Board meeting notice
Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency will have a special called board meeting at 5:15 p.m. Thursday at the Generator, 435 S Main St., according to a news release. Details: (870) 209-0323.
Churches to host meal
A free community fellowship meal will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 32 School St. The meal is co-sponsored by St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church, according to a news release.
House of Bread to give away food
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 1501 W. Second Ave., will conduct its monthly food giveaway on Saturday from 11 a.m. until all the food is gone. Proof of address must be at least a driver’s license, identification card or utility bills. All new clients will fill out a new client intake form on-site, according to a news release. Details: Saint Mary Harris, pastor, (870) 872-2196.
Chamber slates luncheon
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St.
The speaker will be Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers, according to the chamber newsletter.
Lunch will be catered by Chick-fil-A. Lunch costs $15 and must be paid in advance by calling the Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
WHSB reappoints Johnson
R.D. Johnson has been reappointed to the White Hall School District board, more than a month after he stepped down.
The board voted for him to return to the board during a special meeting Tuesday.
Johnson resigned Nov. 11 after his sister-in-law accepted a job offer at Hardin Elementary School, which would have created a conflict of interest under state law.
Johnson said at the time he had full intention of seeking reappointment to the board.
Johnson has been reappointed to Zone 2, which he had served since 2022 as an appointee and since 2024 as an elected official. He will serve the remainder of his term, which ends in 2029.
Superintendent Gary Williams said Johnson was the only person to apply for the vacancy.
Christmas closings set
Several agencies announced the days they will be closed to observe Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
Pine Bluff City Hall — Pine Bluff City Hall and related offices will be closed Dec. 24-26.
Jefferson County — Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices will be closed Dec. 23-26.
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas — The office and senior centers will be closed Dec. 24-26. Southeast Arkansas Transportation will only be transporting people for cancer, dialysis and wound care appointments on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26.
CARDS Trash pickup — CARDS, the garbage collector for Pine Bluff, says the routes won’t be affected Dec. 22-24. The Dec. 25 routes will be picked up Dec. 26. Routes for Dec. 26 will be picked up Dec. 27, according to https://cardsrecycling.com/holiday-pickup-schedule/.
WM Trash pickup — For customers served by Waste Management for garbage pickup in Jefferson County, the company will be closed Dec. 25. If a holiday falls on a Thursday, Thursday’s trash will be collected on Friday and Friday’s trash will be collected on Saturday, according to the website. Details: https://www.wm.com/us/en/location/ar/pine-bluff/trash-pickup-pine-bluff-ar.
State offices — State offices will be closed Dec. 24-26.
Christmas Potluck accepts donations
Ryan Watley and the organizing team invite the community to support the 17th annual Pine Bluff Community Christmas Potluck. The event will be held at Opportunity House, 1305 E. Sixth Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Day. Donations can be dropped off beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to share a warm holiday meal and uplift one another, according to a news release.
Community support — whether through food, time, or resources — helps ensure that every attendee has a Christmas meal.
Community members are encouraged to contribute in the following ways:
Provide vegetable dishes including: corn, peas, string beans, greens, potatoes, yams, dressing/stuffing.
Donate proteins, such as raw turkeys and hams, which are essential to preparing a full holiday meal.
Contribute desserts and beverages, including cakes, pies, cookies, soft drinks, bottled water and other treats.
Donate toys for children.
Assist on-site with setup, meal preparations, serving food, organizing donations, or helping clean up after the event.
Financial contributions are also welcomed and appreciated. Funds will be used to offset the cost of groceries, supplies, and other essentials needed to serve hundreds of residents.
Founder of the potluck, Watley, emphasizes that what began as an outreach effort to support people experiencing hardship has grown into a tradition of togetherness and shared purpose on Christmas Day, according to the release.
“He extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mary Liddell for her unwavering support and dedication in helping organize the potluck each year, as well as to Debra Allen of First Ward Living Grace Pantry for her generosity in providing valuable resources for the meal. Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association of Conway, Arkansas for providing fresh produce. Their continued partnership helps ensure that this annual tradition remains impactful and inclusive,” according to the release.
Donations may be made by Cash App to $watleyryan or by check by contacting Mary Liddell at pbjc.uapb.amnalumni@gmail.com or (870) 643-2383.