FROM THE PUBLISHER >> Couple still fighting for Russian kids

By GARRICK FELDMANLeader publisher The Jacksonville couple who couldn’t bring home the two Russian kids they had recently adopted will go back soon to fight for the right to fly their children to Arkansas.Monica and David Kraus are hoping they’ll return soon to Russia and bring back the children, Emma, who is 3 years old, and Alex, who is 11 […]

FROM THE PUBLISHER >> Russians keep couple from adopting kids

David and Monica Kraus of Jacksonville thought they had adopted a couple of Russian children and would fly them home after spending thousands of dollars and dealing for months with bureaucrats here and in Russia.But a few weeks ago, the Russian authorities suddenly announced that foreigners could no longer adopt orphans there.The Russians had their reasons: At least two American […]

EDITORIAL >> Insuring uninsured

The elderly and then children were the people who could not afford insurance and were “underserved” by the health-care system. Medicare under Lyndon B. Johnson and Medicaid expansion under Bill Clinton largely but not altogether solved those problems. Now a different group, reasonably young working adults, is the population in distress.In few places are they in greater distress than Arkansas. […]

OBITS

ARCHIE HAMILTON SR.Archie Clyde Hamilton Sr., 86, of Gravel Ridge, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 6. He was born Dec. 3, 1918, in Hunting-ton, Texas, the son of the late Henry and Linnie Hamilton. He was an active member of the Church of Christ for many years, and was a member of Bailey Street Church of Christ at […]

SPORTS >> Practice picking up for SH Bears

By: JASON KINGLeader sports writerIN SHORT: Sylvan Hills players are getting used to the heat and practicing with more intensity this week. Head coach Ron Sebastian says his players are showing improvement in the mental aspects.The Sylvan Hills Bears began week number two of summer practice on Monday morning. The Bears are hoping to repeat the success of the 2004 […]

SPORTS >> Injury bug biting Cabot hard

By RAY BENTONLeader sports writerIN SHORT: Eight players, including several key contributors, are injured and sitting out Panther practices.The Cabot Panthers scrimmaged heavily Monday, but did so with several key players missing from the lineup. Eight Panthers were injured by the time scrimmaging closed practice, five will be counted on to play significantly this season, while one is out for […]

TOP STORY >> McRae starts new chapter with merger

By JOAN MCCOYLeader staff writerIN SHORT: An open house will be held for the new Beebe Middle School, which was McRae High.Open house will be held at Beebe Middle School between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 18, and Dr. Belinda Shook, school superintendent, says she believes those who attend will be pleasantly surprised by what they see.The new school […]

TOP STORY: PCSSD is accused of illegal cutbacks

By: JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader staff writerThe state Education Department has rejected for now Pulaski County Special School District’s fiscal distress improvement plan, pending a satisfactory explanation of the district’s “actual authority to eliminate paid holidays, reduce the number of days in an employment contract and freeze salary schedules and steps for all employees,” according to a letter received by interim Superintendent […]

TOP STORY >> Less pop, more pep for students

Staff and wire reportsIN SHORT: Local administrator fears there is not enough time in the school day for new regulations such as more physical education.The director of secondary education for Pulaski County Special School District said Tuesday she didn’t know how the newly mandated physical activity component could be implemented without increasing the length of the school day.Deborah Bruick’s comments […]

TOP STORY >> Schools hurry to remedy citations

By: SARA GREENELeader staff writerIN SHORT: The state places Cabot High School on accredited-probationary status for not offering enough instructional time.Several area school districts, including Pulaski County, Beebe and Cabot, are working to meet accreditation standards issued by the Arkansas Board of Education. Lonoke is the only local district not cited.Cabot High School was placed on accredited-probationary status for not […]