Arkansas Leader

08/16/2024

There will be several contested city council races on Nov. 4 in Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock and Ward.

All incumbents and new candidates in Cabot, Lonoke and Austin will run unopposed.

There will be several contested city council races on Nov. 4 in Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock and Ward.  Some longtime city council members did not file for re-election, including Ba... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to request ...

08/16/2024

By early Monday morning, dozens of construction workers were busy working on the interior of the city’s new $4.5 million North Little Rock Fire Department’s (NLRFD) Station 11. Most of the exterior work was finished except the non-bricked sections of the wall.

Rick Albers, North Little Rock Fire Department Assistant Chief, has 34 years on the job. He is touring the city's new $4.5 million facility, Station 11, located on Blaze Drive. (Deborah Horn/Leader ph... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to req...

08/16/2024

Jacksonville is getting a Whataburger.
Jim Moore, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant and the longtime chairman of the Jacksonville Planning Commission, shared the news on Friday during an interview about his campaign for city council.

Jacksonville is getting a Whataburger.  Jim Moore, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant and the longtime chairman of the Jacksonville Planning Commission, shared the news on Friday during a... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to request ...

08/15/2024

Organizers in Sherwood need a few hundred more signatures to ask voters in the Nov. 5 general election to expand liquor sales. The group has to turn in the petition by Sept. 2.

Organizers in Sherwood need a few hundred more signatures to ask voters in the Nov. 5 general election to expand liquor sales.  The group has to turn in the petition by Sept. 2.  If approv... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to request acces...

08/15/2024

BREAKING: Greenlight medical ma*****na dispensary in Little Rock has withdrawn its request to move to Jacksonville, near Cabot city limits, in face of opposition from Rep. Brian Evans, Sen. Ricky Hill, both Republicans from Cabot, and Sherwood Mayor Mary Jo Heye-Townsell, who was concerned the move would reduce sales at Natural Relief Dispensary on Kiehl Avenue.

The pipe dream of a medical ma*****na dispensary opening in Jacksonville may have come to a blunt end. The attorney representing the Greenlight dispensary in Little Rock asked the Medical Ma*****na... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to reques...

08/15/2024

A widow looking to move to Jacksonville to be closer to her husband’s grave was denied a rezoning request by the Planning Commission at Monday’s meeting.

A widow looking to move to Jacksonville to be closer to her husband’s grave was denied a rezoning request by the Planning Commission at Monday’s meeting. Rose Ramirez, of San Antonio, purchased the v... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to ...

08/14/2024

Construction to widen Highway 67 to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville requires a two-night closure of the Highway 67 southbound exit ramp at James Street (Exit 10A) from 8 p.m. Thursday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Friday, August 16 and 8 p.m. Friday, August 16 to 5 a.m. Saturday, August 17.

Construction to widen Highway 67 to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville requires a two-night closure of the Highway 67 southbound exit ramp at James Street (Exit 10A) from 8 p.m. Thursday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Friday, August 16 and 8 p.m. Friday, August 16 to 5 a.m....

08/14/2024

Sherwood city officials may, for the first time in the city’s history, charge a property tax for its general fund.

If approved, owners of real and personal property can expect to pay about $20 more per $100,000, which will support the police department. The city has always funded municipal services entirely with sales tax revenue.

Sherwood city officials may, for the first time in the city’s history, charge a property tax for its general fund.  If approved, owners of real and personal property can expect to pay about $20 ... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to reques...

08/12/2024

Work on Interstate 30 (I-30) in Little Rock and North Little Rock involves lane closures during the week of Monday, August 12.

Daytime lane closures will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overnight lane closures will occur 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Work on Interstate 30 (I-30) in Little Rock and North Little Rock involves lane closures during the week of Monday, August 12. Daytime lane closures will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overnight lane closures will occur 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. If required, double-lane closures on Interstate lanes will be li...

08/10/2024

Construction to widen Highway 67 to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville requires a permanent traffic pattern change at the Gregory Street on-ramp to Highway 67 south beginning Monday, August 12.

Construction to widen Highway 67 to six lanes between Main Street and Vandenberg Boulevard in Jacksonville requires a permanent traffic pattern change at the Gregory Street on-ramp to Highway 67 south beginning Monday, August 12. Weather permitting, crews will open the new Gregory Street on-ramp to....

08/09/2024

Jacksonville City Council Member Barbara Mashburn and Mayor Jeff Elmore are at odds over the Jacksonville Historical District Museum. Mashburn said the mayor shut the museum down Monday afternoon after an incident there. Mashburn said she wanted to get the information out there before things got muddy. “I want the city to know how we got treated. I’ve already got a call from another council member asking why I’m allowing drugs, s*x and homeless in the museum,” she said.

Ollie Mashburn was named Volunteer of the Year by the Jacksonville Historical District for his work with the museum and the community at the museum’s award banquet last week. (Jeffrey Smith/Leader pho... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to r...

08/09/2024

There were two new brown signs installed along Hwy. 67/167 last week designating sections of the freeway between Jacksonville and Sherwood, toward Little Rock Air Force Base, as Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial Highway.

Members of the Ira C. Eaker Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross gather for the installation of the DFC Memorial Highway signs along Hwy. 67/167 near Exit 11 South in Jacksonville and Exit 5 Nort... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to req...

08/08/2024

MEMS recognized 18 Cabot Aquatic Center lifeguards and staff for rescuing a 3-year-old from a near-drowning incident in May.

Today, MEMS recognized 18 Cabot Aquatic Center lifeguards and staff for rescuing a 3-year-old from a near-drowning incident. On Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, Cabot 911 received a call from the Cabot Aquatic Park in reference to a 3-year-old who had been pulled from the pool by lifeguard staff who were...

08/08/2024

UPDATE: 8/11/2024 1:00 pm | Ms. Khulman has been located.

The Jacksonville Police Department is requesting assistance with locating Michelle Kuhlman, 57 YO white female who was reported as a Missing Person. Michelle is 5’08”, 135 pounds, and has blonde hair. Michelle was last seen on 08/03/2024 near the Nixon Library. Please contact Detective Harrison (501) 985-2802 in reference to report 24-04045.

08/08/2024

Longtime Sherwood resident Amy Sanders turned 100 years old on Sunday.

A celebration was held on Saturday at the Amy Sanders Library, with a long line of well-wishers stretching to the doors.

“I never thought I would live to be 100. I’m glad I can get out bed,” she said.

Amy Sanders of Sherwood turned 100 years old on Sunday. She and her husband, Reo moved to Sherwood, the year before it became incorporated as a town in 1948. (Jeffrey Smith/Leader photo) Longtime Sh... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to reque...

08/07/2024

The Jacksonville North Pulaski School board held an emergency board meeting at the end of July to discuss in public the findings of the latest Legislature Audit of the district’s finances and found a number of concerns.
The most recent audit resulted in a referral to the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office for possible violations of state law. The referral includes five sets of findings totaling $200,000 in expenditures the auditors considered “suspect.”

The Jacksonville North Pulaski School board held an emergency board meeting at the end of July to discuss in public the findings of the latest Legislature Audit of the district’s finances and found a ... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to r...

08/07/2024

Jacksonville must wait two more weeks to learn if a medical ma*****na dispensary can leave Little Rock and relocate to T.P. White Drive near Cabot.

Jacksonville must wait two more weeks to learn if a medical ma*****na dispensary can leave Little Rock and relocate to T.P. White Drive near Cabot. The Medical Ma*****na Commission planned to meet Th... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to requ...

08/06/2024

What’s more American than politics and apple pie? Maybe pie served with a big scoop of politics by several Arkansas hopefuls at the Filling Station in Park Hill last week.

Kathy Lewison running for Justice of the Peace District 3. She served key lime pie and her platform. (Deborah Horn/Leader photos) What’s more American than politics and apple pie? Maybe pie served wi... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to re...

08/05/2024

Metroplan recently unveiled plans on how a portion of the EPA’s $100 million grant will be spent in Central Arkansas. Almost $16 million will go to the Little Rock airport and the Greenways trail system.
Casey Covington, Metroplan’s executive director, said about the grant, “It is a big deal. We haven’t selected all the projects yet. It will be a competitive process with projects (possibly) being chosen later this year and in 2025.”

Metroplan recently unveiled plans on how a portion of the EPA’s $100 million grant will be spent in Central Arkansas. Almost $16 million will go to the Little Rock airport and the Greenways trail syst... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to r...

08/04/2024

The Jacksonville chapter of the NAACP has sent a letter to Matt Fink, the state auditor who found the Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District made more than $200,000 in irregular payments, asking that he hold the district accountable. The case was sent to Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney to consider filing criminal charges.

The Jacksonville chapter of the NAACP has sent a letter to Matt Fink, the state auditor who found the Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District made more than $200,000 in irregular payments, asking t... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to req...

08/04/2024

Work on Interstate 30 (I-30) in Little Rock and North Little Rock involves lane closures during the week of Monday, August 5.

Work on Interstate 30 (I-30) in Little Rock and North Little Rock involves lane closures during the week of Monday, August 5.   Daytime lane closures will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overnight lane closures will occur 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. If required, double-lane closures on Interstate lanes will be ...

08/04/2024

The Jacksonville Historical District recognized Thad Gray with a Lifetime Recognition plaque for his dedicated commitment and service to the community. Gray has served on numerous boards and civic organizations.

Gray said, “Thank you to the Jacksonville Historical District and the volunteers who set up the museum on South First Street.”

The Jacksonville Historical District held its annual Citizens of the Year Awards fundraiser banquet on Thursday at the Community Center.  Former Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher presents Tha... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to request acce...

08/03/2024

The Cabot Planning and Zoning Commission, last week, rejected again a property owner who wants to put an RV park in the middle of the city.

The Cabot Planning and Zoning Commission, last week, rejected again a property owner who wants to put an RV park in the middle of the city.  The commission voted 6-0 against the rezone requests ... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to request ...

08/03/2024

Arkansas Tax-Free Weekend starts tomorrow. Clothing, school supplies, computers and more will be exempt from sales tax. Find more below.

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Jonathan Dismang The Arkansas sales tax holiday this year will be on the first weekend in August, Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4. Consumers will not have to pay sales tax on any articles of clothing that cost less than $100. The exempted items include p...

08/03/2024

Daytime lane closures will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overnight lane closures will occur 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. If required, double-lane closures on Interstate lanes will be limited between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Traffic will be controlled by construction barrels and signage. Drivers should exercise caution when approaching and traveling through all work zones.

Work on Interstate 30 (I-30) in Little Rock and North Little Rock involves lane closures during the week of Monday, August 5.   Daytime lane closures will take place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Overnight lane closures will occur 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. If required, double-lane closures on Interstate lanes will be ...

08/01/2024

Arkansas State University-Beebe announces the establishment of the Sgt. Jason M. Swindle Hero’s Legacy Scholarship, a private foundation scholarship, honoring the memory and legacy of Swindle, who died in 2012 while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Arkansas State University-Beebe announces the establishment of the Sgt. Jason M. Swindle Hero’s Legacy Scholarship, a private foundation scholarship, honoring the memory and legacy of Swindle, who died in 2012 while serving his country in Afghanistan.  The scholarship recognizes and supports the ...

08/01/2024

The Jacksonville school district – the community’s crown jewel – has been recommended for criminal prosecution because of what appears to be missing money, lucrative no-bid contracts and inside dealing. It is Titanic mismanagement.
District officials should hold a town-hall meeting soon to explain how this happened, why it won’t happen again and why they should not be prosecuted.

The Arkansas Legislative Audit seems to have it in for every public entity that’s been spending the public’s money as if it were their own.  We’ve been seeing double lately trying to keep up with all of the allegations of financial malfeasance in the area.   Lonoke County Judge Doug Erwin m...

08/01/2024

The City of Cabot held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday for The Railyard open-air pavilion in downtown. The $552,525 community space opened earlier this year and has been used during the Cabot Farmers Market on Saturdays, the Junior Auxiliary of Cabot Strawberry Festival and other public events.

Cabot City Council Member James Reid, front left, and Mayor Ken Kincade help cut the ribbon in celebration of the completion of The Railyard public pavilion in downtown. With them are city employees, ... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to req...

07/31/2024

Sherwood is looking at raising property taxes by 75 percent to help fund raises of up to 8.5 percent for the city’s police officers.

Sherwood is looking at raising property taxes by 75 percent to help fund raises of up to 8.5 percent for the city’s police officers. Voters would have to approve of the plan. Police Chief Jeff Hagar ... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to re...

07/31/2024

Ward may soon be getting a mini-grocery store, but some residents spoke out against the possible Dollar General Market.

Ward may soon be getting a mini-grocery store.  Last week, the Ward Planning Commission approved the site plan for a proposed Dollar General Market, a 10,640 square-foot building on Hwy. 38 betw... An active subscription is required to view this content. Please login below or click here to request ...