Deputy recognized for military service
The Jefferson County sheriff’s office highlights the accomplishments of Deputy Sheriff Christopher “CJ” Blunt Jr., who successfully completed the U.S. Army’s basic officer leadership course at Fort Gregg-Adams, Va., while serving on active military orders with the Arkansas Army National Guard.
Following his graduation, Blunt will return to Jefferson County and resume his law enforcement duties on Monday.
Blunt began his law enforcement career with JCSO on March 16, 2024. On June 22, 2025, he was activated for military service as a second lieutenant assigned to Company B, 39th Brigade Support Battalion.
During his activation, Blunt completed BOLC, a multi-phase program that develops newly commissioned officers into combat-effective leaders. The second phase of BOLC focuses on the duties, systems, and equipment specific to an officer’s branch and is critical to preparing officers to meet their wartime responsibilities.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“This is a proud moment for our agency and a testament to Deputy Blunt’s character and commitment,” said Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. “Deputy Blunt embodies the best of public service. He chose to protect and serve at home while answering our nation’s call to duty, and he has done so with excellence. We look forward to welcoming him back to the JCSO family and to the citizens of Jefferson County he serves.”
Blunt has been in the Arkansas National Guard for seven years. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration in May 2024. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and is actively involved with Highland Ministries.
“This is a huge milestone for Deputy Blunt’s military career,” said Lt. Christopher Grider, Blunt’s supervisor at JCSO.
URA board to meet
The Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21 in the URA boardroom, 417 W. Sixth Ave., according to a news release. Details: (870) 209-0323.
Series inspired by ag hall of famer
A new speaker series hosted by the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence takes its inspiration from the late Thomas Gist Jr., a University of Arkansas alumnus and Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame member whose life was marked by community service and commitment to agriculture. Gist passed away on Oct. 10, according to a news release from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The Future of Arkansas Agriculture and Beyond series begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 30 with former Tyson Foods CEO Donnie Smith. The event is being held in the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville. For those not able to attend in person, a virtual option is available at https://uada.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GSD0S7D3Tqay3eFqyfyc6g#/registration.
“The vision for this event was initiated by Mr. Gist, whose life-long commitment to agriculture — through farming, community service, leadership on boards, and his involvement in the banking industry — demonstrates his forward-thinking perspective on the future of agriculture,” said Tami Strickland, associate director of marketing for the Fryar Center. “Mr. Gist envisioned this series as a platform led by a strong voice with deep knowledge of agriculture in Arkansas, across the United States, and around the globe.”
Gist was a lifelong cotton and grain farmer in Marianna who made his mark in agriculture through leadership, innovation and community involvement. He was inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Fame in 2002 and cited in media, including the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of his early use of GPS technology in agriculture. He was appointed to many boards of directors including Riceland Foods, Farmland Industries of Kansas City, Arkansas Soybean Promotion, Southern Farmers Association, Tri-County Farmers Co-op in Brinkley and Lee County Grain Drying Co-op. Gist also served as president of Farm Bureau and manager of Lee Phillips Co-op Gin.
Gist was also active in the ag banking industry, serving for 27 years on the board of Farm Credit Mid-South, three years as board chair of the Credit Banks of St. Louis, a district director of the St. Louis Federal Land Bank, and vice chairman of Federal Land Bank of Eastern Arkansas. Later in life he was elected county judge in Lee County. An avid Razorback supporter, Gist graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and agriculture in 1957. Strickland said the keynote speaker, Smith, “embodies Gist’s vision.
“Having built his career at Tyson Foods, Inc. — rising from field service technician to chief executive officer — Donnie brings unparalleled experience across every level of the meat and poultry industry,” she said. “He is also deeply passionate about addressing food insecurity and advancing solutions for the challenges of a growing global population. His perspective on preparing the next generation of agricultural students, farmers and ranchers promises to be both relevant and motivating.”
Details: www.uaex.uada.edu.