By SARAH CAMPBELL  Leader staff writer The Jacksonville mother accused of killing her toddler, who died in July from ingesting a narcotic usually prescribed to terminally ill patients, was released Friday from the Pulaski County jail on a $100,000 bond. Jessica Rollins, 23, was arrested Tuesday. She is charged with the first-degree murder of 2-year-old Ka’Marion Hughes and introducing a […]

By JOHN HOFHEIMER  Leader senior staff writer Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed SB6, his $100 million middle-class tax-cut bill, into law Friday as Act 22 of 2015. “It was a great day for hardworking Arkansas families,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), who was lead sponsor for the bill. “I’m glad to be part of delivering that tax cut.” […]

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer Second World War veteran William Barnett of Beebe received war medals 73 years after serving in the Army. The 92-year-old was a radio operator with the 32nd Infantry Division. He was in New Guinea and the Philippines helping to inform soldiers where Japanese fighters were coming from. “When I was discharged in 1945, I […]

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor With the high school teams taking a week off, Cabot Red freshmen teams took center stage Thursday, hosting Russellville in the Central Arkansas Junior High Conference matchup at Cabot Junior High South. The ninth-grade Panthers and Lady Panthers picked up a boys’ and girls’ split with the Whirlwinds. The Lady Panthers suffered a 23-18 […]

By RAY BENTON  Leader sports editor Tragic, and unexpected life changes often force people to make important decisions they are not ready to make. Such was the case for Jacksonville senior basketball player Jerika Lynn Hardaway. From the time of her parents divorce at 12-years old, until Oct. 26 of last year, Hardaway’s home life was just she and her […]