Maumelle gets $240,000 grant
Eclipse plans?; Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight; Early voting underway plus sports and headlines
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Eclipse plans?
Do you have plans for this April’s total solar eclipse? If you haven’t heard, there’s a total solar eclipse happening on Monday, April 8. Central Arkansas will be in the path of the totality and things are expected to get a little crazy as loads of people are expected to come here and there and everywhere to see it. But, the question is, do you have plans? And if you do, please reply to this email to let us know. Also, don’t look directly at the eclipse without eye protection. That’s bad.
Pandemic deaths jump
The state Department of Health still hasn’t updated its Covid dashboard this year and clearly doesn’t intend to but, in a department report issued Feb. 14, it showed that 88 people have died from Covid this year, through Feb. 10, with “24 COVID-19-related deaths this [past] week with a total of 701 deaths in 2023. Previously, the state had claimed 559 deaths in 2023. With those revised numbers in mind, and with deaths previously reported in 2020, 2021 and 2022, it would mean that Covid has now killed 13,659 Arkansans. 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
The Headlines
Meetings: The Maumelle Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., tonight and for more details, keep scrolling. The North Little Rock City Council meets next Monday.
Events: The Commercial Real Estate Council of Metro Little Rock will honor Richard “Rick” Ashley and Gus Vratsinas for their legacy in real estate and construction. The event will be at 5:30 p.m. today, Feb. 22 and will be held at the Little Rock Junior League Headquarters Building, 401 S. Scott St. in downtown Little Rock. Tickets are available at crecmlr.org/events. For more information, email info@crecmlr.org or call 501-291-2210.
Looking for a summer gig? Maumelle Parks & Rec is hiring for a variety of jobs this summer and click here for more.
Basketball: In late-night Wednesday action, Maumelle Charter lost to Riverview, 53-48, in the first round of the regionals at Dover. The loss ends the Falcons season at 21-14. Central Arkansas Christian plays in the same regionals tonight as the Mustangs looks to advance to next week’s state tournament at Elkins.
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet
The Maumelle Planning Commission will have its regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.
The meeting agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
There's a total of four items of business on the agenda, including a change to the master street plan.
A proposed conditional use for 280 Maumelle Village Drive but staff has asked that it be deferred to the March meeting.
Tonight's meeting is open to the public and will also be streamed on the city's YouTube channel.
Maumelle gets state grant for all-inclusive playground
It was some good news for the Maumelle Parks & Recreation as they received a $240.,000 grant for the city’s all-inclusive playground near the splash pad.
The matching grant for Maumelle was one of 35 awarded on Friday by the state’s Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism that was not quite $6.5 million.
The money was disbursed in two ways, one being what the state dubbed a FUN Grant, or Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods, and the other being a matching grant.
The grant for Maumelle was written by Phillip Raborn, the city’s Parks & Rec director as well as Dave Roberts and Alyssa Anderson, both of whom live in Maumelle and Roberts, who also works for Crafton Tull, has been involved since the start, Raborn said.
Raborn said that the city had budgeted $300,000 for the playground this year, and the grant is in-kind matching, to include both case and labor by city employees.
“The playground is open,” Raborn said. “We are currently in the process of finishing up the playground sign and sponsorship sign.”
A grand opening is planned for later this year.
In a press release, the state said of the grants, “not only do these projects improve quality of life for the people who live in these communities, they also boost the local economy by providing additional amenities to draw visitors who will shop, dine and may even stay overnight.”
The state started awarding grants in 1988 and have sent $64.6 million in matching and FUN Park grants in that time.
This year, though, was a bit different.
“This is the largest total award amount that we’ve ever given away,” said Matt McNair, who serves as director of the Outdoor Recreation Grants Program.
The state assessed the grant application, as well as the feasibility of what was proposed along with site visits.
Other matching grant recipients:
Batesville (Independence County) to purchase and install playground equipment at Splash Pad Park and Kennedy Park that includes barrier-free access improvements; to install a walkway to provide barrier-free access to an existing playground at the Soccer Complex – $175, 677.
Beebe (White County) to replace batting cages near the public pool with a splash pad and update playground equipment, including replacement of a slide and fall zone material at Beebe City Park-John Douglass Sports Complex; to provide barrier-free access improvement to an existing playground at Beebe Community Pond – $250,000.
Booneville (Logan County) to build a splash pad, restrooms and walkways; to enhance existing playground with new equipment, new impact material and border; to refurbish existing playground equipment; and provide new park amenities at Marcelle Phillips Park – $215,000.
Bryant (Saline County) to include additional inclusive play equipment and a rain garden to address drainage issues at Mills Park – $166,437.80
Corning (Clay County) for renovation of the Corning City Pool and Wynne Community Park – $250,000.
Des Arc (Prairie County) for a new restroom and concession stand at the ballpark complex – $158,896.62
Fairfield Bay (Van Buren County) to install a playground at Sunset Park; to acquire land for Pickleball Courts Park and develop pickleball facilities, lighting, electricity, fencing, accessible parking and walkways – $222,415.
Goshen (Washington County) to acquire an additional 19.3 acres of park land for Mill Branch Park – $120,800.
Greenwood (Sebastian County) to build a splash pad, parking, driveway and accessibility in Bell Park – $239,278.15
Horatio (Sevier County) to improve Hendrix Sports Complex adding new play equipment border timbers, engineered wood fiber and ADA access – $24,990.
Little Rock (Pulaski County) for grading to build a soccer field, install soccer goals, provide seeding, bleachers, new play equipment, parking and a boardwalk and removal of damaged/unsafe play equipment at Boyle Park – $180,000.
Mena (Polk County) for a splash pad, parking and sidewalks at Tapley Park – $250,000.
Miller County for play equipment, a pavilion, parking and a sidewalk at Alex Smith County Park – $78,336.20
Mountain View (Stone County) to resurface deteriorated tennis courts, restripe for tennis/pickleball combination use, construct ADA access improvements to tennis/pickleball courts at the Recreational Complex; replace/replenish fall zone surfacing at the city park – $79,727.
Newport (Jackson County) to replace old/obsolete swings, provide barrier-free access to swings, basketball court, slide and pavilion at Hines Park; to install barrier-free parking and access, and a fence to improve user safety at swings at Normandy Park – $35,401.
Osceola (Mississippi County) to resurface and restripe tennis courts for combination tennis/pickleball use, bury overhead electric lines, construct barrier-free access and install new fall zone material at the small playground at Florida Park – $75,000.
Prescott (Nevada County) to provide a shade structure and basketball goals for Prescott City Park; to construct an ADA-accessible parking pad that will connect to the concession stand, install a chain link fence, lighting and a gravel parking lot at McRae Park – $36,676.15
Shannon Hills (Saline County) to construct a walking trail, exercise stations, picnic tables, a shade structure and to rehabilitate the existing basketball court in Clayton Park – $89,035.60
Springdale (Washington County) to install an all-inclusive playground facility at Murphy Park – $220,000.
FUN Park grant recipients were:
Arkansas City (Desha County) to install a basketball court and pavilion – $100,000.
Augusta (Woodruff County) to construct a community park on library property that will include a multi-purpose pavilion/stage, play equipment, seating, landscaping and barrier-free access – $100,000.
Beedeville (Jackson County) to expand the playground area, add new play structures, replace playground fall zone material, install gravel in the parking area and restripe existing barrier-free parking space at Beedeville City Park – $100,000.
Bradford (White County) to replace outdated/deteriorated bleacher seating, install concrete pads and shade covers at Bradford City Park – $100,00.
Buckner (Lafayette County) to include a walking trail, play equipment, a sidewalk and remove old play equipment at Leroy Brown Memorial Park – $99,997.30
Caulksville (Logan County) to develop Caulksville City Park, install a playground with impact surface and fencing, construct walkways, parking and other amenities – $100,000.
Clarendon (Monroe County) to include a pavilion, picnic tables and parking at Donald Branch Fishin’ Hole Park – $99,995.
Concord (Cleburne County) to install new play structure, replace fall zone material at existing play area, replace fence separating park from adjacent city streets, provide barrier-free parking and access improvements at Brackett City Park – $97,479.
Delaplaine (Greene County) to install new playground equipment and fall zone material at the existing playground area, construct a picnic shelter with tables, barrier-free parking and walkways at Delaplaine City Park – $100,000.
Dell (Mississippi County) to install a pavilion and gazebo with picnic tables and a barrier-free walkway to each, barrier-free access to the existing playground area at Dell City Park – $99,000.
Emmet (Nevada County) to construct a multi-purpose pavilion with electrical and water access, repair existing walking trail and parking at Fireman’s Park – $100,000.
Fifty Six (Stone County) to remove deteriorated softball field lighting, remove/replace chain link baseline fencing and backstop, regrade softball field, install bleachers with concrete pads, install barrier-free parking and sidewalk access at Fifty Six City Park – $98,102.
Fountain Lake (Garland County) to install a pavilion, parking and sidewalk – $100,000.
Hartford (Sebastian County) to install play equipment, sun shade, musical equipment and other site amenities at McClung Music Park – $100,000.
Hazen (Prairie County) to install play equipment, parking and sidewalks at Town and Country Park – $92,995.38
Jennette (Crittenden County) to construct a new park with a basketball court, playground with impact area, pavilion and barrier-free parking/access – $99,214.
Marmaduke (Greene County) to install a pavilion, impact material for existing playground, barrier-free access and parking at Marmaduke City Park – $98,620.
McCrory (Woodruff County) to install play equipment, wood fiber fall zone surfacing, perimeter fencing, barrier-free parking and access at Raney Park – $99,522.
McNab (Hempstead County) to rehabilitate walking trail and add benches – $99,991.20
Oil Trough (Independence County) to install safety surfacing at play area, playground equipment, drinking fountain, barrier-free parking and access to connect to existing pavilion at Oil Trough School Park – $100,000.
Pangburn (White County) to install swing set, fall zone material, performance course exercise equipment, barrier-free parking and access at Pangburn City Park – $100,000.
Appleton Community (Pope County) to construct/install a backstop, light poles, electricity, fencing, foul poles and accessible parking and walkway at Appleton Ball Park – $100,000.
Ravenden Springs (Randolph County) to install new playground equipment/area, barrier-free parking/sidewalk, access to new playground and existing restroom, pavilion and basketball court at Smokey Belcher Park – $100,000.
Rison (Cleveland County) to include sensory stations, benches and parking at Veterans Park and Powell Park – $99,968.
Saint Paul (Madison County) to construct a walking trail, accessible parking, install impact surface, fencing, benches and electricity to the pavilion at Robbie Stephens Park – $100,000.
Welcome Home Community (Searcy County) to construct a walking trail, accessible parking and pavilion, benches, and playground at Welcome Home Community Park – $100,000.
Star City (Lincoln County) to install play equipment, trash/recycling receptacles, benches and sidewalks – $100,000.
Fox Community (Stone County) to replace/repair fencing around the ballfield, install new fence at basketball court, develop barrier-free access to dugouts and basketball court at Fox Community Park – $99,918.
Strawberry (Lawrence County) to develop a new park adjacent to City Hall including a play structure with a fall zone, pavilion with tables, barrier-free parking and access – $100,000.
Waldenburg (Poinsett County) to construct a new park on property adjacent to City Hall to include a playground, half-court basketball court, pavilion and barrier-free parking/access – $100,000.
Weiner (Poinsett County) to replace existing outdated and deteriorated play area with new playground features, including fall zone surfacing and barrier-free parking and access to the existing pavilion and playground area at Weiner City Park – $98,659.34
Wheatley (St. Francis County) to replace the existing pavilion and deteriorated sidewalk, rewire site lighting, make drainage improvements and install a fence around the sewer lift station at Wheatley City Park – $98,500.
Winslow (Washington County) to build a walking trail and accessible parking pad at Winslow City Park – $100,000.
Wrightsville (Pulaski County) to install a pavilion, sidewalks, play equipment, parking and fencing – $100,000.
Early voting ongoing
The March 5 primary and judicial elections are now less than two weeks away and early voting has already begun in Pulaski County. Early voting will continue through Monday, March 4 with Election Day being Tuesday, March 5.
The Pulaski County Clerk’s office reported that turnout was robust on Tuesday, the first day of early voting, with 1,301 people having cast their ballots.
Early voting sites
Jess Odom Community Center, 1100 Edgewood Drive, Maumelle
Feb. 22 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 28 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 29 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 1 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 2 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Glenview Community Center, 4800 E. 19th St., North Little Rock
Feb. 22 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 28 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 29 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 1 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 2 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
William F. Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock
Feb. 22 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 28 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 29 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 1 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 2 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Municipal Drive, Jacksonville
Feb. 22 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 28 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 29 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 1 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 2 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
First Christian Church of Sherwood, 2803 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood
Feb. 22 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 28 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 29 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 1 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 2 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Pulaski County Regional Building, 501 W. Markham, Little Rock
Feb. 22 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 23 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 27 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 28 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Feb. 29 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 1 ... 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
March 2 ... 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
March 4 ... 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For other South of the River voting sites, click here.
Art notes
Hamlet to be performed at North Little Rock High School
March is going to be a big month for Shakespeare enthusiasts as the Theater Arts department at North Little Rock High School is going to be staging a production of Hamlet.
Shows start on Thursday, March 28 and conclude Saturday, March 30, Easter weekend, and will be held at the high school’s Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.
For more information, call 501- 771-8127 or click here to buy tickets online. Tickets must be purchased on the internet as no cash will be accepted at the door.
Chris Klinger will serve as director of the more than 150 students who are involved either on the stage or as part of the crew.
“In shaping this production of Hamlet, we've distilled the essence into a tight 90-minute burst of raw energy,” Klinger said. “Our adaptation aims to deliver Shakespeare's timeless narrative with a vibrant and accessible punch.”
Shining Light coming to Argenta Community Theater
The Judy Kohn Tenenbaum Argenta Community Theater will host a Shining Light: A Cabaret Celebrating Black Voices on Sunday, Feb. 25.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the one-night show will start at 7 p.m.
The show was organized and created by Alycya Thomas, the theater’s operations manager, who also acts.
The show will feature: Val Bell, Austin Bernard, Ana Brandon, Kyndal Collins, Destaney Duguid, Torres Eskew, Nick Farr, Agnolia Gay, Evan Hamilton, Keith Harper, Tyranni Hubbard, Willie Johnson, Portia Jones, Mya Little, Tylen Loring, Marcus Murphy, Kasey Rowland and Spencer Steward.
Ana Brandon will serve as host.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at ArgentaCommunityTheater.org, and for more information, call 501-353-1443.
Camp Healing Hearts set for May 17
Methodist Family Health’s Kaleidoscope Grief Center is currently accepting applications to attend its free overnight grief camp, Camp Healing Hearts.
It will be held at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock and will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 17 and conclude the next day.
The camp is available to any Arkansas family who has experienced a death in the last three to six months.
Grief can be a terrible thing and the camp is designed to help those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It is for children from 5 to 18 and an adult caregiver is also required to attend with the child.
There’s 100 spaces available and to apply for the free camp, go to MethodistFamily.org/Camp-Healing-Hearts and complete the form online.
Application deadline is Sunday, May 5.
For more information, call Dao Ward at 501-537-3991 or toll-free at 800-756-3709.
Downtown North Little Rock to look a little different
The former North Little Rock City Services building, at 120 Main St., is set to be demolished next Tuesday, Feb. 27
Mayor Terry Hartwick will get the wrecking ball started at 10 a.m.
The building, formerly the First American National Bank, was purchased by the city in 1998 and became the place to go to pay utility bills, or see the city’s planning or legal departments, along with a number of other departments as City Hall, while ornate, is quite small.
Two buildings were in use there, and that includes the drive-thru lanes that became not so secret parking spaces for events at Simmons Bank Arena, among other downtown events.
Demolition is expected to take 75 days and the vacant property will be used for future downtown development.
City Services now operates out of a building at 700 W. 29th St. near Laman Library and the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center.
In other North Little Rock news, Roads in and out of Burns Park will all officially open this Friday after being repaired from last year’s EF-3 tornado that hit the park on March 31, 2023.
Sports
UALR to be on ESPNU, twice
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock basketball program will get some national attention this week and next as ESPNU will be televising two games.
The first game is at 4 p.m. today and will feature Joe Foley’s women's squad as they travel to Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri University for an Ohio Valley Conference matchup.
The second game is at 8 p.m., next Thursday, Feb. 29 as the Trojans will host Tennessee State.
The 2024 men’s OVC Championship Tournament is scheduled for March 6-9 at The Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana and will also be televised on ESPNU with the semifinals on Friday, March 8 and the conference championship game at 7 p..m. on Saturday, March 9 in an ESPN2 broadcast.
High school basketball report
Maumelle
Record so far: 16-10
Last week: Beat Little Rock Catholic last Friday.
The week ahead: The regular season ends this Friday, Feb. 23 against Beebe. The Hornets will be back in the state tournament as they’re now 11-2 in the league and could still tie for the conference title. The 5A state tournament is at Searcy this year with the first game on Feb. 28 for both the No. 1 and No., 2 seeds. This year, the 5A-Central is paired against the 5A-East.
Schedule
Friday, Feb 23 ... vs. Beebe ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Feb. 28 … 5A State Tournament at Searcy.
Roster
Maumelle Girls
Coach: Grover Garrison
Record so far: 3-20
Last week: Lost to Mount St. Mary last Friday.
The week ahead: One game remains before Maumelle’s season is over.
Schedule
Friday, Feb 23 ... vs. Beebe ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
Maumelle Charter boys
Record: 21-14 (Final)
Last night: Lost to Riverview in the first round of regionals.
The week ahead: The Falcons season is over.
Maumelle Charter girls
Record: 18-19 (final)
The week ahead: The season is over for Maumelle Charter.
North Little Rock
Coach: Nathan Clayborn
Record so far: 18-7
Last week: Picked up a pair of important conference wins against Bryant and Little Rock Central
The week ahead: Cabot is tonight and could determine the seeding for next week’s 6A state tournament at North Little Rock. The conference championship is out of reach but the ‘Cats could still finish second and get a first-round bye at Smalltel Arena.
Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 22 ... vs. Cabot ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Feb. 27 … 6A State Tournament at North Little Rock
Roster
North Little Rock Girls
Coach: Daryl Fimple
Record so far: 25-4
Last week: Two more wins as North Little Rock gets closer to next week’s state tournament
The week ahead: Cabot is at home tonight and a North Little Rock makes them at least the No. 2 seed for the state tournament, while a loss would make them third in the league..
Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 22 ... vs. Cabot ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Feb. 27 … 6A State Tournament at North Little Rock
Roster
Central Arkansas Christian
Coach: Matt Hall
Record so far: 21-4
Last week: The Mustangs lost in the district tournament finals to Lamar last week.
The week ahead: CAC is at Dover for the regionals and will face Bald Knob at 8:30 p.m. tonight. A win puts them in the 3A state tournament next week at Elkins, while a loss would end their season.
Schedule
Thursday, Feb. 22 … Bald Knob, first round of regionals … 8:30 p.m.
Roster
Central Arkansas Christian Girls
Coach: Steve Quattlebaum
Record: 2-24 (Final)
The season is over for the Lady Mustangs