Simmons Bank Championship honored
Veterans Day events set; Relics tour makes stop in Little Rock; Maumelle’s Scroggins a Donaghey Scholar at UA Little Rock plus sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: A special call meeting and workshop for the North Little Rock School Board will be at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the administration building. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube page. For the agenda, click here. The North Little Rock City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Next Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day. The various government offices, not already closed for the shutdown, will not be open. Plan accordingly. In leaf news, North Little Rock leaf removal will start on Nov. 17 in each of the city’s four wards. No bags required and, honestly, the best thing about living in North Little Rock.
Veterans Day events
Maumelle: The Maumelle Area Lions Club will be hosting its annual Veterans Day event at Lake Willastein starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The rain location is the Jess Odom Community Center. Speaking will be Beau Buford and for more details, click the flyer below.
North Little Rock: The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs will be having its annual event at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, starting at 11 a.m. The cemetery is located 1501 West Maryland Ave.
Public Meeting notice
A community meeting will be held at City Hall today at 4:30 p.m. to discuss development of 6.980 acres at Windwood Lane and along Millwood Circle.
Save the date
Relics tour makes stop in Little Rock
The relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, above, a French Carmelite nun, will be making a stop in Little Rock this week while on a tour of the U.S.
The Arkansas stop will be Friday through Sunday with a visit to the Little Rock Carmelite Nuns at 7201 West 32nd St, in Little Rock on Friday, Nov. 7. That will be followed by veneration on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Christ the King Catholic Church and Holy Mass at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9. Also at Christ the King.
Other stops on the tour include Michigan, Florida, Louisiana and Texas among other states. The tour concludes in December.
An Associated Press article noted, “nicknamed “The Little Flower of Jesus,” St. Thérèse became known worldwide for her autobiography, “Story of a Soul,” that described her devotion to God. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Mother Teresa took her name and said she was inspired to serve the poor in India.
A relic can either be a body part or clothing and works as a memorial to the departed saint contained in what’s known as a reliquary.
For more, click here.
Maumelle’s Scroggins a Donaghey Scholar at UA Little Rock
Leila Scroggins of Maumelle is one of 25 new and talented students to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program for the 2025-26 academic year.
The new cohort of Donaghey Scholars represent the best and brightest students at UA Little Rock. Members receive a financial package that covers full tuition and fees, a stipend, financial assistance for a study abroad program, a housing subsidy, and a new laptop. The program is run by Dr. Simon Hawkins, director, and Dr. Jessica Scott, associate director.
“We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of Donaghey Scholars to UA Little Rock,” Hawkins said. “This outstanding group of students represents the very best of what UA Little Rock has to offer. Their curiosity, leadership, and dedication to excellence will enrich our campus community and set the tone for continued academic distinction.”
The admissions process is highly competitive. The most promising applicants are invited to campus for an interview with the program directors, faculty, and current and past members of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program. Admission decisions are based on academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, intellectual curiosity, recommendation letters, and admissions essays.
The program features an interdisciplinary core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, writing, discussion, and project-based learning that engages with the city of Little Rock.
Simmons Bank Championship honored, again, by the PGA’s Champions Tour
To the surprise of no one who attended, the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, won the PGA Tour Champions President’s Award earlier this week at a meeting in Florida.
The stop at Pleasant Valley Country Club in west Little Rock, just in its second year, was also honored last season with the Players Award, as voted on by the players on the tour but this year was even better as the President’s Award is that tour’s top honor.
Also honored were:
Players Award: Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
Sales Award: Hoag Classic
Bruno Award: Peter Jacobsen
The tour noted that, “Simmons Bank Executives serve on the tournament board and are active year-round. Chief Community Banking Officer Freddie Black serves as Tournament Chairman working side-by-side with the tournament team which delivers some of the strongest title sponsor integration on Tour.”
The tournament surpassed $5.3 million in local revenue and the sponsors rolled out the red carpet for the players, their wives and the caddies, who all got special dinners, with outings, courtesy cars and free hotels for the caddies, who also had a Shootout before the event started with 34 competing.
“In just two years, the Simmons Bank Championship has quickly become a ‘can’t-miss’ community event” for Little Rock and the state.
The stop also featured an extensive “buildout” for stands and entrances that were more comparable to a PGA Tour stop.
Things for the fans
They weren’t handing out swag bags, per se, but if you were willing to walk the course at Pleasant Valley Country Club for the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens, you could come away with a fair amount of things to take home.
Maybe Kiehl’s skincare line and scents aren’t for you, but if you asked, they’d give you a handful if you liked. As a Mac Man, I politely declined.
For the record, “as a Mac Man” is my one – and only – cosmetics joke and it once killed at the Clinique counter at Dillard’s.
But, working around the course, the first stop was at Saracen and the Pine Bluff casino, also one of the listed sponsors, was handing out swag by the handful – and will make some terrific Dirty Santa gifts this Christmas as the branded stress ball, golf tees and club brushes will all be given away.
A Saracen rep said they had plans for even more next year with collectible pins among the options. On the offhand chance someone from Saracen is reading this, we’d suggest branded poker chips but that’s just us.
Further down the course, and in the Kids Zone, Purple Cow was giving away sundaes, with customizable toppings, to anyone who asked and the purple ice cream hit the spot, but it might have also been the opportunity to have a seat that made all the difference.
There were also several dozen camp chairs set up at the tee box at No. 3. The marshall said anyone could take a seat but most people walked right by without giving them a second though.
Up in the clubhouse, was where things really shined. Obviously, not everyone had access as it required a higher level of ticket but the baskets of goodies were extensive.
Packs of playing cards. Lapel pins that also worked on your credential’s lanyard were a nice touch and artful with ducks in flight or flowers and a real upgrade from last year’s plain jane pins.
They also had golf tees, matches and gift shops were everywhere with one on the course, and then two in the clubhouse with one being the pro shop with the second a more exclusive and only open to those with championship club tickets.
Sports
Searcy defeats Maumelle
By Collin Scott
MAUMELLE — Maumelle’s six game winning streak would come to an end as the Searcy Lions made a comeback in a thrilling momentum changing play to get a 47- 40 win at the Hornets Nest.
Player of the Game
Sophomore Jacob Miles helped lead the Lions this win with five touchdowns to help lead the team to a clutch-time victory with 24 of 35 passes for 321 yards. Pass completions and big chunk runs helped flip the game into the hands of the Lions during the fourth quarter
Team Records
Maumelle now drops to 6-3 after this hard loss, after having control of the majority of the game going into the fourth quarter. Searcy improves their record to 8-1 and has been very successful on the road this season as they look to continue this momentum into the postseason.
Play of the Game
During the final minutes of the fourth quarter, a late scoring touchdown drive from Searcy put a spoiler on the night for the home team. The Lions went down the field and scored the touchdown that would leave barely any time for the Hornets to get another shot at a hail-mary type of play.
Notable Quote
“It starts with our quarterback, who’s a tough kid. We’ve got weapons at receiver, and then Kobe White really had a tough, gritty fourth quarter. We needed every bit of it,” said Searcy Coach Zak Clark.
Scoring Plays
The offenses for both the Lions and the Hornets went back and forth with their explosive offenses, but the late touchdown by the Lions would come from Searcy. In a game that went back and forth all night, whoever had the ball last was going to win.
What’s Next
Maumelle now looks to bounce back against Robinson, as they have to get better defensively as they were in the previous games as they go into the postseason. Searcy looks forward to their matchup against Beebe, hoping to carry this momentum into the rest of the games for the regular season.
What it Means
For Maumelle, this home loss shows that they have enough offensive skill players to be great for the postseason, but the defense has to improve in the defensive gaps and getting stops at crucial times in games will be crucial for them to make a run.
For Searcy, it shows their ability to finish games in the clutch and being able to win games on the road in hostile environments, which is crucial during the playoffs.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Searcy: 70 yard pass from Daniel completed for touchdown(point good), 7-0
Maumelle: 68 yard rushing touchdown by Jacob Henry (Dylan Moran kick good), 7-7
Maumelle: 17 yard pass from Levi Warrior to Isaac Warrior for touchdown pass (Moran good), 7-14
Searcy: 5 yard rushing touchdown by Miles (two- point failed), 13-14
Second Quarter
Searcy: 43 yard pass from Jones to Manning for touchdown (point good), 20-14
Maumelle: 10 yard rushing touchdown by Johnshon (Moran good), 20-21
Searcy: 1 yard rushing touchdown by Jones (point missed) 26-21
Third Quarter
Maumelle: 35 yard touchdown from Warrior to Jordan for touchdown (tHenry rush), 26-29
Maumelle-: Moran field Goal to extend lead, 26-32
Fourth Quarter
Searcy: passing touchdown (point good), 33-32
Searcy: five yard touchdown (point good), 40-32
Maumelle: Christian Jackson 57 yard touchdown (Henry run good), 40-40
Searcy: 5 yard touchdown (point good), 47-40
Thursday and Friday Night Lights
Maumelle, Central Arkansas Christian and North Little Rock have all made their respective playoffs, starting next week, but this week is all about seeding as Maumelle, despite losing last week, still has a shot at the No. 1 seed if they can win at Joe T. Robinson in a game to be played tonight.
Maumelle
Last week: Searcy 47, Maumelle 40
This week: No. 10 Maumelle (6-3, 5-1) at No. 1 Joe T. Robinson(9-0, 6-0)
What to expect:Maumelle lost a thriller to Searcy last week and dropped to third in the conference standings going into tonight’s game at No. 1 Joe T. Robinson. Tonight’s game is, no surprise, all about playoff seeding. A win means Maumelle gets a share of the conference title and the No. 1 seed, and homefield advantage in the first round of next week’s Class 5A playoffs and would most likely get Camden Fairview. A loss drops them to the No. 3 seed and on the road next week and either at Hot Springs Lakeside or Little Rock Parkview. The Patriots beat Maumelle, 42-15, earlier this season.
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 ... Maumelle 55, White Hall 20
Friday, Oct. 31 ... Searcy 47, Maumelle 40
Thursday, Nov. 6 ... at Robinson* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
North Little Rock
Last week: Bryant 38, North Little Rock 7
This week: North Little Rock (3-6, 2-4) at Cabot (3-6, 3-3)
What to expect: North Little Rock dropped to No. 10 in Class 7A after last week’s loss to No. 1 and nationally ranked Bryant. This week, North Little Rock travels to Cabot, ranked No. 8 in the hootens.com Class 7A poll. Both teams are in the playoffs as Little Rock Central and Southwest play each other and each are winless in the conference. The game Friday is all about playoff positioning. If North Little Rock wins and gets some help, they’ll be the No. 5 seed, but a loss drops them to the sixth seed and at the No. 3 seed from the 7A-West, which will most likely be Rogers. The Mounties beat the ‘Cats 41-3 in the season opener but North Little Rock has much improved from back in August.
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 ... North Little Rock 49, Little Rock Central 3
Friday, Oct. 31 ... Bryant 38, North Little Rock 7
Friday, Nov. 7 ... at Cabot* ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
CAC
Last week: Little Rock Mills 47, CAC 21
This week: Forrest City (5-4, 4-2) at Central Arkansas Christian (3-6, 3-3):
What to expect: CAC was competitive against Mills last but the Comets pulled away to make the score more lopsided then it actually was. This week Forrest City travels to Mustang Mountain for, stop if you’ve read this before, in a game that’s all about playoff positioning. No, really. Both sets of Mustangs are in next week’s Class 4A playoffs as the 2-4A gets five teams in. If CAC loses, they’re the fifth seed and likely at Elkins next week. With the win, they’ve the fourth seed and are on the road at Gravette.
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 ... CAC 35, Bald Knob 8
Friday, Oct. 31 … Little Rock Mills 47, CAC 21
Friday, Nov. 7 ... vs. Forrest City … 7 p.m. ... Mustang Mountain
Friday, Nov. 14 … First round of the playoffs
SEC Games: Week 11
SATURDAY
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Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (5-1, 1-4 SEC): 11 a.m. CT • ESPN/SiriusXM: 138/191 - 160/192
The Citadel (4-5) at Ole Miss (8-1, 5-1 SEC):Noon CT • ESPN+ / SEC+/SiriusXM: 106/190
Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC) at Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC): 2:30 p.m. CT • ABC/SiriusXM: 138/191 - 84
Auburn (4-5, 1-5 SEC) at Vanderbilt (7-2, 3-2 SEC): 3 p.m. CT • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 374 - 106/190
LSU (5-3, 2-3 SEC) at Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC): 6:30 p.m. CT • ABC?SiriusXM: 82 - 84
Florida (3-5, 2-3 SEC) at Kentucky (3-5, 1-5 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • SEC Network/SiriusXM: 374 - 106/190
Open dates: Arkansas (2-7, 0-5 SEC); Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2 SEC); South Carolina (3-6, 1-6 SEC); Tennessee (6-3, 3-3 SEC); Texas (7-2, 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