Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight
Maumelle Summer Kick-Off is Friday. Maumelle Charter finishes as runners-up; North of the River students elected to leadership roles at Boys State; Taking the questionnaire plus sports and headlines
Note to subscribers: An annual or monthly subscription is billed to your debit or credit card as ARKANSAS.SUBSTACK.COM and if you have questions, please email arkansas@substack.com. Thanks for reading and subscribing!The Headlines
MEETINGS: The Maumelle Planning Commission meets tonight at City Hall. For more on that keep scrolling. The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Monday was Memorial Day, so trash and recycling are running one-day delayed this week as a result. We won’t judge if you put your can, or cans, out early, but we do. Sorry, not sorry. Maumelle’s Summer Kick-Off is Friday at Lake Willastein. It is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and for more check out the map below.
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight
The Maumelle Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall for its regularly scheduled meeting in May,
For the agenda, click here, but be forewarned, it is a light one with just two items of business.
The first is old business and is on the proposed Vietwiches Bakery and Cafe, hhmm, bahn mi. It had already been approved by the Planning Commission but the location is moving from Lot 70B in the Maumelle Gateway Planned Commercial District, or PCD. It originally had been approved for Lot 70A.
There’s some changes to landscaping and the design of the commercial building.
The item of new business is on the Carnahan Square PCD and is for discussion only with no action to be taken.
That’s it.
The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page.
Maumelle Charter finishes as runners-up
Maumelle Charter’s first state title game appearance didn’t go the way they would have liked as the Lady Falcons lost to Lifeway Christian last Friday at Hot Springs Lakeside.
Lifeway Christian (16-4) repeated as the 3A state champs with the win as Chloe Marples finished with the hat trick.
Maumelle Charter’s Rileigh McClendonn scored the Lady Falcons only goal of the match as the squad finished 18-3-2 on the year.
Conditions weren’t ideal for either team as it was a rainy Friday in Hot Springs as the match saw two delays due to weather.
North of the River students elected to leadership roles at Boys State
North of the River students were elected by their peers to the State Senate and State House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 26, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different congressional districts, each with three senators and 10 representatives.
The students elected to the Arkansas Boys State legislature include:
Jalil Jeanpierre of Sherwood from Lisa Academy North High School was elected as State Representative
Javion Dotson of Maumelle from Maumelle High School was elected as State Representative.
Quaid Hairston of Sherwood from Little Rock Central was elected as State Representative
Dallas Quast of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School was elected as State Representative
Mandrell Howell Jr. of Sherwood from Sylvan Hills High School was elected as State Representative
By earning election to the Arkansas Boys State legislature, these local students will represent fellow delegates in the program’s legislature. They will take part in the legislative process by listening to constituents, discussing ideas with other elected delegates, considering policy proposals and helping shape the laws and priorities of the Arkansas Boys State government.
The legislative experience gives delegates a hands-on look at how representation works. Throughout the week, student lawmakers will consider the needs of their cities, counties and districts while working across perspectives to address challenges within the Arkansas Boys State simulation. The role calls on students to communicate clearly, think critically and make decisions with the broader community in mind.
“Election to the Arkansas Boys State legislature is a meaningful sign of trust from fellow delegates,” said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. “Whether serving in the House or Senate, these students are asked to listen, lead and take seriously the responsibility of representing others.”
North of the River students were elected by their peers to county office on Monday, May 25, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including eight different mock counties each with their own county judge, vice county judge, county sheriff, and justices of the peace.
Those students elected to county leadership roles at Arkansas Boys State include:
Jonah Fuller of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School was elected to Justice of the Peace for Hanner County
Mandrell Howell Jr. of Sherwood from Sylvan Hills High School was elected to Justice of the Peace for Hanner County
Walter Wenger of North Little Rock from North Little Rock Center of Excellence was elected to County Judge for Carvell County
Curtis Hardaway of Maumelle from Maumelle High School was elected to Sheriff for Carvell County
County government plays a central role in the Arkansas Boys State experience. Delegates are assigned to cities, counties and political parties, then work with their peers to campaign for office, vote in elections, debate policy, address community challenges and participate in a full week of civic programming.
As an elected county official, these local students will help represent and serve the citizens of their respective counties. County officials guide their fellow delegates through the program’s simulations, discussions and civic responsibilities while building a sense of shared purpose and pride among the students in their county.
“County office gives students a meaningful opportunity to lead beyond themselves,” said Jackson”The county is one of the places where delegates build their closest connections, learn to work across differences and begin to understand how leadership affects an entire community.”
Even more students were elected by their peers to city office on Monday, May 25, as part of the 85th annual session of Arkansas Boys State, where students build a mock government structure, including sixteen different mock cities, each with their own city council and mayor.
Those students elected to city leadership roles at Arkansas Boys State 2026 include:
McConnell Robertson of Sherwood from Catholic High School for Boys elected as City Council Position One for Sherwood City
Ian Parrett of Sherwood from Conway Christian High School elected as Mayor for Lovell City
Mitchell Knox of North Little Rock from eStem High School elected as City Council Position Three for Lovell City
Quaid Hairston of Sherwood from Little Rock Central elected as City Council Position Four for Lovell City
Javion Dotson of Maumelle from Maumelle High School elected as City Council Position 1 for Kelley City
As a city elected official, these students will help lead their respective city, one of the 16 student-led cities that make up the Arkansas Boys State government simulation. Delegates at Arkansas Boys State are assigned to cities, counties and political parties, then work together to build a functioning model government from the ground up. Through elections, debate, public service projects and daily decision-making, students experience the responsibilities of democratic citizenship firsthand.
This role will place these local students at the center of local government during the week. City officials at Arkansas Boys State are responsible for helping their communities organize, respond to challenges, represent constituents and create a strong civic identity among delegates who live, work and compete together throughout the session.
“City leadership is where many delegates first discover that public service is personal,” said Jackson. “When a student is elected by his peers, he is being trusted to listen, communicate clearly and help move his community forward. That is exactly the kind of leadership Arkansas Boys State is designed to develop.”
In addition to serving in city government, these local students will participate in political party rallies, attend Schools of Instruction, take part in leadership discussions, hear from civic and public officials, and participate in recreational and community-building activities with delegates from across Arkansas.
Arkansas Boys State’s guiding theme is “Democracy Depends on Me.” Being elected to city office offers a hands-on opportunity to practice that principle by serving others, leading peers and helping shape the experience of Arkansas Boys State delegates throughout the week.
Since 1940, Arkansas Boys State has helped prepare more than 60,000 alumni for lives of citizenship, public service and leadership. More information about Arkansas Boys State is available at arboysstate.org.
Taking the questionnaire
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert went off the air last week and it will be missed.
To be honest, I normally go to bed by 10 these days, so I rarely watch any of the late night programming as it airs. I either record it, so I can skip the commercials, or watch clips on YouTube as my time allows.
The latter is how I normally catch Colbert, clips a day or two or years later. I’ve really become transfixed by the Colbert Questionnaire, maybe because it appeals to my reporter’s sensibilities or maybe because I get paid money to ask questions, which are mostly the same thing.
And, again, to be honest, I would have trouble answering some of the questions I ask. Like, the guests at my fantasy dinner party would be?
I don’t know but that’s not a very good answer. Maybe a better one would be my grandparents who I didn’t get to know because three of the four were dead before I was 10, and the other not in the best health mentally or physically despite living to be nearly 100. Maybe my dad, who also died when I was in my early 20s.
But, that’s also depressing.
Anyway, back to Colbert, the format is live TV, so you don’t get time to think, even though the questions have mostly followed the same format over the years so you can plan. The actual number of questions has varied, but using the most recent as a template, it is basically 14 that seem to be pretty consistent.
Doing this is a challenge, at least for me. The questions are below, if you want to do this for yourself. And my Q&A follows.
What’s the best sandwich? The BLT. Good tomato and a little bit of Miracle Whip. Romaine instead of iceberg lettuce, not because I’m a hater of iceberg, just we normally have romaine in the fridge plus some bacon. Two strips, broken into halves. Usually the low sodium Kroger variety since, again, that’s what we tend to have. Second choice would be peanut butter and jelly but actor Ryan Gosling gave a great response here when he said an ice cream sandwich. I’d add the cheap kind, where the cookie wafer sticks to your fingers.
What is the scariest animal? Bears. Grizzly bears to be specific. They’re big. They’re fast. They’re vicious. If you go out west or Alaska or any place else they roam. You’ll hear, “Black, fight back. Brown lie down” as it relates to bears. Black tend to be afraid of humans, so get big and get loud and they’l;l run off. Brown, or grizzlies, will eat you, if given the opportunity. So the counsel is to lie down, on your stomach and hope your backpack gives you some protection. The idea also being if you’re on your stomach, and spread eagled, it will be harder for the grizzly to flip you over and eat your delicious, to it, stomach first.
What was your first concert? I wish I had a better answer then I don’t remember but I don’t really remember. I have some vague memories of being four and singing “Oh Christmas Tree” at church. It was in German, because I was a baby genius who learned German at 4, so it was actually “O Tannebaum.” I can’t speak a word of German now, but if I watch a film in German, I can understand the words towards the end without reading the subtitles.
Apples or oranges? Apples. I eat an apple most every day. Plus oranges, occasionally, give me an upset tummy.
Have you ever asked someone for their autograph? Yes. The first time was professional wrestler JunkYard Dog, who was wrestling in the parking lot of my hometown Wal-Mart when they still had the Midnight Madness sales. (Tell me you grew up in rural Arkansas without telling me where you grew up.) He signed the Polaroid that we took to mark the moment. Also, JYD, RIP.
What do you think happens when we die? I don’t know. The mystery of faith says we’ll find out. But,. personally, Keanu Reeves gave an all-timer when he said, “I don’t know, but the ones who love us, will miss us.”
Favorite action movie? The Matrix legit blew my brain out when I saw it in the theater.
Window or aisle? Window. I love looking at the tops of clouds.
Favorite smell? Two. The lotion my wife uses as she’s getting ready. Also, the dog’s paws smell like tortilla chips and I find that very satisfying.
Least favorite smell? Also the dog. You can guess why. But, seriously, two decades ago I took a reporting trip to Metairie, Louisiana. Not because I was some fancy reporter but because the National Guard was doing free media flights and for some reason I got invited. It was a day spent bouncing around the wreckage that happened after Hurricane Katrina, but before Rita hit and made it worse. Anyway, one of the things they don’t tell you about hurricane coverage is the smell. Specifically, the smell that comes from the fridges and deep freezes rolled to the curb to be hauled away later. When the power goes out, whatever’s in your fridge, or deep freeze, goes bad in a day or so. When the power is out for a week, there’s no point in trying to save the appliances and the best you can do is tape it shut and roll it out of the house. The stench, even from a taped shut fridge is astonishing. I’ve only smelled that smell that one day, and it is truly unforgettable. Just the worst.
Cats or dogs? Dogs rule, cats drool. Not really. Cats are fine. Just don’t have one.
You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life: what is it? The Living Bubba by the Drive-By Truckers or Goddamn Lonely Love by Jason Isbell. I hear they can play that on the radio in Canada, they don’t but they could if they wanted.
What number am I thinking of? Three. I’m always thinking of 3. If not, 23.
Describe the rest of your life in 5 words: The point of this, is it supposed to be a quick response, not something you get to think about for a few days. Maybe but my best stab is, I’d like more time, please.
What’s the best sandwich?
What is the scariest animal?
What was your first concert?
Apples or oranges?
Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?
What do you think happens when we die?
Favorite action movie?
Window or aisle?
Favorite smell?
Least favorite smell?
Cats or dogs?
You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life: what is it?
What number am I thinking of?
Describe the rest of your life in 5 words.
Sports
Upcoming Travs games
Six-game homestand against Springfield
Today, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy an amazing value for the whole family and the best patio in Central Arkansas! Get $3 General Admission or Beer Garden tickets at a WinChoice Box Office Window. Plus, feed the whole crew for less with select concession items for $3 each!
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday: Presented By Bank OZK
Saturday, 6:35 p.m.
Cal Raleigh Bobblecard Giveaway: Presented By Hardee’s | First 1,000 Fans (one item per person)
Post-Game Fireworks
Sunday, 6:05 p.m.
Post-Game Fireworks
Baseball BINGO: Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Six-game homestand against Frisco
Today, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy an amazing value for the whole family and the best patio in Central Arkansas! Get $3 General Admission or Beer Garden tickets at a WinChoice Box Office Window. Plus, feed the whole crew for less with select concession items for $3 each!
Singles Night: Let the Travs help turn a single into a double! Join us at the ballpark for a pre-game “Singles Mingle” event.
Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday: Presented By Baldwin & Shell Construction
Saturday, May 30, 6:05 p.m
Faith & Family Night: The perfect night for a church group outing! | Enjoy a pre-game moderated Q&A with Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber, pictured above, starting at 4:45. Wieber will also be available to meet & greet with fans during the game. | Presented By Hickingbotham Investments
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, May 31, 1:35 p.m.
Fiesta de Diamantes: The Travs will take the field as the Diamantes de Arkansas in salute of Hispanic Heritage!
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon! Instruction will last approximately 45 minutes. | Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
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
Baseball BINGO: Presented By Arkansas Brighter Future 529
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday Deal: Get $3 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at a WinChoice Box Office Window).
June 2 through June 7, at Corpus Christi.
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