Stories by I.C. Murrell

2nd Urban Renewal suspect posts bail A second suspect in the case of theft from the Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency reported to the Jefferson County jail and was released on bail just minutes later Sunday.Rodrick Morris, 43, of Houston, ... June 6, 2023

Gandy Elementary’s new principal named The White Hall School District board recently approved the hiring of Lakendra Lovelady as principal of Gandy Elementary School.Lovelady recently served as assistant principal at White Hall Middle Scho... June 6, 2023

Dollarway’s Humphrey-Gulley honored as Pine Bluff School District teacher of the year In two short years since annexation, Dollarway High School has produced as many Pine Bluff School District Teachers of the Year.Career and technical education instructor Virginia Humphrey-Gulley won t... May 31, 2023

UAPB’s Snowden best in West, heads to NCAA high jump finals Once Caleb Snowden arrived at the California State University Sacramento track, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff junior felt he could earn a place in the NCAA high jump finals."I knew I h... May 31, 2023

God built our house, ex-state legislator Henry Wilkins says at wife’s funeral Back in his hometown dressed in a clergyman's robe, Henry "Hank" Wilkins IV was in a familiar setting, preaching the word of God in front of an estimated 360 people inside Pine Bluff&#39... May 28, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Jack Robey to close after 37 years This is the 15th and final entry in the Class of 2023 series.Not quite four decades ago, the opening of what was then Pine Bluff Junior High School was one of many highlights in a city well positioned... May 28, 2023

After 4 years, Harbor Oaks reopens Following a year of planning and preparations, Harbor Oaks is finally resurrected.Friday morning, players took the first swings on the 18-hole public golf course in four years as Pine Bluff Parks and ... May 27, 2023

UAPB adding bachelor’s program in engineering The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will soon begin its bachelor of science program in engineering, pending approval from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.The University of Arkansas Sy... May 27, 2023

Harbor Oaks, Pine Bluff's 18-hole public golf course, reopens Following a year of planning and preparations, Harbor Oaks is finally resurrected.Friday morning, players took the first swings on the 18-hole public golf course in four years as Pine Bluff Parks and ... May 26, 2023

Remains discovered in Watson Chapel area identified as Maranda Neal Jefferson County sheriff's officials Thursday confirmed that human remains discovered earlier this month in dense vegetation southeast of President Circle in the Watson Chapel area were those of M... May 26, 2023

Remains discovered in Watson Chapel area identified as Maranda Neal Jefferson County sheriff’s officials Thursday confirmed that human remains discovered in dense vegetation southeast of President Circle in the Watson Chapel area were those of Maranda Merrell Ne... May 25, 2023

Explore Academy gains high acclaim Wrapping up its second year of educating junior high school students, Explore Academy in Pine Bluff received a national award Wednesday to the surprise of many.Students and faculty members were treate... May 25, 2023

Explore Academy receives national acclaim Wrapping up its second year of educating junior high school students, Explore Academy in Pine Bluff received a national award Wednesday to the surprise of many.Students and faculty members were treate... May 24, 2023

Fire on roof damages Jefferson Regional specialty hospital construction A fire started on the roof of the new Jefferson Regional specialty hospital building under construction in White Hall on Tuesday afternoon.White Hall firefighters received a call about the fire at 4:3... May 24, 2023

Pine Bluff High School students to get ‘Effective’ book Pine Bluff High School students will receive copies of a book that encourages them to make better choices on campus and in the community.Principal Ronnieus Thompson introduced "The Seven Habits o... May 24, 2023

Fire erupts from White Hall specialty hospital under construction; no serious injuries reported A fire erupted at the new Jefferson Regional specialty hospital building under construction in White Hall on Tuesday afternoon.White Hall firefighters received a call about the fire at 4:30 p.m., Fire... May 23, 2023

Watershed project engineers named for Pine Bluff LITTLE ROCK -- A joint venture between EJES Inc. of Dallas and FTN Associates of Little Rock will lead the engineering of nine watershed projects in Pine Bluff.The companies were among seven firms the... May 23, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Friendship-Southeast starts afresh This is the 13th entry in the Class of 2023 series.The final graduating class of Friendship Aspire Academy Southeast Campus is not the last in the school's history.Nine of the 19 students that mad... May 22, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Bulldogs graduate with big dreams This is the 14th entry in the Class of 2023 series.It was standing room only Friday evening at the White Hall High School commencement.Both sets of bleachers and overflow seating at Bulldog Stadium we... May 22, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: 147 graduate on a great day to be Zebra This is the 12th entry in the Class of 2023 series.Salutatorian Blakely Hopkins took the words out of the mouth of Principal Ronnieus Thompson, and Thompson reiterated the point: "What a great da... May 21, 2023

White Hall student’s wound fatal; his friend arrested An 18-year-old, White Hall High School student was shot and killed Thursday night in North Little Rock less than 24 hours before he was to graduate, and his 17-year-old friend has been arrested in con... May 20, 2023

Watson Chapel school champion Boone dies Sandra Colbert Boone, an educator and 20-year veteran of the Watson Chapel School District known for championing an ongoing campaign for a new high school, died earlier this week.Boone's death was... May 20, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Dollarway sends off last graduating class This is the 11th entry in the Class of 2023 series.Jackie Harris reminded the final Dollarway High School graduating class of his special night 37 years ago in the same location, the Pine Bluff Conven... May 20, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Teacher: Pine Bluff valedictorian is ‘practical model student’ This is the ninth entry in the Class of 2023 series.To find the "practical model student" at Pine Bluff High School, just look to the head of the class, Morgan Wilson will say.Wilson wears m... May 19, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Dollarway’s Gary leads final class This is the seventh entry in the Class of 2023 series.Kindergartners envision what they would like to become when they grow up.Even in that early stage of life, Jamiyah Gary had an idea of her own.&qu... May 18, 2023

Information sought on runaway boy, 15 Jefferson County sheriff's officials are asking for the public's help in locating a 15-year-old boy said to be a runaway.Jaylin Bennett was last seen Tuesday at about 8:45 p.m., according to t... May 18, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: ‘19 strong’ graduate from Friendship Aspire Academy Southeast Campus This is the eighth entry in the Class of 2023 series.Nine students attended Friendship Aspire Academy Southeast Campus from the beginning of their high school careers, when it was known as Southeast A... May 18, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Valedictorian’s actions speak for her This is the sixth entry in the Class of 2023 series.Arereunti Goodwin doesn't like to brag.The 18-year-old was soft-spoken earlier this week about her accomplishments as the final valedictorian of... May 17, 2023

White Hall School District spurs on teacher learning Certified teachers in the White Hall School District who began their studies toward a postgraduate degree will receive additional money applied to their 2023-24 salary.The district in April finalized ... May 17, 2023

Teen gets 40-year term for 2021 shooting death A Pine Bluff teen pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Monday in an on-campus shooting death of a Watson Chapel Junior High School classmate two years ago.Thomas Quarles, who was 15 at the time of th... May 16, 2023

$500,000 bail set for two in shooting Two men face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, in the May 7 shooting death of a Pine Bluff teen at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.Bail was set at $500,000 each for Deshawn Chapman, 20,... May 16, 2023

Reward offered for leads on thefts AT&T is offering a $5,000 reward for information that will lead to a conviction in the case of copper cable thefts in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County, the telecommunications company confirmed.Kirs... May 16, 2023

Hogg, Lincoln County former sheriff, 68, dies Leonard Hogg, a longtime veteran of law enforcement who served eight years as Lincoln County sheriff before retiring in 2022, died Sunday. He was 68.Hogg died at CHI Hot Springs Rehab Hospital, accord... May 16, 2023

Teen pleads guilty in 2021 Watson Chapel shooting death, receives 40-year sentence A Pine Bluff teen pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Monday in an on-campus shooting death of a Watson Chapel Junior High School classmate two years ago.Thomas Quarles, who was 15 at the time of th... May 15, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Plant seeds of success, SEARK grads told This is the fourth entry in the Class of 2023 series.The "long road" to earning a degree, as Kristen Milligan called it, was completed in the arena of the Pine Bluff Convention Center, and s... May 14, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Dollarway High School end prompts reflection This is the fifth entry in the Class of 2023 series.To Elouise Shorter, Dollarway High School has always been a family affair.She left a nearly 20-year career working in the telecommunications field o... May 14, 2023

White Hall, Sheridan athletes win at Meet of Champs White Hall's Benjamin Redix scored a measure of redemption in the triple jump, while Sheridan's Aaron Webb nearly pulled off triple gold earlier Wednesday in the Meet of Champs at Russellville... May 13, 2023

Slaying suspect from Pine Bluff faces new counts in Washington state A man from Pine Bluff charged with killing a 27-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter in Washington state pleaded innocent to four new counts related to an alleged protection order violation earl... May 13, 2023

High school baseball, softball, soccer teams in state tourneys Listed are state tournaments involving teams from southeast Arkansas; championships to be announced later; full coverage available in The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:BASEBALLCLASS 5AAt Marion High Schoo... May 13, 2023

Tax rise for new Pine Bluff High School set for August election Pine Bluff School District board members and officials will formally ask the public for a unified, increased millage rate across the district toward construction of a new high school in an Aug. 8 spec... May 11, 2023

SEARK to mint jewelry techs Jewelry technicians are in high demand in Arkansas, and Southeast Arkansas College has introduced a program that will prepare future workers for the field.The college's board of trustees approved ... May 11, 2023

Minimal tornado confirmed near Pine Bluff A tornado briefly touched down on a field north of Pine Bluff on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service in North Little Rock confirmed.Video from Eric Smith that was posted online by Little... May 11, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Watson Chapel graduates can ‘rule the world,’ salutatorian says This is the third entry in the Class of 2023 series.The smiles widened among the faces of Watson Chapel High School graduates during their commencement Tuesday. The crowd inside the Pine Bluff Convent... May 11, 2023

Tornado north of Pine Bluff confirmed; no damage reported A tornado briefly touched down on a field north of Pine Bluff on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service in North Little Rock confirmed.Video from Eric Smith that was posted online by Little... May 10, 2023

Watson Chapel School District gets more funds for new school The Facilities and Transportation Board of the Arkansas Department of Education approved an additional $89 per square foot to its partnership funding with the Watson Chapel School District toward a ne... May 9, 2023

Hall’s mother pleads for information Tuesday will mark the start of the 30th year that Cleashindra Denise "Clea" Hall has been missing.Hall was an 18-year-old senior at Watson Chapel High School when she was reported missing af... May 8, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Entrepreneur inspires new UAPB graduates For the third straight year, The Commercial presents a series honoring Jefferson County's high school and college graduates, sharing just a few of their stories. For this series, the Class of 2023... May 7, 2023

CLASS OF 2023: Watson Chapel valedictorian Giselle Arreola writes recipe for success This is the second entry in the Class of 2023 series.Giselle Arreola's future is set as bright as her present.She'll soon walk the halls of the University of Central Arkansas and major in busi... May 7, 2023

Board approves Friendship Education Foundation Arkansas to oversee Marvell-Elaine School District Friendship Education Foundation Arkansas is set to take over another educational system in the Arkansas Delta.In a historic move Friday, the state Board of Education voted unanimously to direct Commis... May 6, 2023

Search for Jefferson County woman suspended after remains found The search for a Jefferson County woman missing for nearly a year has been suspended after it led to the discovery of human remains and items of clothing on Friday, but police could not confirm Friday... May 5, 2023