Community Corner
🌱 Why North Little Rock schools just got an F from the state
Happening soon: Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the North Little Rock Patch calendar
Good morning North Little Rock! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why North Little Rock schools just got an F from the state
- What North Little Rock police say they found during a traffic stop
- How a North Little Rock senior just dominated his college conference
Also on today's calendar: Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Find out what's happening in North Little Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around North Little Rock? Post it to North Little Rock photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in North Little Rockfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Becoming cloudy, with a high of 52 and low of 41 degrees.
- Wednesday: Sun and areas of low clouds, temps: high: 58, low: 51.
- Thursday: Windy with rain and a t-storm, with a high of 67 and low of 33 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. 'Unacceptable:' 6 Arkansas school districts receive 'F' grade from state (katv.com) — North Little Rock School District has received an overall F grade from the state, with all four secondary schools rated F and many students below grade-level in core subjects. Leaders blame teacher shortages, unlicensed staff, and chronic absenteeism, and are rolling out a community-focused support program while targeting 10% annual academic gains to avoid potential state intervention. 
2. NLR man faces fentanyl charge (arkansasonline.com) — A North Little Rock man was arrested after a late-night traffic stop where police reported finding suspected fentanyl, a smoking pipe, and scales. The same report also details two separate arrests in Little Rock involving a stolen vehicle and a teen allegedly fleeing officers, underscoring ongoing regional concerns about drugs and property crime.
3. Craig Collier Named SCAC Men's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week (gocentenary.com) — A North Little Rock native is making waves on the college hardwood: Centenary College senior Craig Collier has been named SCAC Men’s Basketball Offensive Player of the Week. He averaged 21.5 points, hit a game-winning three-pointer, and shot 60 percent from beyond the arc during a standout two-game stretch.
4. Man gets 120 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for 2023 double murder in Scott (fox16.com) — A man has been sentenced to 120 years in state prison for the 2023 killings of two Pulaski County teens, including one from North Little Rock, whose bodies were found near Scott. Arkansas State Police say the defendant also faces serious pending charges in several other states along the I-40 corridor.
5. Monroe County jail's new life-skills programs aim to restore hope (kark.com) — A North Little Rock pastor is leading a new life-skills program inside the Monroe County Detention Center, aiming to prepare inmates for healthier reentry into Arkansas communities. Beginning with weekly classes in February, the initiative will teach anger management, finances, and coping skills, with hopes of expanding to other counties if it proves successful.
📸 Around North Little Rock
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in North Little Rock
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders
520 S Bowman Rd, Little Rock
6:15 pm
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
📣 North Little Rock Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Sensory Hour
Sanders Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 10200 Johnson Dr , Sherwood
10:30 am - Scott Charter School vs Dermott Rams
Scott Charter School , 15306 Alexander Rd , Scott
4:30 pm - Jacksonville Middle School Presents Winter Piano Lab Recital fueled by Hot Chocolate & Christmas music
Jacksonville Middle School , 2300 Linda Ln , Jacksonville
6:00 pm - Adult Activity Time
Nixon Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 703 W Main St , Jacksonville
1:00 pm - Nerd Out Days
Sanders Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 10200 Johnson Dr , Sherwood
4:00 pm - LEGO Afternoon
Nixon Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 703 W Main St , Jacksonville
4:00 pm - Leads Group Meeting - VIP Network
Sherwood Chamber of Commerce , 7510 Hwy 107 , Sherwood
8:30 am - City Council Meeting
Jacksonville, AR Calendar , 1 Municipal Dr , Jacksonville
6:00 pm - Music & Movement
Nixon Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 703 W Main St , Jacksonville
10:30 am - Button Trading Post
Nixon Library -- Central Arkansas Library System , 703 W Main St , Jacksonville
4:00 pm - KATV Pet of the Week
Humane Society of Pulaski County , 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd , Little Rock
8:25 am - Monthly Food Giveaways
821 Hickory St , North Little Rock
4:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- With it getting so cold remember to unhook your outside hoses, cover outside faucets and drip your indoor faucets on the hot and cold to where you have a steady stream coming out.
Also open cabinet doors for those fixtures. Been a plumber for 23 years, so believe me when i say to do hot and cold water (Nextdoor Faulkner Crossing) - All lanes on WB I-40 near Exit 152 in Pulaski County have been cleared following a vehicle fire.
5:15AM on Dec 15: Vehicle fire reported on WB I-40 near Exit 152 in Pulaski County, blocking the right shoulder. (Nextdoor )
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member in North Little Rock. Apply here.
- Capstone Logistics posted a job opening for Warehouse Sanitation in North Little Rock. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near North Little Rock here.
Ok North Little Rock! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
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