By JOAN McCOYLeader staff writerConstruction of the Lonoke-White water project this year using economic-stimulus money is far from a done deal. To be financially feasible, all the players, especially the larger ones, must be willing to participate at a high enough level to repay construction loans. Cabot, the biggest player in Lonoke County, doesn’t need the water except as a […]

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerWith a new high school in Maumelle nearly ready to go to bid, the Pulaski County Special School District still doesn’t know if it will have the money to pay for it.The district expects to finance the high school, currently estimated at $65 million plus $8 million for outdoor sports facilities, from the proceeds of […]

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerThe Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School board at a special meeting on Thursday elected Keri Urquhart, wife of mayoral candidate Jody Urquhart, its new president. She was elected after former parks director George Biggs resigned following public disclosure of his felony conviction in the shooting death of a man in 1990, as well as his involvement in […]

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerThe city of Jacksonville is looking into retroactive background checks on its current employees after parks director George Biggs resigned on Tuesday. City officials learned that he served prison time for the shooting death of a man in 1990 and had been involved in an extramarital affair, sometimes during work hours, from 2007 to January 2009. […]

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerJacksonville City Council by an 8-1 vote Thursday night approved a 56 percent hike in the city water rates, which will raise the average monthly bill from $25.12 to $39.15 by 2012.The rate hike goes into effect immediately — 13 percent this year, another 13 percent in 2010, 13 percent again in 2011 and 8 percent […]

If the state Board of Education were a subprime lender, then Pulaski County Special School District’s slapdash application to float an $81 million bond would be the equivalent of a “stated income loan.” The money would be used to build a new high school in Maumelle and a new Sylvan Hills middle school.The state board voted the application down 3-4 […]

By KELLY FENTONLeader sports editorJONESBORO — Despite having its 12-game winning streak come to an end, the Jacksonville baseball team was able to bounce back to pick up a crucial win and a split of a doubleheader with Jonesboro on Wednesday.After falling 6-3 in the opener, the Red Devils received an outstanding performance from pitcher Seth Tomboli in winning the […]

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterIt was quick work for Jacksonville softball on Tuesday. The Lady Red Devils posted 10 runs in the first two innings on their way to a 13-0 blowout win over Little Rock Parkview at Dupree Park.The Lady Red Devils improved to 9-6 overall and 6-4 in the 6A-East.Junior starting pitcher Jessica Lanier saw only two innings at […]

By KELLY FENTONLeader sports editorA few timely hits, some great defense, a little luck and two outstanding pitching performances have the Cabot Panthers back from the edge of extinction.Cole Nicholson and Andrew Reynolds pitched lights out on Tuesday and Thursday nights as Cabot bounced back from a three-game losing streak to post critical wins over North Little Rock on Tuesday […]