They say it’s your birthday
Maumelle sets budget meetings; Calipari to kick off tip-off event; Plus basketball schedules, Christmas events, sports and headlines
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MEETINGS: The Maumelle City Council will meet next Monday night at City Hall.
EVENTS: Thanksgiving is today and the various government offices will be closed for the holiday and most will be closed on Friday as well. So call ahead before deciding to do some business. As is customary, trash and recycling pickups will be delayed a day due to the holiday. Today’s also a good day to think of reasons why you are thankful, given the holiday and all. Then, on Friday, make a leftover sandwich with turkey, toasted raisin bread, cream cheese and cranberry sauce. You can substitute the raisin bread for any sweet-ish, fruity bread and thanks to Harrison’s Neighbor’s Mill, I have some exceedingly excellent cranberry pecan bread that looks very much up to the task. The cranberry sauce can be the fancier, whole berry kind but the best is thin slices from the canned version. The version I grew up with and still prefer. Some say to soak it in gravy or eat it like a French dip but with gravy and I can’t endorse that because I haven’t tried it. Yet. Might report back on that next week. You could also use some leftover cheese ball instead of cream cheese, but that’s up to you. Enjoy!
They say it’s your birthday
Huh, look at that. On Sunday, Nov. 30, ArkansasNewsroom.com officially turns 5.
As birthdays go, it is pretty significant. Also significant, this post right here. The one you are reading is the site’s 2,000th.
So that’s pretty great as well.
Overall numbers have ticked up as well with nearly 10,000 weekly readers, either subscribing or by regularly visiting the site.
It would be better for the bottom line if they were all paid subscribers, *cough*, but in terms of web traffic and subscriber base, ArkansasNewsroom.com would be a high-performing weekly, local newspaper, which fits well into the design and mission of the site.
Local news. Local sports. Local commentary.
Because of the holiday, I’ll keep this short, but just know if you’re reading this, I’m thankful for each and everyone of you for the support.
And here’s to five more years and five more years after that. And so forth.
So, please keep reading and subscribing and if you have the coin, a paid subscription would be great.
Jeremy
Maumelle sets budget meetings
The City of Maumelle has scheduled a series of budget meetings to discuss and plan for the 2026 General Budget. These meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page.
All budget meetings will start at 6 p,m. And be held in the Blue Room at City Hall.
For more information, call City Hall at 501-851-2500.
Budget timeline
• Monday, Dec. 1: Budget Distributed to Council
• Tuesday, Dec. 2: Budget Meeting No. 1
• Thursday, Dec. 4: Budget Meeting No. 2
• Thursday, Dec. 11: Budget Meeting No. 3
• Sunday, Dec.14: If necessary, Budget Meeting No. 4
• Monday, Dec. 15: City Council approval at Regular City Council Meeting
Calipari to kick off tip-off event
I hope to soon have the opportunity to ask John Calipari if he remembers calling me a “piece of s***” because I doubt it as it seems likely that I was far from the first or last chance of his to say such to a reporter, but next Friday, Dec. 5, I’ll get a chance at the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Tip-Off Event.
It will start at 3 p.m. at the Chamber’s building in downtown North Little Rock. This is in advance of the Arkansas Razorbacks facing Fresno State the next day at Simmons Bank Arena.
Tickets are now available at www.nlrchamber.org. Seating is limited, with ticket prices set at $30 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members.
“This is a unique opportunity for our community to hear directly from one of the most respected figures in college basketball,” said Derrell Hartwick, President & CEO of the North Little Rock Chamber. “We are thrilled to host Coach Calipari and provide our members and guests with an unforgettable experience.”
For sponsorship opportunities or table reservations, please contact the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce at 501-372-5959.
Christmas North of the River
The Ice Skating Rink at Lakewood from Nov. 29 through Jan. 4 at 4500 Lakeshore Drive
On Saturday, Dec. 6, Simmons Bank Arena will host the Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team when they face Fresno State at 3 p.m. Tickets are still available through TicketMaster among other ticket brokers.
The North Little Rock Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 14 and will start at 2:30 p.m.
Click here to sign-up or for more information. For more information on all the exciting things happening in North Little Rock this holiday season, visit: https://northlittlerock.org/holidays/
A Very Merry Maumelle (Key dates)
Monday, Dec. 1
The Whimsical Trail opens at Lake Willastein Park and features a lighted trail around the lake starting at dark:30 daily.
A Very Merry Maumelle holiday display competition will also start that day and open to all non-grinches. If your first name is Clark, and you have an elaborate Christmas display at your home, I will personally give you a cash prize. If there’s multiple Clarks, it will be a random draw. Let’s not get crazy here, this place isn’t made of money.
The city will also start a holiday stock the pantries drive.
Friday, Dec. 5
Christmas in the Park at Lake Willastein will feature the city’s tree lighting and the event is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. with the tree lighting near the scheduled conclusion at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6
The Maumelle Lions Club will again stage Breakfast with Santa at the Jess Odom Community Center. It is scheduled to start at 8 a.m.
The city’s annual Christmas parade is that evening starting at 5 p.m. The theme this year is “Reindeer Games” and to sign up for the parade, click here.
Spreading Christmas Joy
The annual Christmas at Methodist Family Health is underway and for more information click the logo above or here.
The site will give you a child’s wish list, along with the ability to purchase individual items as well as donate to the “Share the Light” Christmas campaign.
Need some Thanksgiving help?
North Little Rock Senior Citizens Outreach and Kangaroo Cleaning Services are teaming up with At The House catering for the fifth annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway this year.
More than 500 meals will be prepared and given away. To request a meal, click here.
If you like to volunteer, make food or financial donations, call or text 501-313-7203 or 501-502-5203. Donations are tax deductible.
Last year, more than 800 meals were prepared.
“Teaming up with this group of public servants for the FIFTH year in a row only makes sense for At The House,” said Katie Williams, co-owner of At The House catering. “They’re fully aligned with our own values and we get to serve so many of our Pulaski County neighbors each year. It’s not our job to question the validity of someone’s situation when they are hungry and have the courage to ask for help. It’s our job to feed them, help them, and offer a glimmer of hope in humanity, especially on holidays like Thanksgiving, especially in times like these”
Sports
SEC Games: Week 14
FRIDAY
Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6 SEC: 11 a.m. • ABC/ SiriusXM: 81 - 84
Georgia (10-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. Georgia Tech (9-2) : 2:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 81
Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) at Texas (8-3, 5-2 SEC): 6:30 p.m. • ABC/ SiriusXM: 81 – 84
SATURDAY
Kentucky (5-6, 2-6 SEC) at Louisville (7-4): 11 a.m. • ACC Network/SiriusXM: 160 / 191
Clemson (6-5) at South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC) : 11 a.m. • SEC Network/ SiriusXM: 161 / 190
Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • SEC Networ/SiriusXM: 139/202 - 161/190; Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football
LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 387 - 113/192
Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC) at Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC): 2:30 p.m. • ESPN/SiriusXM: 160/191 – 84
Florida State (5-6) at Florida (3-8, 2-6 SEC): 3:30 p.m. • ESPN2/SiriusXM: 145
Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) at Auburn (5-6, 1-6 SEC): 630 p.m. • ABC/SiriusXM: 82 - 84
Basketball schedules
Maumelle Charter
Boys
Thursday, Dec. 4 ... vs ... Malvern ... 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 ... vs ... Centerpoint ... 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9 ... at ... Riverview ... 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12 ... at ... Bald Knob ... 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 ... vs ... Pangburn ... 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 18 ... vs ... Harding Academy ... 8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... at ... Wynne ... 2 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 22 ... at ... Ouachita ... 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... at ... Episcopal ... 8 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 9 ... at ... Lisa Academy North ... 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 ... at ... Rose Bud ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... vs ... Riverview ... 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 ... vs ... Bald Knob ... 5 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 ... at ... Pangburn ... 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Harding Academy ... 8 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... vs ... Episcopal ... 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3 ... vs ... Lisa Academy North ... 8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... vs ... Rose Bud ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... vs ... St. Joseph ... 7 p.m.
Girls
Tuesday, Dec. 2 ... at ... Lee Academy ... 7:30 p.m.
Wed, Dec. 3 ... vs ... Bismarck ... 5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 ... vs ... Centerpoint ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9 ... at ... Riverview ... 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11 ... at ... Heber Springs ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12 ... at ... Bald Knob ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 ... vs ... Pangburn ... 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 18 ... vs ... Harding Academy ... 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 22 ... at ... Ouachita ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... at ... Episcopal ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 ... at ... Rose Bud ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... vs ... Riverview ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 ... vs ... Bald Knob ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 ... at ... Pangburn ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Harding Academy ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... vs ... Episcopal ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... vs ... Rose Bud ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... vs ... St. Joseph ... 7 p.m.
Maumelle
Boys
Friday, Dec. 12 ... at ... Beebe ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 16 ... at ... Conway ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... vs ... Parkview ... 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20 ... vs ... North Little Rock ... 11 a.m
Friday, Jan. 2 ... at ... Morrilton ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... vs ... Jacksonville ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 ... at ... Sylvan Hills ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... at ... Greenbrier ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 ... vs ... Little Rock Christian Academy ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 ... at ... Vilonia ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Catholic ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... at ... Beebe ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3 ... at ... Parkview ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... at ... Jacksonville ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 ... vs ... Sylvan Hills ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 ... vs ... Greenbrier ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20 ... at ... Little Rock Christian Academy ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 ... vs ... Vilonia ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27 ... vs ... Catholic ... 7 p.m.
Girls
Tuesday, Dec. 2 ... vs ... Mills University ... 5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12 ... at ... Beebe ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... vs ... Parkview ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 2 ... at ... Morrilton ... 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... vs ... Jacksonville ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 ... at ... Sylvan Hills ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... at ... Greenbrier ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 ... vs ... Little Rock Christian Academy ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 ... at ... Vilonia ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Mount St. Mary Academy ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... vs ... Beebe ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3 ... at ... Parkview ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... at ... Jacksonville ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 ... vs ... Sylvan Hills ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17 ... vs ... Greenbrier ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20 ... at ... Little Rock Christian Academy ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 ... vs ... Vilonia ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27 ... vs ... Mount St. Mary Academy ... 6 p.m.
CAC
Boys
Tuesday, Dec. 2 ... at ... Bigelow ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 ... at ... Bigelow ... 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 8 ... at ... Dardanelle ... 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11 ... vs ... Beebe ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... at ... Lonoke ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30 ... vs ... Catholic ... 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... vs ... Lisa Academy West ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... vs ... Morrilton ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 ... vs ... Robinson ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Heber Springs ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... at ... Lisa Academy West ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... at ... Morrilton ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 ... at ... Robinson ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 20 ... vs ... Heber Springs ... 7 p.m.
Girls
Tuesday, Dec. 2 ... at ... Bigelow ... 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 4 ... vs ... Pulaski County HomeSchool ... 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5 ... vs ... St. Joseph ... 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 8 ... at ... Dardanelle ... 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11 ... vs ... Quitman ... 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12 ... vs ... White County Central ... 6:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... at ... Lonoke ... 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 5 ... at ... Mt. Vernon-Enola ... 6 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 8 ... vs ... South Side ... 7 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 12 ... at ... Faulkner County HomeSchool ... 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 15 ... vs ... St. Joseph ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... at ... Morrilton ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20 ... vs ... Robinson ... 5 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 23 ... at ... White County Central ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Quitman ... 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 29 ... at ... South Side ... 7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 2 ... vs ... Mt. Vernon-Enola ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... vs ... Bigelow ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... vs ... Conway Christian ... 5 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 ... vs ... Robinson ... 5 p.m.
North Little Rock
Boys
Saturday, Dec. 13 ... vs ... Benton ... 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... vs ... Fayetteville ... 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20 ... vs ... Maumelle ... 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... at ... Conway ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... vs ... Central ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 9 ... vs ... Conway ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 ... at ... Little Rock Southwest ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... vs ... Jonesboro ... 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Bryant ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... at ... Cabot ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3 ... at ... Central ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... at ... Conway ... 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... vs ... Little Rock Southwest ... 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 ... at ... Jonesboro ... 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 ... vs ... Bryant ... 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26 ... vs ... Cabot ... 7 p.m.
Girls
Friday, Dec. 5 ... vs ... Fayetteville ... 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6 ... vs ... Greene County Tech ... noon
Tuesday, Dec. 16 ... vs ... Nashville ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 19 ... vs ... Greenwood ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 6 ... vs ... Central ... 6:45 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 9 ... vs ... Conway ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 ... at ... Little Rock Southwest ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 16 ... vs ... Jonesboro ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ... at ... Bryant ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 30 ... at ... Cabot ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 3 ... at ... Central ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 6 ... at ... Conway ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 ... vs ... Little Rock Southwest ... 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 ... at ... Jonesboro ... 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 ... vs ... Bryant ... 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26 ... vs ... Cabot ... 6 p.m.
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