EDITORIAL >>Federalizing Exchanges

Our history affords few better examples of low politics subverting the public interest than the successful Republican drive to force 200,000 Arkansans to buy their health insurance through a federally regulated market rather than one set up for them in Arkansas. It will require people almost certainly to buy more expensive insurance than they could get from an Arkansas exchange […]

TOP STORY > >Circus in Cabot at Southside Elementary

A one-ring circus is coming to Cabot’s Southside Elementary on Wednesday, with shows at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 to 11 years old. Buy them now at Days Inn and all First Security Bank locations. The event is a fundraiser for Cabot Rotary Club. Cabot Fire Chief Phil Robinson, […]

TOP STORY > >Liquor-store feud continues

By JOAN McCOY Leader staff writer The lawyer for Donald Sears—the owner of the large liquor store now under construction on T.P. White Drive just over the line that separates Cabot from Pulaski County —has asked Circuit Judge Mary S. McGowan, 9th Division, 6th Circuit, to dismiss the lawsuit against his client that was filed in November by the owner […]

TOP STORY > >Ward to sell bonds to improve sewers

By JOAN McCOY Leader staff writer The Ward City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night for a $5 million bond issue that will combine the 2005 and 2009 bond issues and also provide $750,000 for upgrades at the sewer- treatment plant to keep it in compliance with state regulations. The bonds are supported by revenue from the water and sewer departments. […]

TOP STORY > >PCSSD: A state takeover unfair

By JOHN HOFHEMIER Leader senior staff writer Three new Jacksonville schools and the rest of the proposed $104 million Pulaski County Special School District construction are threatened by the sudden and unexpected notice from the state Board of Education on Wednesday that the district may be back in fiscal distress. PCSSD officials say they are confident that they will be […]

TOP STORY > >Pen pal visits Warren Dupree

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer Europe became closer for youngsters at Warren Dupree Elementary as a German pen pal made a visit to the school this week. School principal Janice Walker, who is also command sergeant major of the Army Reserve’s 489th Engineer Bat-talion based at Camp Robinson, invited Lt. Col. Wolfgang Geiss of the German armed forces to […]

SPORTS>>National invite goes to Jackson

By JASON KING Leader sportswriter Jacksonville sophomore guard Jessica Jackson has been invited to participate in the USA Basketball 16-Under National Team Trials on May 26-30 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Col. If selected, Jackson will train for the 2011 FIBA Americas 16-Under Championship in Merida, Mexico, June 13-18. The FIBA Americas Championship is a bi-annual […]

SPORTS>>UALR ends losing skid, beats UCA

By JOE ANGOLIA UALR Sports Information UALR baseball snapped a four-game losing streak with an 8-3 non-conference victory over Central Arkansas on Wednesday night at Bear Stadium in Conway. UALR starter Dillon Wilson limited UCA to four hits and two runs over 4 1/3 innings, and senior John Maler held the Bears to two hits over 3 2/3 scoreless innings […]

SPORTS>>Roberts, Panthers look like good fit

By TODD TRAUB Leader sports editor Why is Steve Roberts following me around? Of course may-be Roberts, soon to be Cabot’s new athletic director, is wondering the same thing about me. On Monday, the Cabot School Board confirmed Roberts, most recently football coach at Arkansas State, as the school’s new athletic director. Roberts, 46, will replace Johnny White officially on […]

SPORTS>>Bears head list of all-state players

By JASON KING Leader sportswriter Twenty-one area players from nine different schools were named to the Arkansas Activities Association all-state basketball rosters released Wednesday. Local schools had 14 players named to the state all-tournament teams. Sylvan Hills landed the most with four, including three from the 5A state runner-up Bears. Top national college recruit Archie Goodwin and junior classmates Dion […]