Boys State kicks off
Powell wins big; Summertime swimming is here; Summer programs in North Little Rock, Maumelle; Education news and notes plus headlines and sports
Note to subscribers: An annual or monthly subscription is billed to your debit or credit card as ARKANSAS.SUBSTACK.COM and if you have questions, please email arkansas@substack.com. Thanks for reading and subscribing!Pandemic death count jumps
After weeks of being flat or no deaths reported, the state Department of Health, on its Covid dashboard, showed that in the past week, there’s been a total of 42 deaths reported. All happened in the last seven days but 41 were assigned to this year for statistical purposes and one was added to last year’s total.
The total number of reported dead Arkansans is now at 13,158 or the state’s 32nd largest city.
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The Headlines
Upcoming meetings:The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday.
Events: North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick will participate in the CEO Soak Arkansas at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, to raise money for the ALS Association. It will be at downtown's Argenta Plaza and for more, click here.
The St. Joseph Farmstead will host its blackberry night this Friday night at 6800 Camp Robinson Road in North Little Rock. The farmstead is the site of the St. Joseph’s Orphanage and is beside Camp Robinson. The farmstead hopes blackberries will be available to pick and the night will feature live music, food trucks and other attractions. It will start at 5 p.m.
Trash delayed: With Monday having been Memorial Day, trash and recycling pickup will run one-day delayed this week.
After the storm: North Little Rock storm debris removal ends Friday
The city of North Little Rock announced the final phase of debris cleanup will conclude on Friday.
Debris removal is being done by Crowder Gulf Disaster Recovery.
Tornado relief number for North Little Rock residents, 501-906-5014
Staying afloat to win big
Sherwood dentist Jay Powell was all smiles Monday night.
Powell, who was competing on Wheel of Fortune, won a total of $123,646 in cash and prizes, which included a Disney cruise.
The final total was significantly enhanced when he solved the final puzzle – STAY AFLOAT – and host Pat Sajak revealed Powell, below, had hit the $100,000 prize on that final spin.
Winning was televised joy, as is usually the case. It was extremely odd to see Powell on TV as he also happens to be my dentist, fraternity brother and I have a cleaning this morning at his office where the Floss Will Be With Me, even though I don’t floss, because I’m a bad dental patient. Also his real first name is Jeff, which explains the name tag and why it doesn’t say Jay. — JEREMY PEPPAS
Summertime swimming is here
Now that the Memorial Day weekend has passed, the aquatic center at the Jess Odom Community Center will go to its normal schedule.
Mondays the pool will be closed, while Tuesday through Saturday it will open at noon and close at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, the hours will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The pool's final day will be Monday, Sept. 4.
Swim lessons will start on Tuesday, June 6 and will be $50 per student. To register, or for more information, call 501-851-6990 or in person at the center.
Lane swimming will be available from 10 a.m. to 10:45, Tuesday through Friday and 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
Water aerobics is also back with morning classes costing $35 a month and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 Tuesday through Friday and evening classes costing $25 a month from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.
For the real water dogs, unlimited classes are available for $50 a month and can use both morning and evening time slots.
If you're interested in the Maumelle Marlins, the city's team in the Central Arkansas Swim League, click here.
Practice has already begun but the first meet of the year is Saturday, June 10 when the Marlins travel to Sherwood.
North Little Rock's swim team is the Lakewood Waves and for more, click here.
Teams in the league include:
Cabot Piranhas
Conway Crocodiles
Lakewood Waves
Lonoke Sharkrockets
Maumelle Marlins
Otter Creek Otters
Saline County Barracudas
Marlins schedule
Saturday, June 17 - Maumelle, Lonoke, Lakewood at Bryant
Saturday, June 24 - Cabot, Otter Creek at Maumelle
Monday, June 26 - Team Photo Day
Saturday, July 1 - no meet and no practice from July 3 to July 5
Saturday, July 8 - Lakewood, Lonoke at Maumelle
Thursday, July 15 - Conway, Hot Springs at Maumelle
Saturday, July 22 - no meet
Saturday, July 29 - Meet of Champs at Benton River Center - 10 & Under a.m. and 11 & Up p.m.
Monday, July 31 - End of Season Party
Summer programs in North Little Rock, Maumelle
This summer there are many opportunities and activities for children of all ages to enjoy in North Little Rock and Maumelle.
The Seis Puentes Summer Creative Arts Camp begins June 12 and ends June 30. This is a free, three-week day camp for kids ages 6-12 years old. This camp includes many fun activities as well as a focus on arts and crafts! To learn more click the following link: Creative Arts Camp
The Innovation Hub is having three different camps for kids ages 8-14 years old. These camps begin June 12 and will continue, on and off until July 30! The three camps are Camp Eco Art, Great Outdoors, and Adventure Camp. To learn more click the following link: Innovation Hub
The SAPling Program is a very successful summer day camp that has been running each summer for years. This camp offers so many different activities and is a lot of fun. This camp will be held at several locations in our city. To learn more click the following link: SAPling Program
The North Little Rock Catholic Academy is offering an all-day camp this summer that begins Monday, June 5 until Aug. 4. This camp is fun and engaging. To learn more click the following link: NLRCA Camp
There’s also a number of camps in Maumelle and for more, click the flyer below.
Boys State kicks off for 82nd year
High school students from Arkansas, some 498, have gathered this week at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway for the Arkansas Boys State, now in its 82nd year.
Boys State will conclude on Friday but local elections are ongoing as rising seniors from across the state get hands-on experience in local politics.
The county government system has eight counties and North of the River students who were elected to those positions include:
Brennan Tipps of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School was elected as Justice of the Peace for Carvell County
Richard Hampton of North Little Rock from Parkview Magnet High School was elected as Justice of the Peace for Sanders County
Kam Moore of North Little Rock from Mills University Studies High School was elected as County Judge for Sanders County
"Counties are the primary municipal structures at Arkansas Boys State - and they're what students identify with and rally around at the program - and will inevitably share with fellow alumni in years to come," said David Saterfield, director of instruction for Arkansas Boys State. "From here, these students will represent the citizens in their county as they develop, navigate and advocate solutions to complex simulations and county problems throughout the week."
The municipal elections are for 16 mock cities and North of the River students elected to those offices include:
Javonte Harris of North Little Rock from North Little Rock Center of Excellence was elected as Mayor for Kelley City
James Couch of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School was elected as Mayor for Conway City
Kade Williams of Sherwood from Conway Christian School was elected as a City Councilmember for Gordon City
Derrick Young, II of Sherwood from eStem High School was elected as a City Councilmember for Fisher City
Whit Weatherton of Maumelle from Parkview Magnet High School was elected as a City Councilmember for Swain City
Austin Edwards of North Little Rock from Central Arkansas Christian was elected as a City Councilmember for Schrader City
Logan Rogers of Maumelle from Arkansas Virtual Academy High School was elected as a City Councilmember for Partee City
"Once elected, those officials will be responsible for helping to lead their cities and counties, making decisions that have a real impact on the lives of delegates who they share dorms and mealtimes with. This is just the first step in the transformative leadership journey that students embark on this week," Saterfield said.
On Tuesday, elections were held for the state Senate and House.
North of the River students elected to serve include:
Derrick Young II of Sherwood from eStem High School was elected as a State Senator
Richard Hampton of North Little Rock from Parkview Magnet High School was elected as a State Senator
Brennan Tipps of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School was elected as a State Representative
Elijah Palermo of Sherwood from Lisa Academy North High School was elected as a State Representative
Sebastian Figueroa of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School was elected as a State Representative
Carter Davis of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School was elected as a State Representative
Austin Edwards of North Little Rock from Central Arkansas Christian was elected as a State Representative
Rovon Roberts of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School was elected as a State Representative
Jack Landes of Maumelle from Central Arkansas Christian was elected as a State Representative
"Being elected as an Arkansas Boys State legislator is quite the special opportunity for these students," said Saterfield. "They'll get an up-close and personal look at the legislative process with their own state legislators leading them through the process."
Wednesday also featured meetings with state legislators and Boys State will conclude on Friday when the students will debate and vote at the state capitol.
"I'm excited to see what ideas these Arkansas Boys State legislators bring to the House and Senate floors on Friday," Saterfield said. "I hope they take it all in when they're at the capitol. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
There’s also an ongoing campaign for state-wide offices, including governor.
All the North of the River students nominated for Boys State are:
Austin Edwards of North Little Rock from Central Arkansas Christian
Jack Landes of Maumelle from Central Arkansas Christian
Sebastian Figueroa of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Tyler Wood of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Brennan Tipps of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Carter Davis of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Carter Baldwin of North Little Rock from Maumelle Charter High School
Tag Andrews of Maumelle from Maumelle High School
Devin Campbell of Maumelle from Maumelle High School
Javonte Harris of North Little Rock from North Little Rock Center of Excellence
Andrew Jenkins of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
James Couch of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
Jackson Ray of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
Rovon Roberts of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
Dewan Thompson of Sherwood from Lisa Academy North High School
Elijah Palermo of Sherwood from Lisa Academy North High School
James Camp of Sherwood from Sylvan Hills High School
Jay Nichols of Sherwood from Sylvan Hills High School
Derrick Young II of Sherwood from eStem High School
Kam Moore of North Little Rock from Mills University Studies High School
Logan Rogers of Maumelle from Arkansas Virtual Academy High School
Whit Weatherton of Maumelle from Parkview Magnet High School
Richard Hampton of North Little Rock from Parkview Magnet High School
Daniel Nkunga of Sherwood from Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
Kade Williams of Sherwood from Conway Christian School
Education notes
UA Little Rock School of Nursing honors Maumelle’s Jared Carter
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Nursing has honored its top students of the year during an annual nursing pinning ceremony May 11.
UA Little Rock has recognized Jared Carter, of Maumelle, for their accomplishments. Carter received the inaugural CSI Emerging Simulationist Award. He is the first nursing student to receive this award at UA Little Rock, which honors a student who has demonstrated exceptional skills in the Center for Simulation Innovation in the School of Nursing.
Pearson on Missouri Valley College Dean's List
Isabelle Pearson of North Little Rock was named to the Missouri Valley College Spring 2023 dean's list. Pearson is an exercise science major.
Pearson was among more than 470 students earning a spot on the dean's list this semester.
To qualify, full-time students must earn a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.
Students named to Harding University Dean's List
The following North of the River students are among more than 1,100 Harding University students included on the dean's list for grades achieved during the spring 2023 semester.
Ava Bramlett of Maumelle, a Senior, studying English
Carsyn Burns of Maumelle, a Senior, studying communication sciences and disorders
Jacob Kirchner of Maumelle, a Sophomore, studying computer science
Katherine Moore of Maumelle, a Sophomore, studying graphic design
Carson Stewart of Maumelle, a Senior, studying biochemistry
Caleb Cowley of North Little Rock, a Sophomore, studying accounting
Maci Miller of Sherwood, a Sophomore, studying art
Zane Frost of North Little Rock, a Junior, studying biochemistry and molecular biology
Jennifer Noel of North Little Rock, a Junior, studying child development & French
Jack Jennings of North Little Rock, a Senior, studying civil engineering
Emilyn Noel of North Little Rock, a Sophomore, studying computer science
Ta'Mya Jones of Sherwood, a Senior, studying elementary education
Ayden Pritchard of North Little Rock, a Sophomore, studying exploratory studies
Aniya Quattlebaum of North Little Rock, a Sophomore, studying health studies
Jacob Carlin of Sherwood, a Junior, studying interdisciplinary studies
Christian Wilson of Sherwood, a Junior, studying mechanical engineering
Macy Howard of Sherwood, a Junior, studying medical laboratory science
Hallie Diles of North Little Rock, a Senior, studying middle level education
Madelyn Cantrell of Sherwood, a Senior, studying Nursing
Mary Anna Westerman of Sherwood, a Senior, studying social work
Julie Cmelik of Sherwood, a Sophomore, studying software development
Brynne Bell of North Little Rock, a Senior, studying special education
Josie Hall of Sherwood, a Junior, studying special education
Rachel Williams of Sherwood, a Senior, studying visual art studio
Students graduate from Harding University
More than 600 students received diplomas and were recognized as Harding University graduates for Spring 2023 during a commencement ceremony on May 6.
Graduates include students from the College of Allied Health, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Bible and Ministry, Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration, Cannon-Clary College of Education, Carr College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Sciences and University College.
University President Mike Williams recognized the candidates as they were recommended by the faculty for graduation.
Aleta Posey of Maumelle received an Educational Specialist's degree in educational leadership.
Jack Jennings of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.
Amanda Howard of Sherwood received a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling.
Rebecca Hill of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science in cognitive neuroscience.
Hannah Ferguson of Sherwood received a Master of Science in information systems.
John Miller of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology.
Hallie Diles of North Little Rock received a Bachelor of Arts in middle level education.
Rachel Hulitt of North Little Rock received a doctorate in pharmacy.
McKenna Moore of Sherwood received a Bachelor of Science in psychology.
Felicia Taylor of North Little Rock received a Master of Arts in Teaching in special education.
Hannah Ferguson of Sherwood also received a doctorate in pharmacy.
Maumelle’s Sitler among those who graduated from Southern Arkansas University Tech
SAU Tech celebrated its graduates with its annual commencement ceremonies on May 6. The College awarded 384 credentials to students from Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and other states.
The following North of the River students earned degrees:
Michael Sitler from Maumelle earned a Certificate of Proficiency in Fire and Emergency Response from SAU Tech in the academic year 2022-2023.
Daniel Hockey from North Little Rock earned a Certificate of Proficiency in Fire and Emergency Response from SAU Tech in the academic year 2022-2023.
SAU Tech is a two-year public college part of the Southern Arkansas University System and is in Camden.
Sports
Baseball at Dickey-Stephens this week
Home stand against Midland
Thursday, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and Concessions deals, including Hot Dogs, Soft Drinks, Red Bull, Cotton Candy, and a Select Canned Beer & Seltzer! | Presented By Red Bull
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks: Presented By Metro Disaster Specialists
Saturday; 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks: Presented By Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
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
Family Sunday: Get $2 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin and only available at the Box Office.
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon! | Presented By Hog Wash
Kids Run the Bases: Presented By Museum of Discovery
Road trip: June 6 - 11 at Tulsa
