Jefferson County news in brief

Delta festival series rescheduled for ’21

The Delta Celebration Series of Festivals and Events will be rescheduled for 2021, officials have announced.

This includes Forward Fest Blues, Batter, and Brew; Homecoming Showcase; Mistletoe Magic; and the King Cotton Holiday Classic basketball tournament.

Go Forward Pine Bluff, in partnership with the city, has been monitoring the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result of heightened public safety measures and economic hardship, officials decided to cancel the festivals for this year.

Specific 2021 dates are dependent upon the community’s ability to reduce or eliminate the spread of the virus through all current and future recommended practices, officials said.

The decision was made at a time when other events planned by various organizations are being postponed, such as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football season. The Southwest Athletic Conference postponed fall sports programs. UAPB is a member of the conference.

Another popular event in southeast Arkansas — the Delta Roots Music Festival in Helena-West Helena — also has been called off this year. It’s now scheduled for April 24.

Masks mandatory in public buildings

County Judge Gerald Robinson has issued an order that all employees and visitors to county buildings must wear masks as community transmission of the coronavirus persists.

An exception will be made if a distance of 6 feet can be consistently maintained.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidelines recommending that everyone wear face coverings in public settings where social distancing cannot be achieved. These practices will be continually monitored and reevaluated.

“With the increasing prevalence of covid-19 in the community, the risk of exposure to an infected person continues to increase, even in persons without typical symptoms,” Robinson said in a news release. “Universal masking of staff and visitors will greatly decrease the risk of infection and transmission and will also increase the likelihood of keeping Jefferson County offices open to the public so that citizens can receive the services they need.”

Jailer is honored for work in June

The sheriff’s office has announced that Cody Hickman is the Detention Deputy of the Month for June.

Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. said in a news release that Hickman has exceeded the expectations of a detention deputy for the month of June. Joining the county force almost a year ago, Hickman expressed that he is beyond happy to be recognized.

Hickman began his career with the sheriff’s office this year as a jailer at the W.C. “Dub” Brassell center. He previously worked as a sergeant at the state prison system for three years.