SPORTS>>Red Devils pile up the runs, beat Parkview

By RAY BENTONLeader sports editorJacksonville continued its impressive run through its non-conference schedule Monday with an easy 16-6 victory over Little Rock Parkview at Dupree Park.The Red Devils ended the matter in six innings, but the Patriots put up a fight before giving way in the bottom of the sixth.Jacksonville led 11-0 going into the fifth inning and needed only […]

SPORTS>>Jacksonville No. 3 seed in East, tops in tie games

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterJacksonville continued its tying trend for the final two matches of the 6A-East Conference schedule. The Red Devils went into Friday’s game with Mountain Home with five ties on their record, and a 1-1 result against the Bombers made it six. To add to their already-unique record, Jacksonville tied with Jonesboro on Monday to bring the ‘Devils’ […]

SPORTS>>Owls win district crown

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterAbundant Life held a 10-4 lead over Harding Academy heading into the bottom of the sixth inning of the Class 4A District 2 finals Monday night at Wiggin’s Field on the campus of Harding University in Searcy. They would take the win four innings later.A six-run rally from the Wildcats in the sixth forced extra innings, but […]

OBITUARIES >> 4-25-07

Edna CatonEdna Lorene Caton, 86, passed away April 22. She was a member of Assembly of God Church and was a retired seamstress.Survivors include two sons, John and wife Libby Rhodes of McRae and Jim and wife Frances Rhodes of Lonoke; a brother, Jr. Rhodes of Mayflower and one sister, Liz Rhodes of Scott; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and seven […]

EDITORIALS>>Lynching of a judge

Arkansas will have to be told once again whether the First Amendment to the Constitution applies to Judge Wendell L. Griffen of the Arkansas Court of Appeals. It does protect his right to speak as much as it does yours and ours, and an appellate court will one day affirm that one more time.Meantime, Judge Griffen, who is black, will […]

EDITORIALS>>Firm must pay

The U.S. Supreme Court this week wrote the final chapter in the long-running suit over who should pay for the cleanup of the old Vertac chemical plant in Jacksonville. While many of the former operators fought the federal government when they were presented with huge bills for the cleanup, the one with the deepest pockets, Hercules, Inc., finally ran out […]

FROM THE PUBLISHER >> Why didn’t feds take this case?

You may have wondered while you were following the corruption trial of Jay and Kelly Campbell in Lonoke County why the U.S. attorney’s office in Little Rock didn’t prosecute the couple, along with two shady bail bondsmen, who will be tried later.Did the Campbells have friends in high places who protected them from federal indictments — specifically, a good friend […]

TOP STORY >>Sherwood puts freeze on changes of golf course

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerThe Sherwood City Council wants to prevent any owner of the North Hills Country Club from making any changes to the property for at least the next six months—and it could mean a lawsuit against the city.Aldermen approved the first reading of a resolution calling for a six-month moratorium on any and all building permits, rezoning […]

TOP STORY >>Jacksonville landfill to nearly double size

By GARRICK FELDMANLeader editorThe Two Pines Landfill owned by Waste Manage-ment, Inc. in Jacksonville plans to expand to an open field on the north side of the North Belt Freeway — opposite the existing landfill — and is seeking to modify its air permit so it can produce more electricity from methane that’s produced at the landfill.The landfill is planning […]

TOP STORY >>Parents see redesigned school lines

By HEATHER HARTSELLLeader staff writerThe Cabot School District is one of the five fastest growing districts in the state and because of that, the district is rezoning its elementary school attendance zones to accommodate its eighth elementary, Stagecoach Elementary, that will open in August.A public meeting with parents and administrators was held Tuesday night at the Cabot High School Loft […]