Labor Day closings set
Several agencies have announced plans to observe Labor Day, Sept. 2.
Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices will be closed Friday and Monday.
Pine Bluff City Hall will be closed Friday and Monday.
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will be closed Monday. Southeast Arkansas Transportation (SEAT) will still transport cancer and dialysis patients to appointments.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
State Capitol offices and state buildings will be closed. However, the state Capitol building will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., according to a news release.
UAM opens PB adult education
The University of Arkansas at Monticello Adult Education Center-Pine Bluff, 3000 S. Olive St., will hold a grand opening Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be free refreshments and door prizes.
Arkansas’ mobile Workforce Center will be on site, according to the flyer on the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter. Details: (870) 619-1164.
Area Agency plans menu
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas is serving lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu includes:
Sept. 2 — Closed for Labor Day.
Sept. 3 — Red beans and rice, turkey polish sausage, mixed vegetables, hot baked apple dessert and milk.
Sept. 4 — Taco salad with chopped lettuce, tomato, and onion, refried beans, frosted grapes and milk.
Sept. 5 — Chicken pot pie with vegetables, green beans, spiced peaches and milk.
Sept. 6 — Hamburger with bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans, watermelon and milk. Details: Strachota Senior Center, (870) 543-6323.
Application period open for EAST funding
The EAST Initiative has opened the 2025-26 EAST recruiting season for consideration in awarding the Department of Secondary Education/Arkansas Department of Education-EAST Grant.
EAST is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Little Rock that focuses on the future of education with an emphasis on community service and career readiness. EAST now has programs in more than 250 schools across three states. Through EAST, students are encouraged to think critically and innovate to create positive change in their communities with the technology EAST provides for their classrooms.
Startup funding is available for more than 10 new EAST programs for the 2025-2026 school year. Funding will cover technology needed to install a full EAST classroom, and will cover some educator professional development costs required in the EAST curriculum, according to a news release.
“EAST is excited to continue expanding our network and to continue empowering students to identify and address challenges beyond the classroom,” said EAST Chief Executive Officer Matt Dozier. “When students are given the chance to transform their innovative ideas into real-world solutions, they are better equipped for success in their communities.”
All Arkansas public or charter schools are eligible to receive grant funding. Districts considering implementation of EAST as part of their curriculum for the next school year should fill out the form at https://news.eastlink.me/nextstep.
Applications for the first round of funding will be accepted through close of business on Dec. 13. Details: www.eastinitiative.org.