Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, ArkansasNewsroom.com to sponsor candidate forum Oct. 14
Traffic alert; Maumelle Leadership Initiative launches new class; Fidelity Communications now accepting applications for charitable giving'; Friday Night Lights plus sports and headlines
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Meetings: The school board for the North Little Rock School District will have a special board meeting and workshop at 5:30 p.m. today at the administration building. The North Little Rock A&P Commission will have its regularly quarterly meeting at 3:30 p.m. this Friday at 600 Main St. The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall for its first meeting of the month.
Events: The Turkish Food Festival is this Satiurday in Little Rock. Admission is free and will start at 10 a.m. at 1501 Market St., in west Little Rock. The building is now known as the Arkansas Culture and Dialog Center. It is basically across the street from Petit & Keet.
Tickets for sale: Tickets are now for sale for this fall’s Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. To buy tickets, click here. Daily tickets start at $30.
Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, ArkansasNewsroom.com to sponsor candidate forum Oct. 14
The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce and ArkansasNewsroom.com, a news website devoted to Maumelle and North Little Rock news, will sponsor a candidates’ forum on Monday, Oct. 14 at the Maumelle Country Club.
The forum is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and will be moderated by Neal Moore, a columnist for the site and Jeremy Peppas, who is the site's editor.
The forum will feature three races of interest to Maumelle and Pulaski County. The candidates are:
Maumelle City Council- Ward 1 - Position 1: Barry Brown, Michael Chastain and LJ Wesley
Maumelle City Council - Ward 2, Pos. 1 - Wes Booker (Running unopposed)
State Representative, District 71: Brandon Achor (R) and Cassandra Green (D)
State Representative, District 69: David Ray (R) and Kwami Abdul-Bey (D)
"We are excited to host this candidate forum as an opportunity for community members to hear directly from the candidates running for office. This event is a vital part of our mission to foster informed civic engagement and promote open dialogue on the issues that matter most to the future of our community."
Those attending are asked to not bring candidate signs, literature or imprinted clothing.
“We are thankful for Kellie Wall and the Chamber as well as Maumelle Country for opening its doors to host," Peppas said. "We feel that the forum will be well attended as these races are of local interest.”
Have a question?
Have a question for the upcoming candidate forum?
Post it as a comment in the thread here or you can replay back to this email.
If you can’t attend the Forum on Monday, Oct. 14, it will be live streamed on YouTube here, youtube.com/@arkansasnewsroom, and the video will also be later uploaded to Facebook.
North of the River Alert
The Arkansas Department of Transportation, aka the highway department, announced that there will be a full closure of the southbound lanes of the Interstate 30 bridge crossing the Arkansas River starting on Friday evening. The lanes will be closed through the weekend and into early Monday morning. All traffic will be detoured through downtown North Little Rock and downtown Little Rock.
The lanes are expected to be reopened for Monday morning rush hour traffic.
Upcoming community events
The U.S, Hardcourt Pickleball Championship for Amateurs and Seniors will be held this weekend at the Burns Park Pickleball Complex, 4000 Joe Poch Road in Burns Park.
Play starts on Friday and continues through Sunday.
Click here for the schedule or check out the flyer below
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UNITY PINK Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is Oct. 12
Maumelle food truck festival is Nov. 2
Maumelle Leadership Initiative launches its XXXI Annual Leadership Class
The Maumelle Leadership Initiative (MLI) kicked off the annual leadership class yesterday with an engaging program that combined business insights, leadership training, and community planning. This year’s cohort, composed of emerging leaders from across the city, began their journey with a visit to Tractor Supply Company, the newest addition to the Maumelle Industrial Park with a facility that hosts over 1.2 million square feet of distribution.
The session commenced with an impactful presentation by Leadershift, a leadership development organization focused on leadership values and principles and bringing clarity to the roles of your team. Following lunch, participants were brainstorming and collaborating on their community project for the year.
The day concluded with attendees taking a behind-the-scenes tour of Tractor Supply's operations, offering a close-up look at how the business contributes to Maumelle’s economic vitality. The tour provided valuable insights into local business operations, team management, and the importance of cultivating a strong community-business relationship.
About the Maumelle Leadership InitiativeThe Maumelle Leadership Initiative is a long-standing program dedicated to developing and empowering leaders within the Maumelle community. Through educational sessions, community involvement, and leadership development, participants gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective leaders in both their professional and personal lives. Now in its XXXI year, MLI continues to shape the next generation of civic leaders committed to driving positive change in Maumelle.
For more information about MLI or this year’s leadership project, please contact:Kellie Wall, the President and CEO of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce at kellie@maumellechamber.com or by calling 501-851-9700.
Fidelity Communications now accepting applications for charitable giving
Fidelity Communications has begun accepting fall 2024 applications on October 1 for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards $250,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2024.
Charitable Giving Fund grants will be made available across communities served by Fidelity and the other Cable One family of brands (Sparklight, Hargray and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas:
Education and Digital Literacy
Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity
Community Development
“We are honored to support nonprofit organizations helping those most in need in the communities we serve,” said Julie Laulis, Cable One President and CEO. “Being a strong local partner is central to our values and we are proud to help make a positive difference where we live and work.”
The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include:
Supporting national organizations dedicated to advancing education and diversity, including the Emma Bowen Foundation and the National Diversity Council.
Supporting the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year-round sports training and athletic competition, as well as health, arts, leadership, and advocacy programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Planting trees through the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of customers who switch to paperless billing. Since 2015, the company has planted 140,000 trees in its markets and national forests within the company’s footprint.
Supporting the mission of Keep America Beautiful in cleaning up and beautifying communities across the U.S.
Fighting hunger in local communities through volunteerism and donations, as well as supporting organizations such as Feed My Starving Children. Since 2018, the company has donated more than 51 tons of food and nearly $500,000 to address food insecurity.
For more information about the Fidelity Charitable Giving Fund, visit www.fidelitycommunications.com/charitablegiving.
Friday Night Lights: After loss, Maumelle travels to Pine Bluff
Beebe 22, Maumelle 0
Last week: The Hornets took one on the chin last week at Beebe, losing 22-0, in the start of 5A-Central play. Maumelle only managed 175 yards of total offense in the game with Bubba Johnson leading the way with 80 yards rushing on 15 carries. Johnson was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal night.
This week: Conference play continues as the Hornets are again on the road to face Pine Bluff in a game that will be played at Simmons Bank Field, the home of the UAPB Golden Lions. Pine Bluff is No. 12 in the latest Class 5A rankings from hootens.com while Maumelle is No. 17.
Records: Maumelle - 2-2, 0-1; Pine Bluff - 1-3, 1-0
Maumelle schedule
Aug. 31`: ... Maumelle 36, Sylvan Hills 0
Sept. 6 … Parkview 51, Maumelle 6
Sept. 13 … Maumelle 32, Vilonia 21
Sept. 20 … Bye week
Sept. 27 ... Beebe 22, Maumelle 0
Friday, Oct. 4 ...at Pine Bluff (UAPB)
Thursday, Oct 10 … vs. Watson Chapel
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Jacksonville
Friday, Oct. 25 … vs. White Hall
Friday, Nov. 1 ... at Searcy
Thursday, Nov. 7 … vs. Robinson
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
For the online roster, click here.
Pulaski Academy 47, North Little Rock 0
Last week: It was over early last week for North Little Rock as the ‘Cats were mercy-ruled by the visiting Bruins of Pulaski Academy, 47-0. North Little Rock couldn’t get its offense going again as the ‘Cats are averaging just 7.5 points a game in the four losses this season.
This week: It doesn’t get any easier for North Little Rock as the ‘Cats head to Conway to face the unbeaten Wampus Cats. Conway is led by former CAC quarterback Grayson WIlson, who has committed to play at the University of Arkansas next season.
Records: North Little Rock - 0-4, 0-1; Conway - 4-0, 1-0
North Little Rock schedule
Aug. 31... Rogers 43, North Little Rock 0
Sept. 6 … Bye
Sept. 13 ... Benton 42, North Little Rock 13
Sept. 20 ... Catholic 27, North Little Rock 17
Sept. 27 ... Pulaski Academy 47, North Little Rock 0
Friday, Oct. 4 ... at Conway
Friday, Oct. 11 ... vs. Little Rock Southwest
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Little Rock Christian Academy
Friday, Oct. 25 ...at Little Rock Central
Friday, Nov. 1 ... vs. Bryant
Friday, Nov. 8 ... vs. Cabot
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
For the online North Little Rock roster, click here.
Heber Springs 31, CAC 29
Last week: For a time, it looked like CAC would pick up its first win of the season behind freshman quarterback Jackson Plumlee, the son of Mustangs head coach JD Plumlee, but despite 226 yards passing from the younger Plumlee, it wasn’t enough as CAC lost, 31-29.
This week: CAC looks to turn it around at Mustang Mountain this Friday when a winless Riverview squad comes to town.
Records: CAC - 0-4, 0-1; Riverview - 0-3, 0-1
CAC schedule
Aug. 31 … DeWitt 31, CAC 7
Sept. 6… Stuttgart 41, CAC 7
Sept. 13 ... vs. Harding Academy 53, CAC 20
Sept. 20 … Bye
Sept. 27 ... Heber Springs 31, CAC 29
Friday, Oct. 4 ... vs. Riverview
Friday, Oct. 11 ... at Hall
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Lonoke
Friday, Oct. 25 ... at Bald Knob
Friday, Nov. 1 ... vs. Mills
Friday, Nov. 8 ... at Forrest City
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted
Rankings from hootens.com
Sports
Tennis today
The tennis complex at Burns Park is hosting the 6A-Central conference tennis tournament today and Friday. Action starts at 9 a.m. both days.
Football, Volleyball brackets posted
Conference play has begun in volleyball across the state and football will begin league play later this week. With an eye toward the postseason, the postseason brackets are now live on High School on SI, formerly SBLive.
This is the first season that regional tournaments will be included in the volleyball postseason. Those nine tournament brackets are also listed and will begin play on Oct. 22 with the state tournaments being held the following week, on Oct. 29. The volleyball state finals return inside the Hot Springs Convention Center on Nov. 2.
The football playoffs begin on Nov. 15. Below the state finals schedule for both football and volleyball as well as links to both sets of brackets.
Volleyball State Finals Schedule
Nov. 2, 11 a.m. - 5A state championship
Nov. 2, 1 p.m. - 6A state championship
Nov. 2, 3 p.m. - 2A state championship
Nov. 2, 5 p.m. - 3A state championship
Nov. 2, 7 p.m. - 4A state championship
Football State Finals Schedule
Dec. 5, 7 p.m. - 8-man state championship
Dec. 6, noon - 2A state championship
Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m. - 5A state championship
Dec. 7, noon- 6A state championship
Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. - 7A state championship
Dec. 14, noon - 4A state championship
Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. - 3A state championship
Volleyball postseason brackets
Saturday's SEC schedule
Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC): 11 a.m. • ABC, SiriusXM: 82 - 138/190
Auburn (2-3, 0-2 SEC) at Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ABC, SiriusXM: 391 - 138/190
Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC) at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ESPN, SiriusXM: 83 - 113/191
Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1 SEC: 3:15 p.m. • SEC Network, SiriusXM: 132/192 – 374
Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Arkansas (3-2, 1-1 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC, SiriusXM: 84 - 138/190
Live Statistics: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
Central Florida (3-1) at Florida (2-2, 1-1 SEC): 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network, SiriusXM: 374
Open: Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 SEC); LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC); Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2 SEC); Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 SEC); Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC).
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health didn’t update the state’s dashboard this week, so a weekly death toll was unavailable. The virus has now killed 14.031 Arkansans since the pandemic began four years ago. 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
NOTE: The new Novavax vaccine is available at Costco in west Little Rock. Your insurance should cover the cost but there might be out-of-pocket expense as the federal program that previously paid for vaccinations has been discontinued.
