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Death toll keeps climbing

The weekly death toll from the ongoing pandemic climbed back up as the total number of dead Arkansans was at 58.

The previous week it was at 47 and the week before that it was 35.

This week’s death county is the single largest jump since the first week of April and the fifth consecutive week the state has seen an increase.

The total number of dead Arkansans is now at 11,794.

As for the national trends, the forecast numbers from the Centers for Disease Control are below and through Sept. 3.

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. And the current death toll is a stark reminder that will you might be done with Covid, whatever that means, Covid isn’t done with us.

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

• Upcoming meetings: The Academics Plus Charter Schools Board of Trustees will have a special meeting at 6 p.m. tonight in the APCSI Administration Conference Room, 600 Edgewood Drive in Maumelle. The agenda consists of a personnel matter and a recruiting and retention plan. The North Little Rock School District Board of Education will also have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. tonight in the Administration Building Boardroom. The North Little Rock City Council meets next Monday night.

• Upcoming events: The annual Dixie Day Celebration will be this Saturday, Aug. 13, at Conley Park just off Sam Evans Drive in North Little Rock. It is scheduled to start at 10 a.m and will feature a parade, food, music, a worship service along with entertainment and activities. Admission is free. 

• Cognitive rehab may help older adults clear Covid-related brain fog

• ICYMI: North Little Rock: Sanitation makes changes

Travs at home

The Travs are in town this week at North Little Rock’s Dickey-Stephens Park as “Back to School Week promotions have begun.

Tonight, weather permitting, 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

• Tonight ... 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 

Road swing

• Tuesday ... Aug. 16 ... 6:35 p.m. ... at Springfield

• Wednesday ... Aug. 17 ... 6:35 p.m. ... at Springfield

• Thursday ... Aug. 18 ... 7:05 p.m.  ... at Springfield

• Friday ... Aug. 19 ... 7:05 p.m.  ... at Springfield

• Saturday ... Aug. 20 ... 6:35 p.m. ... at Springfield

• Sunday ... Aug. 21 … 1:35 p.m. ... at Springfield

Click headlines to read more

Norris, Mahony highlight November election

It is official, Maumelle will have a contested Mayoral election this November as Mayor Caleb Norris is being challenged by political newcomer Jodie Mahony.

To read Mahony’s campaign announcement scroll below or click here and for last week’s coverage of Norris’s announcement, click here.

They won’t be the only ones on the ballot as Ward 1 - Position 2 Council Member Ken Saunders decided not to run for re-election so Christine Gronwald and David Cole will face off for that seat. Also choosing not to run for another term was City Attorney Missy Krebs, so it is just Andrew Thornton who is running for the position.

Thornton, a public defender in Pulaski County, has a law degree from Georgetown and got his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago.

There’s also a contested race in Zone 5 for the Pulaski County School Board as Board Member Lindsey Gustafson is being challenged by Wendy Potter. Zone 5 covers a portion of Maumelle as well as rural North Pulaski County.

There’s also two races of interest in North Little Rock with two City Council members facing opposition this fall.

In Ward 2 - Position 2, Council Member Linda Robinson, who is currently the longest-serving member of the council, has an opponent in Nicole Hart, while in Ward 4 - Position 2, Council Member Jane Ginn will face off against Vince Insalaco III.

Candidates list

Maumelle

Mayor

• Mayor Caleb Norris

• Jodie Mahony

City Council

Ward 1 - Position 2

• Christine Gronwald

• David Cole

Running unopposed

• City Attorney: Andrew Thornton

• City Clerk/Treasurer: Tina Timmons

• Ward 2 – Position 2: Chad Gardner

• Ward 3 – Position 2: Michael Tierney

• Ward 4 - Position 2: Jessie Holt

Pulaski County School Board

Zone 5

• Board Member Lindsey Gustafson

• Wendy Potter

North Little Rock

Ward 2 – Position 2

• Council Member Linda Robinson 

• Nicole Hart

Ward 4 – Position 2

• Council Member Jane Ginn

• Vince Insalaco III

Running unopposed

• City Attorney: Amy Fields

City Council

• Ward 1 – Position 2: Debi Ross

• Ward 3 – Position 2: Steve Baxter

NLR School Board (All running unopposed)

• Dorothy “Dot” Williams, Zone 1

• Valerie Phaup McLean, Zone 6

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Jodie Mahony files as Maumelle Mayoral candidate

Jodie Mahony, a 25 year resident of Maumelle, has announced that he has filed as a candidate for Mayor of Maumelle.

"The future of Maumelle is now." Mahony said in a press release. "I will grow Maumelle by utilizing resources to bring new businesses, restaurants, retail and industry to our city. I will establish an open-door policy at city hall for all residents and business owners. As a long-time Maumelle resident and former lobbyist, I comprehend what is necessary to unite our residents and make Maumelle a true Live, Work, Play community."

Mahony has the experience necessary to take the city of Maumelle to the next level. Jodie is promising transparency, fiscal responsibility, a decrease in the mayor's salary and more competitive compensation packages for Maumelle's first responders. Mahony understands the importance of our parks and trail system and will be "hands on" in their maintenance and improvement.

About Jodie Mahony: Jodie has served as a lobbyist for several Arkansas nonprofits, held several positions on numerous non-profit boards in Central Arkansas, actively participated in leadership roles of civic organizations, and, most recently, works as a substitute teacher at Maumelle charter school, a role he took on during the pandemic. He is also a small business owner with his wife, Theda Mahony, who currently serves as the Executive Director at the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce. Jodie enjoys living on Lake Willastein with his wife and two dogs. He can frequently be found gardening or fishing with his children and grandsons.

Groundbreaking set for Tractor Supply

The distribution center for the Tractor Supply Company will have a groundbreaking on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

The event will start at 9:30 a.m., and be held at  150 Champs Boulevard. That will be followed by a networking reception at the Holiday Inn Express Maumelle, 200 Holiday Drive.

The distribution center will be a 900,000 square foot facility and the total investment on the project is $100 million that will create 450 full-time new jobs. The facility is expected to be completed at the end of next year.

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Ribbon cutting for new Maumelle Charter High School to be Aug. 29

The new Maumelle Charter High School will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Monday, Aug. 29.

The event will be held at the school,  9701 White Oak Crossing, and will start at 10 a.m. in the auditorium. The keynote speaker will be Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

The 114,900 square foot campus covers 38.2 acres and will serve grades 8th through 12th.

Katie Johnson will continue as principal and Rob McGill serves as Academics Plus CEO.

After the event, tours will be offered of facility that features: 

• 32 Classrooms

• 2 Science Labs

• EAST Technology Center

• Art Room

• Cafeteria and Kitchen

• Office Suites

• An artificial turf baseball complex with home and visitor dugouts 

• An 832-seat auditorium with a connected choir room and band room

• An 1802-seat gym with a weight room, wrestling/cheer room, concession stand and hospitality room          

• An artificial turf soccer field with an 8-lane track. A 1.5-mile cross country track is under construction. 

The new facility will also allow for student enrollment growth with the current cap of 1,600 growing to 2,000 by the 2026-27 school year.

It also means changes at the other campuses in the Academics Plus system with the current elementary building at 900 Edgewood Drive will now serve grades Kindergarten through 3rd and the current high school building will become Maumelle Charter Middle School serving grades 4th – 7th.

There’s also a campus in Scott.

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