Little Rock's plan to rely on solar energy to supply most of the city's electricity needs is moving ahead.
Up to $12 million in short-term financing for the project was approved yesterday evening by the Little Rock Board of Directors. Federal tax credits will reduce the overall cost by about $4.1 million.
The solar panels will be placed at up to four locations that are still to be determined.
By meeting a September deadline on the project, the city will benefit from a higher compensation rate for the energy the solar panels put onto the grid.
Lake Maumelle, a critical drinking water reservoir for the metro area, is scheduled to undergo another round of herbicide treatment this week as officials fight an invasive aquatic plant known as hydrilla.
The fluridone-based herbicide product inhibits photosynthesis in the plants.
Combating hydrilla in Lake Maumelle is going to be an expensive and long-term project for water utility Central Arkansas Water. This is the second annual application of herbicide in what officials believe will be a five- to eight-year treatment plan.
Members of the Little Rock branch of the NAACP are backing Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins in response to criticism of his decision to allow television producers to film a show inside the county jail.
The resulting series, "Unlocked: A Jail Experiment," was released on Netflix on April 10.
"Many people view his effort as one which is very progressive, and one worthy of being noted by the entire law enforcement community throughout this nation," Larry Hicks, chairman of the Little Rock NAACP's legal redress committee, said Friday.
The full story from reporter Grant Lancaster can be found here.
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