After the storm
PCSSD superintendent search draws to an end; Small business event set; Travs back in town plus sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: School Boards will be hopping this week and next as the North Little Rock board will have a special call meeting at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Administration Building. The meeting is open to the public. The School Board for PCSSD will meet tonight and again next Tuesday, April 15 in a series of meetings to interview candidates for the superintendent vacancy. For more on that keep scrolling. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall. The North Little Rock A&P Commission will meet at 2 p.m. next Wednesday, April 16 in the boardroom at the A&P building at 600 Main St. in downtown North Little Rock.
EVENTS: The Travs are back in town for a series against Midland. For game times and promotions, as well as photos from Tuesday’s Opening Night, keep scrolling. Also, Easter is next week, and egg hunts will begin today. A schedule of upcoming events follows.
Happy Master’s Week to all who celebrate!
DRAMA: North Little Rock High School is presenting, “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” starting tonight and continuing through Saturday. The Thursday and Friday night shows start at 7 p.m. with the Saturday show being a 3 p.m. matinee. Buy Tickets.
NOTICE: MAUMELLE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION VACANCY
The Maumelle City Council is accepting resumes from residents interested in service on the Maumelle Civil Service Commission. An appointment will be made to fill a six-year term ending May 1, 2031. The applicant must be a good citizen and a resident of Maumelle for more than three years, not holding or being a candidate for political office or be connected in any official capacity with any political party or organization. Resumes should be submitted to the City Clerk/Treasurer’s Office, 550 Edgewood Drive, Maumelle, Arkansas 72113 no later than 4 p.m., May 14. Applicants will be interviewed by the City Council at the regular City Council meeting May 19 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. An appointment will be made following the interviews.
After the storm
It wasn’t quite biblical, but the rainfall was both impressive and messy this past week in Pulaski County and across the rest of the state.
The National Weather Service office in North Little Rock reported that the multi-day total, spanning from Wednesday through Saturday, was 12.91 inches in the city.
It was the highest reported total in Pulaski County and among the highest in the state.
The rain caused extensive flooding across Maumelle and North Little Rock with flash flooding reports in both cities, as well as extended damage in North Little Rock.
City government officials in North Little Rock asked for help in identifying damaged homes and buildings in the city. That information can be reported by email to nlrstormdamagereport@nlrpolice.org.
The city asked that the following information be included in ant report:
Address of the damage
Description of the damage
Photos are optional but would be helpful. If you do not have photos, someone from the city will be sent to photograph the damage.
Questions can also be sent to the same email.
The storms, with straight line, sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, also caused extensive damage to power lines.
For many, the power went off Saturday morning and returned until the following afternoon.
Those were the lucky ones.
For some businesses, on Monday, it made for a strange sight to see people doing hang cleans at the gym in the dark, as they were only lit by open doors.
According to poweroutage.us, there’s still 1,579 customers without electricity. That figure includes both residential and commercial, with 1,568 served by Entergy, 1 served by First Electric Cooperative and 10 spread across North Little Rock and Sherwood as they’re served by North Little Rock Electric.
Those numbers were all of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening but crews remain busy across the county to get the lights back on.
PCSSD superintendent search draws to an end
The search for a new superintendent for the Pulaski County Special School District is coming to an end as interviews with finalists are ongoing with the final round scheduled for next Tuesday, April 15.
There’s a total of six finalists for the job and most are very familiar names.
In alphabetical order the finalists are:
Tracy Allen, currently the principal at Sylvan Hills High School and former principal at North Little Rock High School.
Brett Bunch, currently the superintendent at Brookland School District in northeast Arkansas.
Dr. Jonathan Crossley, currently the superintendent at Hope School District and a former principal in the Little Rock School District.
Dr. Jerry Gibson, currently a consultant and a former superintendent at several districts in Texas.
Jeff Senn, currently the superintendent at Lonoke School District and a former principal at Maumelle High School.
Dr. Sonya Whitfield, currently the Deputy Superintendent of Learning Services at PCSSD and has been with the district since starting as a teacher in 1992.
Allen was scheduled to be interviewed on Wednesday as well as Bunch,
Crossley and Gibson were scheduled to be interviewed today with Senn and Whitfield to follow next Tuesday, April 15.
The in-person interviews were scheduled after a series of public meetings with parents and stakeholders at high school across PCSSD and the district has previously said they’d like to have a superintendent in place this month.
Former superintendent Jerry Guess is serving as interim and he previously served as superintendent from 2011 to 2017.
ASBTDC sets New Lender Quick-Connect Event for Small Businesses on May 7
Small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking funding will have a unique opportunity to pitch their projects at Lender Quick-Connect: Find Your Funder.
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is hosting the new no-cost event on May 7, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Reynolds Business Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
In just one afternoon, attendees can connect with multiple Arkansas lenders and pitch their business financing needs in a fast-paced, one-on-one meeting format.
Each participant will be matched with up to seven lenders, based on key business details including their industry, credit score, business stage and project scope.
Attendees can also:
Meet with credit counseling services to discuss financial readiness
Engage with ASBTDC business consultants and Small Business Administration representatives
Get expert tips on crafting a compelling funding pitch
Participating lending institutions include Arkansas Capital Corporation, Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Arvest Bank, Bank OZK, Communities Unlimited, FORGE Community Loan Fund, Hope Credit Union, First Community Bank, First Security Bank, First Service Bank, Regions Bank, Simmons Bank, Southern Bancorp Bank, Southern Bancorp Community Partners and U.S. Bank.
The event is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the funding landscape and build relationships with funders who have a proven track record of small business lending.
“We hope this format will be more efficient and less intimidating than approaching individual lenders,” said ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine. “With banks, credit unions, microlenders and Community Development Financial Institutions all taking part, Lender Quick-Connect will showcase a wide range of options for funding a new business, business purchase or expansion.”
Pre-registration is required. To reserve your spot, visit tinyurl.com/325wetrc or contact ASBTDC’s Nick Stevens at 501-804-4530 or njstevens@ualr.edu.
Through its offices around the state, the ASBTDC offers no-cost services and resources for Arkansas entrepreneurs and small businesses. For more information, call 800-862-2040 or visit asbtdc.org.
Disclosure: ArkansasNewsroom.com is an ASBTDC client.
Opening night
Upcoming Travs games
Tulsa (six-game homestand)
Today, 6:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: $3 Thursday
Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and select Concessions deals.
Magnet Schedule Giveaway; Make sure your fridge knows when the Champs play. | Presented By Jacksonville Parks & Recreation | First 1,000 Fans (one item per person)
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Music of Champions | Presented By Baptist Health
RED OUT: Wear your best crimson attire as we celebrate the reigning Texas League Champs.
Championship Rally Towel Giveaway; Presented By North Little Rock Police Department | First 2,000 Fans (one item per person)
Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
Replica Championship Ring Giveaway; Celebrate the 2024 Texas League Champs in style with your very own replica bling. | Presented By Pinnacle Structures | First 1,500 Fans (one item per person)
Kids Run the Bases; Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game. | Presented By First Community Bank
Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Magnet Schedule Giveaway; Make sure your fridge knows when the Champs play. | Presented By Jacksonville Parks & Recreation | First 500 Fans (one item per person)
Kids Run the Bases; Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game. | Presented By First Community Bank
At Springfield, April 15- 19, Saturday night doubleheader
Midland (six-game homestand)
Tuesday, April 22, 11:05 a.m.
School Day: Putting the "field" in "greatest field trip ever." | Presented By Simmons Bank
Senior Day: Presented By ArchWell Health
Slap Bracelet Ruler Giveaway: Presented By Simmons Bank | First 3,000 Kids (one item per person)
Wednesday, April 23, 6:35 p.m.
Dog Day: Human fans can get $3 Berm tickets by bringing their dog to the game (only available at DSP Box Office). NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the Berm areas | Presented By Hollywood Feed
Thursday, April 24, 6:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: $3 Thursday
Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and select Concessions deals.
Friday, April 25, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - TBA Theme: End your week at DSP with a BANG. | Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists
Saturday, April 26, 6:05 p.m.
Post-Game Wrestling: Time for the Main Event. Stick around after the game for post-game matches featuring the stars of Memphis Wrestling. | Presented By Midtown Billiards
Malmö Oat Milkers Night: Did Someone Say Dynasty? Your other home team is back from their astonishingly successful first season to make even more history in what could be this year's most unforgettable game, including fun like VIP seats, a crazy first pitch, Oat Milker Fan Trivia, the chance to sign an Oat Milkers contract, and more. | Presented By Oatly
Sunday, April 27, 1:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon.
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game. | Presented By First Community Bank
At Tulsa, April 29 - May 4
Easter Egg Hunts
Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m. at NLR Community Center - Therapeutic Recreation Adult Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19 at 9 a.m. at Burns Park Soccer Complex
Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at Rose City Community Center
Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. at Glenview Community Center
Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at North Heights Community Center (Levy United Methodist Church)
Sunday, April 20 at 3 pm at Sherman Park Community Center
Camp Healing Hearts offers free grief camp
Losing a loved one is difficult for everyone, and grieving a loss is essential to accepting painful feelings and creating an opportunity for growth and a new sense of normal.
Camp Healing Hearts is for Arkansas children ages five to 18 and their families who are grieving the death of a loved one. Part of Kaleidoscope Grief Center, a program of Methodist Family Health, Camp Healing Hearts is a FREE overnight event that will begin at 5 p.m. at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock on Friday, May 9 and end at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Registration deadline is Sunday, April 26.
Utilizing both therapy and recreation, our camp offers children and families an opportunity to discover their own inner strength. An adult caregiver is required to accompany the grieving child or children attending camp. Activities include heart-to-heart time, fishing, crafts, games, campfires, s'mores and much more. It is best for children and families who have experienced a loss of 3-to-6 months or more. Only 100 spaces are available.
You can apply online at https://form.jotform.com/scox/CAMP_HEALING_HEARTS or download the application and mail it to:
Dao Ward
Kaleidoscope Grief Center
1600 Aldersgate Rd., Suite 100B
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Application deadline is Sunday, April 26.
Kaleidoscope Grief Center serves grieving children, teens and their families throughout Arkansas. Grief can be an isolating experience for children. The program helps those dealing with loss and bereavement through education, therapeutic and recreational services, grief support programs, counseling and Camp Healing Hearts.
To register for Camp Healing Hearts, learn more about Kaleidoscope Grief Center or find out how Methodist Family Health can assist your family, visit MethodistFamily.org.
Health
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, again, and deaths still total 532 for the past year. There’s no tab created for 2025 either and the virus has now killed 14,162 Arkansans since the pandemic began then. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds