TOP STORY >> New records from Thelonious Monk, Rosanne Cash

By GARRICK FELDMAN Leader editor Alfred Lion, a refugee from Nazi Germany, founded Blue Note Records in New York on Jan. 6, 1939, when he recorded the boogie-woogie pianists Albert Ammons and Meade (Lux) Lewis after hearing them at the historic “From Spirituals to Swing” concert at Carnegie Hall in New York the month before. Lion, along with his business […]

TOP STORY >> Graham road work nears end

By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff writer It is hard to believe that Graham Road was just two lanes about 18 months ago, City Engineer Jay Whisker told the Jacksonville City Council on Jan. 2. He presented a brief update on road projects during the agenda meeting. For decades, the city’s street plan and other area maps have shown a four-lane […]

TOP STORY >> Saluting unsung heroes of 2013

Compiled by RICK KRON Leader staff writer Yes, police, firefighters and military members constantly put their lives on the line, but so do everyday citizens. In 2013, The Leader documented numerous events where regular John Q. Public stepped up without regard to life or stepped out to do something wonderful for others. Who are these people? A grandmother, teenagers, junior […]

EDITORIAL >> Darr resigns amid scandal

Beebe should ignore vacancy and save taxpayers’ money Three days after vowing not to quit, Mark Darr resigned yesterday evening as Arkansas’ lieutenant governor, effective, he said, on Feb. 1. It was abrupt but predictable. Republican legislative leaders told him he had no choice because many of them would have to join Democrats and impeach him and that his chances […]