July 4th reminder: All fireworks illegal
As it is the week of July 4th, officials are reminding residents and visitors that fireworks of all kinds are illegal within the city limits.
According to city code, it is unlawful to "possess, store, offer for sale, sell at retail, ignite or otherwise explode" fireworks of any kind inside the city.
Violation of the law will result in the confiscation of the fireworks and a possible fine ranging from $25 to more than $500 upon conviction in municipal court.
Still, enough people violate the fireworks ban that police calls increase around the holiday period and the noise of exploding fireworks are particularly disturbing to combat veterans and to pets.
North Little Rock Friends of Animals, the fundraising arm of the animal shelter, recently posted a social media reminder for pet owners to secure fences, update pet tags and to get pets micro-chipped because of the upcoming fireworks.
"We absolutely want to enforce the law," city spokesman Nathan Hamilton said of the fireworks ban, acknowledging, however, how difficult it is for police to respond to every complaint.
"We do the best we can and beg for the public's cooperation," Hamilton said. "We ask that you please don't shoot off fireworks in the city limits."
River House is off rent list after flood
Floodwaters severely damaged the River House rental facility on the downtown riverfront, city Parks and Recreation Director Terry Hartwick said.
The 2,100-square-foot River House at 140 S. Olive St. won't reopen for rentals until early to mid-August, Hartwick said Thursday. The Parks Department took over the once-vacant, city-owned building and opened it for public rentals on June 1, 2017, after completing $70,000 in renovations.
The recent Arkansas River flooding left standing water 35 to 40 inches deep inside the structure, going by water marks on the walls, Hartwick said. The house is on the river side of the flood wall, "at the front door to the river," as Hartwick said recently.
"It was pretty bad," Hartwick said. "That's been my most popular hospitality house rental."
The renovation work will be put up for bid, he said.
Auto repairs OK'd for neighborhood
An application for an automobile repair shop to operate within a residential zone gained approval last week from the City Council after a lengthy discussion and opposition from three residents who live near the site in the Baring Cross area.
Council members unanimously approved a special-use permit for the shop at 1705 Moss St. after amendments passed to limit hours of operation to 7 a.m-5 p.m. and that no more than five vehicles could be left outside overnight.
Applicant Aaron Hinton said that the building could hold about eight cars.
In opposition, Dave Davenport said that such a business "doesn't belong in that neighborhood."
"Something like this is not good for the neighborhood," resident Dave Whitson said.
Hinton told the council that "We're not there to destroy anything" and wanted to contribute something positive for the neighborhood to "help build it up."
After the permit approval, Council Member Debi Ross asked those who opposed the repair shop not to be deterred and that they could help negate any potential problems by being the city's eyes.
"It's up to you to help the city enforce the five-car rule overnight," Ross said.
Metro on 06/30/2019