North Little Rock Army Reserve brigade activated A large reserve component military unit with headquarters in Arkansas received notice it is being activated to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. North Little Rock’s 90th Sustainment Brigade is scheduled to hold a deployment ceremony July 8 at the State House Convention Center in Little Rock. More of this story

City Engineer Ellen Norvall stands in the midst of information regarding the 2010 Census that is set to take place April 1, 2010. Her office has been placed in charge of managing the city’s effort to count every person living in Sherwood. (Greg Rayburn)

City’s effort to participate in U.S. Census count begins It is 273 days before everybody who lives in Sherwood must be counted in the 2010 Census. And while that day is about nine months away, the city has begin preparing for it. More of this story

T. J. Ashley of Maumelle runs Ashley’s Fireworks along Arkansas 365 just out of the city limits. He said the Excaliber 24 box of canister shells is the most popular item this year. (Bill Lawson)

Fire chief gives tips on handling fireworks Maumelle Fire Chief George Glenn gave residents a primer this week on shooting fireworks off within the city limits of Maumelle. He said Maumelle is the only city he knows in central Arkansas where it is legal to use fireworks on July 4. More of this story

Swaim surprised by the boat he received at his retirement party on Thursday, June 25. His grandchildren pretended to be fishing from the boat, which was center stage. (Peg Kenyon)

Gala honors longtime mayor After growing up on a farm in rural Arkansas, Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim tilled under the old Vertac Chemical site with care, planted the seeds for citywide growth and harvested countless friendships as well as widespread respect in his 22 1/2 years in office. More of this story

Local Sports More Sports Headlines >>

Perfection For the first time, a team from the Lakewood Property Owners league has finished its season undefeated. The Cardinals, who compete in the pitching Machine League, claimed perfection with a 19-0 record. The team of 7- and 8-year-old boys is coached by Dow Worsham. The Cardinals won the League Championship with a 16-0 record. In the league’s post-season tournament they added three more victories. (Submitted photo) More of this story

Bass professional Kevin Short of Mayflower has acquired the nickname K-Pink from his eye-catching boat and pink-heavy shirt worn in competitions. (Joe Mosby)

Pink very eye-catching for bass professional For bass professional Kevin Short of Mayflower, receiving a $100,000 pay check for winning a major tournament was certainly nice. The fringe benefits aren’t bad either. More of this story

Mario Martinez of Maumelle reached the consolsation semifinals at last week’s tournament at Burns Park. (Jeff Reed)

Martinez has moments in Southern Maumelle teenager Mario Martinez really enjoyed last week. More of this story

Micaich Davis blocks in the All-Star game. (Mark Buffalo)

Davis uses game as a tune-up Micaiah Davis’ rise to noted football player was a long shot. More of this story

Police Reports More Police Reports >>

Jacksonville Police Reports June 19 Maumelle Crime Watch Incidents reported to Maumelle Police through June 24

Health News

Food & Recipes More Food & Recipes >>

Think You Can't Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies? Veg-ucate! (ARA) - Ask any parent what foods kids want and what foods kids need, and they'll tell you the two rarely meet. In most cases, hot dogs trump tomatoes and animal crackers buck broccoli, causing many parents to wonder what they can do. But with spring blooming, green thumbs coming out of hibernation and gardens glowing in a few weeks, now is the perfect time to "veg-ucate" kids to like, and even want, veggies. Turn off the TV, turn on the oven and turn down the spending (ARA) - With less money for the movies or a night on the town, families are nesting more at home. In fact, according to Pew Research Center, 85 percent of Americans have made personal spending cutbacks. Further, Nielsen Company reports television viewing is at an all time high, with the average American viewer spending more than 151 hours a month (almost five hours a day) in front of the tube. Don't let the tough economy keep your family from talking and laughing together -- get up, get creative and get baking cookies.