AKAs to host brunch
Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority Inc. will host the Arkansas Cluster Sisters Relations Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Magnolia Food Market & Bar, 601 S. Main St. The restaurants at the site include Kylan’s Kitchen, Oasis Bistro, Mexico Lindo Tacqueria and Distill Bar. The community is invited to attend, according to a flyer.
UAPB, LRSD to announce program
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Little Rock School District will announce a new partnership establishing the Hydroponic Plant Systems Career Pathway at Little Rock Southwest High School. The announcement will be made at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the high school. Participants will include George Maxey, principal, Little Rock Southwest High School; Jermall Wright, superintendent, Little Rock School District; UAPB Chancellor Anthony J. Graham; Jarmion Beasley, UAPB 1890 scholar; and Terence Bolden, partnership consultant.
The new career pathway will introduce students to technology-driven agriculture by merging advanced STEM disciplines with hands-on learning. Students will gain experience operating a fully functional hydroponic growing system, applying robotics and automation tools, using drones for plant monitoring, and utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze production data and optimize crop performance, according to a news release. The pathway also introduces a student-run agribusiness model, where participants will produce, price, market and distribute fresh foods grown on campus — building workforce readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
ASP: Celebrate responsibly
As Arkansans gather for holiday celebrations, state and local law enforcement officers are stepping up patrols to keep impaired drivers off the road. From Dec. 12 through Jan. 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Arkansas Highway Safety Office and Arkansas law enforcement agencies are teaming up for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign to prevent crashes and save lives.
“Driving impaired is illegal, endangers everyone on the road, and is never acceptable,” Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Col. Mike Hagar said in a news release. “Our Troopers, local police and sheriff’s deputies will be out in full force this holiday season to identify and remove impaired drivers from our roads. We’re asking everyone to make smart choices, plan ahead, and help ensure that every celebration ends safely. Drunk driving is 100% preventable.”
Law enforcement and safety officials urge everyone to plan for a sober ride before holiday festivities begin and offer the following tips:
Designate a sober driver.
Use a taxi or rideshare service.
Call a friend for a ride.
If someone you know has been drinking, help them find a safe way home.
Anyone who spots a suspected drunk driver should contact local law enforcement immediately. Details: www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving or the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.
Mid-South Berry Conference set
Strawberry, blackberry, blueberry and grape growers in the Mid-South will have the opportunity to network and hear updates from fellow growers, researchers and industry leaders at the 2026 Mid-South Berry Conference. The conference will kick off at 1 p.m. Jan. 22 and run through noon Jan. 24 at the Don Tyson Center for Agriculture in Fayetteville. The conference is hosted by local growers’ associations and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture with support from Arkansas Farm Bureau, according to a Division of Agriculture news release.
“We’re so excited to get our berry growers together with others from the Mid-South region this winter to give research updates, share updated recommendations and provide insights in how to be successful with berry production in the region,” said Amanda McWhirt, horticulture production specialist for the Division of Agriculture. “Conferences like these give us a chance to hear about research that is specific to our region and our crops,” said Dennis McGarrah Jr. of McGarrah Farms, Rivercrest Orchards. “But really the networking is the most valuable part. Talking with other growers and seeing what works and doesn’t work on their farm is so helpful to us.”
Registration for the conference is required with a $100 fee for growers’ association members and $150 for non-members. For an additional $50, beginning growers can attend a special add-on workshop focused on getting started in berry production. This two-hour workshop will cover key topics such as variety selection, site preparation, pest management and more. Registration is limited to 25 participants. Registration, a full agenda and more information can be found at https://uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/crops-commercial-horticulture/horticulture/midsouth-berry-conference.aspx.