Stories by Stephen Simpson

Transit executive leaves for Texas job The chief operating officer for Rock Region METRO is stepping down to take a job in Texas. The board learned Tuesday that Donna Bowers will leave the organization after more than six years of service... June 16, 2021

North Little Rock City Council gives green light to food-truck court A proposal for a large food-truck court near Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock was approved Monday after the business owners agreed to a couple of amendments to ease the concerns of some neigh... June 15, 2021

Food-truck court near ballpark back on North Little Rock council agenda A proposal for a large food-truck court near Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock has been on hold for several weeks because of confusion surrounding the proposed ordinance's purpose, city offici... June 14, 2021

More than foot of rain mires state's southeast A slow-moving storm system dumped more than a foot of rain in parts of southeast Arkansas over the past few days, flooding homes, businesses and crops in Desha County. Meteorologist Sean Clarke of th... June 10, 2021

Rain not leaving state for days; flooding possible A line of storms is expected to saturate much of Arkansas with rainfall this week as forecasters express concerns about the potential for flash flooding. Scattered showers and thunderstorms rolled ac... June 8, 2021

North Little Rock district joins others in pandemic pay School districts across Central Arkansas are giving additional compensation to staff for working during the covid-19 pandemic, but the proposed payments vary. The North Little Rock School Board durin... June 7, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: Streetcar service returns downtown | Hub plans to hold T-shirt workshop Streetcar service returns downtown Rock Region Metro resumed its free-fare streetcar service in North Little Rock on Tuesday. The Metro streetcar operates daily, except on holidays, and boarding is ... June 6, 2021

NLR announces free music series at Argenta Plaza A free music series will be held this summer at Argenta Plaza in North Little Rock, the North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau announced Wednesday in a news release. The events will highlig... June 3, 2021

Summer music festival coming to North Little Rock’s Argenta Plaza The Argenta Plaza in North Little Rock will become the center of music this summer. The North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a free monthly Summer Music Series from June until ... June 2, 2021

Greyhound pulling out of old North Little Rock bus station Greyhound Lines Inc. is leaving North Little Rock, and city officials say it's for the best as the bus service looks for a more streamlined approach to transportation and the old bus station becomes p... June 2, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: Summer activities back on schedule | Donations sought for homeless kids | Library's reading program beginning Summer activities back on schedule The North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back its Summer Activities Program this year. The program known as "SAPling" will have four sessi... May 30, 2021

Little Rock, North Little Rock officials closer to easing virus rules More local governments are taking steps to ease public-health restrictions in government buildings imposed during the pandemic in light of increasing rates of vaccination against covid-19. In a news ... May 29, 2021

North Little Rock's Argenta theater unveils reopening slate An outdoor dinner with a Tony Award winner and a seven-show collaboration are part of the Argenta Community Theater's reopening plans as the organization prepares to perform before live audiences for ... May 26, 2021

North Little Rock theater unveils opening slate NORTH LITTLE ROCK -- An outdoor dinner with a Tony Award winner and a seven-show collaboration are part of the Argenta Community Theater's opening plans as the organization prepares to perform before ... May 26, 2021

Argenta Community Theater plans grand reopening, shows with live audiences An outdoor dinner with a Tony Award winner and a seven show collaboration are part of the Argenta Community Theater’s reopening plan as the organization hopes to bring joy to live audiences for the fi... May 25, 2021

Sale of North Little Rock bus station set The Greyhound bus station in North Little Rock will be sold to the city as the bus agency looks to move across the bridge, and North Little Rock officials view the purchase as necessary to control dev... May 25, 2021

Bus-transit agency eyes Little Rock port area for offices, growth Rock Region Metro is discussing investing in the Little Rock Port Authority area by buying a facility that would serve as administrative offices and possibly a shared-use building for companies nearby... May 24, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: Board OKs hiring summer teachers | 7th Street school principal selected | Crawfish boil party planned for today Board OKs hiring summer teachers The North Little Rock School Board approved Thursday the hiring of dozens of teachers and administrators for its Summer Learning Loss program. The School Board in Ap... May 23, 2021

After year, Rock Region Metro streetcars getting back on track Rock Region Metro's streetcar system should be up and running this summer after taking almost a year off because of the coronavirus pandemic. Charles Frazier, chief executive officer for Rock Region ... May 19, 2021

Building proposal for site near North Little Rock's plaza is still on ice A multimillion-dollar food hall and residency project that was supposed to be built next to Argenta Plaza in North Little Rock has become more of an afterthought, with the plot currently serving as a ... May 17, 2021

North Little Rock to consider expanding food truck area near stadium A large food truck court near the Arkansas Travelers' baseball stadium is under consideration as the city continues to look for ways to expand business opportunities in downtown North Little Rock. Th... May 11, 2021

Cities in Arkansas look at rules to cover short-term rental properties Short-term rental properties are a growing industry in Arkansas, which is leading some cities to look at ways to implement regulations on the properties. Online marketplaces such as Airbnb and Vrbo h... May 10, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: School seniors to hold cars parade | Glenview among schools in project Glenview among schools in project Glenview Elementary School was among 13 schools and two districts selected for the Arkansas Professional Learning Communities at Work project, according to a Friday ... May 9, 2021

School-day traffic raises concerns in North Little Rock Changes have been made to pickup and drop-off areas at Amboy Elementary in North Little Rock in an effort to deal with an ongoing traffic issue, but officials said that to solve the problem, the schoo... May 3, 2021

North Little Rock schools start work on virtual-academy plans The North Little Rock School District will move forward with a virtual academy next year, but how the new system will be implemented has yet to be decided. The School Board voted 6-0 Tuesday to move ... April 29, 2021

Emerald Park footpath leads to controversy A small dirt path in Emerald Park that creeps across the cliffs of a quarry has become a concern for North Little Rock officials who say the path is dangerous and should not be used by park visitors. ... April 26, 2021

Hotel occupancy starting to surge, North Little Rock officials say The covid-19 pandemic threw the hotel industry for a loop, but recent stimulus checks and the distribution of vaccines are giving North Little Rock hope for a brighter business outlook this summer. S... April 26, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: Argenta theater set to reopen in August | Food Truck Fridays making their return | McGee accepts job in Little Rock school district Argenta theater set to reopen in August The Argenta Community Theater last week announced plans to return to live productions after being closed for a year because of the covid-19 pandemic. The thea... April 25, 2021

Relief expressed in Little Rock after Chauvin-case verdict The guilty verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd was greeted in Little Rock with relief and even some tears. "I broke down crying," said Jermain... April 21, 2021

Person barricaded in North Little Rock home, police say; nearby school buildings go on short lockdown 2:24 p.m. Dustin Barnes, spokesman for the North Little Rock School District, said the lockdown at several school facilities that had been in place due to a situation near the school was lifted aroun... April 20, 2021

Summer school set for North Little Rock NORTH LITTLE ROCK -- The School District will offer an in-person summer school program in hopes of mitigating some of the learning loss created by the covid-19 pandemic. The School Board has approved... April 20, 2021

Summer school set for North Little Rock students after covid-19 year The North Little Rock School District will offer an in-person summer school program in hopes of mitigating some of the learning loss created by the covid-19 pandemic. The School Board has approved a ... April 19, 2021

North Little Rock School District’s ‘culture’ lamented by chief Data collected over the past several months shows the need to change the overall culture within the North Little Rock School District, according to its superintendent. Superintendent Gregory Pilewski... April 18, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: Farmers market to call plaza home | Council honored for dining district Farmers market to call plaza home The Argenta Farmers Market has found a new home at the Argenta Plaza. The plaza is at 510 Main St. The Argenta Farmers Market, previously known as the Dogtown Farm... April 18, 2021

Modular-housing request withdrawn NORTH LITTLE ROCK -- A proposal allowing a modular home to be built in the Military Heights Renewal Addition was pulled during the City Council meeting Monday after the applicant withdrew his request ... April 14, 2021

North Little Rock poised to OK 2 plans that would keep federal funds flowing North Little Rock officials created a new five-year plan that will allow them to access federal funding to complete several projects, such as drainage work and assistance for the elderly. The North L... April 12, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: Dogtown clothing sales to aid K-9 unit | Library fete to get 'Star Wars' touch Dogtown clothing sales to aid K-9 unit The North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau has created a Dogtown collection of clothing that will benefit the Police Department's K-9 unit. The "Dogt... April 11, 2021

Maumelle ban for dog breeds revoked Maumelle's City Council on Monday lifted a dog-breed ban that has been in place for decades and has been the subject of contentious debate over the past several weeks. The council approved by a 5-3 v... April 6, 2021

North Little Rock can't wait to fully utilize new Argenta Plaza North Little Rock is eager to put Argenta Plaza to use this summer in hopes of recapturing the excitement that surrounded its debut before covid-19 forced officials to scrap many of their plans last y... April 5, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: 2 educators move into new positions | City now accepts glass for recycling 2 educators move into new positions Leadership changes at two North Little Rock School District campuses went into effect Friday. Charles Jones, a longtime educator for the district, became interim ... April 4, 2021

Maumelle council to weigh proposed ordinance on dogs The Maumelle dog-breed discussion comes to a head Monday when City Council members must decide whether to vote on an ordinance or bring the issue before voters. Council members will listen to a third... April 4, 2021

North Little Rock schools drop uniform policy The North Little Rock School Board has suspended its school uniform policy for the 2021-22 school year and a district-wide dress code will be created in the coming weeks. The school board voted Thurs... April 2, 2021

North Little Rock council to weigh proposal on manufactured housing North Little Rock council members are set to vote next month on whether to allow modular homes in the Military Heights neighborhood, raising an issue of manufactured housing that has for years drawn n... March 29, 2021

Council to weigh proposal on manufactured housing NORTH LITTLE ROCK -- City Council members are set to vote next month on whether to allow modular homes in the Military Heights neighborhood, raising an issue of manufactured housing that has for years... March 29, 2021

A PANDEMIC STRIKES: Black churches go above, beyond As the Black community suffered from the covid-19 pandemic, so too did its churches. Over the past year, the churches have become more than places of worship -- they have educated people about the d... March 28, 2021

NORTH LITTLE ROCK NOTEBOOK: New fire station officially opens | Funland planning Easter activities | Library reopening its Argenta Branch New fire station officially opens North Little Rock formally opened its first fire station built in the city since 2001 Thursday. The new station, in the Levy neighborhood, has been in the planning ... March 28, 2021

Pandemic exposes medicine's chasm The past year of covid-19 drew attention to the small percentages of Black people in some health-related professions, including physicians, a situation Arkansas' three medical schools are working to i... March 28, 2021

Officials optimistic on parks-agency rebound NORTH LITTLE ROCK — The city Parks and Recreation Department saw revenue fall because of the pandemic last year, but city officials are hopeful for a bounce-back as the weather warms and restrictions ... March 25, 2021

North Little Rock officials optimistic on parks-agency rebound The North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department saw revenue fall because of the pandemic last year, but city officials are hopeful for a bounce-back as the weather warms and restrictions loosen.... March 22, 2021

Officials optimistic on parks-agency rebound NORTH LITTLE ROCK -- The city Parks and Recreation Department saw revenue fall because of the pandemic last year, but city officials are hopeful for a bounce-back as the weather warms and restrictions... March 22, 2021