Retired teachers group to meet
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association will hold its luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave.
The guest speakers will be Mary Alice Hughes and Lisa Bamburg, endorsed Arkansas Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) insurance specialists. They will discuss health insurance updates for 2025, according to a news release.
Members are asked to bring dry spaghetti pasta to be donated to local food banks in assisting families in need.
Member reservations are required for the luncheon to be provided by Ms. Dee’s Diner. For details on JCRTA or for luncheon reservations, call Lura Campbell at (870) 543-0127.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
ADE names early childhood cohort
The Arkansas Department of Education announced the organizations selected for the third early childhood local leads cohort. The local agency is the Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative which aids Ashley, Bradley, and Drew counties.
Five more organizations were also chosen, according to a news release. To learn more about the local leads program and to see the complete list of participating organizations, go to https://dese.link/local-leads.
With this third cohort, all 75 counties are now represented by 26 organizations focused on creating a comprehensive, localized plan to ensure children and families can access high-quality early childhood education programs in their communities.
In addition to creating a localized plan, the local leads are aligning the local plans to the state’s vision for early childhood education, as defined by the LEARNS Act. The LEARNS Act transferred the Office of Early Childhood to ADE in an effort to improve access to quality early childhood education programs and expand and improve the education system to include birth to post-secondary education.
ARDOT sets meeting in Dallas County
The Arkansas Department of Transportation will conduct a public involvement meeting from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Sparkman to discuss the safety improvements to the Y-intersection at Highways 9 and 128 in Dallas County. The meeting will be held at Holly Spring Baptist Church, 168 Highway 9 in Sparkman, according to a news release.
The public may view meeting materials and provide written comments until 4:30 p.m. Nov. 13. Materials are available online at https://vpiph03-job-070592-hwys-9-128-yinters-safe-imp-en-202410-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/
Submit online comment forms to ARDOT or print the form and mail it to: Environmental Division, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203.
If you do not have internet access or need information or special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), contact Matt Strawn, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR 72203- 2261, call (501)569-2281 or email environmentalpimeetings@ardot.gov.
Drug Take Back Day is Saturday
The second of two National Prescription Drug Take Back Days led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration is on Saturday. Use these dos and don’ts to help you prepare to participate in take back events, according to a news release.
HELP REDUCE DRUG ABUSE.
According to the DEA, prescription drug and opioid addiction is a growing problem across the country. Removing unused medicines from your home and returning them at a collection site can help prevent this problem. Prescription drug abuse can cause medical emergencies and deadly overdoses, so it’s critical to limit the access your loved ones have to these medications.
DON’T LET POISONING HAPPEN.
Poisonings from prescription and over-the-counter medicines are on the rise, making it essential to dispose of them properly. Leaving unused prescription, over-the-counter and pet medicines unattended in the home can endanger children, senior citizens and pets. Be sure to find a drug take back site to dispose of them properly and prevent any accidental poisonings.
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
Studies have found that medicines flushed down the drain can contaminate lakes and streams, which can hurt fish and other wildlife and also end up in our drinking water. Getting rid of unused medications at a drug take back site is the only way to safely dispose of them and ensure that there’s no negative impact on the environment.
Don’t take back unapproved items.
Items you should not take to a collection site include needles or syringes, thermometers, aerosol cans, empty containers, infectious or business waste and other non-medicine-related items.
This may seem simple, but it’s important to only return unused items that are approved by the U.S. DEA. Prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, pet medicines, medicated ointments or lotions and medicine samples are just a few examples of items that are safe to return.
Details: dea.gov/takebackday or artakeback.org.