Editor’s Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Underway
Covid-19 testing sites available
Details for getting the covid-19 test are available at the Jefferson County Health Department — 870-535-2142; and Arkansas Department of Health’s website — https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-guidance-for-getting-tested . Scroll down until you see the map and enlarge the map. Click on each star to see where each testing site is located.
Early voting underway through Nov. 2
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election is underway at the Jefferson County Courthouse today (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Oct. 26 through Oct. 30 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.); Oct. 31 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); and Nov. 2 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Candidates on various ballots in Jefferson County include:
• Circuit judge District 11-West Division 3, Subdistrict 11.2, the nonpartisan judicial runoff race — Mac Norton and Therese Free.
• Jefferson County Justice of the Peace District 8 — Incumbent Roy Agee, R, and David Dinwiddie, L.
• Pine Bluff Ward 2 Position 1 City Council — Steven Shaner (D) and Yvonne Denton (I).
• Pine Bluff Ward 3 Position 1 City Council — Glen Brown Sr. (D) and Bill Brumett (I).
• U.S. Senate — Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. (L) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R)
• U.S. Congress District 4 — Rep. Bruce Westerman (R) William H. Hanson, (D) and Frank Gilbert, (L)
• State Senate District 27 — Sen. Trent Garner (R) and Keidra Burrell (D).
• State Representative District 14 — Rep. Roger Dale Lynch (R) Rick Bransford (D) and Christia Jones (I).
• State Representative District 15 — Rep. Ken Bragg, (R) Wayne Willems, (L).
• Altheimer City Council District 1 Position 2 — Joycette Laws Strong, (I) and Jewel Vanderbilt (I)
• Altheimer City Council District 2 Position 2 — Crystal Gridley (I) and Essie Robertson (I).
• Wabbaseka Ward 1 Position 1 City Council — Melony J. Darrough (I) and Edward Spears Sr. (I).
Issues on ballots: Issue 1 — Making permanent a 0.5% state sales tax that currently funds state, county and city road work; Issue 2 — the Arkansas Term Limits Amendment; and Issue 3 — Changing Arkansas’ Citizen Initiative Process, Votes Required for Legislative Ballot Issue Proposals and Publication Requirements.
Other election-related dates include:
• Oct. 27 — Last day to request an absentee ballot at the county clerk’s office.
• Oct. 30 — Last day for a voter to transfer into Jefferson County.
• Nov. 3 — Election Day (voters may go to polling sites between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
Details: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office: jeffersoncountyar.gov/county-clerk or 870-541-5322; University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture ballot guide, www.uaex.edu/ballot or the Secretary of State’s office, www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information.
Saturday, Oct. 24
ASC to present ‘Clue: Stay-At-Home’ virtual production
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will continue its theater production virtually with “Clue: Stay-At-Home.” Viewers may watch the stage production online at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Tickets are $15 each. The production is sponsored by Simmons Bank. Based on the 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, “Clue” is a farce-meets-murder mystery. Details: ASC Theater Education Coordinator Lindsey Collins at lcollins@asc701.org or call 870-536-3375.
Pilgrim church pantry to open
Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will open its Raven’s Nest Food Pantry on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be handed out on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The pantry is a USDA distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
Domestic Violence Awareness observance set
A balloon release and observance will be held to commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Pine Bluff. The event will be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park Amphitheater. The community is invited to join author Jason Irby, state Sen. Stephanie Flowers and Dorcas Vangilst, executive director of Dorcas House, in the event, according to a news release. Covid-19safety guidelines will be followed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Social distancing and wearing masks will be required. A blue and white balloon will be released to honor the late Det. Kevin Collins, who was a panelist during the 2019 observance. Details: jasonirby.wordpress.com or jasonirbyinnovationfoundation@gmail.com.
Sheriff’s office, agencies hosting Drug Takeback Day
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Tri-County Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration invite residents to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medicines during Arkansas’ Drug Takeback Day. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, at Super 1 Foods, 2800 S. Hazel St. Also partnering with these agencies is the Community Empowerment Council Inc., a registered substance abuse prevention provider in Arkansas for Region 12. Region 12 includes Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Lincoln and Jefferson counties, according to a news release. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Residents should remain in their vehicles and hand their items to officers during the event.
White Hall Police host Drug Takeback Day
The White Hall Police Department, 8204 Dollarway Road, will be a collection site for the 19th Arkansas Drug Takeback Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The police department partnered with the the Drug Enforcement Administration in this effort, according to a news release from White Hall Police Chief Greg Shapiro. The Arkansas Drug Takeback Day will include more than 250 locations across the state. Hundreds of volunteers and first responders will be at those locations encouraging citizens to dispose of unused or expired medications and officers won’t ask for any identification or other questions regarding the prescriptions being dropped off.
Jefferson County Mutual Aid continues firefighter training
The Jefferson County Mutual Aid Association will hold training on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Jefferson County. The mutual aid association will be conducting classroom and practical skills training for fire departments participating with the county’s Water Tanker Task Force, according to a news release from Eddie Anderson, mutual aid president. Residents should be aware that fire apparatus and man power will be operating near the Family Life Church parking lot at Interstate 530 and Highway 104. Residents should be cautious while training occurs in the area, Anderson said. This training has been approved by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy and will allow these departments to practice together to sharpen water tanker shuttle operations, Anderson said.
ASC to host CrEATe Lab
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas concludes its CrEATe Lab, nutritious cooking 2020 series, with a workshop Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1-3 p.m. A limit of eight students ages 10-17 may attend. The cost is $35. Partial scholarships are available. To register, visit asc701.org/create-lab or call 870-536-3375. ASC has partnered with Faith Anaya and her Kids Cook! team for the series. Anaya has experience cultivating children’s knowledge of healthy eating.
Through Saturday, Oct. 24
Arts center displays Small Works on Paper Exhibition
The 2020 Small Works on Paper exhibition is on display at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., at Pine Bluff. The exhibition will be on display in the International Paper Gallery at ASC, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free but is limited to 10 guests at a time. Reservations are encouraged.