By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff writer The Pulaski County Special School District had a first day total of 16,403 students Monday, almost 200 less than it educated two years ago. But enrollment in several Sherwood schools was hundreds more than that of their Jacksonville counterparts. The district didn’t do a first-day count last year because of online-school issues, said Deborah […]

Sometimes Sen. John Boozman talks like the reasonable and sensible man that he seems to be in manner and personal conversation. Take his remarks this week about taxes and deficits. Boozman acknowledged that the massive U. S. budget deficits cannot be closed by cutting spending alone but that the solution must include some revenues. That is what President Obama has […]

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer Lonoke County officials, civic leaders and residents went inside the new $6.2 million Lonoke County Sheriff Detention Center without being arrested first during a ribbon-cutting and tour of the facility Tuesday. The sheriff’s office will move 70 inmates into the state-of-the art, highly secure detention center today. Circuit Court Judge Sandy Huckabee will be […]

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer The Cabot School District’s first day of school went smoothly as students returned to classes Monday. Enrollment is projected to increase over the next week as more students go back to school. The school district has 10,260 students enrolled this year, an increase of 200. Last year, 10,068 students were enrolled at the end […]

By CHRISTY HENDRICKS Leader staff writer Roller derby, mostly known for its reputation of tough women, fights and fishnets, may be the fastest growing sport around. As of Tuesday morning, there are 1,017 amateur roller derby leagues in the world, according to www.derbyroster.com. Jacksonville happens to be home to one of those leagues, Girls Rollin’ in the South. Saturday, the […]

By JASON KING Leader sports writer Attacking fast is the strategy for the Beebe Lady Badgers under new coach Ashley Camp. Camp is trying to instill a killer instinct into her club, and with a mix of sophomores and seniors that is nearly split down the middle, the results have been as expected. “Overall, I’m seeing progress,” Camp said. “We’ve […]

By JASON KING Leader sports writer Physical bodies and overactive minds have led to mixed results for the Sylvan Hills Bears halfway through fall football camp. The Bears are abundant with young talent, and with the addition of a few late arrivals with the start of the school year on Monday, a core of potential depth is forming for head […]

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor It’s only two years old, but the Cabot BMX Complex has become one of the most popular bicycle tracks in the country. The track hosts races every Tuesday and Saturday night throughout the year, and has become so popular, it has been selected to host the 2011 Arkansas State Championship Finals in October. On […]

Story by RAY BENTON The hardships of three deployments have given way to happier times for longtime Sylvan Hills coach Harold Treadway You have to travel through the valleys to stand on the mountain tops. It’s an old adage, but it well describes veteran coach and teacher Harold Treadway. Now in his 14th year as head volleyball coach at Sylvan […]