SPORTS STORY >> Bears’ offense shines Monday

By GRAHAM POWELL Leader sportswriter Sylvan Hills High School held its benefit jamboree with three other teams Monday night at Bill Blackwood Field in Sherwood, and in the Bears’ game, the hosts eked out a 21-20 win over Class 4A Pulaski Robinson. The other two teams were Class 7A Little Rock Catholic and Class 5A Greenbrier. Catholic and Greenbrier played […]

SPORTS STORY >> Jackrabbits host Bison, Hornets in scrimmage

By GRAHAM POWELL Leader sportswriter The Lonoke Jackrabbits played host to Carlisle and Maumelle in a benefit scrimmage Monday night at James B. Abraham Stadium, and even though it was an exhibition, the atmosphere resembled a Friday night regular season game. The format for the scrimmage was the three teams played each other for a half, with normal time-keeping rules. […]

SPORTS STORY >> Panthers cruise in benefit

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The Cabot football coaches took a cautious approach to the Panthers’ complete domination of Lake Hamilton in Monday’s preseason scrimmage at Panther Stadium. In the controlled event where the teams traded 15-play drives regardless of scores or failure to convert first downs, Cabot scored nine touchdowns to zero for the Wolves. Lake Hamilton’s only […]

EDITORIAL >> How Asa can fix it

We must give Gov. Hutchinson credit for searching high and low for a way to bring recalcitrant legislators in his party along for the ride to provide everyone, including the poorest Arkansans, good medical care when they get sick. But as the governor’s own self-imposed deadline for finding a solution approaches, everything he does to salvage medical insurance for some […]

TOP STORY >> Shelter’s needs voiced

By SARAH CAMPBELL Leader staff writer Nicole Begley, executive director of the Lonoke County Safe Haven shelter for domestic violence victims, introduced herself to the Austin City Council on Monday and spoke about the nonprofit’s needs. The shelter’s location is undisclosed to protect its residents. Begley, hired in January to manage the shelter, said the nonprofit “has been doing a […]

TOP STORY >> Comcast told to pay more

By RICK KRON Leader staff writer Who’s trying to skin the city? That’s what Sherwood Mayor Virginia Young wants to know. Is it Comcast or the auditors Sherwood hired to look into the amount Comcast owes the city? The city paid the auditing firm $8,000 to review franchise fees that Comcast might owe the city. Auditors said the firm owed […]

TOP STORY >> Ex-Cabot official in key post

Ryan Benefield, a former Cabot city engineer, will be the next deputy director of the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. He is replacing former deputy director Jonathan Sweeney, who served the agency for 39 years. Executive director Randy Young made the announcement. The commission has a staff of about 90 employees who are responsible for efficient water resource development, conservation and […]

TOP STORY >> Area representatives seeking re-election

Four area legislators have announced they’ll seek another term in the state House of Representatives. Rep. Bob Johnson (D-Jacksonville) is running for a second term in Dist. 42. Rep. Joe Farrer (R-Austin) is seeking re-election in House Dist. 44, which includes parts of Lonoke, Faulkner and White counties. Rep. Tim Lemons (R-Cabot) is seeking re-election in House Dist. 43, which […]