Fair housing officials to meet
The Arkansas Fair Housing Commission will hold a free community education outreach event from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave.
“Learn who we are, what we do and how we serve you,” according to a flier.
Iverson Jackson is director and Rosalyn Miller is deputy director of the agency. To RSVP, call (501) 537-9221 or rosalyn.miller@arkansas.gov.
Drug Take Back set Saturday
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will host a Drug Take Back event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Super 1 Foods, 2800 S.Hazel St. Similar events are being held throughout the state.
Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership and Arkansas State Drug Director’s Office will join the local event.
Throughout the day, the community is encouraged to drop off unused and expired medications for safe, anonymous disposal, according to a news release.
Arkansas Drug Take Back Day provides a secure, responsible and convenient way to dispose of unwanted medications while reducing the risk of addiction, accidental overdose or environmental contamination.
Arkansans disposed of 28,764 pounds of medication during the spring 2025 Arkansas Drug Take Back event, and have contributed to the safe destruction of 329 tons of medication since 2010.
Kirk Lane, director for the Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP); Tenesha Barnes, deputy director for ARORP; Thomas Fisher, Arkansas Drug Director; Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr.; Jefferson County sheriff’s office law enforcement officers; and local and state community members and leaders are expected to participate. To learn more, visit ARDrugTakeBack.org.
Police announce fall festival
The Pine Bluff Police Department will host its annual fall festival from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at the former Bank of America, 120 W. Fifth Ave.
The fall festival will include fun activities for the whole family, according to a flier. Visitors are invited to wear their favorite costumes and “have a trick-or-treating good time with your friends and police officers.”
A haunted house is in store as well.
“We hope the community turns out to this free event,” PBPD public information specialist John Worthen said. “It will be a great, safe time to have fun and fellowship with officers and firefighters. We invite everyone to wear their costumes, and unlike at the convention center, bags and candy buckets do not have to be clear. They can be any color.
“This is one of our biggest annual events, and it’s a way to give back to the community,” he said.
PBICVR sets youth event
Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc. will host the POP “Hustlepreneur” Youth Diversion Program featuring well known Chef Jeff Henderson.
The event will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 N. Hill St.
Henderson aims to enhance opportunities for youths in Pine Bluff and make a meaningful impact through the Hustlepreneur Mentality Program by sharing his life’s journey, according to a news release.
Although the event is a private gathering, organizers want to highlight their commitment to supporting youth in transforming negative experiences into positive outcomes, according to the release. One exceptional local participant from this pilot program will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas next year, joining winners from other cities across the country. Henderson, known for his culinary talents worldwide, will be preparing a meal alongside local youths.
Along with Judge Earnest E. Brown Jr., other invited guests are 4th District Congressman Bruce Westerman’s district director, Jefferson County sheriff, a Pine Bluff City Council member, and the Watson Chapel School District superintendent. Details: The Rev. Jesse C. Turner, executive director of PBICVR, (870) 730-1131.
Scammers pretend to be government
Arkansans have seen a recent rash of texts and emails from senders claiming to be from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
The texts or emails claim to be notifications of tax refund request approval, and they direct recipients to share bank account information at a provided link. These texts and emails are not from the government. No government agency would ever ask you to share information about your bank account via text or email for a tax refund, according to a news release from the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General.
WHAT ARKANSANS SHOULD DO
If you receive this scam via text, tap the “Report Junk” option.
If you receive this scam via email, delete the email.
You can report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
For more information, please contact the Office of Attorney General at (501) 682-2007 or oag@arkansasag.gov, or visit www.ArkansasAG.gov.