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 or use our newsroom email pbcnews@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Beginning Sunday, Jan. 14
City to open warming center
The city of Pine Bluff will have a warming center set up at the Pine Bluff Civic Center at the Detective Kevin D. Collins Center. The warming area will be open from 5 p.m. Sunday through 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release. The warming center will be located in the GVI (Group Violence Intervention) Area. The entrance will be at the old children’s library door with the blue canopy on the east of the building facing the hotel. “We will need volunteers to man the center during these hours. Please email or call the mayor’s office to sign up,” a spokesman said. “Thank you joining us as we provide this much needed service.” Details. (870) 730-2000 or mayor@cityofpinebluff-ar.gov.
Pizza and Prayer set
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Prayer and Pizza for children will be held from 2-3 p.m. Jan. 14 at St. Peter’s Rock Missionary Baptist Church and Feb. 11 at New Community Church. The January speaker will be Dr. Rontae Graham, general dentist at Garrett Taylor DDS at Pine Bluff. The topic will be “You can/I did.” A special motivational presentation will be offered by a high school Kappa League under the leadership of the Rev. Travis Harden, pastor of Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Pine Bluff. The group will serve pizza, sponsored by area businesses, and intercessors will pray and encourage the youth. These monthly sessions will continue at various churches. “Please join the movement through prayer for our children,” said Dee Clay, organizer. The event is free and open to the general public. Pastors and youth leaders are urged to participate.
Underway
LIHEAP applications available
The Winter 2024 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding is available to help households with their home energy costs. The Central Delta Community Action Agency began accepting applications Jan. 8. The Jefferson County office is located at 511 Commerce Road, Suite 3, in Pine Bluff. No short forms were mailed out this season, and all applicants will be required to complete a long form and submit all required documents, according to a news release. These documents include copies of driver’s licenses and Social Security cards for all household members over the age of 18, proof of income for all household members over the age of 18, and copies of all utility bills. The program will be open for regular applications through March 22. Crisis applications will continue to be accepted beyond that until the program closes for the season. To apply, people may visit a Central Delta Community Action Agency office in Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties or apply by email to liheap@cdcaa.org. Details: (870) 536-0046.
Absentee ballot forms available
In preparation for the March 5 Primary Election, the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office has absentee ballot applications available to the public weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters may also visit the website at http://www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/elections-voter-registration to download an application. The completed form can be hand delivered or mailed to the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, 101 W. Barraque St., Ste. 101, Pine Bluff, AR., 71601, or faxed or emailed to the office. All voters who want an absentee ballot must contact the county clerk’s office. Feb. 27 is the deadline to submit absentee applications to the clerk’s office. Election day, March 5, is the last day to submit absentee ballots by 7:30 p.m. Details: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, (870) 541-2125.
USDA/1890 scholars deadline March 1
The application deadline for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/1890 National Scholars Program is March 1, said Belinda Demmings, USDA liaison for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The program awards scholarships to students attending one of 19 historically black land-grant universities. High school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply, according to a news release. USDA/1890 National Scholars receive full tuition towards a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must apply using the e-application form at this web address: https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars.
Monday, Jan. 15
MLK holiday closings set
Several agencies will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. These include: Pine Bluff City Hall and related offices; Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices. Waste Management will be closed and garbage pickup will be one day late. Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will be closed.