Good morning, Jonesboro.

Despite heavy rain Thursday, community members supported the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas's Empty Bowl event that raised funds to provide 200,000 meals to those in need.

Local restaurants provided lunches and participants received handcrafted ceramic bowls from local artists — a sign of strong support for the campaign.

Downtown Jonesboro is gearing up for a free BBQ and music fest starting Friday night on Main Street with food, live entertainment, and two days of celebration.

Several downtown streets including Union and Madison will be closed until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday—affecting traffic and parking.

City staff will help residents drop off unused items at The Rock Church — 418 E.

Johnson Ave — from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 for the Neighborhood Cleanup for October, where cardboard and glass recycling will be available and free paper lawn bags offered while supplies last. Residents who cannot attend can drop off unwanted glass at the City Incinerator — 2650 Lacy Drive — Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The RESTORE Hub at Arkansas State University will host a Transition Symposium for Arkansas special education educators on Oct.

17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the State System Office in Little Rock — a watch party with continuing education credits and refreshments will be held at Centennial Hall on the A-State-Jonesboro campus.

Jonesboro Public Schools held a parade on Sept.

25 for HWES Magnet Elementary School after it earned a B rating from the Arkansas Department of Education—Principal Shalon Tate said the school celebrated its progress from past lower scores. The school now plans to focus on tier one instruction to help all students reach grade level.

The Jonesboro Fire Department is in its second week of an in-house EMT training program that lets firefighters earn certification while on duty—over 60 EMTs are now certified to provide quick care at emergency scenes.

Fire chief Marty Hamrick said the program has already helped save a life during a recent incident at a local dialysis center.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is offering free CWD tests for deer heads for the upcoming archery season starting Sept 27—hunters must drop off a deer head with 4 to 6 inches of neck at one of 101 freezers—and the agency will notify those with positive results by phone and email.

On Thursday, the Craighead County Veterans Treatment Court held its largest graduation with six participants and honored two graduates finishing the program in record time—Judge Scott Ellington presided over the ceremony at the courthouse.

Brookland swept the 4A-3 Golf Championships—showing strong play as the team outperformed all opponents.

Tobymac & Mercyme Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — First National Bank Arena — Ticket information available — Experience the dynamic sounds of TobyMac and MercyMe at a night of inspiring music.

A-State Red Wolves Volleyball vs Southern Miss

12:00 – 2:30 p.m. — Arkansas State University Gym — Tickets available — Watch the A-State Red Wolves take on Southern Miss in an exciting volleyball match.

Rocktober Fest with Scotty Austin

1-4:30 p.m. — Brickhouse Bar & Grill — Tickets TBA — Experience a high-energy night of rock music and entertainment headlined by Scotty Austin.