Traffic court still virtual for a while
Little Rock Traffic Court will not reopen for in-person hearings until October at the earliest, city officials said last week, citing the success of the virtual docket and data on the coronavirus pandemic.
"The safety, health and well-being of ticket recipients and court employees is paramount," District Judge Vic Fleming told Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and the city Board of Directors in a letter. "National, statewide and local data indicates that we should keep doing what we're doing."
Fleming added that the court could blend in-person proceedings into that process later this year, possibly in October or November.
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Recipients of traffic citations are asked to email the court at trafficcourtcontact@littlerock.gov to get on the docket for remote court sessions. People who do not have email may call (501) 371-4733.
Some recipients will be allowed to "appear" in court by telephone only, but Fleming stressed that videoconference is preferable.
Zoo names stage for Civitan Club
The Little Rock Zoo has unveiled an entertainment stage for its elephant exhibit.
In a ceremony last week, the zoo named the stage for the Little Rock Civitan Club, a local community service group that has spent years raising funds for and volunteering at the zoo. The club celebrates its 100th anniversary this month.
"No organization has such a long, dedicated history of giving to the Little Rock Zoo as the Little Rock Civitan Club," Zoo Director Susan Altrui said in a news release. "Members of the club worked for years and spent hours raising funds and volunteering at this zoo. They love this zoo and what it means to Arkansas' families."
The Little Rock Civitan Elephant stage will be used for entertainment animal encounters, the zoo said. Before its construction, the zoo rented staging equipment for various events.