Deputy graduates academy
Deputy Devin Bohannon of the Jefferson County sheriff’s office Uniformed Patrol Division graduated from the basic law enforcement training course at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in Camden.
This 13-week, 649-hour course is designed to train students in the basic duties of a law enforcement officer who serves in Arkansas. Once completing this course and a one-year probationary period, deputies will be certified law enforcement officers in the state.
“We are proud of Deputy Bohannon and his hard work, resilience, and dedication displayed during this training period and look forward to seeing him move forward in his career as a law enforcement officer with the JCSO,” according to a news release.
Stuttgart center sets field day
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
One of Arkansas’ longest-running institutions focused on the art and science of rice production will hold its annual field day Thursday at the Rice Research and Extension Center, 2900 Arkansas 130, in Stuttgart. The first of two field tours will begin at 7:30 a.m. The second field tour will begin at 9:30 a.m.
The field day is open to the public and free to attend, according to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The center, part of the Division of Agriculture, will host farmers, consultants and other agricultural industry professionals for field tours and discussions of ongoing research into rice variety breeding, disease control and more.
“We want to take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the morning,” said Alton Johnson, director of the Rice Research and Extension Center for the Division of Agriculture.
A luncheon will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., during which researchers and experts with the Division of Agriculture will give updates. Speakers will include Johnson; Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the Division of Agriculture; Keith Glover, president and CEO of Producers Rice Mill Inc.; Kevin McGilton, CEO of Riceland Foods; and Deacue Fields, vice president for agriculture for the University of Arkansas System. Details: www.uaex.uada.edu.
BRAVE school supply event moves inside
BRAVE, the Pine Bluff Black Firefighters Association, will host its school supply giveaway inside Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event was originally scheduled for outside, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
BRAVE (Banishing Racial Animosity Vigorously Everywhere) hosts this Project Fresh Start event to prepare students for the upcoming school year. Students will receive backpacks and school supplies, according to Mozell Gipson, president of BRAVE.
The event will also feature vendors who will provide a variety of information.
RV gala to benefit UAPB athletics
The Rollin Lions RV Club Inc. will host its signature fund-raising event, the 2025 Golden Gala, at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.
“This event will bring together university leadership, alumni, and community partners, and athletic supporters to celebrate excellence in Golden Lion Athletics and raise critical funds to enhance student-athlete experiences at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB),” according to a news release.
The RV Club is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting student-athletes and championing educational opportunity.
“Our Golden Gala is more than just an elegant evening,” said Jeanette Summers, event co-chair. “It’s a declaration of our commitment to UAPB Athletics and the young men and women whose dedication on and off the field represents the future of the university and our community.”
The gala will feature:
A formal dinner and live entertainment
Recognition of premier sponsors and honorees
Donor cards at each table to generate additional support
Remarks from university leadership and honorees
All proceeds from the event, minus expenses, will be donated to the UAPB Athletic Department to help meet the challenges of collegiate competition and provide resources for academic success, wellness and leadership development, according to the release.
Gregory Summers is president of the AR Rollin Lions RV Club Inc. For more information or tickets, visit www.arrollinlionsrvclub.net or https://www.summersassociates.net/ or call (501) 952-0841.