Thompson reappointed to Fed board
Allison Thompson, president and CEO of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, has been reappointed by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Little Rock Branch, to a three-year term.
A certified economic developer, Thompson has served on the board since 2023 and is currently the chair of the Little Rock Branch, according to the newsletter of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Congratulations, Allison,” the newsletter said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Thompson previously served as director of Cedar Hill Economic Development Corp. in Cedar Hill, Texas, and economic development director for the city of Burleson, Texas, according to LinkedIn.
Health & Wellness Fair set in WH
The 2026 Spring Community Health & Wellness Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 12 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road.
The community is invited to attend. The free event is hosted by LifeTouch Health (Arkansas Hospice) and Allheart Senior Care of Arkansas.
The session will focus on healthy living, disease prevention, and wellness at each stage of life, according to a flyer.
Join health providers, senior resources representatives and community partners offering screenings, education and support for individuals, caregivers and families.
People may receive guidance on healthy aging, memory health and other resources for older adults.
There will be more than 50 vendors. Participants will include Reflection Therapy Services, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, ArchWell, Elder Estate Protection of Arkansas and Jefferson HomeCare, The Heat magazine, and Diamond Line Dancers.
House of Bread to give away food
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 1501 W. Second Ave., will conduct its monthly food giveaway Saturday from 11 a.m. until all food boxes or bags are gone. Proof of address must be at least a driver’s license, identification or utility bills.
All new clients will fill out a new intake form on site, according to a news release.
Details: Saint Mary Harris, senior pastor, House of Bread Deliverance Church, (870) 872-2196.
Farm safety event set in Stuttgart
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host Farm Safety on the Prairie Day on Wednesday in Stuttgart.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grand Prairie Center on the campus of Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas.
Extension experts will share safety best practices and demonstrate response techniques for potential accidents, according to a news release.
The event is free and includes lunch. Online registration is not required but is requested to help organizers plan for lunch.
Register at https://ticketbud.com/events/341ad64c-ecaf-11f0-ba99-42010a7170de.
“Knowing what to do and how to respond is important in those situations,” said Grant Beckwith, extension agriculture agent and staff chair in the Arkansas County extension office.
Speakers will cover a variety of safety topics, including chemical, electrical, pipeline, power line and grain bin safety, as well as farm stress and mental health.
“All of the topics that will be covered are ones that farmers have requested,” Beckwith said.
Riceland Foods will conduct a dust explosion simulation, and attendees can see a grain bin extraction in the afternoon.
Energy Transfer will share information about pipeline safety and how to avoid hitting underground pipelines, which can cause explosions. First Electric Cooperative will have a trailer on site for attendees to learn about power line safety.
Locals among governor’s appointees
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced several appointments Tuesday. Several are from southeast Arkansas, according to a news release.
Stewart Hornor, Stuttgart, was appointed to the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission.
The term expires Jan. 14, 2032. Hornor replaces Molly Jackson.
Patrick Berry, Rison, was appointed as justice of the peace for District 6 for Cleveland County. The term expires Dec. 31, 2026.
The appointment fulfills the remaining term of Owen Rushing.
David Allen Binns, McGehee, will serve as justice of the peace for District 9, for Desha County until Dec. 31, 2026.
The appointment fulfills the remaining term of Norris Sims.
Commercial truck safety session open
The Arkansas State Highway Commission announced that the next application cycle for the Arkansas Commercial Truck Safety and Education Program has started.
ACTSEP is a grant program that funds truck safety and education efforts through cooperative public/private programs that focus on increased enforcement, regulatory compliance, industry training and educational programs to enhance the safe movement of goods on Arkansas highways, according to a news release.
ACTSEP was the first program jointly involving the trucking industry and the Arkansas Department of Transportation to improve commercial truck safety on state highways.
The program is funded with $2 million collected annually from a 15% additional registration fee applied to trucks operating in Arkansas and meeting specific requirements for interstate commerce.
Applications are available at: www.ardot.gov/ACTSEP. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. April 30.