EDITORIAL >> Mike Wilson (Revisited)

When Jacksonville’s own windmill tilter, Mike Wilson, sued the state four years ago to stop the legislature and the governor from violating the state Constitution’s ban on local and special legislation and from abusing the taxpayers excessively, he could not have known the mess he would cause. Judging by the legislature’s efforts this spring to get around the sanctions caused […]

TOP STORY >> Airstrip had a key role in WWI

By CHRISTY HENDRICKSLeader staff writerAcross from the Lonoke Cemetery is the Lonoke Golf Course, but before it was a golf course, it was Eberts Field, which served as an aviation-training field during World War I. Lonoke County managed to outbid Pulaski County, offering rent-free 960 acres with a railroad spur connecting the field to Rock Island Railroad track. The U.S. […]

TOP STORY >> PCSSD sees tax boost as way to fund two schools

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerPulaski County Special School District will rely upon increased revenues from increased property assessments resulting in higher taxes to help pay off an $81 million second-lien construction bond if the state Board of Education authorizes the sale of that bond at its May meeting.The PCSSD board made the decision in a special session Tuesday.The bond […]

TOP STORY >> Flood problems reported in area after downpour

By JEFFREY SMITH and JOAN McCOYLeader staff writersHeavy rains Monday night flooded Cabot homes and created other flooding problems in White and Lonoke counties. More damage may occur this week. The forecast calls for at least a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms through Saturday, leading to more possible flooding. “About half the county is flooded,” Lonoke County Judge Charlie Troutman […]

TOP STORY >> Golf course best use of the land, park study says

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerMore than 150 people crowded into the Sherwood council chamber to hear representatives from ETC Engineering explain their plan for the city’s 16 parks.Even though the audience made suggestions to improve many of the park plans and ideas, the vast majority were there to hear about park number 16—the 106-acre North Hills Golf Course property.The city […]

TOP STORY >> State readies for swine flu

By JOAN McCOYLeader staff writerThousands of students in area school districts will go home this week with a copy of a press release from the Arkansas Department of Health urging the public and physicians to be on the lookout for the swine flu that has killed people in Mexico.The release went out Sun-day. At that time, 20 Americans in five […]