Arkansas voters for the first time are offered a relatively clean proposition to start a state lottery, and it is very likely that they will take it. Polls for years have shown that most people, if not a large majority, would like to have a lottery, and the proposal pushed by Lt. Gov. Bill Halter would authorize a lottery without […]

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerWith a unanimous vote Monday night Sherwood became $660,000 richer.As soon as the city council approved an ordinance putting an end to the lawsuit between Sherwood and North Little Rock over who could provide Sherwood with electricity, city attorney Stephen Cobb presented the council with a $660,000 check from North Little Rock as part of the […]

By JOAN McCOYLeader staff writerCabot Alderman Becky Lemaster has cleaned up her auto body shop at 2016 S. Second St. and will not have to pay the $400 fine attached to the citation for keeping a premise that was unsightly and unsanitary.Larry Jegley, the Pulaski County prosecutor who was assigned to the case after Cabot City Attorney Jim Taylor recused, […]

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerSo uncertain is the state of the economy, gas and oil prices and consequently highway and other funding that the Metroplan board of directors Thursday voted to discontinue work on METRO 2035, a new long-range transportation plan, choosing instead to update the exiting long-range transportation plan, METRO 2030.As the metropolitan planning agency for central Arkansas, […]

By GARRICK FELDMANPublisherJacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim will present a $5 million check during a luncheon Friday at Little Rock Air Force Base as the city’s share of the cost of a new joint education center to be built near the front gate at the base. The Air Force is paying $9.8 million as its share of the $14.8 million project, […]

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerNorth Metro Medical Center is nearing a deal that would ensure the continuation of essential medical services to Jacksonville and surrounding communities.Today the hospital board of directors will possibly solidify terms of a long-term lease agreement with Allegiance Health Management, a Shreveport-based firm that specializes in rural health care. Negotiations in recent weeks have centered on […]

By KELLY FENTONLeader sports editorTaylor Pennington had just hauled in a pass to rally the Sylvan Hills Bears to within three points of first-place Monticello last Friday night when the bottom fell out.Twelve seconds later, the Billies had re-established a comfortable margin after Grishen Mathews returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards and the Bears never recovered in a 36-20 loss […]

By KELLY FENTONLeader sports editorLast Friday against Little Rock Parkview, it was missed opportunities. This Friday, when Jacksonville hosts top-ranked West Memphis, it may be a matter of just trying to find opportunities.The 7-0-1 Blue Devils, 5-0 in the 6A-East, have received only one challenge all season, when West Helena played them to a 14-14 tie. There has been no […]