Kendall earns promotion at JCSO
Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. announced the promotion of Lt. Dennis Kendall to the rank of major of operations, effective immediately.
“As Major of Operations, Kendall will provide command-level oversight of daily operations and ensure that JCSO personnel continues to maintain high standards in training, continuing education, certification readiness, and leadership development, keeping the agency prepared, qualified, and mission-ready,” according to a sheriff’s office news release.
Kendall began with the Jefferson County sheriff’s office in 2008. In 2018, he went to work with the U.S. Department of Defense before returning to the sheriff’s office in 2022.
He was then assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Little Rock District Office, Diversion Control Division, where he served as a diversion investigator task force officer. In this role, he supported investigations focused on preventing, detecting, and investigating the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals and listed chemicals from legitimate sources while helping ensure uninterrupted access for lawful medical, commercial, and scientific needs.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Prior to his DEA assignment, Kendall was an investigator with the sheriff’s office-managed Tri-County Drug Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), where he advanced through leadership positions from sergeant to lieutenant.
A graduate of Arkansas LEADER, he is also a member of the sheriff’s office Special Response Team, with training in impact, chemical, aerosol, and flash-bang munitions. He is completing his private pilot’s license and will serve as the primary pilot for the sheriff’s office Aviation Wing, according to the release.
He holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Law Enforcement Instructor, Certified Firearm Instructor, GLOCK Pistol Armorer, and Remington Model 870 Shotgun Armorer, and is a certified diver trained in black-water and swift-water rescue.
“Major Kendall has earned this promotion through consistent performance, a commitment to professional growth, and the trust and respect of his colleagues,” Woods said. “He brings proven investigative expertise, operational readiness, and strong leadership to ensure our agency continues moving forward, trained, prepared, and focused on excellence.”
“We are proud to celebrate Major Kendall’s well-earned promotion. His dedication, professionalism, and leadership set a strong example for the entire agency. Congratulations to Major Kendall on this achievement. We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact he will have on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve,” Woods said.
UAM Digital Literacy event set
The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology–McGehee (UAM-CTM) and the UAM Adult Education Center will launch the UAM Digital Literacy Program at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at UAM-CTM. The program is part of the “3 Southern States Connected Communities Program,” a regional effort led by Digitunity and AT&T to expand computer access and digital skills training, according to a news release.
Special guests will include representatives from Digitunity, AT&T and U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman’s office, local mayors, Chamber of Commerce directors and others. The event is free and open to the public.
First Ward pantry opens Thursday
First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry, 1201 Commerce Road, will hold a pop-up food giveaway from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday.
Food will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are asked to line up at the nearby church, according to a flyer on Facebook.
Center to host Polar Bear Plunge
The 2026 Pine Bluff Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Arkansas will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center, 400 E. 11th Ave. Registration begins at 10 a.m., according to a flyer on Facebook. Details: brianna@specialolympicsarkansas.org.
Vegetable Growers session set
The 2026 Arkansas Vegetable Growers Conference will be held from 8 a.m. Feb. 19 through noon Feb. 20 at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service State Office in Little Rock, according to a divison news release.
“We really have a packed schedule for this conference covering almost every topic our growers could need,” said Taunya Ernst, extension high tunnel and urban agriculture instructor for the Division of Agriculture. “We’ll have a drip irrigation demonstration and talks covering pest control, food safety, soil health and so much more.”
The conference will also feature experienced Arkansas vegetable growers in a question and answer session.
Another session will focus on available resources and will feature representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Division of Agriculture, the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The conference is hosted by the Division of Agriculture, UAPB and the Center for Arkansas Farms and Foods with support from the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, the Southern Extension Risk Management Education Center and the Arkansas Horticulture Society.
The cost for the conference is $40 before Feb. 10 then $50. Participants can register the day of the event or online.