EDITORIAL >>Bonanza for the ‘haves’

A propaganda film produced by Chesapeake Energy and shown on all the television channels in Arkansas tells a fetching story about the wealth that the gas exploration in the Fayetteville shale is spreading across the Arkansas countryside. It is the nature of things that the biggest beneficiaries are those who already are amply rewarded, but the film doesn’t tell you […]

TOP STORY > >Towns keeping bugs in check

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerSo far this summer, mosquitoes have not been a big problem in Jacksonville, at least. City hall has not been getting phone calls, as in years past, from residents asking for stepped-up efforts to control the pests. The city’s diligent efforts to spray for mosquitoes and drain areas of standing water, as well as the lack […]

TOP STORY > >Base readies for air show

Little Rock Air Force Base’s open house is set for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19 and is open to the public. The Navy’s premier aerial-demonstration team, the Blue Angels, will highlight this year’s show, which boasts a “combat airlift” theme. Also performing at the open house will be the Army’s top parachute team, The Golden Knights. The T-28 […]

TOP STORY > >Cabot fire station spurs controversy

By JOAN McCOYLeader staff writerLast Saturday morning’s budget meeting of Cabot city officials where almost all the discussion centered on the accomplishments of the past year and plans for the next turned sour temporarily when council members could not find out where a new fire station might be built. The four council members who attended the meeting were receptive to […]

TOP STORY > >Free bus rides on Thursday

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerCentral Arkansas Transit Authority is offering free rides on Thursday, part of a promotion to increase ridership and reduce ozone levels.That’s “Ride the Bus to Work Free Day,” although it’s free to all riders, not just those going to or from work, according to Betty Wineland, director of the Central Arkansas Transit Authority. The Jacksonville-Sherwood […]

TOP STORY > >Controlling mosquitoes key to prevent illnesses

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerTwo human cases of West Nile virus in Jefferson County have been confirmed by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). The ADH has also confirmed one case of St. Louis encephalitis, another disease transmitted by mosquitoes.State Health Department officials are advising that prevention is the best remedy for this sometimes fatal illness.“People need to be taking […]

TOP STORY > >Freshmen Academy to rein in Dropouts

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerFresh off an encouraging pilot program, the Pulaski County Special School District will implement a freshmen academy this year aimed at reducing the number of dropouts and discipline problems in all its high schools, according to Beverly Ruthven, deputy superintendent.The pilot program was deemed successful last year at Oak Grove High School, and this year […]

TOP STORY > >Advisers hired for charter schools

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerTwo educational consultants have partnered in an effort to bring a charter school to Jacksonville. Their effort is one of two underway to win approval from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) to establish an open-enrollment charter school in fall 2009. Dave Sanders of Maumelle and Buster Lackey of Sherwood have filed a letter of intent […]