Maumelle Planning Commission to meet
North Little Rock’s Jones finishes as state overall tennis runner-up; Basketball underway at Maumelle Charter; State Fair names craft winners; Football teams poised for playoffs plus 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!Pandemic deaths climb
The state Department of Health, on its Covid dashboard, showed that in the past week, there were 5new deaths reported. The numbers were updated Tuesday, Oct. 24.
The total number of reported dead Arkansans now stands at 13,348 or the state’s 30th largest city. Passing Harrison’s 13,338.
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The Headlines
Meetings: Maumelle Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall. For more details, keep scrolling.
Events: Halloween is Tuesday, plan accordingly. The forecast is calling for clear skies and crisp weather for the trick-or-treaters.
Basketball!: Maumelle Charter has started its season and the varsity girls travel to Abundant Life in Sherwood for a game tonight, while them and the varsity boys will host eStem on Friday. That day will also feature the junior high boys and girls teams. Action is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
Eye on the sky: The National Weather Service office in North Little Rock is calling for much lower temperatures next week with lows expected below freezing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Healthcare news: Residents of Phillips County grapple with endemic gun violence
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet
The Maumelle Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight in a regularly scheduled meeting.
For the agenda, click here.
The agenda is a light one with no items of old business and just three items of new.
Two are related and are both for the proposed annexation for the Stone Canyon development and the related item is a plan modification that would reduce the lots from 407 to 330.
Eric Holloway is the applicant representative for both.
The proposed annexation is for 20 acres that will be added to the existing 63 acres.
The property is on the north end of Maumelle and would have access off Hwy. 365.
The meeting will be held at City Hall and is open to the public.
North Little Rock’s Jones finishes as state overall tennis runner-up
North Little Rock sophomore Caroline Jones finished as overall runner-up in last week’s state tennis tournament at Burns Park.
Jones lost to Stella de Vera of Rogers Heritage – 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 — and the pair are pictured above.
Jones was also named All-State for her efforts. Tennis runs in the family for her as her mom, North Little Rock municipal Judge Paula Juels Jones, was all-state and eventually an All-American for North Little Rock Northeast in 1990. Juels Jones then went on to play collegiately at the University of Tennessee, where she was all-SEC.
Also named All-State from North of the River include:
Ethan Tan, Maumelle
Matt New, Central Arkansas Christian
Dylan Ferguson, Maumelle Charter
In doubles, Caroline Nick and Alyssa Jansen of CAC were named all-state.
All-state golfers were also announced and they are:
Chase Tucker Maumelle
Jase Holder, Maumelle Charter
Cole Baxter, CAC
Arkansas State Fair names craft winners
The Arkansas State Fair is over but the blue ribbons live on more than a dozen North of the River residents were honored for their efforts.
The winners are below and broken down by category.
Canning -- any other
First Place: Cody Bennett -- BEST OF SHOW, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Art -- Water Color, still life
First Place: Evelyn Bennett, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Art -- Stained Glass, fused glass
First Place: Cameron Cates - -BEST OF SHOW, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Art -- Stained Glass, fused glass
First Place: Ivy Cates -- BEST OF SHOW, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Sewing -- Quilting, machine
First Place: Suellen DiMassimo, Maumelle, Pulaski County
Sewing -- Crochet, afghan yarn
First Place: Holly Easley -- BEST OF SHOW, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Crochet -- Any Item -- BEST OF SHOW
First Place: Starlia Aubrey, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Crochet -- Beaded -- BEST OF SHOW
First Place: Starlia Aubrey, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Crafts -- Decorative, diamond painting
First Place: Elizabeth Pugh, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Crafts -- Embellish, recycled jewelry
First Place: Fonda Purifoy, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Crafts -- Scrapbook, general theme
First Place: Fonda Purifoy, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Crafts --Acrylic, landscape
First Place: Grace Rew, North Little Rock, Pulaski County
Events
Cotton, Boozman to be in Little Rock on Friday
Punchbowl News founders Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman will interview Arkansas Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton on Friday at 1 p.m. in Little Rock about the challenges facing small business owners in rural America. Afterward, Goldman Sachs' CEO David Solomon will join Anna and Jake for a fireside chat.
The event will be held at the Clinton Presidential Library and for more, click here.
Punchbowl News is a Washington-D.C. based media company.
Howl-O-Ween is this Monday
The Maumelle Friends of Animals is having Howl-O-Ween starting at 6 p.m. this Monday, Oct. 30. It will be held at Coldwell Banker parking lot, 105 Country Club Parkway. The event is a Trunk or Treat for dogs and pet costumes are available, for any donation.
Frozen coming to North Little Rock High School
The North Little Rock High School Theatre Arts Department will present Frozen: The Broadway Musical from Nov. 9 to Nov. 12 at the Performing Arts Center.
North Little Rock Rock is the only high school in the state performing the musical this school year,
The schedule of performances is:
Nov 9, 7 p.m.
Nov 10, 7 p.m.
Nov 11, 1 p.m.
Nov 11, 7 p.m.
Nov 12, 3 p.m.
To buy tickets, click here.
Remembering Buddy Villines
Floyd "Buddy"Galloway Villines III
Jun 23, 1947 - Oct 21, 2023
Floyd Galloway Villines III “Buddy”, 76, of Little Rock passed away Oct. 21, 2023. He was born June 23, 1947, in Little Rock to the late Hazel Carlton and Floyd G. Villines Jr. He is survived by his wife Beverly Villines and their children; Meredith Hope Villines and Corey Villines Brooks and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Oct 30, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church followed by a reception.
Villines served as Pulaski County Judge from 1991 to his retirement in 2014.
Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Fidelity Communications to open applications for its Charitable Giving Fund
Fidelity Communications will open Fall 2023 applications for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards $250,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, from now until Tuesday, Oct. 31.
For more information about the Fidelity Charitable Giving Fund, visit www.fidelitycommunications.com/charitablegiving.
Education news and notes
North Little Rock's Ramos-Cano named LULAC Student of the Year
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is honoring Dajany Ramos-Cano, a sophomore nursing major from North Little Rock, as its 2023 Student of the Year.
Ramos-Cano, who serves as vice president of LULAC, received the award during the Oct. 13 gala celebrating the achievements of students in LULAC.
"Receiving the Student of the Year Award is so unexpected, but it makes me happy to be recognized for all my hard work," she said. "I enjoy helping my fellow students through LULAC."
Ramos-Cano joined LULAC last year. As vice president, she assists President Yvonne Rodriguez in leading LULAC, recruiting officers and members, and coordinating events to celebrate holidays like Hispanic Heritage Month and Dia de los Muertos. She loves being involved in LULAC since it makes her feel at home.
"I wasn't really involved in a lot of things when I was in high school," she said. "When I found out about LULAC, it felt like home. As a first-generation student, it was hard for me to adjust to college life for the first couple of months. LULAC is full of other first-generation students. I felt happy to be a part of this community of students."
Outside of LULAC, Ramos-Cano is a member of the Chancellor's Leadership Corps at UA Little Rock, a fourth-degree black belt who teaches karate to kids on the weekend, and an accordion player. She will graduate in 2026 and plans to specialize in pediatric nursing.
"When I was younger, I wanted to be so many different things at first," she said. "Then I got asthma and had severe seafood allergies. I would go to the hospital frequently, and I always saw what nurses would do. My mom was also a nurse, and now I can't wait to be a nurse."
High school roundup
Hornets, Mustangs and ‘Cats all win
It was bound to happen at some point this season and that was the case last Friday as Maumelle, Central Arkansas Christian and North Little Rock all won their games.
And, quite frankly, they were all blowouts as Maumelle rolled past Watson Chapel, 56-14. CAC dispatched Dover, 60-12, and North Little Rock handled Fort Smith Northside, 47-21.
That won't be the case this Friday but only because CAC has the night off.
Maumelle got its fifth win of the season in dominant fashion as the Hornets were 35-6 at the half and added two quick touchdowns in the second quarter to start the running clock.
Scoring plays were by Johnathan Frost on a 16 yard run that was followed by an Elijah Newell 31 yard run in the second quarter.
Maumelle kept the offense going as quarterback Andrew Bjork hit Cato Hunter for a 34-yard catch and run, which was followed by another Bjork touchdown pass but this time to Karsten Hilliard for 39 yards.
Joe Mason added the final touchdown of the quarter for Maumelle with an 18 yard run with 2:37 remaining.
Mason got his second touchdown of the night on a five yard run to start the third quarter and with just :23 remaining in the quarter, Michael Candler scored on a one- yard run.
Maumelle's last touchdown was again courtesy of Hilliard but this time it was a 100-yard interception return for the score.
This Friday, Vilonia comes to town with a deceiving 2-6 record as they're riding a two-game winning streak.
A win on Friday night would clinch a playoff spot for the Hornets as they would move into a tie with Morrilton but have the head-to-head advantage.
Maumelle missed the playoffs last season.
CAC is 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the 4A-4 conference to be leading the league with just one game remaining.
That game is against Lamar, currently the No. 2 team in the standings.
CAC could win the conference outright with a win on Friday, Nov. 3. The Mustangs are currently No. 14 in the Class 4A poll by hootens.com,
North Little Rock travels to Bryant this Friday in a 7A-Central showdown.
North Little Rock is 3-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference to be no worse then the No. 5 seed in the playoffs starting on Nov. 10.
The 'Cats are No. 10 in the hootens.com Class 7A poll, while Bryant is No. 4 and the Hornets are 7-1 on the season. That lone loss was to Little Rock Parkview, a team that also beat North Little Rock.
Friday night lights
Maumelle Hornets
Aug. 25 ... Maumelle 20, Sylvan Hills 0
Sept. 1 ... Maumelle 41, Batesville 27
Sept. 8 … White Hall 42, Maumelle 21
Sept. 22 ... Pine Bluff 41, Maumelle 25
Sept. 28 ... Maumelle 34, Mills 28
Oct. 6 ... Robinson 48, Maumelle 38
Oct. 13 ... Maumelle 26, Morrilton 14
Oct. 20 ... Maumelle 56, Watson Chapel 14
Friday, Oct. 27 ... Vilonia ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3 ... Beebe ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 ... First round of playoffs
BOLD indicates home game
For the roster, please click here.
CAC Mustangs
Aug. 25 ... CAC 52, Lonoke 16
Sept. 1 ... CAC 40, Perryville 6
Sept. 8 ... CAC, 50 Bauxite 45
Sept. 15 ... Harmony Grove 43, CAC 42
Sept. 22 ... CAC 40, Little Rock Hall 27
Sept. 29 ... CAC 50, Mayflower 34
Oct. 6 ... CAC 44, Pottsville 43
Oct. 13 ... Clinton 53, CAC 50
Oct. 20 ... CAC 60, Dover 12
Friday, Nov. 3 ... at Lamar ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 ... First round of playoffs
BOLD indicates home game
For the roster, please click here.
North Little Rock 'Cats
Aug. 25 ... Catholic 17, North Little Rock 7
Sept. 1 ... Fayetteville 58, North Little Rock 20
Sept. 15 ... Parkview 52, North Little Rock 14
Sept. 22 ... North Little Rock 41, Little Rock Central 6
Sept. 29 ... Conway 36, North Little Rock 7
Oct. 6 ... North Little Rock 44, Little Rock Southwest 13
Oct. 13 ... Jonesboro 37, North Little Rock 7
Oct. 20 ... North Little Rock 47, Fort Smith Northside 21
Friday, Oct. 27 ... at Bryant ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3 ... at Cabot ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 10 ... First round of playoffs
BOLD indicates home game
For the roster, please click here.
Sports
Maumelle Charter basketball schedule
Oct. 26 ... Thursday ... at Abundant Life … 7B, JHG, VG … 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 27.... Friday ... eStem … JHG, JHB, VG, VB ... 4 p.m.
Oct. 30 …. Monday … Jacksonville Lighthouse … JHB,VB …. 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 … Monday … at Lee Academy … JHG, VG …. 5 p.m.
Nov. 2 ... Thursday ... at Ouachita … JHG,VG,VB … 5 p.m.
Nov 3 .... Friday ... at eStem … 7B, JHBJV, JHB … 6 p.m.
Nov. 6 … Monday … Two Rivers … JHG, JHB, VG, VB ... 4 p.m.
Nov. 7 … Tuesday … at Lisa North … JHG,JHB,VG,VB … 4:30 p.m.
Nov 7 … Tuesday at CAC … 7G, 7B …. 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 ... Thursday ... at Western Yell County … JHG, JHB, VG, VB … 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 10.... Friday ... LR Hall … VG,VB … 5:30 p.m.
Nov 11 … Saturday … MCMS (Jamboree) … 7G,7B … TBA
Nov. 13 … Monday … Palestine Wheatly … 7G,JHG,VG … 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 … Tuesday … at Mt. Ida … 7G, JHG, VG … 5 p.m.
Nov. 16 ... Thursday ... Dewitt … JHG, JHB, VG, VB … 4 p.m.
Nov 16 ... Thursday ... Episcopal Collegiate … 7G,7B … 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 17.... Friday ... at Mills … JHB, VG,VB …. 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 20 … Monday … at LR Central … JHB,VB … 5 p.m.
Nov. 27-Dec.2 …. Monday-Friday ... at Battle at the Cove … VG,VB
Dec 2 …. Saturday at Stuttgart (Jamboree) … 7G,7B … TBA
Dec. 4 … Monday at Dover … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 … Tuesday … Dover … JVG, JVB, VG,VB … 5 p.m.
Dec. 8.... Friday ... at CAC … JHG, JHB, VG, VB … 4 p.m.
Dec. 11 … Monday at Mayflower … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 … Tuesday … Mayflower … JVG, JVB, VG, VB … 5 p.m.
Dec 14 ... Thursday ... CAC … 7G,7B … 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 14 ... Thursday ... Malvern … VG,VB … 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 15.... Friday ... Abundant Life (Homecoming) … VG, VB … 5:30 p.m.
Dec 16 … Saturday at Perryville (Jamboree) … 7G,7B … TBA
Dec. 27-28 at Malvern Classic … VG… TBD
Dec. 27-29 at Episcopal Christmas Tournament … VB … TBD
Jan 2. … Tuesday … Danville … JHG,JHB,VG,VB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan 4. ... Thursday ... Lee Academy … JHG, VG,VB … 4 p.m.
Jan. 5.... Friday ... at Perryville … JHG, JHB, VG, VB … 4 p.m.
Jan. 8 … Monday at Lamar … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 … Tuesday Lamar … JVG, JVB, VG, VB … 5 p.m.
Jan. 11 ... Thursday ... Baptist Prep … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 12.... Friday ... at Baptist Prep … JVG, JVB, VG, VB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 … Tuesday … Atkins … JHG, JHB, VG,VB ... 4 p.m.
Jan 16 … Tuesday … Lisa West … 7G,7B … 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 ... Thursday ... Dover … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 19.... Friday ... at Dover … VG, VB … 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 … Tuesday … CAC … JHG, JHB, VG, VB ... 4 p.m.
Jan. 25 ... Thursday ... Mayflower … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 26.... Friday ... at Mayflower … JVB, VG, VB … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 … Tuesday … Perryville (Senior Night) … JHG, JHB, VG, VB ... 4 p.m.
Feb. 1 ... Thursday ... Lamar … 7G, 7B, JHG, JHB … 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 2.... Friday ... at Lamar … JVG, JVB, VG, VB 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 3-7 … Jr. High District Tournament … JHG, JHB … TBA
Feb. 6 … Tuesday … Baptist Prep … JVG, JVB, VG, VB … 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 ... Thursday ... at Atkins … JVG, JVB, VG, VB … 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 12-17 … Sr. High District Tournament … VG, VB
Feb. 21-24 … Regional Tournament
Feb. 27- March 2 … State Tournament