TOP STORY >> He talked his way free until murders

By JOAN McCOY Leader staff writer Is it fair to suggest that parolee James Michael Davis, 37, who is accused of killing two people from the Cabot area on Dec. 23, slipped through the cracks of law enforcement and the prison system and could have been in jail that evening instead of at the home of people he is accused […]

TOP STORY >> Benefit will help build arts center

By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff writer Jacksonville’s many talented performers and artists will show off their stuff Friday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, “The Year of the Dragon,” and raise money for a new Jacksonville arts center, which could be housed at the closed Jacksonville Elementary School. The city is trying to work out a lease agreement with the […]

TOP STORY >> Teacher with gun arrested

By RICK KRON Leader staff writer A Jacksonville High School English teacher was arrested Tuesday morning when she inadvertently brought a pistol to school in her purse and a student stole it. The student who took the gun was quickly apprehended and no one was injured. This is the second gun incident at the school in less than two years. […]

EDITORIAL >> Governors a lot alike

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour are such good friends, you have to wonder if they ever got together before they pardoned dozens of killers, rapists and murderers and other violent criminals. Huckabee and Barbour are the heavyweight champions when it comes to pardons and commutations. No other governors come close. Huckabee issued clemencies to […]

SPORTS >> Comeback falls short for Cabot’s girls at NLR

By JASON KING Leader sportswriter The battle for early supremacy in the 7A Central Conference was a physical one as North Little Rock outlasted Cabot’s best shot in the final minute to win 44-39 at Charging Wildcat Arena on Friday. The Lady Charging Wildcats (14-2, 3-0) built a 36-27 lead by the 5:35 mark of the fourth quarter only to […]

SPORTS >> Falcons break through with league victory

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The North Pulaski Falcons finally broke their losing streak on Friday, picking up a conference victory at home against Crossett, 69-56. The Falcons won their season opener by a huge margin over Pulaski Robinson, but had lost 13 in a row, including three overtime games and several other close calls. Finally getting over the […]

SPORTS >> JHS girls run past Lions for East win

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The Jacksonville Lady Red Devils got in the win column in conference play on Tuesday with a decisive 72-36 victory over the Searcy Lady Lions. The Lady Red Devils enjoyed one of their best shooting performances of the season, and were able to force several Searcy turnovers in the mercy-rule victory. “Defensively, I thought […]

SPORTS >> Red Devils pummel Searcy

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor Jacksonville coach Victor Joyner has battled his team’s lack of intensity most of the season. It appeared his message finally got across after a conference opening loss to Hall when his team pounded undefeated and nationally ranked Parkview. What he saw in the next game wasn’t a lack of intensity, but more like downright […]