Scoot on down to Scooter's
White Oak Bayou Family Float this Saturday; Posey ready for year one at Maumelle Charter; Leaf removal starts Monday in North Little Rock 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!Pandemic deaths keep climbing
The state Department of Health, on its Covid dashboard, showed that in the past week, there were 4 new deaths reported. The numbers were updated Tuesday, Oct. 31.
The total number of reported dead Arkansans now stands at 13,352 or the state’s 30th largest city. Passing Harrison’s 13,338.
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The Headlines
Meetings: The North Little Rock School Board has a special call meeting and workshop at 5:30 p.m. tonight. The Maumelle City Council meets at 6 p.m. next Monday night at City Hall.
Events: There’s much to do in North Little Rock next week and for more details, keep scrolling.
Something to read: Criminal justice writer Radley Balko has taken a deep dive into the country’s system of public defenders. Part 1 is here and scroll to the end to get to Arkansas and the sorry state of legal help for those in need.
Float on
The White Oak Bayou Family Float is this Saturday, Nov. 4, with floats starting at 9 a.m. and then again at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
For more, check out the flyer below.
Scoot on down to Scooter's
The first Scooter’s Coffee in Maumelle opened earlier this year and the second, this one on Maumelle Boulevard, is scheduled to open on Monday, Nov. 13.
The national franchise’s expansion is part of a local trend towards drive-thru coffee shacks and, much like Hot Coffee, Mississippi, hot coffee and iced coffee seem to be having a bit of a moment.
So, it seems like as good a time as any to find out more about Scooter’s Coffee.
Below is a transcript of an email Q&A with Elizabeth Gray, head of Operations & Business Development for Life's Little Perks and The Adventurous Bean, the franchise owner for the current and future Scooter’s locations.
It has been lightly edited and formatted for publication.
>> How did you get attracted to franchising Scooter's?
Honestly, it all started because of a great cup of coffee, I wasn't looking for a coffee franchise at the time. When visiting my sons at their college out of town, I visited a Scooter's Coffee location for just a cup of black coffee. It was a great cup of coffee, a Smiley sticker on the lid, a cute cup -- they had me! Twelve days later I was in Omaha, Nebraska learning more about the business. The company's vision and core values (INTEGRITY, LOVE, HUMILITY, COURAGE) resonated with me (and my husband), we decided we wanted to be a part of this franchise right away.
>> What attracted you to Maumelle as one location has opened and another planned?
Maumelle is a lovely community: everyone that we have met has been friendly and welcoming! It is a community that is growing and will continue to grow in the future. We are excited to be a small part of that.
>> What is the timeline for the opening of the second location?
The second location will open on or around Nov. 13..
>> Do you have plans for more expansion in central Arkansas?
We would like to expand into another location, but do not have anything confirmed at this time.
>> Does your group own all the locations in Arkansas?
There are several different franchisees that operate in the state of Arkansas. Our customers will receive the same level of amazing service and amazing drinks at any of the locations. We are a strong brand and I love the way our franchisees support one another, therefore making the experience the best we can for our customers.
>> If not, which locations are yours?
We currently have the location at 20715 Hwy 365 N (Maumelle) and 6600 Corporate Drive (North Little Rock). Scooter's Coffee has opened its 700th location this year, with Arkansas being one of the fastest areas of growth.
Posey ready for year one at Maumelle Charter
Tyler Posey, below, is the new boy’s basketball coach at Maumelle Charter and he’s ready to get rolling.
The Falcons have already begun play but he noted that last year’s record was 9-20 as Maumelle Charter adjusted to the rigors of 3A play.
This season, they’re in the same conference and have some eye-popping games outside of league play with the likes of Little Rock Central on the schedule.
Posey noted that Carter Davis and Dylan Ferguson are returning starters and he said that, “Daylon Thomas, Ethan Polite, and Kennon Johnson” are players to watch. The three are all freshmen and “ that should bring a huge boost to our squad.”
As for the season, “we feel with our team we are in a position to make some noise in 3A,” Posey said. “One of our team goals is to make the state tournament and get 20 wins.”
He added, “we have a good mix of upperclassmen and young kids that will help us develop our program while meeting our goals this year. The leadership of Carter Davis and Mason Corrigan is crucial for us and they do a great job in holding our team accountable. We are excited to get to the season tipped off and show off the work these student athletes have put in.”
Posey played college basketball at Ouachita Baptist and has a master's degree from Arkansas State.
He previously was an assistant at Bryant High School and was also the head coach of the freshmen team there.
Keep scrolling for Maumelle Charter’s basketball schedule
Maumelle students selected for all region choir
Pinnacle View Middle School recently hosted the All Region choir auditions for Region 2 and students from Maumelle Middle were among those selected for All Region Choir.
SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) Choir
Soprano 1
Ge’onna Boatman - Maumelle Middle - 19th Chair
SSAA (2 Soprano, 2 Alto)
Soprano 1
Jordan Keller - Maumelle Middle - Alternate
Thea Olmstead - Maumelle Middle - 39th Chair
Alto 1
Emma Cheatham - Maumelle Middle - 36th Chair
Events
Leaf removal starts Monday in North Little Rock
The happiest time of the year, at least for North Little Rock residents, starts this Monday as the leaf removal trucks will begin rumbling around the city and doing their vacuum thing.
When the late Pat Hays served as North Little Rock’s mayor, he once said his own mother would vote against him if he ended the leaf removal program. And while Hays didn’t have much to worry about during his time in office, he never stopped it. Neither did former mayor Joe Smith, and neither has current Mayor Terry Hartwick.
The trucks are a distinctive part of North Little Rock and, weirdly, the program hasn’t been copied elsewhere, even though it should, because it is frankly awesome.
City spokeswoman Shara Booth Hutchcraft said rainy weather on Monday would delay the start of the trucks and there’s always the possibility of breakdowns but hopes are that it goes smoothly.
The program will start on the city’s north end and work its way around town.
The unbagged leaves should be placed on the curb, and not on the street or gutter, so the vacuum trucks will be most effective.
Regular posts on the City of North Little Rock’s Facebook page and website (www.nlr.ar.gov) will provide information for residents on the progress of the leaf trucks including their current and future location in the city. Residents are also encouraged to call 501-371-8345 for an up-to-date report on the location of the leaf trucks, Hutchcraft added.
“There is not a set schedule for the path the leaf trucks will take,” she said.
For more, call the North Little Rock Sanitation Department at 501-906-6327.
Also on Monday, weather regardless, the city will have a ribbon-cutting for the new fire station, No. 8, at Burns Park. The station had been set to open this past spring, but the March 31 tornado ended those plans as the under construction building was damaged by the storm.
The station is located at 501 W. Military Drive and 8,500 square feet. The lodge style facility has five bedrooms for firefighters and the battalion chief.
It also includes a decontamination facility that will help prevent cancer and improve the safety of firefighters. North Little Rock voters approved a half-cent sales tax in 2017 which funded the new station.
Station 8 was designed by Jackson, Brown, Palculict Architects and the Construction Manager was CBM Construction Incorporated.
Another bit of North Little Rock news is that this Tuesday, Nov. 7, the Christmas Tree in Argenta Plaza will be lit by Mayor Terry Hartwick.
Those attending are encouraged to bring canned food as the Girl Scouts along with members of the North Little Rock Kiwanis Club and First Assembly of God in North Little Rock are doing a food drive.
“We set a goal of $5,000 to collect at the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in hopes to serve families in the North Little Rock School District, our unsheltered community and through the ‘Share Your Lunch’ program,” said Pastor Randy Jumper, at North Little Rock First Assembly.
The community is invited and there’s a high degree of confidence, a certain jolly fellow from the North Pole will also be on hand for the event as well.
In the final bit of news, the pickle ball courts at North Little Rock’s Burns Park will have a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Check out the flyer below for more details.
High school roundup
Trap avoided, Hornets win and bound for the playoffs
It was the Alan Timmons and Elijah Newell show last Friday for Maumelle as the seniors combined for six touchdowns as the Hornets won, 44-28.
Both had three touchdowns each but in different ways.
Timmons scored on a five-yard catch, and had touchdown runs of one yard and 60 yards. Timmons also had an interception on defense.
Elijah Newell on a 15 yard run, a 20 yard reception and then an 83-yard interception return. It was one of three interceptions in the game for Newell.
Beebe (4-5) will be at Maumelle (6-3) this Friday for the regular season finale.
Regardless of the outcome, Maumelle, ranked No. 11 in the latest Class 5A poll from Hootens.com, will be in the playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
The top three seeds are still in flux but the Hornets lost to all three, while having the head-to-head advantage over Morrilton.
Central Arkansas Christian was off last week but the Mustangs are No. 13 in the Class 4A poll from Hootens.com. while this Friday's opponent, Lamar, is No. 14.
Both teams are 7-2 and 5-2 in the 4A-4. The winner will at least tie for the conference title and both are in the playoffs with seeding to be determined.
North Little Rock, despite a loss to Bryant last week, is also in the Class 7A playoffs and are likely the No. 5 seed from the 7A-Central.
The 'Cats are No. 10 in the latest 7A poll and will travel to No. 8 Cabot this Friday.
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
Oct. 27 ... Maumelle 44, Vilonia 28
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
Oct. 27 ... Bryant 52, North Little Rock 21
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
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 Wheatley … 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