Candidate filings have begun
Gardner, Norris among those who have already signed up; Maumelle swears in a new fire chief; City Council report; Travs in town plus headlines
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!Death toll climbs back up
The weekly death toll from the ongoing pandemic climbed back up as the total number of dead Arkansans was at 47.
The previous week it was at 35 and the week before that it was 34.
The total number of dead Arkansans is now at 11,736.
As for the national trends, the forecast numbers from the Centers for Disease Control are below and through Aug. 27.
The forecasts for both weekly and total death counts are on the upswing, with numbers up to or exceeding 12,000 by the end of the month. Just a staggering amount of loss as the state’s death toll would be Arkansas’s 34th 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 crowdsThe Headlines
Upcoming meetings: The North Little Rock School Board will meet tonight and the North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night.
Upcoming events: Baptist Health Foundation is seeking teams for its very own Bowling for Babies fundraiser this Monday, Aug. 8, at Millennium Bowl, 7200 Counts Massie Road in North Little Rock. Teams of five can sign up for two games of bowling at a cost of $250. Additional sponsorship and donation opportunities are available. Available game times are from 4 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s event is presented by Simmons Bank, with the goal to raise $20,000 to help purchase 15 Medfusion 3500 Syringe pumps for the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Baptist Health.
‘Children are not little adults’ and need special protection during heat waves
ICYMI: ‘True cost of aging’ index shows many seniors can’t afford basic necessities.
Education
Baptist Health holding free immunization clinics
Baptist Health Community Outreach is offering several opportunities for free back-to-school shots. COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for children ages 12 and older.
For more information and to preregister, call 501-202-1540. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Vaccinations will be available at the following locations and start today.
Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church (9921 AR 107) – 4-7 p.m., today
New Hope Baptist Church, 1821 Edmond St. – 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday
Heaven’s Loft, 518 W. 26th St. –10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday
Martin Street Youth Center, 201 West Martin St., Jacksonville – Aug. 13, noon to 3 p.m.
Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, 6221 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock – Aug. 16, noon to 2:30 p.m.
Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road, Little Rock – Aug. 18, 4-7 p.m.
West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock – Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Baptist Health Community Outreach Office, Partnership for a Healthy Arkansas Building,
10117 Kanis Road, Little Rock – Aug. 29, 3-6 p.m.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies will be given to the first 50 children who receive immunizations at each location.
Each child’s shot records as well as proof of Medicaid coverage or other health insurance, if applicable, must be presented before shots are given.
In other education news:
UA Little Rock students attend cultural enrichment trip in Nashville
ICYMI: UA Little Rock names Spring 2022 graduates and UCA names spring 2022 graduates
Travs at home
The Travs are in town this week and next at North Little Rock’s Dickey-Stephens Park. Some additional promotions have also been announced as next week begins “Back to School Week.
Tuesday through Thursday will feature $2 tickets for kids ages 14 and under, while Sunday will feature $2 reserved tickets, $2 splash pad entry and $2 ice cream for all kids 14 and under. There will also be a face painter in the Kids Korner and kids 14 and under receive a 2022 Travelers team card set while supplies last.
Homestand
Today.. 6:35 p.m. ... vs. Midland; Promotions: $3 Thirsty Thursday
Friday ... Aug. 5 ... 7:05 p.m. ... vs. Midland; Promotions: Fireworks and Noche De Diamantes
Saturday ... Aug. 6 ... 7:05 p.m. ... vs. Midland; Promotions: Julio Rodríguez Bobblehead Giveaway and Kids Run The Bases
Sunday ... Aug. 7 … 1:35 p.m. ... vs. Midland; Promotions: Operation: Military Appreciation and Family Sunday
Homestand continues
Tuesday ... Aug. 9... 6:35 p.m. ... vs. NW Arkansas; Promotions: Mug Club
Wednesday ... Aug. 10 ... 6:35 p.m. ... vs. NW Arkansas; Promotions: Dog Days Of Summer
Thursday ... Aug. 11 ... 6:35 p.m. ... vs. NW Arkansas; Promotions: $3 Thirsty Thursday
Friday ... Aug. 12 ... 7:05 p.m. ... vs. NW Arkansas; Promotions: Pyro In The Park VI
Saturday ... Aug. 13 ... 7:05 p.m. ... vs. NW Arkansas; Promotions: Nickelodeon Paw Patrol Night & Jersey Auction and Watch Dig
Sunday ... Aug. 14 … 1:35 p.m. ... vs. NW Arkansas; Promotions: Operation: Military Appreciation and Family Sunday
Filing time is here
Jeremy Peppas and Chad Gardner
Municipal candidate filings started at noon on Wednesday and will continue through noon on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Up in November are Mayor, City Clerk, City Attorney, and the position 2 Council member in each of Maumelle's 4 wards.
While the list won’t be final until next week, here’s some highlights of candidates who have filed so far.
Council Member Chad Gardner
On Wednesday morning, I filed to run for reelection to the Maumelle City Council. It's been an absolute pleasure representing Maumelle these past four years and I look forward to serving the community for many years to come. Our city has made a lot of progress making Maumelle a desirable place to live, work, and play. This continues to keep us on the radar for people and businesses that want to locate here. We've got to keep pushing forward to make sure Maumelle remains a great city where we can thrive. That starts with us as residents. Stay informed and get involved where you can. Voice your interests and desires to your elected officials. When a community comes together and works to build a better city, then we'll all reap the fruits of that labor in the decades to come. I strongly believe Maumelle will be one of the most desirable places in Arkansas to live and grow a business in the coming years. Thank you for letting me serve in this role for the past four years and I hope you'll join me as we keep moving Maumelle forward.
Mayor Caleb Norris
Maumelle Mayor Caleb Norris announced Wednesday that he will run for re-election and filed the paperwork to put his name on the November ballot. Norris, who was elected to his first term as mayor in 2018, previously served on the Maumelle City Council and as Maumelle’s City Attorney.
It will be a contested Mayoral race as Jodie Mahoney has also been campaigning for the position.
In a press release, Norris said, “During my first campaign, I promised that I would be a good steward of tax dollars, support law enforcement and public safety, and modernize the way the city operates. I have kept those promises. As I embark on my reelection campaign, I pledge to continue to focus on Maumelle’s immediate needs, to anticipate and prepare for what we’ll need in the coming years, and to represent Maumelle residents with integrity.”
Norris also listed out some of his accomplishments in his first term as mayor.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: The I-40 interchange was completed; Funding for street repairs and improvements increased by 33 percent; Implemented a long-term pavement preservation program; Initiated public planning process for improvements and extensions to city trails.
𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐞𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Raised salaries for police officers, fire fighters, and dispatchers; Increased the number of emergency dispatchers; Developed funding system to ensure police officers are properly equipped and that police vehicles are in top shape.
𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Tractor Supply announced it would open a distribution center, which is under construction; Kimberly Clark expanded its facility; Amazon opened a distribution center; Molex, Dillard’s, and PepsiCo expanded their facilities.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: City-built Splash Pad for families; Secured funding to build an all-inclusive playground adjacent to the splash pad; Initiated planning for a city food truck park and farmers market; Two senior living centers are under construction in Maumelle.
Christine Gronwald for Maumelle Councilman, Ward 1
Christine Gronwald filed her paperwork to run for Ward 1 Position 2 for Maumelle City Council. In a Facebook post she explained her reasons, “Living in Maumelle for nearly 9 years, my family and I have watched this city grow and have enjoyed all it has to offer. I hope to serve the city and its residents to keep Maumelle moving forward while maintaining its strong community foundation. I believe in responsible economic development, excellence in education, community safety and listening to the voices of Ward 1. I look forward to the conversations and work ahead over the next few months as we come together in service of the city we love.”
Maumelle: City Council report
Beau Buford sworn in as Maumelle Fire Chief; Entergy representatives visit to discuss recent power outages.
It was a light night on Monday for the Maumelle City Council.
At the council meeting this week, Maumelle welcomed our new fire chief, Beau Buford.
Chief Buford comes to us with 29 years of experience with the North Little Rock Fire Department, where he advanced to the rank of Assistant Chief.
Buford has set himself apart as a great leader and I look forward to having him serve in the city of Maumelle.
Buford, who is also a paramedic, has multiple degrees, including a master’s from Arkansas State, and is also a command Sgt. Major in the Army Reserve.
He was chosen after an extensive search led by Mayor Caleb Norris and multiple interviews were conducted by city department heads and members of the fire department/
Entergy had two representatives attend our council meeting this week to explain the multiple lengthy outages that affected many homes on the north and west sides of the city in July.
The outages were due to damage to Entergy equipment caused by contractors installing underground equipment in a new subdivision. According to Entergy, the contractor had not used utility locating service (811) to mark and locate underground utility lines. Due to the extent of the damage, Entergy made the decision to get power back on as quickly as possible when the damage first occurred since we were in the middle of a heat wave. They were then going to wait until cooler weather when they would have to take the power off-line again to make a permanent repair. On Monday, July 18, due to the ongoing heatwave and demand on the system, this temporary repair failed and caused additional issues with Entergy equipment. When this second outage began, Entergy decided they could not wait to permanently repair the damage. Due to the lengthy process of repairing and replacing the damaged equipment, this resulted in the eight-hour outage from 4 p.m. through midnight on July 18.
Entergy strongly encouraged residents and contractors to utilize 811 to locate utilities if any digging will take place in public rights of way.
There was no action taken by the council on any other agenda items at this week’s meeting. Let me know if I can ever be of service to you.
Chad, 501-529-1336, chad4maumelle@gmail.com
Groundbreaking held in Rose City
The City of North Little Rock and Baptist Health held a groundbreaking on Monday for the new North Little Rock Medical Plaza in Rose City.
The plaza is at the corner of Arkansas Highway 70 and 165 at 4120 Baucum Drive.
North Little Rock’s Taggart Architects is responsible for the clinic’s design and construction will be completed by Alessi Keyes Construction of Maumelle. The 5,000 square foot facility will cost $5 million and should be done late next year,
“I am grateful to have been able to play a small role in bringing health care back to an underserved area of our city and county.” said Dr. Stan Kellar, Chief Medical Officer, Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock. “The community leaders in Rose City and the leadership in the City of North Little Rock have been the main drivers in accomplishing this task.”