EDITORIAL >> Blanche goes after Wall St.

When was it ever so necessary that a politician show that he or she can stand up to Wall Street and the financial industry? Not since 1929 and probably not even then. But Democrats and, yes, even Republicans are accusing the other party of being soft on the bankers and the other profiteers who rigged complex financial schemes that nearly […]

TOP STORY >> Lonoke forum draws crowd

Congressional candidates at a forum at the Lonoke Community Center.By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerBilled as a debate, but actually a forum, eight hopefuls seeking to replace retiring First District Rep. Marion Berry each answered eight questions asked by moderator Roby Brock, host of Talk Business, at the Lonoke Community Center Thursday night.About 100 people, including the 50-person Lonoke County […]

TOP STORY >> Base teacher in abuse case investigated

By NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writerThere is no deadline for the investigation to end into allegations of abuse by a first-grade teacher at Arnold Drive Elementary School, say Pulaski County Special School District officials.The school is located on Little Rock Air Force Base.“It really just depends on the process for both the investigation and what could happen afterwards,” said Deb Roush, […]

TOP STORY >> PCSSD lags, although it is spending much more

By RICK KRONLeader staff writerThis is the second in a series of three articles focusing on the 2009 Arkansas School Performance Report Card.Pulaski County Special School District, which includes Sherwood and Jacksonville schools, has higher teacher salaries and spends more per student than the state average, but nine of its schools are in severe academic trouble. Four of those nine […]

TOP STORY >> Old farm to be dump site

By JOHN HOFHEIMERLeader senior staff writerOn recommendation of its hearing officer, the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission on Friday approved—with minor changes—the application for a former farm on the Lonoke County-Prairie County line to serve as a disposal site for water and chemicals pumped and transported from gas wells in the Fayetteville Shale.Prairie County Land Farm LLC is now authorized […]

TOP STORY >> How can you learn here?

Handwashing station at Jacksonville High School is unsightly and out of order.By JEFFREY SMITH AND NANCY DOCKTERLeader staff writersBroken chairs, missing floor tiles and dingy bathrooms greet Jacksonville High School students each class day.Jacksonville High senior Nick Stevens said, “If the school had been maintained, we would have no right to complain. Many of us live in houses built in […]

SPORTS >> Lady Devils young, but still contenders

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterThe Jacksonville Lady Red Devils are on track to grab the No. 6 seed out of the 6A-East Conference despite losses to Jonesboro last Friday and Searcy on Tuesday.Jacksonville lost the first game of a doubleheader with Jonesboro 5-1 and dropped the nightcap 4-1. The Lady Red Devils played host to Searcy at Dupree Park on Tuesday […]

SPORTS >> Bates shows clout, joins Razorbacks

By TODD TRAUBLeader sports editorFormer Cabot Panthers shortstop Sam Bates is going to be a Razorback.Bates, who graduated two years ago, has signed out of Crowder Junior College to play for Arkansas and coach Dave Van Horn.“We’re just tickled about that,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch said.Bates, who throws right-handed and bats left, will be the first of Fitch’s former players […]

SPORTS >> Tourney bound, Falcons soccer drops two

By JASON KINGLeader sportswriterLittle Rock Central and Little Rock Parkview beat the North Pulaski soccer teams in a pair of non-conference matches Thursday at Falcon Stadium.The Lady Falcons (3-7) avoided a shutout with a last-minute goal in a 5-1 loss to Central, while the Falcons (6-9) lost 2-1 to Parkview.Both Falcons teams have qualified for the 5A state tournament, which […]

SPORTS >> 7A-Central race stays jumbled, Cabot in hunt

By TODD TRAUBLeader sports editorWhat a mess.The 7A-Central Conference is having a hard time sorting itself out, and the high school baseball season isn’t getting any younger. Entering Thursday, six of the eight teams were either 4-5 or 5-4, including Cabot, at 4-5 after Tuesday’s loss at Conway.“Boy it’s a wild one isn’t it?” Cabot coach Jay Fitch said after […]