BBQ, fish fundraiser to benefit ACT-SO
A barbecue fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3-4 at NTPFC (National Trusted Partners For Christ), 2101 E. Sixth Ave.
Pine Bluff Arkansas Community Organizations and Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP are sponsoring the fundraiser to benefit the 2024 ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics.) ACT-SO is an enrichment program of the NAACP that recognizes the academic achievement of high school students.
The fundraiser will consist of rib dinners, rib tip dinners, buffalo rib dinners or catfish fillet dinners for $15 each. The dinners will include potato salad, or coleslaw, and baked beans. Sodas will be sold separately for $1 and pound cake will be sold for $1.50 a slice.
Panel seeks comment on right to counsel
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Arkansas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is conducting a study to examine the right to counsel as provided through the state system of public defenders in Arkansas.
The committee recently heard testimony at public meetings, according to a news release. As the committee reviews this testimony and prepares its report to the commission, the committee invites the public to submit written statements for inclusion in the records.
All written testimony must be submitted to the committee by May 1 by email at mwojnaroski@usccr.gov.
The committee is reviewing public investment and funding available to support the right to counsel for those who cannot afford it, and the impact the availability of such counsel may have on persistent disparities throughout the criminal justice system based on race, color, sex, disability, and national origin. The committee will examine the extent to which specific state or local policies may contribute to identified challenges, as well as alternative practices or recommendations with the demonstrated potential to address such concerns.
To access records of the meetings held recently, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/7fI2s7H/ARAdvisoryCommittee?source_id=c7fe6f4c-fc16-49ee-b4bf-ef534b731760&source_type=em&c=99PoowLXdQJ6Vohf7vG08OV1YlfW7DaJN6EvwOGRqk83W7R1A9Pd-Q==
The committee expects to issue its findings and recommendations in a report to the commission by Fall 2024. Details: Melissa Wojnaroski, designated federal officer, mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or (202) 681-4158.
Phi Kappa Phi inducts local
Stephanie Thomas of Dumas was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi honor society at Arkansas State University.
Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, according to a news release. Thomas is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into the society each year.
Arkansas Water Plan receives updates
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is updating the Arkansas Water Plan in compliance with Executive Order 23-27 signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The department is scheduling public meetings to engage stakeholders in identifying current water issues, needs, and best practicable solutions.
The meetings are scheduled for May 6-10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The format for each meeting will consist of a general overview of the current water plan and discussion about potential updates during the morning session and location-specific water supply discussion in the afternoon from 1-3 p.m. Attendees are welcome to attend all or parts of each meeting but encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early for on-site registration, according to a news release.
The meetings will be held across the state including:
May 9 – Rice Research and Extension Center, Stuttgart (Afternoon session topic: Agricultural Water Supply),
May 10 – Arkansas Cooperative Extension State Office, Little Rock (Afternoon session topic: Environmental Quality and Recreation). A virtual option will be provided on the agency website at agriculture.arkansas.gov.
The update of the Arkansas Water Plan and the development of a statewide flood plan is being conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Details: agriculture.arkansas.gov/natural-resources/divisions/water-management/arkansas-water-plan/.