City to observe 9/11
The city of Pine Bluff will host its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at noon Sept. 11 in the courtyard of the Pine Bluff Civic Center, 200 E. Eighth Ave.
“Each year, we solemnly honor the life and service of Petty Officer Nehamon Lyons IV, a proud Pine Bluff native and 1989 graduate of Dollarway High School, who tragically lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001, while serving at the Pentagon,” according to a news release.
The observance will also honor others who died. Details: Mayor’s office, (870) 730-2004.
Third Ward neighbors to meet
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Third Ward Community Watch Group will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at Destiny Worship Center, 4700 W. 28th Ave. The group is encouraging all residents of the Third Ward to attend, according to a news release. The president is Evelyn Bass.
Locals on SNHU Dean’s List
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in Manchester, N.H., announced its Summer 2025 Dean’s List includes two local residents. They are Darryl Cardine of Stuttgart and Dana Langel of Pine Bluff, according to a news release. The summer terms run from May to August. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List.
Kiwanis to sell chicken dinners
The Pine Bluff Kiwanis Club will have a chicken dinner fundraiser Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. until dinners are sold out. Dinners will be sold from the Kiwanis tent at the old NAPA building at Main and Martin streets downtown.
Tickets are $10 and include grilled chicken, baked beans and cole slaw or potato salad, according to the flier.
Proceeds will benefit the Kiwanis Club youth programs. Tickets are available from any club member or at the fundraiser. Details: (501) 221-2420.
Chamber plans farmers’ fish fry
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will present its 73rd annual Farmers Appreciation Fish Fry will take place from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Hestand Stadium. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. The fish fry will feature King Kat catfish and chicken plates with all the trimmings, according to the Chamber newsletter. Featured entertainment will be the Port City Blues Players. Beverages are sponsored by MK Distributors. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or for details call the Chamber at (870) 535-0110 or email vera@jeffersoncountyalliance.com.
NAACP Drew County banquet set
Two-time Emmy Award-winning producer Raya Clay and award-winning comedian Nate Williams will highlight the NAACP Drew County Branch’s 2025 Freedom Fund Banquet, scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 25 at the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s University Center Green Room.
Clay, of Los Angeles, will be the speaker. Williams, of Little Rock, will provide the entertainment with his comedy set.
The theme of the event is “Boots on the Ground: Stepping Up and Making a Difference.” The doors will open at 4 p.m., mocktails will be served at 5 p.m. followed by the banquet Formal attire is requested.
The evening will include music by DJ Smooth and special ACT-SO performances, according to a news release.
Tickets for the event are $50 each. Tables of eight and 10 are available, as well as souvenir book ads. Details: naacp6042@gmail.com or visit dcnaacp6042.org/events.
Irby slates Poetry on the Prairie
Wabbaseka native and author Jason Irby will host Poetry On The Prairie from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 on the lawn of the old Wabbaseka Methodist Church, 101 U.S. 79 North in Wabbaseka.
Poets, authors, storytellers and artists are invited to come read and display their material during Poetry On The Prairie. Participants are invited to bring lawn chairs and tailgating chairs, according to StuffinTheBluff.com. Irby said that this event commemorates 100 years of the old building.
Details: jasonirbyinnovationfoundation@gmail.com.
Home repair program closes
The Housing Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) has closed the application period for its new Healthy Homes Housing Repair Program, supported by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applications were accepted July 14–Aug. 29 in Desha and Jefferson counties in Arkansas and Coahoma and Humphreys counties in Mississippi.
CU received numerous applications from people seeking help with health and safety repairs. Because of the volume, the review and selection process may take longer than initially expected. CU staff will contact applicants directly with updates and next steps as soon as possible, according to a news release.
For general program inquiries, visit the Healthy Homes webpage or contact Courtney Gibson, regional housing manager, at Courtney.Gibson@communitiesu.org, or Vinetria Johnson, community housing facilitator, at Vinetria.Johnson@communitiesu.org. Gibson oversees Desha and Jefferson counties in Arkansas. Johnson oversees Coahoma and Humphreys counties in Mississippi.