With no proposed ordinances or resolutions on the agenda Monday night, Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington spent some time talking about the shooting that occurred at Watson Chapel Junior High Monday morning, and plans at the school going forward.
She also updated council members and the media on the latest on the issues with Liberty Utilities.
Washington, who spent 38 years as an educator described all school shootings as devastating but said when it touches close to home it is more devastating and tragic. She said she had spoken to Watson Chapel District Superintendent Dr. Jerry Guess and he told her he was grateful for the response from law enforcement following the incident.
Guess said officers from the Pine Bluff Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Department of Corrections and others led to the apprehension of the suspect in a short period of time.
The Mayor asked members of the council and public to keep the Watson Chapel School District in their thoughts and prayers going forward and said Guess told her that students at the junior high would be virtual Tuesday but back in classes Wednesday, and counselors would be available for students at the junior high as well as the high school and Coleman Elementary.
Washington also said police and sheriff’s deputies will be on hand to provide extra security at the school and she will visit with Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant to talk about what needs to be done now and in the future to provide security.
On another subject, Washington announced that a COVID-19 vaccination clinic that had been scheduled last week and was cancelled because of ice and bad roads has been rescheduled for March 12 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This clinic will be for people who have received their first shot previously.
Washington said the state of the city address, which was cancelled last month has been rescheduled for March 18 at the Convention Center at 6 p.m. Seating will be limited and she said the event will be livestreamed.
