OBITUARIES >> 03-17-07

Wilda BealWilda E. Beal, 77, of Beebe passed away March 16. She was born May 23, 1929, at Gravel Hill, to the late Levi and Nola Penrod. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. She was a loving and proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Wilda was preceded in death by two brothers, Marshall Penrod and Carl Penrod. She […]

EDITORIALS>>Disillusioned Republican

Harry E. “Bud” Cummins III was as hardy a Republican as you could find and probably still is although his career in the Grand Old Party is surely over. He carried the party’s banner in a tough race against U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder in 1996, worked for the slate in every election and was one of the six George W. […]

EVENTS>>Winter 2007

The annual Clean Up Jacksonville/Keep Jacksonville Beautiful event is scheduled for April 14. Teams from local businesses, civic clubs, churches, schools and base squadrons are forming to help spruce up our city. Pre-register your group and your choice of area to clean by calling Jimmy Oakley, Jacksonville Public Works Coordinator, at 982-6071. Trash bags will be provided and can be […]

EVENTS>>Winter 2007

The annual Clean Up Jacksonville/Keep Jacksonville Beautiful event is scheduled for April 14. Teams from local businesses, civic clubs, churches, schools and base squadrons are forming to help spruce up our city. Pre-register your group and your choice of area to clean by calling Jimmy Oakley, Jacksonville Public Works Coordinator, at 982-6071. Trash bags will be provided and can be […]

SPORTS >>Beebe ladies sweep Raiders

IN SHORT: Lady Badgers avenge last loss in 5A East play by sweeping Nettleton.By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterNettleton pitcher Shelby Wise might as well have walked onto Gilliam Field in Beebe with a target painted on her back Thursday afternoon. The junior hurler was the biggest reason the Lady Badgers missed last year’s state finals, but found shutting out Beebe again […]

SPORTS >>Jacksonville drops two against Pats

IN SHORT: The Red Devil baseball team lost both ends of a 6A-East doubleheader Tuesday night, falling to Marion to start league play on a sour note.By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterJacksonville started its conference schedule out with a bit of a slip, falling to Marion in straight games Tuesday in a 5A-East doubleheader at Marion High School. The Patriots took game […]

SPORTS >>Cabot wins two straight

IN SHORT: The Panther baseball team beat Little Rock Catholic and Beebe to improve its overall record to 9-4.By RAY BENTONLeader sports editorThe Cabot baseball team beat Little Rock Catholic 7-1 Tuesday for its first conference win of the season. The win was a good rebound after suffering a big loss in its conference opener last Friday. The Panthers jumped […]

TOP STORY >>Bill could lead way for Jacksonville district

IN SHORT: Legislators from the area helped pave the way for a bill that will split Jacksonville school district from PCSSD.By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader staff writerA bill aimed at ending nearly two decades of Pulaski County public school desegregation oversight, unanimously approved in the Senate Thursday, now lacks only the governor’s signature and $1.5 million in funding, according to state Rep. […]

TOP STORY >>Cabot rearranging fire-fighting power

IN SHORT: Cabot fire chief wants to close Central Fire Station and open another at Hwy. 5 to secure a good insurance rating for residents there.By JOAN MCCOYLeader staff writerCabot firefighters toured a $12 million fire station at Little Rock Air Force Base Thursday on the lookout for design features that could be incorporated into a new station they hope […]

TOP STORY >>’Triple 7′ missions save lives

IN SHORT: Daily C-130 flights, manned by members of the 463rd Airlift Group from LRAFB at Balad Air Base, Iraq help keep American soldiers alive.By HEATHER HARTSELLLeader staff writerThe 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base celebrated when it reached the 5,000 mark last month for the number of convoy vehicles taken off the roads in Iraq thanks […]