Storm update: Churches eligible for FEMA help
Maumelle’s Jacobs honored by Arkansas Tech; North of the River students nominated for Boys State; PCSSD names Teachers of the Year; Ribbon-cutting held for new museum plus headlines and sports
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Pandemic death count makes big jump
After a two-week delay, the state’s Department of Health has updated its Covid dashboard and the count has seen a significant jump since April 11.
First, the state said there’s been 39 Covid-19 related deaths in the past week but the death toll has also been updated and increased for 2022 from 3,392 to 3,467.
That means that total number of dead Arkansans now stands at 13,175. That number was 13,074 on April 11 for a total of 101 dead.
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
The Headlines
Upcoming meetings: The Maumelle Planning Commission meets tonight at City Hall. For more details keep scrolling. The Maumelle City Council meets next Monday night
Events: The Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce has two events scheduled for May. For more details, the flyers are below.
Maumelle Planning Commission to meet tonight
The monthly meeting of the Maumelle Planning Commission will be at 6:30 p.m tonight at City Hall.
The meeting is scheduled to be a relatively short one with just three items on the agenda.
The agenda can be viewed by clicking here.
The first item is old business and related to the previously reported First Service Bank coming to 8901 White Oak Crossing.
The two new items of business are a canopy at the drive-through for Chick-fil-A at 113 Commons Drive and there’s also a scheduled discussion for Public Notification.
The meeting is open to the public.
Maumelle Public Facilities Board accepting resumes: The Maumelle Public Facilities Board is accepting resumes from residents interested in service on the Board. An appointment will be made for a five year term ending May 31, 2028. Applicants must be a resident of Maumelle. Resumes should be submitted to the City Clerk/Treasurer’s Office, 550 Edgewood Drive, Maumelle, no later than 4 p.m., May 5. They can be sent to Cityclerk@maumelle.org. Resumes will be reviewed by the Public Facilities Board. A recommendation will then be made to the Mayor and City Council for the appointment to the position. Please contact David Gattinger at 501-310-8653 with any questions.
Storm update: Churches may be eligible for help from FEMA
Churches impacted by the EF3 tornado that hit North Little Rock and Little Rock on March 31 may be eligible for FEMA funds, the federal agency recently announced.
The money would be in the form of grants and could be used to cover costs to repair or replace facilities damaged during the storms.
In a press release, FEMA defined, “religious facilities as a church, synagogue, mosque, temple or other house of worship without regard to the religious character of the facility. No religious facility or house of worship may be excluded from this definition because leadership or membership in the organization is limited to persons who share a religious faith or practice.”
To be an eligible applicant, FEMA said a house of worship must:
Be owned or operated by a private nonprofit organization.
The facility must be open to the public.
Have been damaged by the March 31 severe storms and tornadoes.
Have either not received funding or received insufficient funding after applying for a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan to repair or replace a facility.
The application must include state and/or U.S. Internal Revenue Service documentation of tax-exempt status, pre-disaster charter and other documentation.
SBA’s can provide as much as $2 million in loans for damaged real estate and the replacement of property. The interest rate is 2.375% with terms up to 30 years. The deadline to apply for property damage is June 1, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 2, 2024.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Completed applications should be mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
All applicants are encouraged to make a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) as soon as possible by contacting their local emergency management office. The deadline to file is next Tuesday, May 2.
In a separate announcement, FEMA said more than 7,000 people in Pulaski, Lonoke and Cross counties had already been approved to receive more than $5 million in assistance.
As part of the disaster assistance process, FEMA must determine ownership and occupancy of damaged primary residences.
FEMA accepts the following documents as proof you owned your home before the declared disaster. Only one of the documents is required:
Deed or title
Home purchase contract
Mortgage documentation
Homeowners insurance documentation
Last will and testament (and death certificate) naming applicant heir to the property
Property tax receipt (or tax bill certificate)
Manufactured home certificate of title
Receipts for major repairs or maintenance may be acceptable if no other documentation exists.
Letter prepared after the disaster from a mobile home park owner or manager or public official that meet FEMA requirements.
Disaster recovery centers are located at:
North Little Rock Community Center, 2700 Willow St.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.
Wildwood Center & Medical Tower, 2404 Wildwood Ave.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed Sunday
1st United Methodist Church, 308 W. Main St., Jacksonville
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.
West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.
No appointments are necessary.
You do not have to visit a disaster recovery center to apply for assistance. The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov.
Beware of fraud and scam artists
Disaster Survivor Assistance
Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. Don’t trust anyone who offers financial help and then asks for money.
Do not disclose information to any unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be FEMA or federal employees. FEMA will not contact you unless you have called FEMA first or applied for assistance.
FEMA representatives will ask for social security and bank account numbers when you apply and may ask for it again after you apply. Be cautious when giving this information to others who ask for it. Scam artists may pose as government officials, aid workers, or insurance company employees.
Ask to see ID badges. All FEMA representatives carry an identification badge with a photograph. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity.
Phony property inspections:
Be on alert if somebody asks for your nine-digit registration number. FEMA inspectors will never ask for this information. They already have it in their records.
No government disaster assistance official will call you to ask for your financial account information. If you doubt a FEMA representative is legitimate, feel free to call the FEMA Helpline and ask if FEMA is trying to reach you. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
FEMA contracted inspectors assessing damage, never charge a fee to inspect your property.
Phony building contractors:
FEMA does not hire or endorse specific contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs. A FEMA inspector’s job is to verify damage.
Always hire a reputable engineer, architect or building official to assess your home. An unethical contractor may create damage to get work.
To report scams, fraud and identity-theft contact:
FEMA’s toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721
The Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud: justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
When in doubt, report any suspicious behavior to your local authorities. Police or Sheriff.
Tornado relief number for North Little Rock residents, 501-906-5014
Arts notes
North Little Rock High School dancers set the stage
North Little Rock High School Theatre Dance students will host their 20th annual Preschool/Elementary Dance Workshop at 9 a.m. this Saturday, April 29.
The event is scheduled to end at noon and will be held in the North Little Rock High School Performing Arts Center.
Joining the high school students are 45 pre-school and elementary students who will be participating in the workshop.
Each youth will be assigned a high school dance student who will remain with their “little friend,” said North Little Rock dance teacher Christen Pitts.
Pitts added each student will “are taught a dance that allows them to be featured in the spring dance concert.”
The high school students are from the Dance III/IV classes and some are members of the school’s dance troupe.
“They,” Pitt said of the high school students, “choreograph and teach the original dances to the preschool/elementary dancers. It is a wonderful learning experience for all those involved in the workshop. “
The spring dance concert is at 6:30 p.m. on on Thursday, May 4 at the high school’s Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $6 for students and seniors and $8 for adults and can be purchased via our.show/nlrhs/springintodance site.
Tickets are only sold virtually. No cash or checks accepted at the door.
Ribbon-cutting held for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
It was a big day on Saturday for the new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts as a large crowd gathered for a ribbon-cutting after a nearly four-year renovation and name change from the Arkansas Arts Center.
A total of $170.8 million was raised for the building design and construction. That money also delivers some extras.
"We proudly offer free admission to everyone, every day – a significant commitment to this community… and an affirmation that the museum is a place for all,” said Dr. Victoria Ramirez, the museum’s executive director.
The museum is 133,000 square feet and features the new Park Grill, which will begin taking reservations on May 4.
The restaurant will seat 100 and Patrick Herron, formerly at the now unoccupied Governor’s Mansion, will serve as Executive Chef.
The expansive menu can be viewed by clicking here.
As part of the opening week festivities, a School Day was held on Monday with students from the North Little Rock, Little Rock, Pulaski County Special school districts and Episcopal Collegiate.
More than 350 students and teachers attended.
Among the activities was a performance of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and viewing the Art Garden, a community art installation on the grounds that features thousands of origami lotuses, some of which were made by the students who attended.
Other events include:
Saturday and Sunday, Member Weekend
Saturday, A Toast Together
On Tuesday, May 2, Regular museum hours will begin at 10 a.m. with close at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday hours are from noon to 5 p.m., wiith the facility being closed on Monday,
The museum is located at MacArthur Park in Little Rock.
Education notes
North of the River students nominated to attend Arkansas Boys State
A total of 49 North of the River students were nominated to represent their community and school at Arkansas Boys State 2023, an immersive leadership and civic engagement experience sponsored by the American Legion.
The following students from 13 high schools across central Arkansas will join more than 500 young men attending the program's 82nd session at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway from May 28 to June 2.
Austin Edwards of North Little Rock from Central Arkansas Christian
Jack Landes of Maumelle from Central Arkansas Christian
Sebastian Figueroa of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Tyler Wood of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Brennan Tipps of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Carter Davis of Maumelle from Maumelle Charter High School
Carter Baldwin of North Little Rock from Maumelle Charter High School
Tag Andrews of Maumelle from Maumelle High School
Devin Campbell of Maumelle from Maumelle High School
Javonte Harris of North Little Rock from North Little Rock Center of Excellence
Andrew Jenkins of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
James Couch of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
Jackson Ray of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
Rovon Roberts of North Little Rock from North Little Rock High School
Dewan Thompson of Sherwood from Lisa Academy North High School
Elijah Palermo of Sherwood from Lisa Academy North High School
James Camp of Sherwood from Sylvan Hills High School
Jay Nichols of Sherwood from Sylvan Hills High School
Derrick Young II of Sherwood from eStem High School
Kam Moore of North Little Rock from Mills University Studies High School
Logan Rogers of Maumelle from Arkansas Virtual Academy High School
Whit Weatherton of Maumelle from Parkview Magnet High School
Richard Hampton of North Little Rock from Parkview Magnet High School
Daniel Nkunga of Sherwood from Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
Kade Williams of Sherwood from Conway Christian School
"Arkansas Boys State is a legacy program that has produced remarkable local, state, national and international leaders," said Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State. "That these students were nominated to attend speaks volumes to their character, pursuit of excellence, and desire to make their community stronger."
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, students will be assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, they will administer, from the ground up, a mock government as if it were real: run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents.
"We like to say that Arkansas Boys State is a week that shapes a lifetime, and our tens of thousands of alumni can attest to that," said Jackson. "We're thrilled that these outstanding students are joining us and will experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Students at Arkansas Boys State will be guided through their experience by more than 60 volunteers who serve the program. The staff of volunteers includes college students and career professionals with interests and expertise in education, finance, industry, politics and government, journalism, and more.
The week's activities, including keynote speakers, general assemblies, and election speeches, will be streamed live by Arkansas PBS on their Arkansas Citizens Access Network: https://www.myarkansaspbs.org/arcan.
Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp.
Learn more at arboysstate.org.
PCSSD names school-level Teachers of the Year
For the third year in a row, the Pulaski County Special School District is participating in the Arkansas Teacher of the Year program.
Through a rigorous selection process, each of the district’s 25 brick-and-mortar schools as well as the DRIVEN Virtual Academy and Center of Innovation selected one educator as their school teacher of the year. The following teachers were selected to represent their school based on nominations and recommendations from their peers.
A panel made up of District and school administrators will review the school-level teachers of the year to determine the district Teacher of the Year. The district winner will be announced at a celebration banquet on Wednesday, May 17.
The teachers, by school, are:
BAKER ELEMENTARY: Natalie Casavechia
CATO ELEMENTARY: Katie Shuptrine
CHENAL ELEMENTARY: LaCynthia Virden
COLLEGE STATION ELEMENTARY: Courtney Thomas
CRYSTAL HILL ELEMENTARY: LaTonya Gillmore
DAISY BATES ELEMENTARY: Darice Nesmith
HARRIS ELEMENTARY: Kenya Brown
LANDMARK ELEMENTARY: Latasha Kimbrough Tate
LAWSON ELEMENTARY: Ashley Davis
OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY: Jarred White
OAKBROOKE ELEMENTARY: DeAnn White
PINE FOREST ELEMENTARY: Laura Sergeant
ROBINSON ELEMENTARY: LaCresha Davie
SHERWOOD ELEMENTARY: Whitney Bohannon
SYLVAN HILLS ELEMENTARY: Courtney Pigg
WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON ELEMENTARY: Maija Jones
MAUMELLE MIDDLE: Diego Lozano
MILLS MIDDLE: Charde Wilson
ROBINSON MIDDLE: Wendy Kohler
SYLVAN HILLS MIDDLE: Carli Cooper
SYLVAN HILLS JUNIOR HIGH: Hunter Plante
MAUMELLE HIGH: Vernetta Sanders
MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH: Lakesha Foote
ROBINSON HIGH: Ben Light
SYLVAN HILLS HIGH: Melissa Duncan
CENTER OF INNOVATION: Terisa Liberty
DRIVEN VIRTUAL ACADEMY: Lisa Romero
Maumelle’s Jacobs honored by Arkansas Tech
Aliyah Anderson and Brock Jacobs received the top two annual student awards presented by the Arkansas Tech University School of Business during an awards reception at Williamson Hall Dining Room on April 18.
Jacobs, a senior from Maumelle, earned the 2023 ATU School of Business Leadership Award. He will receive Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in digital marketing and business management from Arkansas Tech in May.
The ATU School of Business Leadership Award is based upon the nominee’s participation in college and university organizations, community service and academic achievement.
Jacobs has served as an officer for ATU Student Activities Board and as a member of ATU Presidential Leadership Cabinet and the ATU School of Business Student Leadership Council.
Anderson, a senior from Ashdown, is the winner of the 2023 ATU School of Business Ambassador Award. She will graduate from ATU in May with three Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees. She will earn one in business data analytics, one in digital marketing and one in business management.
Nominees for the ATU School of Business Ambassador Award must be a graduating senior with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (including a 3.25 GPA in major). In addition, nominees must have represented and promoted the ATU School of Business at a local, regional or national level.
Anderson has served as an officer in Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate, a council member for the ATU School of Business Student Leadership Council and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma.
Other top awards presented by the ATU School of Business at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year included:
Gary K. Burris Outstanding Accounting Scholar: Lauren LeRoy of Fort Smith
Robert A. Young Outstanding Management Award: Brayden Oglesby of Howe, Okla.
Robert A. Young Outstanding Marketing Award: Lea Grinberg of Paris, France
Joseph L. Moore Outstanding Economics Award: Mark Kuykendall of Fort Smith
Kim Troboy Outstanding Business Data Analytics Student: Adam Ray of Berryville
Outstanding Health Information Management Senior Award: Fran Deal of Russellville
Outstanding Master of Business Administration Student Award: Nathan Kraft of Russellville
The ATU School of Business also recognized its May 2023 graduating students who have maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout their undergraduate career. They are Calli Beshore of Nevada, Mo., Landon Fears of Bentonville, Jennifer Hicks of Quitman and Beau Preis of Mountain Home.
Learn more about the ATU College of Business and Economic Development at www.atu.edu/business.
Lillia Green Initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa: Lillia Green, of North Little Rock, was recently initiated into the University of South Alabama Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. The Society welcomed 787 new initiates from 32 universities during March 2023. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.
Sports
Rugby team needs your help
The Little Rock women’s rugby team is headed to nationals on May 6 in Orlando, Florida and are currently raising funds to cover travel expenses.
Click the button below to donate to the team.
Baseball at Dickey-Stephens this week
Series against Tulsa
Thursday, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and Concessions deals, including Hot Dogs, Soft Drinks, Red Bull, Cotton Candy, and a Select Canned Beer & Seltzer! | Presented By Red Bull
Friday, 5:05 p.m. (Doubleheader as Wednesday’s game was rained out)
Fireworks. Presented By Travel Nurse Across America
Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
Dizzy's Birthday Bash: Join us in celebrating everyone's favorite ballpark pup! (NOTE: Dogs are only allowed in the grass Berm areas)
Kids Run the Bases. Presented By Museum of Discovery
Sunday, 1:35 p.m.
Pre-Game Brunch Buffet: Get a special Brunch ticket that comes with a Field Reserved seat! Buffet will include select breakfast foods, juice, coffee, and soft drinks. (Alcohol will be available for purchase separately.) Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Presented By Picnic Brunch
Kids Baseball Clinic: Kids 13 and under are invited to join Travs players on field for a baseball clinic starting at noon! | Presented By Hog Wash
Kids Run the Bases. Presented By Museum of Discovery
Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday: Get $2 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin and only available at the Box Office.
Road Trip: May 2 - May 7 at Springfield