The Leader

Hanshaw has presided over many high-profile cases
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>=Circuit Judge Lance Hanshaw's refusal to step down from hearing cases out of the prosecutor's office should come as no surprise to Lonoke County residents who recall that almost a decade ago he also refused to recuse when a colleague's son was charged with raping several young boys.
[STORY]

Suspect sought in brutal shooting
By RICK KRON-Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>A Jacksonville subcontractor was robbed and shot 10 times at a Little Rock restaurant and underwent surgery at UAMS. [STORY]

Cabot may not get water hike
By SARA GREENE- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>A previous rate increase, plus 4 percent growth in new customers, might make it unnecessary to go forward with a previously planned rate increase in June[STORY]

Face-Off: North versus South
By RAY BENTON - Leader sports editor
>>> IN SHORT>>>North girls win Metro crown, South boys finish third[SPORTS]

CAW still wants to have say on lake
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> The two sides could meet soon after the state Senate favors a developer in water dispute. [STORY]

Some like it hot
>>> IN SHORT>>>Cabot's annual chili-cooking contest draws crowds for fun and fellowship[FEATURE]

February 2. 2005

Trials stop as prosecutor, judge feud
By JOHN HOFHEIMER- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>The wheels of justice grind to a halt in Lonoke County as Prosecuting Attorney Lona McCastlain says Judge Lance Hanshaw is prejudiced against her office.
[STORY]

New utility commission tours water, sewer plants By SARA GREENE-Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Visit reveals a stark difference between the state-of-the-art water treatment facility and the old sewer plant. [STORY]

Growth imperils Cabot's water
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Cabot aldermen against development that would endanger water source, seek ambulance bids.[STORY]

Three-point barrage can't lift Bears
By RAY BENTON - Leader sports editor
>>> IN SHORT>>>==Forrest City gave Sylvan Hills ample opportunities for a win Friday night at Mustang Arena. Leading Sylvan Hills by 20 points, 62-42, with four minutes left in Friday's AAAAA-East Conference game, Forrest City Coach Dwight Lofton went to his bench, as did Sylvan Hills.[SPORTS]

City's budget up 9 percent
By RICK KRON- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>A new $694,00 ambulance fund, along with more than $200,000 in raises, push Jacksonville's 2005 budget over the $18 million mark, increasing outlays from the previous year by $1.5 million. [STORY]

Arkansas businessman moves to top of trucking industry
>>> IN SHORT>>>Williams, founder of Maverick Transportation, lives in Beebe and Colorado. [FEATURE]

January 19, 2005

Two birthdays celebrated
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>One of Cabot's new city council members celebrated the Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee day with Confederate flags in front of his business and a local resident dressed in a Confederate uniform.
[STORY]

District disputes facilities need list
By SARA GREENE-Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Holman tells Cabot School Board many of the problems cited in the state report were fixed. [STORY]

Harmony reigns on council in Cabot
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>New aldermen bring an end to acrimony as they seek plans for a sewer plant.[STORY]

Devils get over the hump
By RAY BENTON - Leader sports editor
>>> IN SHORT>>>After falling short in first two league games, Jacksonville beats leader[SPORTS]

Reed's Bridge seen as major draw
By RICK KRON- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> Reed's Bridge Battlefield stands to become a premier Civil War site in central Arkansas. It is not the most well-known but may be the best-preserved of the state's battlefield sites. [STORY]

Relay for Life
>>> IN SHORT>>>Cabot rallies residents for spring fund-raising event [FEATURE]

January 12, 2005

Reservists get medals for Iraq service
By BRIAN RODRIGUEZ-Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Youngsters welcome Aerial Port Squadron [STORY]

TIF districts get warning
By DOUG THOMPSON-Arkansas news Bureau
>> IN SHORT>>> _Tax Increment Finance districts cannot touch any part of the state-mandated 25-mill minimum for school maintenance and operations, including tax revenue growth, the state attorney general concluded Tuesday [STORY]

General: Public should lobby
for more C-130Js
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> Civilians must carry the fight to keep production going, Hodges tells LRAFB community council.[STORY]

Panthers make loud statement with upset
By RAY BENTON
- Leader sports editor
>>> IN SHORT>>>Cabot boys control West Memphis throughout evening to pull off early season upset of defending conference and state champion Blue Devils.[SPORTS]

Plan could alleviate congestion
By RICK KRON- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> The state Highway Department doesn't know when or how, but it does know what it wants to do to solve some of Jacksonville's traffic flow problems.
[STORY]

Becoming exceptional
>>> IN SHORT>>>These schools take a little extra time for their pupils [FEATURE]

January 5, 2005

Taking office
By JOHN HOFHEIMER-Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>The wives of three prominent Lonoke County Republicans were sworn into office as justices of the peace on Saturday morning, giving Republicans control of the quorum court there for the first time in history.[STORY]

People make 2004 memorable
By RICK KRON-Staff Writer
>> IN SHORT>>> A teenager gets a new heart, another youngster fights leukemia, as does a popular state trooper, a young girl undergoes several operations and a soldier gets his medals. [STORY]

Utility has first meeting in Cabot
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> The new commission names J.M. Park chairman, but Eddie Joe Williams is dropped. [STORY]

Fastpitch tops last half of '04
By RAY BENTON
- Leader sports editor
>>> IN SHORT>>>Red Devils shed demons in fall season[SPORTS]

Cabot council drops service
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> Aldermen vote to dismiss AET ambulance company and will use MEMS as a temporary replacement. [STORY]

Lonoke dive team
>>> IN SHORT>>>Rescuers get to the bottom of the situation [FEATURE]

December 29, 2004

Area recovers from weather
By RICK KRON -Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>The snow is gone, but towing services and body shops are doing a booming business after last week's snow and ice that brought the area a white Christmas. [STORY]

Cabot family distraught over suicide of surgeon By BRIAN RODRIGUEZ-Staff Writer
>> IN SHORT>>>The doctor who had given youth a temporary heart pump and then a new heart talked to Marcuses before he killed himself. [STORY]

Cabot officials still at odds
By JOAN MCCOY- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> Mayor Stumbaugh is unhappy with a city council decision to approve seven members to a new public utilities commission and vetoed one of the appointments.Thursday. [STORY]

Devils scramble past Conway
By CHAD MATCHETT
- Leader sports writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Jacksonville advances to second round for rematch with Mills[SPORTS]

Who voted for name change?
By RICK KRON- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Original members of Jack-sonville Cen-tennial had no say in handing over their nonprofit charter to a private club that has been serving alcohol for years and now offers adult entertainment. [STORY]

Homegrown talent
>>> IN SHORT>>> Beebe Elementary students get the chance to show off their many aptitudes [FEATURE]

December 22, 2004

Cabot hoping to end contract
By JOAN MCCOY-Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>The city council i s upset that it took Arkansas Emergency Transport 27 minutes to answer a call. [STORY]

Funding for future highways a dilemma
By JOHN HOFHEIMER-Staff Writer
>> IN SHORT>>>Experts say toll roads likely if all elses fails. [STORY]

Area prepares for possible snow
By RICK KRON- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>> Temperatures will drop, bringing with it a wintry mix. Snow later Wednesday, with more Thursday. [STORY]

Red Devil Classic
By RAY BENTON
- Leader sports writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>JHS hosting high profile holiday basketball event. [SPORTS]

Civic group helps open private club
By RICK KRON- Leader Staff Writer
>>> IN SHORT>>>Peaches and its predecessors used the cover of a historical society to get a club license in Jacksonville. [STORY]

Above and beyond
By JOAN MCCOY

>>> IN SHORT>>> Two Cabot School District employees awarded with grants for classroom integrity. [FEATURE]

December 15, 2004

Base impact at $502M >>> IN SHORT>>>New construction worth about $100 million at LRAFB boosts spending to record levels, as well as the arrival of the C-130Js and other new improvements at the Jacksonville facility. [STORY]	Chili's seeking private club license By RICK KRON-Staff Writer >> IN SHORT>>> Chili's Bar and Grill has filed an application with the ABC to allow the sale of acoholic beverages in its restaurant to be built in Jacksonville. [STORY]
Several are voted on utility in Cabot By JOAN MCCOY - Leader Staff Writer >>> IN SHORT>>> The choices have been tallied for seven positions on a new public utilities commission for Cabot and some familiar names are among the top picks. [STORY]	Falcons repeat as Pioneer champs By RAY BENTON - Leader sports writer >>> IN SHORT>>>The North Pulaski Falcons successfully defended their title as Batesville tournament champions Saturday. [SPORTS]
Lonoke is facing budget cutbacks By JOAN HOFHEIMER - Leader Staff Writer >>> IN SHORT>>> Reductions in law enforcement, at the health department, the library and the council on aging would help balance the budget, city officials say, although a tax increase may also be needed. [STORY]	Christmas around the world By DAVID SCOLLI >>> IN SHORT>>> Students at Magness Creek Elemetary School discover how other cultures celebrate the Holidays. [FEATURE]

December 8, 2004

Beebe questions numbers Superintendent says data incorrect By JOAN MCCOY - Leader Staff Writer >>> IN SHORT>>>Beebe School Superintendent Kieth Williams told the school board Monday night that the state facilities study for Beebe was inaccurate [STORY]	Camp Robinson will get $33M helicopter facility >> IN SHORT>>> A groundbreaking cermony was held Saturday for a new Army aviation support facility at Camp Robinson. [STORY]
Schools still scrambling over costs for repairs By JOHN HOFHEIMER- Leader Staff Writer >>> IN SHORT>>> For now the Arkansas School Facilities Report may raise as many questions as it has answers while officials grapple with the details on how to fix infrastructure. [STORY]	Lions win Bank Classic By RICK BUTLER - Special to the Leader >>> IN SHORT>>>A team dominated by youth relied on an old hand as the Searcy Lions knocked off Camden Fairview. [SPORTS]
Cabot Center faces downsizing By JOAN MCCOY - Leader Staff Writer >>> IN SHORT>>> As costs soar, Cabot Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh and the city council have told the architects to go back to the drawing board and figure out what, if any cuts can be made so construction can continue as hoped. [STORY]	He's making a list By BRIAN RODRIQUEZ >>> IN SHORT>>> Santa Claus helped light the Christmas tree in Ward as the city held its fifth annual Christmas tree lighting. [FEATURE]