TOP STORY > >Flu cases increase, still time for shots

By EILEEN FELDMANLeader executive editor“It’s not too late to get a flu shot,” according to Melissa Eads, nurse coordinator at the Lonoke County Health Unit in Lonoke. She said the area is beginning to see an increase in the number of reported flu cases and that after a temporary lull, the health unit is also seeing more people coming in […]

TOP STORY > >Austin might add a tax on construction

By JOAN MCCOYLeader staff writer Austin City Council is considering asking voters to approve a one-cent sales tax that will allow the city to cash in on the building material for the hundreds of houses going up there.“I’ve been talking to the people about it and most aren’t opposed to a sales tax,” Mayor Bernie Chamberlain said. “I’ve even had […]

TOP STORY > >Manhole contaminates creek

By JOAN MCCOYLeader staff writerThe rain that fell last week had sewer water spewing from a manhole beside a ditch where children play in the Cabot park on Richie Road, but that problem was remedied by cleaning grease from the sewer line.To keep down such problems, Cabot WaterWorks has stepped up its inspection program for restaurants and is requiring that […]

TOP STORY > >Airman’s efforts earn Bronze Star

MSgt. Mark Evans of Little Rock Air Force Base received a Bronze Star at the base Tuesday for distinguishing himself with his achievements in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Evans, a member of 314th Security Forces Squadron Antiterrorism and Force Protection NCOIC, led in thwarting three separate mortar and rocket attacks at Camp Bucca in southern Iraq as a battle noncommissioned officer […]

TOP STORY > >Firefighters help victims

By RAY BENTONLeader managing editorThe South Bend Fire Department near Furlow spearheaded a relief effort for the demolished Highland Fire Department that was destroyed in last week’s tornadoes.Six fire departments from central Arkansas donated more than $2,400 in cash and about $25,000 worth of equipment to fire departments in Highland and Ash Flat in north Arkansas. The group delivered the […]

TOP STORY > >Sheriff’s jail plan gets key backing

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerPulaski County has a jail plan, or at least it will if the entire quorum court approves the proposal presented by Sheriff Doc Holladay on Tuesday morning and endorsed by the county’s ways and means committee.Relatively modest compared to the proposed sales tax increase for the jail which voters overwhelmingly rejected in 2006, part if […]