IN SHORT: North used its traditional running game to defeat its cross-town rivals.By RAY BENTONLeader sports editorCabot Junior High North met Cabot Junior High South Thursday night to open the 2006 season, and christened the new field turf with its first official regular-season game.It turned into North’s running game against South’s surprising pass threat, and it was the old style […]

IN SHORT: Early penalties and a flawless Vilonia offense gave Searcy fits during the Lions’ season opener at Eagle Field in Vilonia Friday night. By JASON KINGLeader sports writerSearcy’s defense had no answer for Vilonia’s perfectly executed double wing-T offense. The Eagles ran the tricky set to perfection through the duration of Friday night’s season opener at Eagle Field in […]

IN SHORT: The Falcons’ hope for a season-opening win at home was dashed by the Bobcats Friday night in Jacksonville. By JOHNNY RAY LAKESpecial to the LeaderAn untimely fumble and a blocked punt, both deep in their own territory, led to two quick scoring strikes as the North Pulaski Falcons fell in their home opener to the Dumas Bobcats, 28-6. […]

IN SHORT: The Panthers broke a two-game losing streak to rival Jacksonville Friday night at Jan Crow Stadium. The Panthers won the game 35-19 with over 400 yards of offense, including 355 in the first half. Cabot’s seniors won’t graduate without a win over Jacksonville. They made sure of that Friday night with a 35-19 victory at Jan Crow Stadium […]

IN SHORT: Joy Cameron gets a big thank you from George Bush for feeding Katrina victims.By ANNIE BERGMANAssociated Press Writer“It’s an honor,” said Joy Cameron of Sherwood after receiving a public-service award from President Bush at Little Rock National Airport on Wednesday.She had organized thousands of meals for Hurricane Katrina refugees who came to the area. Cameron, 48, said meeting […]

By PEG KENYONLeader staff writerAs district officials prepare to get 800 seventh- and eighth-graders into portable buildings on Tuesday, investigators are still on the scene at Cabot Junior High North trying to determine the exact cause of the Aug. 8 fire that destroyed the eight-year-old building.Mark Smart, assistant fire chief at Cabot Fire Department, said so far the fire department’s […]

IN SHORT: Many races are uncontested as school districts prepare for Sept. 19 board elections.By HEATHER HARTSELL AND SARA GREENELeader staff writersVoters across the state will head to the polls Tuesday Sept. 19 to vote in local school board elections. Beebe School Board has one seat open, Lonoke County school boards have six seats open, and Pulaski County Special School […]

IN SHORT: It will be a while before commissioners can oversee the troubled authority. By PEG KENYONLeader staff writerIt may be a while before the Jacksonville Housing Authority board can function normally because of an ongoing review by federal officials and the departure of most board members and the 45-day waiting period required before a new board can be recognized.At […]

IN SHORT: Per gallon average more than 20 cents less than it was a month ago.By RICK KRONLeader staff writerUnlike Labor Days past where gas prices have jumped to hit the last of the summer travelers, gasoline this holiday is down.“We’re at $2.63 right now,” said one Jacksonville retailer Friday afternoon, “but it’s supposed to drop drastically when the next […]

IN SHORT: The Highway Department could pick a new route for a freeway through Sherwood by next year, but funding is still questionable.By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader staff writerIf all goes according to plan—and that’s a big “if” when talking about Sherwood’s missing link of the North Belt Freeway—public hearings on a new proposed route will be held this fall, the route […]