Developers name Kline to board
Jennifer Kline, director of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce, was elected to the 2026 board of directors of the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives (AEDCE.)
The panel is a group of leaders representing chambers of commerce and economic development organizations from across the state, according to a news release.
The board was elected during AEDCE’s annual member meeting Aug. 25 in Rogers and terms officially commenced Jan. 1.
Over the past 10 years, Kline has held several key positions within the Chamber and the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, including director of business retention and expansion/communications and events and marketing manager. She has served as director of the Chamber for the past four years.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Kline is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism. She is also a 2024 graduate of the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas and earned her Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) certification the same year.
“AEDCE is fortunate to have a board made up of experienced, committed leaders who understand the evolving needs of Arkansas’ chambers and economic development professionals,” said Candice Lawrence, executive director of AEDCE. “This group brings diverse perspectives from across the state, and I look forward to working alongside them as we continue to strengthen our programs, advocacy, and professional development opportunities for our members.”
Election chair calls meeting
Michael Adam, chairman of the Jefferson County Election Commission, is calling a meeting of the Board of Election Commissioners for Monday at 10 a.m. at the Election Commission Office, 123 S. Main St.
The agenda includes to approve L&A testing for the March 3 Preferential Primary Election, Nonpartisan General Election, Pine Bluff School Election, Watson Chapel School Election, White Hall School Election and DeWitt School District Millage. The board will also appoint poll workers and other election officials, according to a news release.
Irby to present Heritage Celebration
Wabbaseka native and author Jason Irby will present the 11th annual Arkansas Heritage Celebration of Black History Month Legend Among Us Recognition.
This annual event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), 100 Rock St., in Little Rock. The event is free of charge and open to the general public.
Four Arkansas natives will be honored as a 2026 Legend Among Us:
ELLA “DOLL” IRBY
A native of Wabbaseka, Ella Irby is a mentor and instructor to the hearing-impaired community, American Sign Language students and interrupter trainees. She is also the president and a founding member of Little Rock Black Deaf Advocates, according to a news release from StuffinTheBluff.com.
LEMMIE BATTLES
A native of Wabbaseka, Battles is a Gospel recording artist and evangelist. Known as “The Gospel Songbird,” she has received multiple music and achievement awards as well as nominations.
ROY HARPER
A native of Lewisville, Harper is known as a “King of 1A Texas Football.” He is the first black coach at Burkeville Independent School District in Burkeville, Texas. He also coached multiple high school championships and was voted Coach of the Year multiple times. He was honored with the renaming of the stadium to the Roy Harper Stadium, according to the release.
WILLIAM “BILL” BOYD
A native of Forrest City, Boyd is an Air Force veteran who received a Vietnam Era Bronze Star. A sergeant, he is an aviator and aircraft owner in addition to being a founding member of the Black Pilots Association (Arkansas Chapter).
The Arkansas Heritage Celebration of Black History Month Legend Among Us Recognition is sponsored in part by CALS, Sequoyah National Research Center and Jason Irby Innovation Foundation. For more information, email jasonirbyinnovationfoundation@gmail.com.
PB hires 5 new firefighters
Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services is welcoming five new firefighters on Monday.
With the addition of Dilann Allen, Vinnie Anderson, Tyler Collins, Andrew Nelson and Kaylynn Robinson, the department will have a total of 90 firefighters. There are two slots left to fill in order to max out the department’s 92 firefighter slots, according to a news release.
Pine Bluff Fire Chief Randy Compton said it’s been years since the department has been fully staffed.
“This will definitely be helpful, because we will cut down on overtime and be able to fully staff our trucks,” Compton said. “We are looking forward to working with these new firefighters.”
The new firefighters will be working hard over the next few weeks. They must complete five weeks of EMT training, eight weeks of rookie training in Camden and two weeks of driver operation training.
Synergy grant applications available
Synergy Forum Inc. will begin accepting grant applications Feb. 9 for its 2026 grant cycle. Registered non-profit organizations: IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, public schools, government agencies, and the hospital in Jefferson County are eligible to apply.
Synergy Grants fund projects for the benefit of residents in Jefferson County in the areas of the arts, education and social services, according to a news release.
Created in 1985, Synergy Forum is an independent organization of women in Jefferson County providing small grants. Grants range for $500 to $1,500. Synergy’s funding comes only from the dues and contributions paid by members. In 2025, Synergy awarded 12 grants totaling $19,076.00.
Synergy Grant applications should be requested by March 12 completed and submitted on or before 5 p.m. April 13. For grant applications and details, email Amy Hunt at synergyforumgrants@gmail.com.