Jefferson County news in brief
Farm Family of Year winners announced
The eight district winners in the 73rd annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program have been selected.
The Southeast District Farm Family of the Year is the Render family in Jefferson County: Chad, Dawn, and their two daughters, Mary-Keaton and Stella.
The Render family grows irrigated corn, rice, soybean on 6,200 acres. Chad and Dawn Render have farmed for 21 years, 19 in Jefferson County.
The other seven district winners are:
■ Brad and Tara Peacock of White County in the East Central District.
■ Shane and Ashley Mason of Cleburne County in the North Central District.
■ The Senter family of Mississippi County in the Northeast District.
■ The Stone family of Carroll County in the Northwest District.
■ Chris and Denise Sweat of Hempstead County in the Southwest District.
■ James and Tiffany Miller of Yell County in the Western District.
■ Hunter and Jenifer Phelps of Grant County in the West Central District.
The district winners will now be judged to determine a state winner who will be announced Dec. 10 at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon at the Wyndham hotel in North Little Rock.
PB Chamber cancels 2020 Business Expo
of the 2020 Business Expo.
In a news release from the Chamber, officials said the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and mandated restrictions in place for large indoor events made it necessary to cancel the event.
The 2021 Business Expo is scheduled for May 6, 2021, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Questions regarding the Business Expo should be directed to Mandy Owens at mandy@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or (870) 535-0110.
U.S. loans available for storms in April
Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and straight-line winds that occurred April 12, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The agency said it acted under its own authority to declare a disaster at the request of Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The declaration makes Small Business Administration assistance available in Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke, and Pulaski counties.
According to a news release, low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by the storms.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Small Business Administration will establish a virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the program, explain the application process and help people complete their electronic applications. The center will be accessible Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. by phone at (916) 735-1500 or by email at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov.
The deadline to apply for property damage is Aug. 17. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 17.
These services are only available for the April storms and not for virus-related assistance.
Health centers offer virus tests to public
The nonprofit Community Health Centers of Arkansas are offering free coronavirus testing for all, regardless of symptoms, at all 12 Community Health Centers in the state and nearly 100 affiliate locations.
In Jefferson County, tests are performed at the Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, 1101 S. Tennessee St. in Pine Bluff.
Police host reunion of camp attendees
The Pine Bluff Police Department is hosting a Police and Youth Camp reunion Tuesday at the Civic Center on the east side steps near the library entrance. The reunion is scheduled for 6:30.-7:30 p.m. and is hosted by New Life Church in Pine Bluff.
Organizers encourage attendees to wear a camp T-shirt and to practice social distancing. The program will be broadcast on Deltaplex Radio at 101.3 FM to enable attendees to remain in their cars.
Anyone who exits a vehicle is asked to wear a mask.
Camp participants are encouraged to attend the event and to visit with their favorite police officers.