Hot Springs Village Voice Owner and Publisher Jennifer Allen was inducted as the 148th president of the Arkansas Press Association on Saturday.
Allen, former publisher of The Commercial, was honored during the Tri-State Press Convention in Memphis, which also honored journalists with awards, according to a news release.
“I’m humbled to be the 11th woman to hold this office in our state’s oldest trade association,” said Allen. “I am looking forward to supporting Arkansas journalists and news organizations as we navigate the evolving media landscape together.”
APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley praised Allen, who has been in the newspaper industry for 36 years, including five years as advertising director at the Hot Springs Sentinel Record and 10 years as regional advertising director for GateHouse Media, now Gannett.
Christian Women set luncheon
The Christian Women’s Connection will hold its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The community is invited to attend, according to a news release.
The speaker will be Sandy Moore of Independence, Kan., and her topic will be “My Journal, His Story.” The special feature will also be Moore with “Junk Journaling” and she will sing.
“Come join Sandy on her sunflower journey,” according to the release. “Childhood joy and innocence robbed led to bleak lies in her life. It was truth that finally lead her back to the sun-filled sunflowers of her youth. She also dedicates her time to mentoring of younger women.”
The luncheon is $20 and includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax and gratuity. All participants are asked to honor their reservations. For reservations and/or cancellations, contact Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302.