EDITORIAL >> Boozman’s pork, perks

For the first time in many years — well, probably ever — the Republican Party will provide Arkansas voters and observers this spring the one illuminating and exciting primary campaign. The Republican race for the U.S. Senate nomination at least offers the prospect.Unless something happened overnight, U.S. Rep. John Boozman will enter that race today, joining a field that already […]

TOP STORY >> City purchases alert system to help save lives

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerThe Jacksonville City Council agreed Thursday night to spend up to $22,500 for a computerized system that will call residents in cases of emergencies, alerts and even more mundane news like a change in the garbage schedule.Cabot has been using the rapid emergency-communication system known as CodeRED for about six months, and Mayor Eddie Jo Williams […]

TOP STORY >> Lawmakers heading back to work

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerSen. Bobby Glover (D-Carlisle) is no fan of the historic legislative financial session that will get under way Monday, but Glover, who is ineligible to run again because of term limits, will be there to begin his last session.The General Assembly is expected to consider two pieces of business, both at least loosely fitting into […]

TOP STORY >> Ex-chief to get 15 years after his guilty plea

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerFormer Lonoke Police Chief Ronald Jay Campbell entered a negotiated plea of no contest to four felonies before Lonoke Circuit Judge Barbara Elmore on Friday. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with credit for about 36 months already served.Campbell faced 17 charges, according to Lonoke County Prosecutor Will Feland. His pleas were to […]

TOP STORY >> Lockup shovel-ready

By JEFFREY SMITHLeader staff writerCounty officials ceremonially turned the first shovels of dirt for a new $6 million, 134-bed Lonoke County Detention Center on Wednesday.The morning was chilly but the ground was sufficiently thawed for the warmly received reception for the long-overdue lockup, located at the end of Dee Dee Lane in the Lonoke Industrial Park behind McDonald’s restaurant.Sheriff Jim […]

SPORTS >> Falcons keep eye on Bryant

A dream season for North Pulaski has turned into more of a watch-and-wait.Senior forward Daquan Bryant, a first-team all-conference selection the past two years and the leading rebounder for the Falcons, injured his knee at a recent practice and will be out for at least two weeks.“He sprained his knee in practice,” North Pulaski coach Ray Cooper said. “He’s a […]

SPORTS >> Girls seize first victory for Beebe

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterBuilding an early lead was the easy part for Beebe, but the Lady Badgers struggled to put irksome North Pulaski away in the final minutes of their 46-35 victory Tuesday.But a wide-open shot by post player Shelbie Thomas with 1:01 left to play put the Lady Badgers ahead by 10 following a late push by the Lady […]

SPORTS >> Angels, Travelers can boast continuity from top to bottom

By TODD TRAUBLeader sports editorTalk about continuity.Not only are the Los Angeles Angels returning Bobby Magallanes to the Arkansas Travelers as manager for a fourth straight season, they have retained the field staffs of every team in their minor league system.Call it happiness with the Angels’ performance last year — Los Angeles reached the American League Championship Series before losing […]

SPORTS >> Owls take shot, hit more

By TODD TRAUBLeader sports editorAbundant Life used its entire roster, including junior varsity players, and 11 of the 15 scored in the Owls’ 77-51 home victory over Little Rock Lutheran on Tuesday.But Lutheran was not without its highlights.Abundant Life was on its way to a 41-18 halftime lead when Little Rock Lutheran guard Lake Hollowell fired a one-handed, baseball throw […]

SPORTS >> North Pulaski presses, pulls away

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterThe 73-45 final score was a result of North Pulaski coach Raymond Cooper calling off the dogs very early in the second half.Because up to that point, Cooper’s Falcons had dominated Beebe in every aspect of the game on their way to a 34-7 lead after one quarter and a 53-16 lead at halftime.The Falcons (15-4, 7-0 […]