Kingfest canceled
The 40th annual Original KingFest MLK Day of Service, the MLK Parade/Marade, and the MLK Commemorative Church Service have been cancelled indefinitely, according to a news release from the Kingfest executive committee. The events, which honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., had been set for Saturday and Sunday. Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc. is the sponsor.
Waste Management halts local pickups
The effects of the winter weather event have caused Waste Management to pause residential services in Jefferson County this week, according to a news release. They plan to collect all the bagged trash that is set out next to residential carts during next week’s collection.
The company continues to evaluate collection options for the residents who did not receive service this week due to the winter weather conditions.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“The safety of our employees is paramount to Waste Management,” said Jamie Vernon, public sector manager for Waste Management. “We are sorry for the inconvenience this storm event has caused our customers.”
“As we continue to evaluate road conditions for the safety of our employees and the communities we serve, we will continue to provide updates as they become available,” according to the release.
UAM closed
Due to hazardous road conditions and icy surfaces on campus, the University of Arkansas at Monticello will hold virtual learning and business operations today. All campuses and offices will be closed. Critical personnel should report for duty. Notices concerning the operation of each of UAM’s campuses can be obtained on the UAM website, local TV stations, local radio and through UAMAlert.
Area Agency announces 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. Here’s next week’s menu:
Monday — Hashbrown and ham casserole, spring salad, strawberries, breadsticks, angel food cake.
Tuesday — Cheeseburger pie, creamed peas, herbed potatoes, wheat bread, pineapples, and milk.
Wednesday — Pinto beans with ham, spinach topped tomatoes, cornbread, lemonade pie, and milk.
Thursday — Spaghetti with meat sauce, Italian mixed vegetables, tossed salad with low-fat Italian dressing, brownie, and milk.
Friday — Sliced turkey with gravy, sweet potatoes, cream-style corn, roll, apple crisp, and milk. Details: Strachota Senior Citizens Center, (870) 543-6323.
Blue & You challenge deadline near
Businesses, civic organizations, families and friend groups wanting to take part in the 2024 Blue & You Fitness Challenge must register their teams by Jan. 25. The challenge begins March 1, according to a news release.
The free program is designed to improve well-being and encourage healthy behaviors. The challenge was created in 2004 by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Human Services with the goal of improving overall health.
The three-month challenge is tailored for all fitness and wellness levels and is open to everyone. People don’t need to be Blue Cross members to participate.
Team members log their daily activity and healthy behaviors into the free Wellable® app or via the online platform, or they can sync their fitness trackers for easier logging of their exercise. Participants earn points for their team by taking part in physical activities, taking part in healthy behaviors such as meditating and drinking water, or even watching one of the free wellness webinars.
Participants can register their team name at https://blueandyoufitnesschallenge-ark.com. They will receive a free toolkit with tips on recruiting team members and getting the most out of the program.