Morrow makes Pine Bluff documentary
Pine Bluff native and documentarian Epiphany “Big Piph” Morrow is debuting a new short documentary on the Delta called “Here to Thrive: A Pine Bluff Story.”
This film, created by Morrow and co-directed and edited by Kenneth Bell, marks the region’s early success as one of the largest Black cities in the country, according to a news release.
As the documentary progresses, it dives into the city’s struggle to maintain growth and how locals would like to see it prosper.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“This was a story I felt compelled to tell, because I grew up in Pine Bluff and saw firsthand how a once-booming town lost control of its story and came to be defined by only a fraction of its legacy,” Morrow said in the release. “Pine Bluff is a community of resilience, and it will continue to withstand and grow thanks to the generations that remain committed to its history.”
Morrow graduated from Stanford University and has become a renowned filmmaker, songwriter and community leader. Best known for his PBS series, “The Glow,” he has also worked on local projects, like “More than Making Ends Meet: ALICE Stories.”
The series, funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, featured several short documentaries highlighting ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households through research and policy changes.
The latest documentary is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8FqgnHXmR4.
Jefferson County under burn ban
Due to the current conditions, Jefferson County has been placed under a burn ban by County Judge Gerald Robinson.
There is now an increased risk of wildfires. It is with this in mind that a burn ban has been instated for all of Jefferson County including the cities of Pine Bluff, White Hall, Redfield, Altheimer, Humphrey, Wabbaseka and Sherrill.
This burn ban is in effect immediately and will continue until further notice, according to Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management.
Local to present film ‘It’s Called Life’
Filmmaker Dedric L. Jones of De’Nes Productions will present the official premiere of “It’s Called Life,” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. A VIP reception will be held at 6:15 p.m.
Jones is also a gospel artist from Pine Bluff.
“‘It’s Called Life’ is a heartfelt, PG-rated film that tells a compelling love story rooted in faith, hope, and perseverance,” according to StuffinTheBluff.com. “The film explores real-life challenges while highlighting the power of God’s guidance, personal growth, and the strength found in committed relationships.”
The premiere event will bring together community members, faith leaders, and supporters of the arts for a night of inspiration and celebration, according to the news release.
“This film is more than entertainment — it’s a message,” Jones said. “It speaks to anyone who has faced life’s obstacles and needed a reminder that faith, love, and hope can carry you through.”
The attire for the premiere is semi-formal and pastel colors with a touch of bling in honor of Women’s History Month.
“This premiere reflects De’Nes Productions’ commitment to creating meaningful, faith-centered content that inspires, uplifts, and connects communities,” according to the release.
General admission is $25 before Friday and $30 on Friday. VIP admission is $50. A Women’s History Month Special costs $90 and includes two VIP tickets/seats, red carpet affair, private reception and “It’s Called Life” souvenir.
Tickets can be purchased at Dedricjones.com/itscalledlife. Details: Dedric Jones at (870) 413-9154 or denesproductions@gmail.com.
Produce safety training set
Arkansas fruit and vegetable growers are invited to learn food safety best practices and regulatory requirements at the first produce safety grower training of 2026.
The training will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9 at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock.
Registration is free and includes lunch, snacks and training materials. Attendance is limited to 25 spots, and participants must register online by April 6. Walk-ins won’t be accepted, according to a news release.
“We are looking forward to working with growers to provide them with important information about best practices, risk management and regulatory requirements,” said Amanda Philyaw Perez, extension associate professor of food systems and food safety specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The training will cover soil amendments, postharvest handling, worker health and hygiene, wildlife management and more.
Perez said that the 2026 series of extension produce safety grower trainings were made possible through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant program, or RFSI. Two more trainings will be offered this summer and fall.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture administers the RFSI program through funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
“As part of the RFSI program, we have authorization to host produce safety grower training to help farms and food businesses receive the education and certification needed to support their businesses,” Perez said. “We are grateful for this funding and the opportunity it has given us to continue this crucial work.”
For fresh produce farms, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, or FSMA PSR, sets mandatory standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding produce. Most produce farms are affected by this rule, and this training satisfies the FSMA PSR training requirement for covered farms.
Visit extension’s Local, Safe and Regional Foods page to learn more about the program or contact Perez at aperez@uada.edu.