Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight
Champions Tour returns to Pleasant Valley County Club; No drama at No Kings; Hornets defeat the Jacksonville Titans plus headlines and sports
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MEETINGS: The North Little Rock School Board will meet at 5:30 p,m. tonight in a special call meeting. The agenda for the meeting can be viewed by clicking here. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page. The Maumelle Planning Commission will also meet tonight and for more on that, keep scrolling. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday. The North Little Rock Police Department will be operating a drop-off point in the south parking lot of McCain Mall. The Maumelle Police Department operates a year-round drop-oo point in the lobby of the police station. North Little Rock also has a permanent drop-box in the lobby of the city’s justice building.
12 Angry Jurors this week
The drama department at North Little Rock High School is putting on 12 Angry Jurors starting today with other performances set for Saturday and Sunday. Tonight’s and Saturday’s show will start at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show is a 3 p.m. matinee.
For tickets, click here.
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight
The Maumelle Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.
The meeting could be a lengthy one as the agenda features seven items of new and old business.
The agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
However,a proposed 57 lot townhome subdivision at 1100 Millwood Circle has been deferred due to a notification issue.
That project is being repped by Holloway Engineering and the townhomes are being described as “Two floors” and would come with a “two-car private garage.”
Renderings of what is being proposed were not included with the packet.
Another item of new business is for discussion only and is on road setback lines for non-clearing of trees on Maumelle Boulevard.
Since it is for discussion, no action is expected.
Another agenda item of note is the proposed Church of Maumelle at 12850 Maumelle Boulevard. Repped by Minton Engineering, they’re asking for a 12 month extension on the project as they don’t have a final development plan or have submitted a commercial permit.
The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page.
Public Notice
The Maumelle Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on tongiht, Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at 550 Edgewood Drive, Maumelle to consider a proposed Code Amendment Update to Sec. 90-84(1) updating Road setback line for vegetation along Maumelle Blvd. For additional information, contact Planning & Permitting at the City of Maumelle at 501-851-2500.
No drama at No Kings
For an event that was hyped as a gathering of domestic terrorists, it sure didn’t look that way this past Saturday at the No Kings 2.0 rally.
A crowd estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 people gathered peacefully and exercised their constitutional rights. Some of that crowd was also there for the Downtown Pride Parade that went from the Federal Building to the state capitol. Most of the attendees at No Kings walked in the Pride Parade as well.
The crowd skewed older and denominations from churches ranging from the Episcopals to United Methodists were on hand.
Also there was Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins and his department provided security and traffic control for both events.
But it was nothing, unless you count children doing street art with chalk as vandalism.
Champions Tour returns to Pleasant Valley County Club
The Simmons Bank Championship, presented by Stephens, returns to Little Rock’s Pleasant Valley County Club for three days of professional golf starting on Friday and concluding on Sunday.
The 52-man field goal has been hitting the links already this week with Pro-Am days on Wednesday and then again today.
At stake is a winner’s share of $365,000 of the $2.3 million in prize money.
Last year’s winner, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, is back and in the second to last grouping with New Zealand’s Steven Alker and Denmark’s Thomas Bjørn.
The final grouping is Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez, Stewart Cink of Atlanta and South Africa’s Ernie Els.
The event features four World Golf Hall of Fame members in Els and Harrington, along with Retief Goosen and Vijay Singh.
All three days will be televised with Friday and Saturday being broadcast on the Golf Channel starting at 1 p.m. on Friday and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Sunday’s final round will also be on the Golf Channel and starting at 12:30 p.m.
Last week, Justin Leonard won the Dominion Energy Charity Classic and is currently No. 9 in the standings. Leonard last week became the first player in seven years on the PGA Tour Champions to make eagle on the final hole and win by one stroke. Leonard is the seventh multiple winner on the PGA Tour Champions this year.
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Nov. 13-16 in Phoenix.
Charles Schwab Cup Standings
Player............................................Points
1 Miguel Angel Jiménez...............3,067,448
2 Stewart Cink .............................2,600,040
3 Ernie Els ...................................2,526,893
4 Steven Alker..............................2,516,962
5 Thomas Bjørn ...........................2,201,982
6 Padraig Harrington....................1,908,846
7 Retief Goosen...........................1,794,562
8 Ángel Cabrera...........................1,756,800
9 Justin Leonard ..........................1,744,868
10 Steve Allan................................1,666,420
Tickets on sale for Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens
Tickets for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens – a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event – are now on sale to the public. For a complete listing of ticket options or to purchase tickets, please visit the tournament website at simmonsbankchampionship.com.
General admission ticket options include daily Friday, Saturday or Sunday tickets for $30, Good Any One Day tickets for $35 or $85 weekend tickets for all three days of competition rounds. Children ages 15 and under will receive free general admission access with a ticketed adult. An upgraded 15th green shared hospitality ticket is also available to purchase for $300 per day or $850 for the weekend and provides access to an open-air venue with ballpark style food, beer, wine and seltzers. Liquor is available for purchase.
For more information, visit the simmonsbankchampionship.com or contact sales@simmonsbankchampionship.com.
Sparklight opens applications for its giving fund
Sparklight, a leading high-speed internet provider that serves Maumelle, is once again inviting local nonprofits to apply for its Charitable Giving Fund. Applications opened on Oct. 1, 501(c)(3) organizations across the 24 states served by Sparklight can submit applications for fall 2025 grants through Oct. 31.
Each year, Sparklight awards $250,000 in grants to nonprofits that are helping communities grow stronger and more connected. Funding is focused on three key areas where the need is great and the impact is lasting:
Education and Digital Literacy
Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity
Community Development
Since launching the Charitable Giving Fund in April 2021, Sparklight has awarded more than $1 million in grants. Maumelle charitable groups are among those who have received funds in the past.
For more information or to apply for a fall grant, visit www.sparklight.com/charitablegiving.
Sports
Hornets defeat the Jacksonville Titans
By Collin Scott
MAUMELLE — The Maumelle Hornets kept their four game conference win streak alive Friday night with a convincing 49-31 home game victory against the Jacksonville Titans.
While the Hornets Quarterback Levi Warrior had a record-setting performance, the Hornets, as a team, finished with 519 yards of total offense and showcased themselves as a squad to keep an eye on going into the final games of the season.
Warrior’s breakout performance of 396 passing yards and five touchdowns on 24 completions to 37 attempts, kept the Jacksonville defense on their heels the entire night. With this win, Maumelle now has an overall record of 5-2, with and more importantly, are undefeated in the 5A-Central at 4-0. Jacksonville dropped to 2-5 on the season. The Hornets have now won five consecutive games, as they look to continue this momentum into games against other conference teams.
Play of the game
The turning point of the game came in the middle of the third quarter. While the Hornets were holding on to a two-touchdown lead, Warrior sent off a deep throw pass to Christian Jackson, who caught it with both hands and ran 70 yards all the way to the end zone. The touchdown made the Hornets lead even bigger, leaving no hope for a comeback by the Titans.
What’s next
The Maumelle Hornets will have another home game next week against White Hall, as they look to continue their hot streak and upgrade their playoff positioning. The Jacksonville Titans will have another road game to play Beebee, hoping to get a redemption game and finish the season on a positive note.
What it means
The Friday night victory shows that Maumelle has enough firepower on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball to compete against anyone in the 5A Central. Hornets receivers such as Jacob Henry and Jackson will make them a team that has enough speed and skillsets to continue these wins.
Running back Mason Ball from Jacksonville also put on a show with 186 rushing yards and four touchdowns. It would, unfortunately, not be enough to overcome Maumelle’s humming offense.
Keeping this winning streak alive and well was just another step in the right direction – showing that the players are gaining confidence and fitting into their roles at the perfect time. With three regular season games left before the playoffs start in November, Maumelle has their eyes set on winning the conference championship and making a run at the state title in Class 5A.
Scoring summary
First Quarter
Maumelle: Marshaun Wiley 15 yard pass from Levi Warrior (kick good), 7-0
Maumelle: Jacob Henry 10-yard pass from Levi Warrior (kick good), 14-0
Jacksonville: 40 yard field goal (kick good), 14-3
Second Quarter
Maumelle: Christian Jackson 30-yard pass from Levi Warrior (Dylan Moran kick good) 21-3
Maumelle: Jacob Henry 4-yard run (kick blocked), 27-3
Jacksonville: Mason Ball 20 yard run (two-point conversion good) 27-11
Third Quarter
Jacksonville: Mason Ball 35-yard run (two-point conversion good) 27-19
Maumelle: Jackson 70-yard pass from Warrior (Henry run) 43-19
Maumelle: Henry 3-yard run (conversion failed) 49-31
Fourth Quarter
Maumelle: Henry 12-yard short run (conversion failed) 49-19
Jacksonville: rushing touchdown (two-point pass intercepted) 49-25
Jacksonville: Mason Ball 6-yard run (conversion failed) 49-31
Friday Night Lights
Maumelle was the only winner last Friday but that’s a bit deceiving as North Little Rock should have beat Little Rock Christian. This week, Maumelle, North Little Rock and Central Arkansas Christian are all back in action and their opponents — White Hall, Little Rock Central and Bald Knob — are a combined 4-17 on the season.
Maumelle
Last week: Maumelle 49, Jacksonville 31
This week: Maumelle (5-2, 4-0) at White Hall (1-6, 1-3):
What to expect: The Hornets remain ranked No. 10 in Class 5A by hootens.com and travel to Jefferson County to face White Hall this Friday. Maumelle, since starting the season 0-2, has reeled off five consecutive wins. More importantly, they’re undefeated in the 5A-Central. For more on last week’s game see Collin Scott’s report above.
For the roster, click here.
Thursday, Aug. 28: Sylvan Hills 55, Maumelle 54
Thursday, Sept. 4 … at Parkview 42, Maumelle 15
Friday, Sept. 12 ... Maumelle 38, Vilonia 24
Friday, Sept. 26 ... Maumelle 27, Beebe 14
Friday, Oct. 3 ... ... Maumelle 21, Pine Bluff 7
Friday, Oct. 10 ... Maumelle 42, Watson Chapel 0
Friday, Oct. 17 ...Maumelle 49, Jacksonville 31
Friday, Oct. 24 ... at White Hall* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31 ... vs. Searcy* ... 7 p.m. … Hornets Nest
Thursday, Nov. 6 ... at Robinson* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
North Little Rock
Last week: Little Rock Christian 37, North Little Rock 36 OT
North Little Rock 41, Little Rock Southwest 0
This week: Little Rock Central (2-5, 0-5) at North Little Rock (2-5, 1-3)
What to expect: Win and in they’re in the playoffs for North Little Rock as the ‘Cats face Little Rock Central. North Little Rock climbs to No. 8 in the hootens.com poll of Class 7A despite losing in especially brutal fashion to Little Rock Christian in a game that lasted nearly four hours and was decided when the ‘Cats two-point conversion to win in overtime failed. Now comes Little Rock Central in a game that is part of The Great American Rivalry Series, which showcases high school rivalry games across the country. The series is presented by the U.S. Army.
For the roster, click here.
Friday, Aug. 29: Rogers 41, North Little Rock 3
Friday, Sept. 12 ... vs. Benton 24, North Little Rock 7
Friday, Sept. 19 ... North Little Rock 42, Little Rock Catholic 13
Thursday, Sept. 25 ... Pulaski Academy 45, North Little Rock 31
Friday, Oct. 3 ... Conway 31, North Little Rock 7
Friday, Oct. 10 ... North Little Rock 41, Little Rock Southwest 0
Friday, Oct. 17 ... Little Rock Christian 37, North Little Rock 36 OT
Friday, Oct. 24 ... ... vs. Central* ... 7 p.m. … Wildcat Field
Friday, Oct. 31 ... at Bryant* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... at Cabot* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
CAC
Last week: Lonoke 50, CAC 14
This week: Bald Knob (1-6, 0-4) at CAC (2-5, 2-2)
What to expect: CAC took a thumping from league-leading Lonoke last week but 1-6 Bald Knob visits this Friday and, if the Mustangs win, they’ll be in the Class 4A playoffs in November. CAC’s conference will get five playoff participants and three league wins should be good enough to get in.
For the roster, click here.
Friday. Aug 29: DeWitt 38, CAC 8
Friday, Sept. 5 ... vs. Stuttgart 48, CAC 14
Friday, Sept. 12 … at Harding Academy 48, CAC 27
Friday, Sept. 26 … Heber Springs 21, CAC 17
Friday, Oct. 3 … CAC 62, Riverview 0
Friday, Oct. 10 ... CAC 50, Little Rock Hall 0
Friday, Oct. 17… Lonoke 50, CAC 14
Friday, Oct. 24 ... vs. Bald Knob … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Oct. 31 … at Mills … 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 7 ... vs. Forrest City … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
Sports
SEC Games: Week 9
SATURDAY
Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1 SEC) at Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1 SEC): 11 a.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 82 - 84
Auburn (3-4, 0-4 SEC) at Arkansas (2-5, 0-3 SEC): 11:45 a.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 374 - 106/190
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
Missouri (6-1, 2-1 SEC) at Vanderbilt (6-1, 2-1 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ESPN/SiriusXM: 121/202 - 113/192
Alabama (6-1, 4-0 SEC) at South Carolina (3-4, 1-4 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 161/191 - 84
Texas (5-2, 2-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (4-2, 0-3 SEC): 3:15 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 106/190 - 138/201
Texas A&M (7-0, 4-0 SEC) at LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 82 - 84
Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) at Kentucky (2-4, 0-4 SEC): 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 161/191 - 106/190
Open dates: Florida (3-4, 2-2 SEC); Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC).
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