Pulaski County News | Pulaski County Arkansas

Pulaski County issues burn ban

September 5, 2023/in News /by Madeline Roberts

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (September 5, 2023) –Pulaski County Government has issued a burn ban due to rapid drying conditions in the county. The ban will be in effect until further notice. This ban includes fireworks.

View the order here.

August QC recap: Pulaski County Quorum Court unanimously votes ‘yes’ to Crisis Stabilization Unit

August 24, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 24, 2023)– The Pulaski County Quorum court met Tuesday night to approve the continued funding of the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit to ensure that residents are able to access the mental and behavioral health care they desperately need.

Faced with further budget cuts to the state funded Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), operated in partnership with UAMS and Pulaski County since 2017, Justices of the Peace made the unanimous decision to continue funding the CSU. With this vote, the court hopes to encourage the state government to reconsider further budget cuts.

The CSU provides vital community-based mental health services for the entire Central Arkansas Region. The unit handles 2,100 referrals for assistance per year and serves as an alternative to costly emergency department visits and incarceration for those in acute mental distress. Pulaski County is committed to addressing mental and behavioral health issues within our communities and looks forward to its continued partnership with the dedicated staff at UAMS and the state in order to provide these meaningful services.

The Quorum Court, in an 11-3 vote, adopted an ordinance to establish the monthly residential sanitation and recycling rate to $29.69. The $4.67 increase ensures that collection and recycling services can continue without interruption and that further increases will not be necessary for at least the next four to five years. The new rate will go into effect on November 1, 2023.

Other business included:

Approved: A resolution to reappoint Patrick Henry Hays to the Pulaski County Planning Board until 2027
Approved: An ordinance amending the 2023 annual budget to appropriate grant-in-aid funds of $31,167 to the Juvenile Detention Department for the purchasing of supplies, clothing, etc.
Approved: An ordinance amending the 2023 annual budget to transfer unspent personnel funds of $1,327,481 from the regional detention facility fund to the detention medical department fund.
Approved: A grant renewal for $5,000 allowing the detention center and the juvenile detention center to enhance the food.

View Ordinances

Pulaski County provides record-setting $533,000 to Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance

August 18, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 18, 2023) – Pulaski County provided $533,000 dollars – the most it has ever allocated– to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to donate to over 20 food pantries and food programs as part of the Pulaski County Hunger Reduction Initiative.

Originally, Pulaski County pledged $500,000, but added another $33,000 as a result of the expanded need due to the March 31, 2023 tornadoes that affected residents of Pulaski County.

According to weather.gov, “The tornado (rated EF3/165 mph peak wind) tracked just over 34 miles from West Little Rock through North Little Rock, Sherwood and Jacksonville (all in Pulaski County) before finally weakening on the southeast side of Cabot (Lonoke County). There were at least 2,700 structures impacted and 60,000 power outages (many of these in Pulaski County).”

It’s believed that the worst tornado damage was sustained in Pulaski County. With these extra funds, the county plans to address the added need for food security.

Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is the only statewide anti-hunger organization. In 2021, Pulaski County had an estimated 53,000 residents and over 22% of children under 18 struggling with food insecurity in the county. Covid, inflation, and the March tornadoes have all contributed to an increase in residents needing to use charitable food networks.

The Pulaski County Hunger Reduction Initiative will provide direct support to food pantries serving the County. These funds will be divided up between organizations for the purchasing and providing of nutritious foods, as well as delivery.

“One of our focuses in Pulaski County Government is to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” said Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde. “Since the tornadoes in March, this is important now more than ever, and the Pulaski County Hunger Reduction Initiative is one answer to this call.”

Thanks to Pulaski County and the Alliance’s partnership, the following organizations will receive support for their food pantries and programs.

Arkansas Initiative Program	Baptist Health Foundation	Benevolent Hearts	Central AR Volunteers in Medicine	Central Baptist Church Food Pantry
Carter’s Crew	CALS	CareLink	FEED First USA	Fishnet Mission
Grace Presbyterian Church	Have A Little Mercy Mobile Help Center	Highland Valley UMC	Jericho Way/ Depaul USA	Life Skills for Youth
LR Stewpot	Our House	St. Andrew UMC	St. Mark’s Episcopal	Salvation Army-LR
Parkway Place Baptist Church	Philander Smith College Pantry	Potluck Food Rescue	River City Ministry	Roland Crisis Closet
The Helping Hand of Greater LR	The Ridge Assembly of God	Unitarian Universalist Church	We Care of Pulaski County

About the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance: The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is a collaborative statewide voice advancing equitable solutions to hunger. Our vision is to create a hunger-free Arkansas. Founding members include the Arkansas Foodbank in Little Rock, Food Bank of North Central Arkansas in Mountain Home, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas in Jonesboro, Harvest Regional Food Bank in Texarkana, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank in Springdale, and River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith. We invite you to visit ARHungerAlliance.org for details on hunger relief programs, donor, and volunteer opportunities.

Pulaski County earns high road rating due to $16 million project

August 15, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 15, 2023) – Pulaski County has a Pavement Condition Index rating of 83.7, one of the highest county ratings in the state. This rating is due to the continued improvements and preventive maintenance to Pulaski County roads made possible through a $16 million road improvement project.

Since the County implemented the project in 2022, the county roads’ Pavement Condition Index Rating (PCI) has increased 10 points, from 75.3 to 83.7. In 2022, almost 50% of Pulaski County roads were in “fair” condition, and as of May 2023, over 50% are in good condition. In 2022, only 1% of county roads were rated “excellent,” and now 15% are rated “excellent.”

A Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rating is determined by data collection for all the roads under the County’s jurisdiction and seeing how much damage, cracks and structural problems the roads have. Darryl Gardner, from the manufacturing and infrastructure company Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions Inc., explained the rating is like missing points on a test. Points are taken away as pavement ages and distresses.

This means that out of all of Pulaski County’s roads, there are minimal distresses, cracks or structural problems, which is why the PCI rating is so high. It’s thanks to a $16 million dollar project the County implemented in 2022 to bring the County’s network of roads to an even higher standard and to further prolong the life of existing roads through preventative maintenance. The $16 million came from the County’s Road and Bridge fund by saving unused road and bridge funds over a number of years.

Because of that project, Pulaski County treated an extra 121 miles of county roads last year.

“Investing in our roads and making data-driven decisions has been a main focus, and it’s paying off,” said Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde. “Infrastructure is a top priority in the County.”

Gardner said, “People don’t call because the road’s cracked, they call because it doesn’t drive well. Judge Hyde and [Director of the Pulaski County Road and Bridge Shane Ramsey] have done an outstanding job of not letting pavements get there, and that’s what they continue to do.”

Ergon has been working with the County for several years by providing resources and tools for road maintenance. In 2015, Gardner introduced Pulaski County to First Step Pavement Management Systems, who then conducted a data-driven assessment of every county road to give each one a condition rating.

With these ratings, Pulaski County determined which roads needed to be maintained first by adding in data like traffic load and type of traffic to determine which roads are most in need of repairs.

The County then began to repair every road that was in critical condition until all road condition ratings were raised. Once the roads had been brought up to standard, the Road and Bridge Department began a complete canvassing and improving of the entire road infrastructure of the County.

The County has continued this mission every year since 2015 to keep improving the roads, and it shows through the County’s increasing PCI rating.

“We’re striving to have the best roads in the state of Arkansas,” said Road and Bridge Department Director Shane Ramsey.

“We work with a lot of counties. If there is a county that is better, we haven’t seen it,” Gardner said.

One of the main reasons the County was able to resurface 121 miles of roads in just a year was because of the implementation of cape seal. Instead of tearing up an asphalt road and overlaying it, the County used the latest technology in road repairs by adding a cape seal on top to fix cracks and surface damage.

Cape seal fills roadway cracks, increases friction and protects the road from moisture and further cracking. It adds 8 to 10 years to a road’s lifespan and can reduce maintenance costs by 25% compared to asphalt concrete hot mix, according to the Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance.

The County has also used chip seal techniques for years to help maintain the roads structurally. Each time a road is chip sealed, the chip seal adds another layer to the road, making it stronger.

The chip sealed roads have to be maintained every few years. Thanks to the new data-driven system from First Step, the Road and Bridge department can determine a schedule of maintenance for the roads that ensures each road is taken care of before major repairs are required.

“[Pulaski County has] always taken care of the chip seal roads, there’s about 400 miles of those roads in the County, and [they] do a really good job of doing those on a cycle. You don’t wait for something bad to happen,” Gardner said.

“A lot of times people will say ‘Why are you doing that road? There’s nothing wrong with it.’ Well, that’s why there’s nothing wrong with it, because we’re being proactive with our repairs.”

Both chip seal and cape seal processes are done as existing pavement preservation. These methods have a finer aggregate, which make a smoother and quieter ride while also increasing traction. This is the latest technology being used to stretch our maintenance dollars.

Ergon said, “Pulaski County is to be held as an example for imitation of what can be achieved in the near term and into the future through appropriate and timely pavement treatment applications, for maintaining a standard of pavement management excellence and for furthering preservation principles throughout the state. The County’s long-term demonstration of pavement preservation principles and utilization of innovative technology has led to a safer and healthier road network and taxpayer savings.”

Pulaski County presents Community Village design plans, first resident expected next summer

August 15, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 15, 2023) – Pulaski County held a community meeting yesterday at Longley Baptist Church where the Community Village Advisory Committee presented the Community Village site plans and a virtual tour of a micro home. Attendees also heard about the timeline for the upcoming projects.

View the presentation, including site plans here.

The County has committed to site work and approximately 20 homes in the village. Dirt work will begin at the end of August, with a groundbreaking to follow this fall. A request for proposals for a non-profit to lead the village will go out in September. The first resident is expected to move in next summer.

Phase one of the project consists of:

Creating 100 tiny homes
Creating restroom and kitchen facilities
Creating an administrative building
Creating a health services building
Creating work opportunities for community members
Creating a garden and community kitchen
Creating a village bus stop and village store

Pulaski County believes there is a national chronic homelessness crisis. To address this issue, the county commissioned a project to create a planned, managed tiny home village to provide affordable housing to the chronically homeless. To learn more, visit pulaskicounty.net/village.

To receive updates about the Community Village, sign up for the Community Village Newsletter here.

Pulaski County Purchasing Department hosts online auction Aug. 14 – Aug. 28

August 9, 2023/in News /by Mark Hulsey

Pulaski County, Ark. (August 9, 2023)– The Pulaski County Purchasing Department is hosting an online auction from Monday, August 14 to Monday, August 28.

Pulaski County assets available for the auction include vehicles, heavy equipment, computers, desks, file cabinets, bookcases, printers, and office supplies.

Visit www.unitedsurplusauctions.com and enter auction number 08282023 to get started.

Inspections are available by appointment by contacting Randy Standridge at (501) 607-3733. Payments for items are receivable at Payments Received at United Surplus Auctions at 16523 MacArthur Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118.

Items must be picked up and removed on Tuesday, August 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and by appointment at the surplus location at 3403 W. 33rd St. Little Rock AR, 72204, behind the Pulaski County Sanitation office.

Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde presents proclamation for National Immigrant Heritage Month at Arkansas United back-to-school event

August 7, 2023/in News /by Mark Hulsey

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 7, 2023) – Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde presented a proclamation declaring June as National Immigrant Heritage Month during Arkansas United’s back-to-school event at Plaza Frida this past weekend.

“I am committed to making sure everyone in Pulaski County is welcome. And everyone has the best opportunities for their lives and also enhancing our children’s lives,” Judge Hyde said.

The proclamation states “America is, always has been, and always will be a Nation of immigrants. It was the premise of our founding…During National Immigrant Heritage Month, we reaffirm and draw strength from that enduring identity and celebrate the history and achievements of immigrant communities across our Nation.”

“We also join people around the globe in commemorating World Refugee Day on June 20, a day when we recognize the courage and humanity of the millions forced to flee violence, persecution, and war.”

Arkansas United held three back-to-school events across the state in Little Rock, Fort Smith and Dumas, where they distributed over 3,000 backpacks and provided a free services health fair offering covid vaccines, health screenings and physicals.

“Immigration enhances Pulaski County’s cultural diversity,” the proclamation states. “We recognize that our immigrant communities are sadly often the target of bias, racism, and xenophobia: and Pulaski County strives to be a place where people from all backgrounds feel safe and welcome.”

Pulaski County’s Youth Services helps kids develop lifelong skills for school, work and life through the Emerging Champions Pathways to Success Career Readiness Program

August 3, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (Aug. 3, 2023)– Pulaski County Youth Services (PCYS) celebrated the end of their Emerging Champions Pathways To Success Career Readiness summer program at a luncheon today at the Innovation Hub, where youth were recognized for their achievements in the program.

PCYS created a Career Readiness and Workforce Development afterschool and summer program to provide youth ages 16-21 with workforce experiences in Pulaski County by partnering with the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.

County Judge Barry Hyde said, “This program not only prepares our youth for the future but also helps them grow personally and professionally.”

Director of Youth Services Jamie Scott said she was given several opportunities as a young professional, and wonders what programs would’ve helped her as a youth to become more successful. “I look at what was missing when I was young, what did I need to help develop and hone those skills so I could’ve been better prepared to walk through some of those doors? And that’s how I look at programming, that’s how we brainstorm ideas.”

It’s because of her outlook that the Emerging Champions Pathway to Success Career Readiness Program was born.

The PCYS Emerging Champions Program focuses on career exploration, resume writing workshops, job shadowing opportunities, guest speakers, cultural enrichment activities, and college exploration. Each youth was set up with a business to serve as a part-time employee through the County. They were paid $13 an hour for up to 29 hours weekly.

“The most important investment of all is investing in our youth. A thriving community is predicted by its economic stability and employment opportunities,” Judge Hyde said.

“A successful community invests in their children’s development so that the community can continue to thrive. And with important programs like this, we are ensuring Pulaski County’s success.”

This program will continue throughout the school year to continue helping the youth with their professional development. Participants will be taking a college tour trip in the Fall, along with attending a college football game at Arkansas State University.

Emerging Champions Worksites:

Simpson Academy	U of A Pulaski Tech	Trades for Life	Big Bro’s Catering
AR Lighthouse Charter Schools	A Different Stroke of Art	AR Children’s Hospital	Mumford and Associates
Innovation Hub	Republic Services	Ambitious Girls Inc.	Harris Construction
Pulaski County Community Programs	Little Rock Police Department	First Baptist Main St. NLR	Pulaski County Youth Services
Shorter College	Effective Touch	Plush Reality	Gilmer’s Learning Solutions

Cameron Martin, an Emerging Champions Youth Worker, was placed with the Little Rock Police Department this summer in the Career Readiness Program. Martin was the youngest employee to ever complete the Criminal Justice Information Services System during his first week of the job. He recently completed the LRPD Active Shooter Training, and has helped with planning for a Teen Summit, completing Delta Entry for LRPD Special Meetings and helping the LRPD Community Relations Department.

Another teen, Brandon Hayman, was selected for the Emerging Champions Program and placed at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub for ten weeks. He helped the staff with various projects and tasks that needed to be completed. He assisted with shirt inventory or inventory for classroom items. He also helped prepare upcoming field trips in the community.

Pulaski County is so proud of all the amazing work the Pulaski County Youth Services Emerging Champions have done this summer. To find out more about Youth Services events and programs, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pulaskicountyyouthservices.

Pulaski County unveils Community Village design plans, community meeting scheduled for August 14

August 3, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 3, 2023) – Pulaski County Government unveiled preliminary design plans for the Pulaski County Community Village earlier today on the County website. The County will host a community meeting to discuss the plans and provide updates on Monday, August 14 at 5:30 p.m. in Longley Baptist Church.

Attendees of the August 14 meeting can expect a review of the plans and timeline for the project.

The plans show different styles of tiny homes and a proposed site plan for phase one of the village.

Phase one will consist of 100 homes, along with a health center and gathering hall. The County has committed to building 20 homes in phase one.

The tiny homes will include a covered porch, bedroom, living area, and kitchenette. As shown in the schematic design, the village will have communal kitchens and restrooms throughout the neighborhood.

“I’m excited for the progress we’re making,” Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde shared. “We just closed bidding last week for the dirt work on the project and expect to start work on that in the next few weeks.”

In a Community Village Roadmap released in January, the County shared five steps it will take in developing the Village. Step Two has the Village’s advisory committee creating an operations manual with County oversight, while Step Three is preparing the RFP for nonprofits.

“I would say we are in both steps two and three right now,” said the committee’s chair, Roger Marlin. “Now that we have the master plan designed, we can work with procurement on developing the RFP.”

Marlin hopes the announcement of the plans will garner interest not only from potential volunteers but also potential designers and architects for the tiny homes.

“The Village will be an opportunity for different architects to show off their creativity in the engineering and design of the tiny homes. We want each home to have its own unique character for the residents of the Village.”

Located in southwest Pulaski County on Green Road, the master-planned neighborhood will provide affordable, permanent housing to residents coming out of chronic homelessness. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will be responsible for overseeing the village, and the County expects to launch a request for proposals (RFP) this fall.

Art therapy at Pulaski County Juvenile Detention Center teaches tools for self-confidence, personal growth

August 2, 2023/in News /by Emilee Hagewood

Before

Progress

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 2,2023)–The Pulaski County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) brought in three artists to give its basketball court new life with a brightly painted mural, and one art therapist to teach kids on a weekly basis how to build their self-confidence and self-image through art.

The theme of the mural is growth, featuring vibrant depictions of flowers, mountains, butterflies, pine cones, grapes and more surrounding the statement “My challenges help me grow.” On the other wall, a full rainbow of colors stretches across in loops and swirls to encompass another statement, written in graffiti-style lettering “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

Each resident at the JDC will be a part of the process from start to finish, adding their input into the design, putting paint primer on the wall and wielding brushes full of color. The mural is expected to be complete in the next few weeks.

“It was important to me to have [the residents’] input on it,” art therapy intern Beth Simpson said. “If you want to incorporate art therapy, it’s very important to let the kids have a voice and a choice. They’re in a place right now where they don’t have a lot of choices, so this gives them an opportunity to make positive choices.”

An artist in communication with the JDC about the project sent out a Facebook post calling for artists to volunteer for the mural. There were 175 responses from artists wanting to participate, and three were chosen. Rachael Wheat was the muralist who created the mural concept and Heather Page was the artist who came up with the design for the sitting area.

The residents were wary at first of the newcomers, but as the residents spent more time with the artists, they soon became absorbed in the process and are excited to paint each day. The artists come early in the morning to get work started and the kids help out until lunch time.

“I think it’s great for them to be able to start and finish something like this on such a large scale, while also learning a new skill, working with one another, and interacting with mentors,” Simpson said.

The hot temperatures keep the artists and residents from working after lunch most days, but there is still art therapy to look forward to.

Simpson, who is finishing her internship to complete a graduate degree in art therapy and counseling, will come in twice a week for five weeks, but JDC Director Rodney Shepherd said they hope to keep bringing her back.

During their first week of therapy, the residents created clay renderings of themselves. Shepherd said the kids exceeded his expectations during their first session with Simpson.

“The residents really enjoyed it and really got into it, so I think it’s gonna be an excellent addition,” Shepherd said.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.

The theme for the art therapy groups goes hand-in-hand with the theme of the mural, “My challenges help me grow.” Simpson said, “Our focus in the groups is more about healthy connections, [the residents] positive attributes, their skills, their resources and resiliency.”

Simpson said the response so far from the art therapy groups has been highly positive: the kids enjoy the projects they get to work on, unwinding in a new way, and some even enjoy sharing their work with the group.

Simpson said “I hope the young people that get to participate in the mural and art therapy groups leave with a sense of confidence; confidence in a new skill, confidence in society, confidence in community, confidence that there’s people here and willing to help them.”

Shepherd said his hope with this art program is that, “For those kids who may have a problem with their self-image or their self-confidence, I hope they gain the knowledge and the tools to help them see that each one of them are worth as much as any other human-being in this world. And maybe bolster their confidence to where they can go out there and tackle things they normally wouldn’t even try.”

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