🌱 Why Pine Bluff’s police shake-up and urban renewal overhaul just stalled

Hello Pine Bluff! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Pine Bluff’s police shake-up and urban renewal overhaul just stalled
• How one UAPB grad turned Pine Bluff challenges into “gold”
• How one overflowing dumpster reignited Pine Bluff’s dumping frustrations

Also on today's calendar: PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Pine Bluff, AR and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 66 and low of 34 degrees.
• Friday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 54, low: 39.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 71 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Officials reject measure to restructure PB police (pbcommercial.com) — Pine Bluff’s City Council has rejected a mayor-backed plan to restructure police leadership while also pulling an ordinance to dissolve the Urban Renewal Agency, leaving both issues unresolved for now. Council members approved a new communications manager position, heard concerns about a possible 1-cent sales tax, celebrated fire department honors, and discussed new roles tied to future revitalization and land bank efforts.
   

2. UAPB Fall 2025 Grad Finds Gold in Pine Bluff Higher Education (wordpress.com) — A new UAPB graduate describes how he discovered “gold” in Pine Bluff through campus support, mentoring, and local work opportunities despite financial hardship and pandemic setbacks. His journey from warehouse jobs and homelessness to multiple internships and leadership roles highlights the transformative power of Pine Bluff’s higher education community.
   

3. Pine Bluff community raises concerns over illegal dumping, littering (thv11.com) — Neighbors in Pine Bluff are speaking out again about persistent illegal dumping, after an overfilled construction dumpster on Belmoor Avenue drew fresh complaints and cleanup costs. City code enforcement leaders say miscommunication led to the dumpster placement, but broader littering and dumping issues continue to strain property owners and hurt neighborhood appearance, prompting calls for stronger enforcement and public reporting.
   

4. Scott scores 33, Williams has triple-double, and UAPB beats Champion Christian 138-73 (washingtonpost.com) — Pine Bluff fans saw a huge night as UAPB crushed Champion Christian 138-73 behind 33 points from Jaquan Scott and a triple-double from Quion Williams. Three Golden Lions topped 20 points and seven hit double figures in the runaway home win. UAPB now gets a break before returning to action on January 3.
   

5. Researchers tracking Brown Trout movements on White River below Bull Shoals Dam (ktlo.com) — Researchers from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are helping lead a year-long study tracking 100 radio-tagged brown trout in the White River below Bull Shoals Dam. Their findings will guide future trout regulations and catch‑and‑release zones, and anglers are being asked to leave transmitters in released fish and report any legally harvested tagged trout.
   

📸 Around Pine Bluff

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Pine Bluff

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• The Virgin Islands @ Ark.-Pine Bluff
  H.O. Clemmons Arena, 1542-1598 L A Prexy Davis Dr, Pine Bluff
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Varsity Girl's Basketball at McGehee High School
  McGehee High School White Hall, AR 71602
  5:00 pm
• Varsity Boy's Basketball at McGehee High School
  McGehee High School White Hall, AR 71602
  7:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Varsity Girl's Basketball vs. Watson Chapel High School
  White Hall School District White Hall, AR 71602
  6:00 pm
• Varsity Boy's Basketball vs. Watson Chapel High School
  White Hall School District White Hall, AR 71602
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• PMP Certification 4 Days Classroom Training in Pine Bluff, AR
  The Space , 3117 S Olive St , Pine Bluff
  9:00 am

📣 Pine Bluff Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Varsity Girl's Basketball at McGehee High School
  McGehee High School White Hall, AR 71602
  5:00 pm
• Varsity Boy's Basketball at McGehee High School
  McGehee High School White Hall, AR 71602
  7:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Virgin Islands Lady Buccaneers vs. Arkansas-pine Bluff Golden Lions
  H.O. Clemmons Arena , 1542-1598 L A Prexy Davis Dr , Pine Bluff
  12:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Varsity Girl's Basketball vs. Watson Chapel High School
  Watson Chapel High School White Hall, AR 71602
  6:00 pm
• Varsity Boy's Basketball vs. Watson Chapel High School
  Watson Chapel High School White Hall, AR 71602
  7:00 pm

Thursday February 5

• Watson Chapel Wildcats vs Warren Lumberjacks
  Watson Chapel High School , 4000 S Camden Rd , Pine Bluff
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I have pit masif mixed pups that I’ll be giving away on Christmas Eve.
  They are well cared for so I want them all to go to good homes. I will post pics later on today message me for more info (Nextdoor Southeast Apartment)

• Brookshire Grocery Company posted a job opening for Grocery Stocker in Pine Bluff. Apply here.
• Checkers & Rally's - Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Pine Bluff. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Pine Bluff here.

Ok Pine Bluff! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook