SPORTS STORY >> Norths tough on Cabot in 7A-Central volleyball

By ANN THARP  Special to The Leader The Lady Panther volleyball team’s two-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday with a heartbreaking 3-2 home loss to Fort Smith Northside in a 7A-Central matchup. Senior hitter Maddie Brown shined in the match, but the Lady Panthers couldn’t take advantage of the momentum gained in a dominant game four, and dropped […]

SPORTS STORY >> Beebe’s fumble late lifts Warriors

By ANN THARP  Special to The Leader A fumble returned for a touchdown by the Little Rock Christian Warriors proved to be the difference in Friday’s 44-33 victory over Beebe Friday at Bro Irwin Stadium. It was Beebe’s only turnover, but the 14-point swing was more than the Badgers could overcome. Beebe also suffered several injuries. Neither of the two […]

SPORTS STORY >> Panthers pull away in fourth

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The Catholic Rockets came with an obvious defensive game plan, and it took Cabot just a little while to figure it out. Once it did, it took control and rolled to a 35-10 victory in the 7A-Central Conference opener Friday at Panther Stadium. “Well, we didn’t know what they were going to line up […]

SPORTS STORY >> Bear defense shuts down LR McClellan

By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor The Sylvan Hills Bears won a huge conference opener Friday at Blackwood Field in Sherwood. Other than a few mishaps, the Bears dominated the defending state runner up McClellan Lions en route to a 41-20 win in an early but crucial 5A-Central matchup. “That was the biggest win we’ve had in a while,” said […]

TOP STORY >> Cabot Lions start fundraiser

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer Motivational youth speaker Tom Thelen of Michigan brought his bullying-prevention program to Cabot’s students in fifth through 12th grades and their parents on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thelen is the author of “Victimproof,” a book about bullying in school and how to try and prevent it. As a student, Thelen was bullied and he spoke […]

TOP STORY >> Bully prevention in Cabot

By JEFFREY SMITH  Leader staff writer Motivational youth speaker Tom Thelen of Michigan brought his bullying-prevention program to Cabot’s students in fifth through 12th grades and their parents on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thelen is the author of “Victimproof,” a book about bullying in school and how to try and prevent it. As a student, Thelen was bullied and he spoke […]

TOP STORY >> Council aspirant in Beebe quitting

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer Beebe alderman candidate Joe Morgan ended his campaign for a seat on the city council on Tuesday. Morgan was running against Alderman Matt Dugger, who is seeking re-election for the Ward 3, Position 1 in the general election on Nov. 8. Dugger was first elected to the city council in 2014. Dugger and his […]

TOP STORY >> McNally receives six years for fraud

By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer Circuit Court Judge Sandy Huckabee on Friday sentenced former Lonoke County Assessor John (Jack) McNally to six years in prison on several felony charges. A stoic McNally, wearing a tan short-sleeve button-down shirt, was handcuffed at the Lonoke County Courthouse and taken into custody by the state Department of Correction after the ruling and […]

EDITORIAL >> They serve and protect

The recent town hall meetings hosted by police departments in Jacksonville and Lonoke look even more impressive following the fatal police shootings in Tulsa and Charlotte, N.C. The two local police departments hosted town hall meetings at their community centers at the same time on Sept. 8 and reassured residents they’re getting well served while their rights are being protected. […]