$9.7 million set for disaster relief
The Delta Regional Authority is making approximately $9.7 million in funding available through its new Supplemental Disaster Recovery Funding program, an addendum to the 2025 Community Infrastructure Fund, which supports economic and community development needs throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.
Funded through the American Relief Act 2025, the SDRF will make targeted infrastructure investments in communities across DRA’s 255 counties and parishes that were affected by federally declared disasters occurring between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2024. Applicants must meet the standard eligibility criteria of the Community Infrastructure Fund and be located in, or serve, communities that received a federal disaster declaration between those dates.
Applications for the SDRF will be accepted until Aug. 2 through DRA’s application portal at https://dra.communityforce.com/Login.aspx.
Awards will range from $500,000 to $2 million to support projects that include basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure and flood control projects.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
For details on the Supplemental Disaster Recovery Funding, visit www.dra.gov or email sedap.cif@dra.gov.
UAPB alumni plan scholarship gala
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County UAPB/AM&N Alumni Chapter’s 2025 Scholarship Gala will be held Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The center has a clear bag policy, according to the news release.
The theme of the gala is Journey of Knowledge: Empowering Minds, Igniting Futures. This event will recognize some outstanding community partners while the proceeds will reward some deserving University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students (including 2025 graduates of Jefferson County high schools), according to a news release.
Tickets are $40 per person or $400 per table. Tickets may be purchased during the chapter meeting from 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 8 at the Main Library, 600 S. Main St.
Contact the following for tickets, to submit print ready ads for the souvenir booklet, payments and donations: Shannon Hendrix (870) 718-3472 or (870) 692-3099.
Checks are payable to PBJC UAPB AM&N Alumni Chapter, P.O. Box 9288, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. All money for tickets and ads are due by Aug. 15.
The scholarships are available only to students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50.
Applicants must have graduated from a Jefferson County high school. Applicants must submit their financial aid award letter. Applicants must submit a completed application, an unofficial transcript, and two sealed recommendation letters by the deadline of Aug. 29. The scholarship application is judged by a selection committee.
Eight scholarships of $1,000 per award will be presented.
Submit your application to walkert@uapb.edu or deliver in person to: Dr. Tanya S. Walker, Scholarship Chairperson, UAPB – Corbin Hall Office 100.
Details: Tanya Walker, (870) 575-8718; Chapter President Mary Liddell, (870) 643-2383.
Soybean College set for July 30
From disease identification to spray drones, the 2025 Arkansas Soybean College will cover every facet of soybean production for producers, consultants and industry professionals.
The event, hosted every three years by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will be held at the Jackson County Extension Center near Newport.
Sign-in for the event will begin at 7 a.m. Continuing-education units will be available for certified crop advisers and agriculture consultants, according to a news release from the Division of Agriculture.
“We host the Arkansas Soybean College to provide up-to-date information and recommendations to Arkansas growers and consultants,” said Jeremy Ross, extension soybean agronomist for the Division of Agriculture. “Our researchers and extension specialists will lead hands-on demonstrations that address many of the production challenges Arkansas soybean producers are facing today.”
Demonstration stops will include:
Herbicide symptomology and weed control
Insect scouting demonstration
Soybean disease identification and control
Nutrient deficiency identification
Irrigation technology
New technology and spray drone demonstration
Registration is required, and the fee is $100 with lunch included. Attendance will be capped at 130 individuals. Those interested can register here.
Details: https://aaes.uada.edu.