EDITORIAL >> Our air base safe, secure

Little Rock Air Force Base officials went into high alert last week when they received a report of a suspicious person on base. Fortunately, it was a false alarm. But, even if there had been just a 1 percent chance of a maniac loose, the authorities had no choice but to close the base for several hours. The incident occurred […]

TOP STORY >> Ruth Couch, Beebe educator, dies at 77

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer The prim and proper Ruth Couch, 77, of Beebe passed away at her home on Saturday. Couch spoke eloquently and had a great sense humor. She was a college professor, a chamber director, a writer and a giver. Couch was born Sept. 23, 1936, in Magnolia. She was the daughter of Ben and Zettie […]

TOP STORY >> Sherwood backs jail plan

By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff writer The Sherwood City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to approve a new five-year, interlocal agreement that will support the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. The city will pay $133,000 for the jail next year. The agreement offered to Sherwood, Jacksonville, North Little Rock, Little Rock and Maumelle proposes a 5 percent increase in […]

TOP STORY >> Many pupils here excel on test

By RICK KRON Leader staff writer All the third graders at Stagecoach Elementary in Cabot scored proficient or advanced on the math portion of the state-mandated Benchmark exams given to third through eighth graders in April. Those same third graders also blew past the state average in literacy with 93 percent of them scoring proficient or advanced. Mountain Springs, Magness […]

SPORTS STORY >> Bielema believes Hogs on schedule

By NATE ALLEN FAYETTEVILLE – Assessments off the Arkansas Razorbacks’ prospects for 2014 coming off their 3-9 overall/0-8 in the SEC 2013 season often intersect at these conclusions. No. 1: The Razorbacks may prove significantly improved in coach Bret Bielema’s second year than they were for his first. No. 2: Even markedly significant improvement still may not reflect much, if […]

SPORTS STORY >> Charges will likely be dropped against Phoenix’s Goodwin

By RAY BENTON  Leader sports editor Charges are likely to be dropped against Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin, who was arrested on May 4 for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest outside a skating rink in Little Rock. Goodwin, 19, who was a prize basketball recruit from Sylvan Hills and starting guard for the Kentucky Wildcats, was booked in Sherwood and […]

SPORTS STORY >> Gwatney out in two at state

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor Jacksonville’s Gwatney Chevrolet Senior American Legion team was the first team eliminated from the state tournament in Bryant, losing its first two games 9-3 to Mountain Home and 6-2 to Cabot. In game one on Saturday morning, starting pitcher Derek St. Clair struggled out of the gate. Mountain Home-Locker Room’s first five batters reached […]

SPORTS STORY >> Comeback doesn’t hold

By RAY BENTON  Leader sports editor The Cabot-Centennial Bank senior American Legion team’s season came to an end in the third round of the state tournament in Bryant on Monday, but not until it had taken Jonesboro to 12 innings in the most exciting and eventful game of the tournament. The Ricemen won it 9-8 on a two-out, RBI double […]