Incomplete election results from area races

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TOP STORY > >Unexpected blowout as nation veers to left

By GARRICK FELDMANLeader editor-in-chiefThe election of Barack Obama as president is as dramatic as the election of Ronald Reagan a generation ago. But the shift to the left is much more dramatic than anyone of us expected. With the Democrats taking the White House and holding a clear majority in Congress, expect more spending on the domestic front and cutbacks […]

TOP STORY > >Jacksonville gets a charter school, but not another

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerThe state Board of Education commissioners on Monday approved one application for an open- enrollment charter school to open in Jacksonville, but denied a second proposal that would have given the community two open-enrollment charter schools next fall.The board gave its unanimous approval for Jacksonville Lighthouse Academy, but then unanimously rejected the application for Jacksonville Charter […]

TOP STORY > >Schools warned: Improve scores

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerSylvan Hills Middle School in Sherwood has entered its sixth year of being on the state’s infamous School Improvement List. North Pulaski and Jack-sonville high schools are entering their fifth year.In the recently released list of 375 schools across the state that need improvement based on the 2008 Benchmark Exam, 24 area schools are on the […]

TOP STORY > >Inmates could still build jail

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerLonoke County Judge Charlie Troutman and JP Larry Odom have joined Sheriff Jim Roberson in saying the new county jail can be built despite the loss of the Act 309 state trustee program.Modeled on the jail and construction program designed by Dallas County Sheriff Donny Ford, officials, including those three had told residents that state […]

TOP STORY > >All ballot initiatives pass

Arkansas voters on Tuesday approved all the ballot initiatives, including Act 1, which would prevent unmarried couples from adopting children or serve as their custodial parents. Voters have also approved a measure creating a statewide lottery for Arkansas, overturning a ban set in the state’s constitution since 1874. Amendment 2 was also passed, requiring the legislature to meet in regular […]

TOP STORY > >Roberson re-elected, Lemaster in runoff

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerWith all ballots counted in Lonoke County, it looks like former Cabot Mayor Mickey “Stubby” Stumbaugh lost his bid to get back into city politics, embattled Alderman Becky Lemaster is forced into a possible run-off and Lonoke County Sheriff Jim Roberson is re-elected. Incumbent Tom Armstrong pushed past Stumbaugh for the Ward 3, Position 1 […]

TOP STORY > >Villines, English,Holladay Winners

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerLongtime Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines gets another term, Sheriff Doc Holladay gets to wear the badge for another round and the Sherwood City Council will see one new face.With 100 percent of the Pulaski County vote counted Tuesday night, Democrat Villines bested Republican Phil Wyrick 89,700 votes, or 59 percent, to 62,588, or 41 percent. […]

EDITORIAL >>How Obama won Tuesday

It is not often that an election can be called earthshaking — 1860 and 1932 come to mind — but if you voted on Nov. 4, 2008, you participated in one. History will have to judge one day what it meant after its impact has been measured over years, but even in the angst-ridden hours after the polls’ closing it […]

SPORTS>>Home, sweet home on line

By KELLY FENTONLeader sports editorIt’s really pretty simple. The difference between a win and a loss between Beebe and Sylvan Hills this Thursday night at “Bro” Erwin Stadium is the difference between a first-round home game against Blytheville in the 5A playoffs and a long bus ride to take on either one-loss Batesville or one-loss West Helena.“Our goal all season […]