Fire department urges holiday safety
There are a few key safety tips to keep in mind when preparing the Thanksgiving feast. Following these safety tips can help ensure that your Thanksgiving celebration is safe, according to the Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services Department.
STOVETOP COOKING
One of the most important safety tips to remember is to always be cautious when using stove tops and ovens.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Make sure to keep an eye on pots and pans while cooking, and never leave food unattended.
Keep flammable items such as dish towels, oven mitts, and packaging materials away from the stove top to prevent fires. Always turn off burners and ovens when you are finished cooking to prevent accidental burns or fires.
FRYING TURKEYS
Another safety concern during Thanksgiving is when frying turkeys. While fried turkey can be delicious, it can also be dangerous if not done properly. Make sure to always fry turkeys outside, away from any structures or flammable materials. Thaw the turkey completely before frying to prevent oil splattering and potential fires. It is also important to use a fryer specifically designed for turkey frying and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
CANDLES
Candles are often used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere during Thanksgiving dinner, but they can also pose a fire hazard if not used safely.
Keep candles away from flammable materials such as tablecloths, curtains, and decorations.
Never leave candles burning unattended, and make sure to extinguish them before leaving the room or going to bed.
The Links set Pancakes with Santa
The Pine Bluff Chapter of The Links Inc. will present Pancakes with Santa, a fund-raising event for scholarships, at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7. The event will be held at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St.
Children and adults can enjoy a morning with Santa that includes pancake breakfast, music, crafts, pictures with Santa Claus with a photo backdrop and holiday decor for DIY pictures. (Be sure to bring your camera or phone.)
Pre-registration is encouraged by using this link https://forms.gle/xKfFRHYqYtkZnAqP6. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under, $10 for everyone 13 and older. Tickets will be available at the door. There will also be $5 raffle tickets available for attendees to take a chance to win a gift basket.
The Pine Bluff Chapter of The Links Inc. was chartered in May 1969 and places a major emphasis on these facets: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services, according to a news release.
More than 500 individuals benefit each year from activities and programs of the chapter through the 28 chapter members who contribute more than 2,500 service hours. The chapter has been recognized for outstanding chapter programs at several area and national meetings. Carla M. Martin is the current chapter president.
A-State winning debaters include locals
The Arkansas State University Debate team traveled to Little Rock to participate in the Arkansas Student Congress at the state Capitol.
The eight students who took part won second place in the collegiate delegation, received eight superior awards, 10 excellence awards and two distinguished awards. A-State junior Rocco Hicks of Grant County was elected Republican party leader, according to a news release.
Participants included:
Rocco Hicks, a junior political science major from Prattsville, was elected the Republican Party Leader and awarded Superior in Caucus, Excellent in Committee, Floor Debate and Parliamentary Procedure.
John Thompson, a freshman political science major from Pine Bluff, was recognized for the Excellence in Caucus Award.
Several A-State students also wrote bills, three of which became laws of Congress in the competition.
Introduced by Hicks and Thompson, a bill that would ensure free meals in public schools be extended for all students was recommended to the Arkansas General Assembly.
Board accepting rice proposals
The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board is accepting grant proposals for rice research and promotion through Jan. 9, according to a news release.
Rice research proposals should not exceed four pages and must:
State the goals and objectives of the proposed research.
State the expected benefits to the Arkansas rice industry from the proposed research.
Include a budget that includes salaries/benefits, travel, direct costs, and research costs.
The budget documentation is not considered as part of the four-page proposal limitation.
Explain how the entity will be accountable for its use of the requested funds.
Present audited financial statements for funding requests over $15,000.
Proposals for promotional activities must:
State the goals and objectives of the promotional activity.
State the expected benefits to the Arkansas rice industry from the proposed promotional efforts.
Seek to promote generic rice and non-specific business entities.
Include a budget and explain how the entity will be accountable for its use of the requested funds.
Present audited financial statements for funding requests over $15,000.
Funds will not be awarded for administrative costs and cannot be used to duplicate activities funded by other programs.
Proposals should be submitted to Cynthia Edwards at cynthia.edwards@agriculture.arkansas.gov or by mail at 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 72205, by 5 p.m. Jan. 9.
A funding goal of $2.7 million for research proposals has been established. Details: https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-rice-research-and-promotion-board/