Illegal-fireworks calls 1 fewer in '19
North Little Rock totaled 209 fireworks calls July 1-5, just one fewer than during the same days last year, but that doesn't mean problems with illegal fireworks are subsiding, North Little Rock Police Chief Mike Davis said last week.
It's unlawful to possess, sell or explode fireworks within North Little Rock's city limits, according to city code. However, residents still have access to buy them, with fireworks stands that operate just on the outskirts of the city.
"Until the county decides to do something about fireworks, we'll have problems," Davis said. "When someone pulls off of the parking lot [of a fireworks stand], they're in North Little Rock."
Despite the total amount of calls basically being the same, police answered 30 more calls on July 4th than in 2018, even with extra police patrols out. Catching someone in the act is still iffy, he said.
"July 4th it was everywhere and it was a problem," Davis said. "Whenever we pull up, they go around the corner or they run. And when we leave, they come back and do it again."
The loudness of some new types of fireworks are also troublesome to residents, he said.
"Fireworks are larger than they've ever been and louder," he said.
New contest opens to name dog park
North Little Rock's new dog park needs a catchy name and dog park users are being asked for its suggestions, city Parks Director Terry Hartwick said last week.
The Parks and Recreation Department opened a naming contest for its new, off-leash dog park to be on Joe K. Poch Drive in Burns Park, between the park's tennis center and softball complex. The Parks Department added a post Wednesday to its Facebook page asking for name suggestions for a one-week period, or ending by midnight Wednesday.
"We should have it opened up [this week] or so," Hartwick said. "We're taking suggestions to name it."
The new location is in an area of Burns Park that isn't subject to flooding. The former dog park, located off Tournament Drive near the Arkansas River, would easily flood when the river rose or due to a hard rain. The severe river flooding in late May-early June led Hartwick to decide to close that park for good and find another site in the park.
Hartwick has said he is also considering opening other dog parks on the east side of town and in downtown to be more convenient for residents.
Fencing will divide the dog park between dogs weighing over or under 35 pounds. A sign will be posted as a reminder that pit bulls, which are illegal to have in North Little Rock, won't be allowed at the dog park, Hartwick said.
Maritime museum open after flood
After river flooding kept the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum from opening on time for its summertime hours, the museum announced Wednesday that it is now open for its full-time summer hours.
The museum, 120 Riverfront Park Drive, is on the Arkansas River on the east side of the Main Street Bridge in North Little Rock's downtown. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at (501) 371-8320.
The museum features the Pearl Harbor-surviving tug Hoga and the World War II submarine Razorback.
Rising river levels and subsequent flooding kept the museum from opening as scheduled during the last week of May. The museum just recently reopened.
Metro on 07/15/2019