Foundation sets golf tournament
Jefferson Regional Foundation will host its fourth annual golf tournament May 3 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. To register or for sponsorship information, contact Laura Beth Shaner at (870) 541-7210 or shanerl@jrmc.org.
Delta food bank plans giveaway
The Delta Network Food Bank of Pine Bluff will host its annual Spring Drive-Thru Hunger Relief Distribution from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center parking lot. The agency asks that participants remain in their vehicles at all times. Vehicles will line up on Eighth Avenue and drive through the north access to the convention center and receive the food available for registered households. Registration forms will be available on site.
Drivers should follow the instructions of the traffic directors, according to a news release.Tyson Foods will donate a truckload of chicken to help families facing economic distress. Delta Network is a Tyson Foods Community Partner Pantry.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
This event is sponsored by the Delta Network Food Bank, Tyson Foods and the United Way of Southeast Arkansas. Delta Network is a 501C3 tax exempt non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Financial donations are accepted and checks should be payable to Delta Network Inc., P.O. Box 20278, White Hall, AR, 71612 or cash app: $DeltaNetwork.Louis Ross is the chief executive officer and Jacqueline Ross is the director of Delta Network. Details: (870) 536-2424.
Volunteer Fire Departments obtain kits
The Rural Fire Protection Program, managed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, is awarding 87 wildland fire suppression kits to rural fire departments in 46 counties, including southeast Arkansas.
The RFP received $303,904.30 through the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant from the United States Forest Service to purchase the kits.
Volunteer fire departments are the primary partner to Forestry Division crews in wildfire response and suppression, but they are often in need of specialized equipment and gear necessary for safe wildfire suppression. Equipment and gear in the kits include lightweight wildfire-resistant coveralls, gloves, rakes, and leaf blowers, according to a news release.
Southeast fire departments receiving kits in 2024 include: Altheimer (Jefferson County), Island Harbor (Jefferson County), Linwood/Moscow (Jefferson County), Southeast Jefferson County (Jefferson County), Swan Lake (Jefferson County), Wabbaseka (Jefferson County), Rison (Cleveland County), Halley (Desha County), Clear Creek (Drew County), Cornerville/County Village (Lincoln County), and Star City (Lincoln County).
Volunteer fire departments interested in participating in the program must submit an application to the RFP. The next application period is expected to begin in August.
Fire departments should receive an application by mail or obtain one at agriculture.arkansas.gov /forestry/rural-fire-protection-program/ when the application period opens. Details: Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov or (501) 679-3183.
VFW to honor veterans
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4455, 1518 E. Harding Ave., and VFW Auxiliary will observe the VFW’s National Day of Service from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4.
Veterans are urged to register and be present to win a Quilt of Honor donated by the Pine Bluff Quilters Guild. The drawing for the quilt will be held at 1 p.m., according to a news release.
Various agency representatives will attend including the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, DAV Mobile Van, Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, Pine Bluff Arsenal, Watson Chapel JROTC, and United Way.
There will also be free hair cuts for veterans, food trucks and various other vendors. Details: Odessa Lawson, (870) 550-0578 or Matthew Yarnell, (509) 675-3420.
UAPB AM&N Alumni elects leaders
The Pine Bluff-Jefferson County University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N Alumni Chapter recently elected officers for 2024-2026 years. Judge Jackie Harris was in charge of the swearing-in ceremony, according to a news release.
Officers are President Mary Liddell, 1st Vice President Robert E. Carr, 2nd Vice President Tanya Walker, Secretary Deloris Riley, Assistant Secretary Faye Gant, Treasurer Tina Owens, Financial Secretary Marikka Bender, Assistant Financial Secretary Stephanie Ridgell, Chaplain the Rev. Alfred Carroll, Assistant Chaplain Terrill McCray, Parliamentarian Thomas Gathen, Sergeant at Arms Charles Wesson, Business Manager John Kuykendall, Historian Calvin Thomas, Assistant Historian Genevia Thomas.
Committee chairs are PBJC UAPB Outreach Liaison Chair – Cena McCray; Fundraising – Robert E. Carr; Membership/Scholarship – Tanya Walker; Bylaws – Lloyd Franklin Sr.; Communication/Media Chair – Marikka Bender; and Communication/Media Co-Chair – LaStephanie Scott.