EDITORIAL >> A big win for district

Jacksonville-area residents voted Tuesday to raise their property taxes to benefit their new school district, showing once again their commitment to improving the quality of education and building new campuses, something the Pulaski County Special School District refused to do for decades. Jacksonville-area residents have proven once again that they will reach into their own pockets to benefit their kids […]

TOP STORY >> Peacock gets Pinnacle award

By RICK KRON Leader staff writer Longtime realtor and businessman Jim Peacock received the Pinnacle Award at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on Friday night. Larry Wilson honored Peacock in front of about 200 people. “This award is not an annual award and in fact it is rarely given by the chamber,” Wilson told the crowd. “But Jim […]

TOP STORY >> Challenger runs against Williams

By SARAH CAMPBELL  Leader staff writer Dist. 29 Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot) is being challenged in his re-election bid by Republican R.D. Hopper, a Lonoke County justice of the peace. Early voting for the March 1 primary will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Both attended a meet-and-greet hosted by the Ward Chamber of Commerce on Friday. Williams said he’d […]

TOP STORY >> Millage overcomes anti-tax opposition

By JOHN HOFHEIMER  Leader senior staff writer The margin of victory—55.1 percent to 44.8 percent—wasn’t as great as supporters expected, but the patrons in the Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District on Tuesday nonetheless approved a 7.6-mill property-tax hike to help fund an $80 million school facilities construction project. The unofficial total, gleaned from results posted at polling place doors—was 2,094 to […]

SPORTS STORY >> Second quarter run gives Jacksonville win

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The last-ever meeting between Jacksonville and North Pulaski was close for a quarter despite a huge foul and free-throw discrepancy, but second-quarter turnovers was the demise of the Falcons as Jacksonville went on to a 63-32 victory Friday day at JHS. After the game, though, the rivalry was symbolically put to rest as players […]

SPORTS STORY >> Lady Devils overcome late rally by Lady Falcons

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The North Pulaski ladies were big underdogs going into the very last meeting ever between the Lady Falcons and crosstown rival Jacksonville Lady Red Devils, but someone forgot to tell the Lady Falcons. In the end, Jacksonville prevailed 41-34 Friday at the Devils’ Den, but not before getting a tough fight from NP. “You […]

SPORTS STORY >> Cabot mounts comeback to beat Wildcats

By GRAHAM POWELL Leader sportswriter Cabot trailed by nine points entering halftime of Friday night’s 7A/6A-East Conference game against North Little Rock at Panther Arena, but the Panthers rallied in the second half, forced overtime and completed the regular-season sweep of the Charging Wildcats with a hard-fought 69-63 win. The Panthers (14-6, 5-3) controlled most of the game in the […]