TOP STORY>> Veteran alderman dead at 70

By Rick KronLeader staff writerIN SHORT: Robert Lewis, losing a battle with cancer, served on the Jacksonville City Council for 22 years and had just filed to run again.Jacksonville Alderman Robert Lewis, 70, died Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer.To many, his death was a surprise as Lewis, who had ups and downs in his fight for life, […]

TOP STORY>> PCSSD silent on possible pupil abuse

By John HofheimerLeader staff writerIN SHORT: The PCSSD refuses to comment on allegations that a Jacksonville band teacher choked and hit a young boy in his class and has acted inappropriately with young students in the past.Is the Pulaski County Special School District covering up for a teacher alleged to have have struck and choked an 11-year-old boy student in […]

TOP STORY>> Cabot, county in deal

By Joan McCoyLeader staff writerIN SHORT: Lonoke County will help replace some of the city’s old bridges in exchange for help with road building.An ordinance on hold since March to allow the county to replace seven worn, narrow bridges on First Street that lead to a ballpark in Cabot in exchange for the city helping the county build two roads […]

TOP STORY>> Judge to decide dispute

By Rick KronLeader staff writerIN SHORT: Sherwood and Jacksonville are at odds over a proposed annexation.Jacksonville’s planning commission has join the city council fighting Sherwood’s plans to annex about 2,000 acres of land west of Jacksonville and south of Little Rock Air Force Base.Jacksonville’s planning commission voted unanimously Monday to side with the city council opposing Sherwood’s quest to annex […]

TOP STORY>> More votes show up

By John HofheimerLeader staff writerIN SHORT: Following numerous voting woes and problems with new electronic equipment, the quorum court might appoint a part-time coordinator to assist the election commission.Wayne McGee went to bed Tuesday night thinking voters had elected next mayor of Lonoke—no Republicans or independents filed for the November general election—by a margin of 483 to 270 over Jim […]

TOP STORY>> Official implies city may get own district

By John HofheimerLeader staff writerIN SHORT: Jacksonville-area parents got yet another indication Thursday that a long-sought-after Jacksonville School District may be in the cards.Consultant William Gordon Thursday stopped an inch shy of telling The Leader he would recommend creation of a standalone Jacksonville school district when he submits his report, due June 30.Gordon said that the $244,000 study, called for […]

SATURDAY EDITORIAL>> The Lord as your co-pilot

Providence dealt mercifully with Gov. Huckabee last week when one of the twin engines of the Cessna Citation that was ferrying him, his wife, daughter and aides to a political gathering in North Carolina conked out near Chattanooga. The pilot landed the jet with one engine, got the plane repaired and then carried him on to North Carolina for his […]

OBITUARIES

Annie Bell TuckerAnnie Bell Tucker, 67, of Jacksonville, died June 14.  She was born March 22, 1939, in Liberty to the late William W. and Roxie Taylor Hill.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth A. Tucker, Sr.  Annie was a member of McArthur Assembly of God. Survivors include her three children, Kenneth A. Tucker Jr. and […]

SPORTS>> Panther Stadium is getting new turf

By Ray BentonLeader sports editorIN SHORT: Meeting held on Wednesday to discuss ways to raise money for new football field surface.There’s now an addendum to the overhaul in progress at Cabot High School. The football stadium, which just completed its first season with a new field house and jumbotron scoreboard, will be adding an artificial playing surface, replacing the notoriously […]

SPORTS>> Red Devil leading scorer signs with SW Iowa State

By Jason KingLeader sports writerIN SHORT: Jacksonville guard Lavar Neely signed on to continue his basketball career in the Hawkeye state. Jacksonville High School graduate Lavar Neely signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Southwest Iowa St. Wednesday afternoon at the Boys and Girls club in Jacksonville. Neely was an offensive leader on the Red Devils team last […]