Football nears
Back to School Bash is Aug. 1; First day of school nears; Excessive Heat Warning issued plus sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Back to School Bash on Friday, Aug. 1 at the Jess Odom Community Center. It is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and for more details, click the flyer below.
Back to School
It doesn’t seem possible that school starts back for some in just a couple of weeks but time marches on.
The Academics Plus Charter system gets the ball rolling, bell going?, with the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 4.
The other North of the River schools start the following week.
The schedule follows:
Academics Plus
First Day: Monday, Aug. 4
Schools include Maumelle Charter elementary, middle and high schools and Scott Charter
For more, click here to see the school’s website.
PCSSD
First Day: Monday, Aug. 11
Schools include the Maumelle feeders of Crystal Hill Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, Pine Forest Elementary, Maumelle Middle School and Maumelle High School
For more, click here to see the school’s website.
NLRSD
First Day: Monday, Aug. 11
Schools include Amboy Elementary, North Little Rock Middle School and North Little Rock High School
For more, click here to see the school’s website.
Central Arkansas Christian
First Day: Tuesday,Aug. 12
Schools include North Little Rock Elementary, Pleasant Valley Elementary, Mustang Mountain Elementary and CAC
For more, click here to see the school’s website.
Raney named assistant principal at Maumelle Charter Middle School
Academics Plus Charter Schools announced a new assistant principal at Maumelle Charter Middle School (MCMS), according to Rob McGill, executive director.
Laura Raney, above, was named assistant principal at the school. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and her specialist degree from Arkansas State University. She was most recently a third grade teacher at Maumelle Charter Elementary School.
Academics Plus Charter Schools has campuses in Maumelle, North Little Rock and Scott.
Weather News
The sun is a desperate star
The forecast for the rest of this week and into next is deadly with most of Arkansas under an Excessive Heat Warning through Friday. That means the forecast high is 100 degrees or above with the forecast heat index at 110 degrees or above.
It stays in the high 90s and 100s through next Wednesday, so don’t expect much break in the heat.
Generally speaking, it is best to stay inside with the air conditioning on. Check on people to see how they’re handling the heat and keep your pets inside as well. Good opportunity to get in some pool time as well.
You could also drop $20 at TJ Maxx and buy a small dog pool for the pup to cool off in the backyard.
It has proved to be a wise investment.
If you do find yourself outside, be sure to drink plenty of water.
Eye on the Sky
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 109.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 109.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.
Sports
Football nears
Hootens Arkansas Football has hit stores with copies available at most anywhere you’d buy a magazine.
The annual high school and college football preview magazine is a must read if you keep up with such things.
In Class 5A, the magazine has Maumelle picked to finish 2nd in the 5A-Central with the Hornets back in the playoffs. In Class 7A, North Little Rock, with the newly returned Brad Bolding as head coach, picked to finish 6th in the 7A-Central and back in the postseason after missing the playoffs last season.
Jaison Sterling and RockTown Sports held a media day this week and the photo shoot included Sterling and Bolding posing with a copy of the North Little Rock Times that featured the ‘Cats 14 years ago.
In Class 4A, Central Arkansas Christian is picked to finish 4th in the 4A-2 Conference. That would also have the Mustangs making the playoffs.
In otter 5A news, Brayden Peppas is expected to start at safety for Alma in the 5A-West and the “athletic senior” is a “team leader” for the Airedales.
Upcoming Travs games
Six-game homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Thursday, July 24, 6:35 p.m.
Operation: Military Appreciation: $3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and select Concessions deals!
Friday, July 25, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday: End your week at DSP with a BANG! | Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
Saturday, July 26, 6:05 p.m.
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, July 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 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, July 29-Aug. 3
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