05/29/2026
JEFFERSON COUNTY JUDGE GERALD ROBINSON FILES RETIREMENT NOTICE
A document filed with the Jefferson County Clerk appears to show Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson formally announcing his retirement effective June 30, 2026.
According to the filing, Judge Robinson directed county personnel to enter his termination date into county systems and coordinate with APERS regarding his retirement benefits. The document is dated May 29, 2026, and bears a Jefferson County Clerk receipt stamp.
If this filing reflects Judge Robinson’s final decision, it signals an upcoming leadership transition for one of Jefferson County’s highest elected offices.
The retirement raises several important questions for county residents:
• Who will assume the duties of County Judge after June 30?
• Will an appointment be made, or will voters select a replacement?
• What impact will the transition have on county projects, budgets, roads, and county operations?
• Has the Quorum Court or county administration announced a succession plan?
Leadership changes at the county level affect every resident of Jefferson County. As this transition unfolds, transparency and communication will be important to ensure the public understands what comes next.
Pine Bluff News will continue following this story and seeking official confirmation and comment from county officials regarding the transition process.
What are your thoughts on Judge Robinson’s retirement? What accomplishments or challenges do you think will define his legacy in Jefferson County?
05/16/2026
Pine Bluff we got to do better Fighting @ the graduations ? 🤷🏼♂️Cc for Video
05/05/2026
Interesting 🤔 Pine Bluff police release
05/05/2026
Interesting read
BLIND FIELD TEST CONDUCTED ON SEVERAL ARKANSAS PRISON UNITS - BOOK BAN:
- Cummins Unit (Grady)
- Varner Unit (Grady)
- Tucker Unit
- Wrightsville Unit
- Pine Bluff Unit
- Randall L. Williams Unit (Pine Bluff)
- Ouachita River Unit (Malvern)
- Ester Unit (Pine Bluff area)
- Grimes Unit (Newport)
- McPherson Unit (Newport – women’s)
- North Central Unit (Calico Rock)
- East Arkansas Regional Unit (Brickeys)
- Delta Regional Unit (Dermott)
(Note: I attempted contact at Cummins, Varner, Ester, North Central and Brickeys - but my call went unanswered with the transfer to the Mail Room. The call rang and I allowed it to ring until it automatically disconnected.)
🚨FINDINGS:
Tucker, Wrightsville, and Pine Bluff allow general publications, while Randall L. Williams accepts books from Barnes & Noble, Edward R. Hamilton, Bargain Books, and Books-A-Million.
Ouachita River added Christianbooks.com but failed to state Bargain Books...
At Grimes, I was first told ‘no books allowed’ before getting transferred into silence. Delta’s guard who initially answered didn’t even know, and the Mail Room suggested vaguely ‘someone like Barnes & Noble.’
Both Randall L. Williams and Ouachita River confirmed some vendors, but Ouachita added that books like ‘The 48 Laws of Power’ and ‘The Laws of Human Nature’ are banned in all state or federal prisons.
Ouachita also prohibits sketch pads and composition books, allowing journals only if each page has a quote or saying.
These inconsistencies leave families confused, guards uninformed, and inmates at the mercy of unclear policies. We need clear, uniform legislation to stop this confusion. The policy was introduced, partially enforced, publicly challenged, and then “placed on hold”. It hasn't been clearly retracted, redefined, and consistently communicated.
This could be viewed as a disservice to everyone. From a certain perspective, if it was justified with the policy on the grounds of security saying that it was a serious enough issue with drugs, then the lack of operational consistency undermines the rationale. If the threat is as big as it is being claimed, there would be uniform, diligent, and clear operations. The fact that this inconsistency isn't being cleared up reflects that the security justification may have been more of a surface level reaction. When a policy that is claimed to be critical is left in limbo, it creates even more confusion instead of safety needed for correctional officers, staff, and inmates.
04/07/2026
Pine Bluff police writes ✍️ 👀 the following
04/06/2026
Pine Bluff police post
🚨 FOUR HOG (HOP OUT GANG) MEMBERS ARRESTED 🚨
On March 29, 2026, at approximately 12:33 a.m., officers with the Pine Bluff Police Department responded to a disturbance call when multiple gunshots were heard in the area of Blake Street.
Officers observed a silver/white Dodge Charger traveling at a high rate of speed and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled westbound onto West 28th Avenue, continued to Taft Street, and ultimately wrecked and caught fire. All occupants fled on foot.
Shortly after, officers located a green Dodge Challenger connected to the incident at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC), where several individuals were being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Victims reported they had been shot at by occupants of the Dodge Charger near 101 North Blake Street.
On April 1, 2026, members of the Pine Bluff Police Department’s Violent Crimes Apprehension Team (VCAT) conducted surveillance at a residence in the 500 block of Talbot Street.
During the operation, a suspect later identified as Bralen Whaley was observed handling a large rifle. Officers attempted a traffic stop, which led to a pursuit. The driver, identified as Keontae Davis, fled back to the residence where multiple individuals were detained.
A search warrant was executed, resulting in the recovery of three fi****ms, including:
• A G***k handgun equipped with a switch (fully automatic)
• Two AR-style pistols, both equipped with switches converting them to automatic weapons
The following individuals were arrested and identified as members of the HOG (Hop Out Gang):
🔹 Bralen Whaley – Battery 1st Degree, Terroristic Act, Engaging in Criminal Group Activity, Engaging in a Criminal Gang
🔹 Ta’couri McKenzie – Battery 1st Degree, Terroristic Act, Gang Activity, Prohibited Weapon, Machine Gun Act Violation
🔹 Xzaveion Reed – Gang Activity, Machine Gun Act Violation
🔹 Keontae Davis – Gang Activity, Felony Fleeing, Machine Gun Act Violation
The Pine Bluff Police Department will not tolerate gang activity in our community. We will continue to aggressively investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
⚠️ This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
📞 Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the:
• 📞 870-730-2106 (Tip Hotline)
• 📞 870-730-2090 (Detective Office)
• 📞 870-541-5300 (Dispatch)
💡 You may also submit tips anonymously.
04/01/2026
🚨 FINAL RUNOFF RESULTS (UNOFFICIAL) – JEFFERSON COUNTY 2026 🗳️
PBN Media has obtained the final unofficial results from the Jefferson County Primary Runoff Election — and the voters showed up in a major way tonight.
📊 County Judge Race (Democratic)
🏆 Efrem B. Neely Sr. – 3,616 votes
• Gerald L. Robinson – 1,241 votes
📊 JP District 1 Race (Democratic)
🏆 Jackie Tillmon – 273 votes
• Alfred Carroll – 168 votes
📊 Republican Secretary of State
• Kim Hammer – 214 votes
• Bryan Norris – 186 votes
📌 Voter Turnout Snapshot
• Total Ballots Cast: 5,260
• Democratic Ballots: 4,860
• Republican Ballots: 400
📊 Voting Breakdown
• Early Voting: 2,371
• Election Day: 2,840
• Absentee: 49
✅ All 170 of 170 precincts have reported
⚠️ Results remain UNOFFICIAL pending certification
💯 Jefferson County made its voice heard loud and clear in this runoff election.
PBN Media will continue to monitor certification and provide updates as they become official.
🗣️ What do you think about the results?
📲 Stay locked in with PBN Media for continued coverage
🔁 Share to keep the community informed