Election panel to meet
The Jefferson County Board of Election Commissioners will hold a called meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the election commission office, according to a news release from Chairman Michael Adam.
The agenda includes public comments on new business (two minutes per speaker) and to approve ballot proofs for primary, non partisan and school elections for March 5, 2024.
Meeting participants should be aware that Main Street is still blocked at the courthouse due to a partial building collapse so participants must approach the election office from Second Avenue. Also, there’s an on-going plumbing issue so the bathrooms will not be available, according to the release.
Watershed project meeting set
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Arkansas Black Mayors Association (ABMA) will host a Watershed Improvement Project Scoping Meeting at 10 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The project, which concerns flooding, impacts area communities, according to a news release.
The meeting will include presentations at 10 a.m. including discussing the project, planning processes and the current status. Public comments are encouraged. This is an open house format where the public can view maps and learn more about the watershed project and share feedback.
ABMA is working in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Flood Prevention Operations Watershed Mitigation project. The project is an environmental improvement effort designed to reduce the negative impacts of natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, landslides, and erosion, in targeted areas throughout Arkansas, according to the website. Details: ABMAWatershedProject.com.
RAIN internship deadline nears
The U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Rainfed Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN) project will host a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) from May 28 to Aug. 2, 2024, according to a news release.
Ten selected students will be paired with a faculty advisor and a graduate student mentor at one of the team institutions in Kansas, Oklahoma or Arizona. The program provides a $9,000 stipend to cover housing and living expenses. Jan. 17 is the deadline to apply. Details: https://www.rainfedag.org/summer-reu?fbclid=IwAR1QAk3_2YuPECtOuWlOQjcK5aLTVxGfD58cHgDgzmGT5CDRN1oF4E_ZEJI.