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Petition OKed For Arkansas Community Seeking To Become Town

The Pulaski County clerk's office has certified a petition from the roughly 380-person community of Little Italy asking to become a town.

Organizers of the effort said Friday that the necessary signatures from qualified voters have been approved. The community 35 miles from downtown Little Rock will plan for a public hearing and, if no challenge is launched, an election later this year.

Residents of the seven square-mile community have hung Italian flags and banners saying it "takes a village to become a town." Settled by Italian immigrants in 1915, the community has maintained much of its Italian influence with rows of grapevines nestled between family grottos and saint statues.

Organizers said incorporation would give residents local representation and preserve the community by staving off westward annexation by other cities.

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