ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE LEADER'S CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT will take ads by phone from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 982-9421, or you may mail your ad to The Leader Classifieds, P.O. Box 766, Jacksonville AR, 72078. Deadline to advertise in Wednesday issue is 5pm Friday: and 5 p.m. Thursday for the Weekend issue.
CURTIS AND LORETTA Nationally known, original, traditional Celtic Folk Music and dinner– all the trimmings. Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.St. Jude’s Parish Hall, 2403 McArthur Drive, Jacksonville, AR. Tickets $12.50 advance, $15 at the door. Call 501-843-3392. Curtis and Loretta’s Web site: www.curtisandloretta.com. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus.
MAGIC SPRINGS FANS with elementary age kids and Parents in North Pulaski-Lonoke Area sought for Loose Convoy and Ride Group. Buy Kids Magic Springs Yellow Shirts for Identification! Call Keith. 241-1189. Parents Carry Something To Read!
NEED MORE SPACE? Let Courtesy Consignments sell your better clothes, housewars and furniture. 123 S. Bailey, Jackonville. 10-4 Mon.-Sat. 241-0970.
SERVICES
RIEPLE CONSTRUCTION, privacy fences and repair, decks, concrete patios and sidewalks, household repairs, 20 years and experience, call 605-0188.
PROFESSIONAL TREE SERVICE pruning, topping, removal. Call James Arnette 501-960-0926.
YARD SALES
CABOT: FRI-SAT May 6-7, 8 to 5. 120 Birchwood Crestview Estates (Hwy. 367N to Polk) Sofa, dining room set, recliner and lots of other good stuff.
YARD SALES - Sat. May 7th. Multiple families, location. Rosewood Acres, 3 miles north of beebe, off Hwy. 31 towards Antioch. (Woodlawn and Rosewood Streets.)
GARAGE SALE: May 7th, 7-? 10 Dale Court, off of South haven in Cabot.
YARD SALE: May 6th and 7th, 9 -4. 11013 W. Centennial, Jacksonville.
YARD SALE: Saturday, May 14, 33 Meadowlark Drive, Cabot, Sonor drum set $200, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
GOOD SALE for a good cause: all proceeds go to Landmark Baptist Church building fund. Clean, organized and priced. May 5, 6, 7 - 7 am till... 419 Stratford, Jacksonville. (Stonewall) Tom Foster. 985-5406.
SAT. MAY 7th, 270 Oliver Lane. 9-2. Kids items, household goods.
NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE! Sun Terrace, Phase 3, Fri. and Sat. , 7-3. Outside furniture, household items, tools, golf items, computer, VCRs, movies.
THREE FAMILY yard sale Fri. and Sat., May 6 and 7. 121 Old Austin Road, follow signs from Dude’s Place. 2 blocks. Antique furniture, lots of misc.
TWO FAMILY yard sale. Furniture, toys, clothes, and much more. Friday and Saturday, 6th and 7th. 26 St. John, Cabot.
MULTI-FAMILY carport sale. Sat. MAy 7, 160 Oliver Lane. Cabot, starts at 9 am.
YARD SALE 752 Poppy Lane, SAt. 8 am - 1 pm.
4 FAMILY yard sale. Furniture, electronics, lothing. Follow Willie Ray to James to 998 Mountain Springs Rd. Sat. only. 7 am.
YARD SALE Sofa, loveseat, recliner and all. 36 Wolverine Dr., Cabot, Sat. 7-12 on May 7.
CARPORT SALE May 4, 5, 6, 7. Three families, 7 am till ? All kinds of good stuff. The largest one yet. 147 Campground Rd., Beebe.
GARGE SALE: 15 Porsche Dr., Cabot. May 6, 7. 8-3 pm. Girls and women’s clothes, exercise bike w/weights. Many more items.
Garage Sale Friday 6th & Saturday 7th 31 Gum St. off Hwy 38 in Cabot.
JACKSONVILLE: Thursday 5th and Friday 6th. 505 Hayes Street, tools, clothes, whatnots, more than we can list. Something for everyone.
MULTI FAMILY yard sale. 1505 Mill Rd., off Military. Friday and Saturday, household items and lots of misc.
BIG YARD sale: Sat., May 7, 8 a.m. to ? Glassware, dishes, lawn mower, lamps, light fixtures, nice clothes, toys, mmany other misc. items. 204 N. Jackson, Cabot.
HELP WANTED
JACKSONVILLE-AREA, PT OR FT, Legal assistant in a busy law office, Microsoft Word skills necesssary. Fax resume to 501-982-9414.
WANTED: HEDGE trimmer. Some experience required. 982-5388.
NEED YARD/handyman art to full time. 416-4783.
Janitorial! Dow Building Services has several part-time (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Mon thru Fri) postitions available in the Cabot area. Top pay and medical insurance. Background check will be required. Call 1-800-791-2902, for appointment. Mon - Fri: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT center looking for loveing caregivers who will promote a learning environment for young children. If you are a team player, hardworker, patient, loveing, dependable and enjoy working with children in a fun environment, please call 501-985-2715. Immediate full time position available.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT center looking for loveing caregivers who will promote a learning environment for young children. If you are a team player, hardworker, patient, loveing, dependable and enjoy working with children in a fun environment, please call 501-605-9228. Immediate full time position available.
LICENSED RESIDENTIAL electrician, paid BOE. Call 941-5758 or 690-4490.
SEARCY AR. area. Class ACDL truck drivers needed. Pay weekly, weekends off, and dedicated route. FT or PT. Call 501-279-0114.
LAWN CARE/ASSISTANT CREW LEADER Dow Building Services has an opening for a Lawn Care/Assistant Crew Leader with experience in mowing, edging and weedeating. Some weekend work required. Must have good driving record. Background check required. We offer medical insurance, vacation, sick leave, and retirement plan. Apply at 4320 E. 43rd, NLR. Mon-Fri 10:am-6:00 pm.
JANITORIAL POSITIONS – 2 team members PT needed in Little Rock area. 10 to 20 hours per week. Must have dependable transportation. Call Mann’s Clean Care. 501-941-7124.
SECRETARY NEEDED. Cabot business, good typing skills, Quickbooks Pro, Microsoft Word, Excel skills required. Starting at $8 up to $12 per hr. based on experience. Confidential interview. 501-743-9501.
HELP WANTED CDL driver. Class B license, clean driving record. Must be able to pass DOT physical and drug screen. Local work. Call 501-676-3779.
Janitorial! Dow Building Services has several part-time (evening hours ) postitions available in the Little Rock area. Top pay and medical insurance. Background check will be required. Apply at 4320 E. 43rd, NLR. Mon-Fri 10:am-6:00 pm.
Janitorial! Dow Full -time postitions (evening hours ) available in the Conway area. Top pay and medical insurance. Background check will be required. Dow Building Services Call 1-800-791-2902 or 501-791-2900. Mon-Fri 10:00 AM 6 PM.
Janitorial! Several part-time postitions (after 5:00 PM) in the Conway, Vilonia, Jacksonville and Carlisle areas. Top pay and medical insurance. Background check will be required.
Dow Building Services Call 1-800-791-2902 or 501-791-2900. Mon-Fri 10:00 AM 6 PM.
Janitorial FLOORmAN Dow Building Services has immediate openings for floormen experienced in stripping, waxing, & buffing. Company truck and equipment provided. Full time evenings. Health insurance and vacation. Must have a valid driver’s license. Background check will be required. Apply at 4320 E. 43rd, NLR. Mon-Fri 10:am-6:00 pm.
CHILDCARE-COOK/driver needed: Must have GED and be 25 yrs. or older with clean driving recoed. Apply in person at Cabot Patch Kids 1273 Campground Rd., Cabot, or call 501-941-5010 for directions.
27 year old man with cerebral palsy is lookoing for supportive living companion for alternating weekends. Schedule is 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Pay starts at $8 hour. Call Terrell Wade (Toll Free) at Easter Seals at 877-533-3600, extension 3689. EOE.
FURNITURE & APPLIANCES
sears-o-pedic extra firm support full size box spring and mattress, $100. Call 843-0101 after 1 pm, weekdays.
King Size headboard ,solid wood,honey oak color - only $50 501-256-2290.
Dining Room Table Set; Pennsylvania House; Server buffet, 6 chairs, solid oak $750 Cabot 501-843-6705.
FROST FREE refrigerator with ice-maker in excellent condition, $175, queen size sofa bed, like new, $175. Call 501-676-5595 after 5 p.m. Cash only.
Full & 1 twin size red metal bunkbed with full size matteress & bunky board. Good shape. $130. Call 843-3326.
SERTA perfect sleeper, queen sized mattress set with frame and dark wood head/foot board, $100. 501-988-2831.
FOR SALE: Kenmore dryer, almond, good working condition, looks nice, $75. 676-5220.
KING-SIZED WATERBED, 4-post, 6 drawers underneath, cherry oak, excellent condition, $300 OBO.
LIVING ROOM SET, $250; 30 inch TV, $100; dresser, $75; king-sized mattress set, $75; 416-6023 or 941-5807.
Desk - sturdy, solid wood. Great for homework/computer. Three drawers each side, one center drawer. Needs TLC but must see to appreciate. $25. Leave message day or night 843-1145.
LAZY BOY recliner, blue, $10, good shape, 501-843-7494.
QUEEN Sleeper sofa - We moved and have no room for it. Blue and cream with matching pillows. Flexsteel - almost new. $350. 843-0970.
SLEEPER SOFA, burgundy and cream, like new, $225; Hunter green recliner, $125. 501-941-1924.
NEW OAK entertainment center, for big screen, fits 61” and under, color is dark walnut, $375. Eddie, at 501-951-3698.
DINETTE WHITE with natural wood, 36”x58”, 4 chairs, good condition. $75. 501-941-0273, Cabot.
1979 DESIGNER fabric sofa. blue, burgundy and gold. Skirted, 3-pillowed back. $200. 985-2718.
OVERSTUFFED CHAIR and ottoman, rolled arms, plaid, corded fabric, blue and green. $75.
sofa & loveseat almost new, $675 OBO. 982-7087 or 231-4723.
cherry wood dresser, solid wood, 9 drawers w/mirror, excel. cond. $175. 941-1055.
trundle bed with twin pull-out. Both mattresses in exce. cond. Converts into king-sized bed. solid wood fram, painted brown, very sturdy, $200. 941-1055.
Whirlpool washer good cond., $80; Kenmore upright deep freezer, $100, good working cond. 983-0645 during noon or after 4 pm.
Black metal futon frame, mattress, $150. Futon cover and pillows, $75. Floral Queen Anne chair, $120. Sage greenc hair cover, $20. Rose colored antique replica setee’, $50. Lawn mower, $60. Child’s bedroom set, headboard $30, desk $75, dresser $120. 501-941-5770.
SUPER TWIN waterbed, solid pine, excellent condition. $225. 843-1078.
washer/dryer $100 each, very good cond. 882-2420, Beebe.
27" color tv $65 or will trade for working good conditon washer Must be able to deliver it. 985-9959.
Dining room table w/6 chairs oak/antique white, farmhouse style, 14mo.old, $500. 8X11 area rug in exc. condition,price new $399 will take $150. 605-3613.
MUST GO!! MTG, Magic cards for sale, getting married & I've got to give them up, please give them a good home, call for details 541-2120.
MUST GO!! couch $35, 2 2-tiered shelves perfect for displaying items in shop or flea market $20 ea. OBO, 541-1360 or 541-2120.
LAZY BOY sofa and loveseat. Burgandy, green, cream stripes. $150. Small GE refrigerator, white, $100. Kenmore 8000 BTU 100 air conditioner. $75.
FRIGIDAIRE GAS dryer, looks good, works. $25. 882-2142.
RCA COLOR Track Plus 22” on swivel console. Great picture, too heavy to move. $150 firm. Cabot. 605-1130.
RCA ELECTRIC dryer excellent condition, $75. 982-6622.
SOLID OAK crib with mattress. $80. Nice toddler bed with mattress. $40. Johnny Jump Up $10. Infant car seat, $15. 605-2157.
LOST & FOUND
IF YOU’VE LOST YOUR PET and don’t find it in this column, contact the Jacksonville Animal Shelter at 982-2916.
Reading glasses and case. Probably a child's. Found on Peters Road Saturday 4/23/05. 982-7002.
LOST 4/17/05: West Lewisburg towardds Indian Lake, male mini Doberman, short tail, but ears not docked. Has collar. Reward offered. 501-843-3870.
LOST: Short, brown, black and white dog, highly trained, 321 Spur. Reward. 605-1214.
FOUND: Mt. Springs Rd. (Near James Street, Cabot) Chocolate lab puppy, app. 3-6 months old. 501-941-5156.
Lost in area of Eastern Ave and Linda Lane, Small long hair Siamese mix cat. She is declawed and spayed, no tag. Child's pet. $20.00 reward. 843-2438 or 412-8430.
MISCELLANEOUS
child’s stroller like new, $35. 983-1445.
FOR SALE: medical supplies, clothes, furniture, building supplies, jewelry, antiques, vacuum cleaners, and musical instruments. Call 605-9129.
PALM TREE picture, ficus tree, large tree pot, decorative pot with pompass grass and peacock feathers, make up bench, child’s cherry wood bench and seat. 941-3839.
Rose Of Sharon shrubs. $1 and up, depending on size. 501-726-3110.
LIVING ROOM rug, multi-colored hide-a-bed, TV cabinet, quilt, lawn mower. 941-3839.
2-YEAR-OLD 24 FOOT round above ground swimming pool with accessories, $1,200, call 501-988-1237.
2 HOOVER vacuum cleaners, old but work. $15 and $10.
DUE TO illness, must sell houseplants and yard plants, 50 cents and up. Some giveaway. Also, maple, redbud trees. $2. 982-0907.
MISC. CLOTHES, $2 each. Misc. books, .25 cents each.
CERAMIC TILES, unglaz-ed, 6”x6” canyon red, 9 boxes, 11 sf per box, $75 for all, 501-950-6263.
3-PIECE SAMSONITE liggage real good condition, $10; square dance clohtes, cheap. call 501-843-1125.
CRAFTSMAN YARD VACUUM, 6 hp, has hose and chipper, $300. 501-941-3628.
ESTATE JEWELRY for sale. Several antique items. Call between 1 pm and 6. 941-1251.
UTILITY TRAILER, good for 4-wheeler or riding lawn mower, $300. 501-843-0013.
TIRE RIMS, 14 inches for a Ford Ranger, $40; chain link fence, two 9-foot sections, one 7-foot section, two gate sections, 4 foot high, $40. 501-985-0956.
CHOICE OF PORCELAIN dolls, $8 each, 2 large bags of stuffed animals, $25 each. Call 983-1445.
STEEL SIDES for 4x8 utility trailer, factory made, has latching tailgate, tie downs for tarp, cost $100, never used, first $55. 501-843-5376.
12-INCH, 4 HOLE utility or boat trailer tire, brand new, never used, $35. Also have 5-hope, 12 inch tires, $30 each. 501-843-5376.
OAK FLOORING, 3 inch utility grade, approx. 180 square feet, $250, 501-843-1234.
MAGIC CHEF electric stand alone range and vent hood, $110. 501-843-2979.
GOLF CLUBS, mens Ben Hogan, ladies Spalding, Woods, irons, putters and wedges, Cabot. 501-941-7795.
POWER CHAIR, like new, with all manuals, needs batter, $2,500. Roberta at 985-2165.
Coke cooler. Holds 2 cases of longnecks or 20 oz. Glass top w/coke bottle handle. $300. 501-556-4596.
COLEMAN TENT, 12x13, used very little, full size back and front doors, larege windows on sides, $95, 843-5376.
For Sale or trade: 17” computer monitor and brand new Lexmark z715 printer, $150 or best offer, or trade. Bought new system, now don't need monitor used 2-3 months and keeping old Epson printer, so LexMark is still in the box. Interested in trading for good computer chair, digital camera, computer desk, bookshelf or prepaid cellular phone. Jax.241-1189.
SWIMMING POOL, 13 x 17 SPLASH SuperPool Model above-ground pool, very good condition, with pump, filter, hoses, ladder and accessories, $3,000 new, yours for $800. Call (501) 843-3343.
SINGER SEWING machine, Model 15, made April 12, 1939. If interested call 843-8284.
SONY 300-DISC CD changer with remote. $125. 985-2718.
FOR SALE: 27 inch, TV, entertainment center, mattress, daybed, end tables, Call. 501-681-8542 after 5 p.m. for more information.
Playstation 2, has 1 controller,lots of games steering wheel with Pedals $150. 985-9959.
stuffed animals; assorted sizes, 50¢ & $1 each. 983-1445.
Swimming Pool. Approximately 25' x 12' Three year old Doughboy brand pool. Perfect condition. Includes filter, poles, hoses, vaccum. $800. 501-912-5441.
CLOTHES, INFANT, adult, baby walker, toys, stereo speakers, car casette stereo, rocker, 313 Braden, Sat., 8 am to 3pm.
Motorolla cell phone with charger service is through Alltel asking $30 985-9959.
Wanted free or really cheap nice plus size dresses for church size 16w-20w. 563-2306.
FREE: Chipper Mulch by the bag or pickup load - Call 843 3705.
porcelain dolls: your choice, $8 each. 1 Large doll, $50. 983-1445.
racoon hunting lights: w/chargers, accessories, night and wheat light chargers, exc. 983-1445.
radial gt tires: Cooper Cobra P21565R15 mud & snow, $175; motorized scroll saw, $25; 2 parking lot light units, $100. 941-2916 after 6 pm.
craftsman 12” band saw $200; Craftsman contractor series 20” scroll saw w/stand, $200. 843-0615 after 4:30 pm.
Dvd player for sale good condition $25 985-9959.
for sale: Trap drum set, electric guitar w/case. 941-3741.
FOR SALE Ten clean boxes of leftover yard sale items. Including household nic-nacs and more, all for $10. 941-3922.
boys clothes size 14 pants, size 7 shoes, large tops. $3 & up. 407-0815 after 5:30 pm.
plants for sale: Amaryliss, Aloe Vera, Airplane plants, Christmas Cactus, Swedish Ivy, Night Bloomin Cereus, Iris, Surprise Lily, Spider Lily, 50¢ - $2. 843-6093.
wedding dress: Size 22, ivory color, short sleeves made of lace, dress has pearls, lace & satin, tea lingth in front, swoops to floor length in back. Slip included, $100. 827-3015.
KIRBY G4 Vacuum cleaner. Upright, with all attachments. 4300 OBO. 796-8112.
RAY CHARLES collectors’ album, 6 LP’s (Memories of Romance) $35 OBO. 501-605-9241.
HAY FOR sale. 4x4 fertilized. $15 roll. 882-2274.
FOR SALE 5 clean boxes of National Geographic magazines, different years. All for $5. 941-3922.
Hp photo smart printer good condition asking $40. 985-9959.
Nextel cell phone with charger good condition asking $40. 985-9959.
Rose Of Sharon shrubs. $1.00 and up depending on size. 501-726-3110.
Electronic treadmill. Weslo Cadence. Like new. $120. OBO Weslo Air Stride $ 50. 501-726-3110.
Fender for pickup. From 1984 Chevy Blazer butwill fit other models. Best offer takes it. 501-726-3110.
Large black bird cage. $60. OBO 501-726-3110.
BEGINNER’S GUITAR new, never been used. $110 in box. Several air conditioning units. 843-7223.
Nokia cell phone services through alltel good condition asking $45. 985-9959.
Camping tent: air mattress, sleeping bags, stove, lantern, chairs, used 1 time, $250. 983-1445.
free fruit jars, all sizes. 676-3704.
LAWN EQUIPMENT AND FARM
WANTED NON-running push or riding mowers. 843-5376.
RIDING LAWN MOWER, 13 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek engine, 42 inch cut, new blades last year, great condition, used very little, $400 obo, call (501) 843-3343.
1960 JOHN DEERE tractor, with bush hog, excellent condition, four new tires. 870-734-6875.
HONDA LAWNMOWER, 5.5 hp, bagger, self-propelled, $95; Also Murray 4 hp, 22 inches, $50. 843-5376.
WANTED: Old Gasoline Engine - with Iron Block & 1 cylinder for hobby restoration. These were of the type used on old mowers, tillers, pumps, old washing machines, farm equipment, etc. Any condition considered,even rusting away in a field, under a tree, barn or shed.gearedsteam@
yahoo.com
TORO PUSH mower. Top end quality 21" with bagger, side discharge chute and blade brake. $100 (Nights) 501-241-2362.
8N ford tractor $2000. 843-2543.
Murray riding mower 12 1/2 hp, perfect cond. $475 cash. Farm tractor, 2840, 70 hp, looks great, $14,500. 726-3788.
8n ford tractor starts & runs good, new tires, $1500. 982-1295 or 590-3115.
riding mower: 11 hp, 5 speed trans axle, $200. 843-4488.
riding mower 19 hp, runs good, $700. 983-1445.
tiller: 5 hp, selling for parts, good motor, $100. 1959 Ford PU, needs brakes & radiator, $2200. 983-1445.
600 FORD Tractor. New paint, Good tires, runs good. $3,000 cash. 882-6097.
craftsman riding lawn mower, 38” cut, 15 hp Briggs & Stratton, 5 speed, new battery, recenty serviced.. 982-4384.
Wanted: Metal T-post, barb wire or field fencing. 501-882-3109.
ANIMALS, PETS, & SUPPLIES
Free to good home: 2 cats. 982-0471 or 314-397-2114.
BEEF MASTER BULL, registered, 4 years old, polled dun for sale, $1,200. 501-726-1209 and 501-726-3700, McRae.
FREE TO GOOD HOME: Shitzu, white and tan female, 4 to 5 lbs, her name is Candy, very smart, needs a yard.
PLAYFUL PUPPIES, 6 weeks old, mixed breed, med. to large size dogs. Free to a good home. Call 501-983-9045.
4 MONTH OLD female border collie mix, spayed, black, white and grey, playful and sweet, good with kids, free to a good home. 501-307-8383.
WEIMARANER PUPS, tails docked, dew claws removed, 6 weeks shots - $300 - 803-4079.
LIVESTOCK, GEESE, 1 peking, 2 regular, 605-1214.
THREE COCKATIELS with cage, $50 each, parakeet with cage, $15. 501-563-4038.
FREE: Three gray tabby’s, 2 black tabby’s, 6 weeks old, call 982-5735 or 658-9750. Can see at 31 Club Road, Foxwood Country Club.
FOR SALE: Rabbits. New Zealand white, DOEs cages and all accessories. 870-589-0748, anytime.
ADORABLE 8-week-old puppy free to someone with fenced yard and dog house and loving home. Small breed. Come see it and hold it, you will fall in love. 501-676-9397 after 7 p.m.
2 free 3 month old lab mix puppies in need of good home. 501-843-2961.
2 boxer/pit bull puppies, males, free to good home. 231-4461.
wanted: Pegeons any color, no fantails. 843-5381.
new zealand whites & mini laps for sale. 606-6162.
for sale: 13 year old Mustang Gelding, bay tone but not broken, $300. 988-2124.
For Sale: Siamese Kittens. Chocolate Point and Lilac Point. Sweet, gentle dispositions. Litter trained. $60.00 each. 501-726-3110.
laying hen one year old and baby chics for sale. 676-6210.
For sale: 17 month old male boxer, very playful, shots up to date. 605-1937.
free kittens: 6 weeks old, litter trained. 241-1146.
pair white faced cockatiels with large cage and accessories, ages 3 & 4, $200. 941-3493.
free to good home: 7 year old half Cocker Spaniel, half German Shepherd, female, spayed, good w/children, very loving & sweet natured. 882-5356.
Large bird cage. 20"X28". $50. 501-726-3110.
free to good home puppies, will be small, Benji type dogs. 983-1210.
beautiful paint pony with blue eyes, $800. 993-2596 or 843-1337.
8 year old mare: bridal & saddle broke, good riding horse, amber color w/black mane, $2500. 993-2596 or 843-1337.
FOR SALE: Ferret cage with all accesories. Must sell $100 OBO.
RAT TERRIER puppies - Black and white with tan. Parents on premises. Ready for you 4/29. Bred to tree, born to love. Call (nights) 501-241-2362.
Siberian Husky pup, 11 wks old, beautiful gray & white, up to date on shots, $150. 843-2474.
ADORABLE 8 week old puppy free to someone with a fenced yard and doghouse who will give it a loving home. Small breed. Come see it and hold it. You will fall in love with it. 501-676-9397 after 7 p.m.
free to good home: German Shepherd, spayed female, 1 year old, black labs, 1 male 1 female. 612-2685, leave message.
geese for sale: 988-1126.
part rotweiler: good with kids & other pets, great watch dog. Free to good home. 672-0477.
pit bull puppies: $150, ready now. 658-2872.
chow mix, 7 months old female, great w/kids, free to good home. 988-9003.
2 nany goats for sale, $45 each. 843-8992.
FREE TO good home: Part La pups. Wormed and 1st shots, 8 wks old as of the 26th. 988-2194.
VEHICLES & ACCESSORIES
1980 FORD FAIRMONT, 2-door, V8, not running, $200. 529-0913 in Jacksonville.
1995 jeep Wrangler rio grande, hardtop, cold air,lots of extras 920-5203. Cabot. $5,900.
1991 FORD EXPLORER, 4x4, V6, engine, fair shape, $1,500. 501-605-8405 or 870-672-1983.
1994 PONTIAC Bonneville, $2,000. 501-563-0228.
1994 TOYOTA Camry, 2-door, coupe, loaded, excellent condition, rare find. 501-676-6677 or 501-681-1476.
1998 CAMARO, red, T-top, CD, V6, auto, 25 mpg, cold a/c, good condition, $5,950 OBO. 982-8396.
1994 FORD PROBE GT, tinted windows, all power, 5 speed, $3,000. Call 556-3339.
2 MOUNTED TIRES on 4-hole Nissan wheels, 13 inches, $50. Call 983-1445.
FOR SALE: 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport, leather seats, DVD/Game cube, 60K miles, excellent condition, $13,500. 501-912-6062.
CHEVY SMALL BLOCK, 2 barrell intake with carburator, $120. Call 501-985-2726.
HONDA ACCORD EX, red, loaded, 12,000 miles, excellent condition, $22,500. 743-6064.
1989 TOYOTA COROLLA GTS, runs good, needs transmission, $200 OBO.
2003 HONDA VTX, 1800 helmets, windshield and more, $8,500. 416-8109 or 416-5673.
1997 FORD F150, nice inside and out, $6,500. 941-1865.
2002 Ford Ranger Edge, V6 Auto, White, CD, extras. New Condition, Garaged, Only 41K miles, Good looking truck! Call Mike and make offer. 501-454-0584.
2004 Honda Rancher ES350 4x2 ATV, Digital instruments, electric shift. Garaged, never in mud, new cond., only 400 miles. Asking $3,600. Call Mike 501-454-0584.
1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra, 162k, 4 cyl, green, pdl, good car. Selling car for parents. Call after 5. 501-941-1252.
1995 CADILLAC SEDAN, polo green, excellent condition, leather interior, clean car. 870-734-6875.
1998 MITSUBISHI SPIDER convertible, 2.4L, Rebat, a/c, stereo, 106K miles, clean, good condition, $7,295. 501-771-5039.
MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE: Yamaha 2003, $1,100; V-Star Silverado Classic, 1,300 miles, $9,200. 501-843-2769.
1981 FORD FAIRMONT, 4-door, V8, runs and drives, uses some oil, $250. 529-0913, Jacksonville.
1939 PLYMOUTH Business Coupe, Mustang2 front end, disc brakes, Ford V8 rear end, good body, great project car, $2,500. 501-843-0833.
1995 FORD F150, super cab, 4x4 off road, automatic w/5.0 Liter, short wheel base, $7,000 OBO. 501-454-0101.
2005 ford F150 4 door reg. cab, 300 miles, red, bedliner & bug shield. 605-9110.
1990 CHEVY Caprice station wagon, first $500 gets it. Beebe. 882-2762.
1973 FORD F100 LWB. 390 engine. Standard transmission, PS, AC. 92K actual miles, excellent condition. Very clean inside and out. Good paint, new rubber. $2,300 OBO. 982-1052.
1991 Buick Century: For parts, good motor and transmission, $100. 843-0101 after 1 pm weekdays.
1997 PONTIAC $2,200. Low miles, runs great. 501-744-0202.
1990 NISSAN 2 door, AC, works. $800 OBO. Runs great. 501-744-0202.
1983 CHEVY SILVERADO with shell and running boards. V6, auto, runs/drives good. $1,500 OBO. 941-5033.
1995 ford windstar van, green with tan leatehr interior, all power. 982-3468.
1992 Chevy Cavalier possible blown head gasket. Make offer! 988-1361.
1983 honda civic does not run, make offer. 988-1361.
1993 ford F150, $4000. 1993 Corsica, $500. 843-2543.
2003 Ford Mustang with 42,000 miles. This car car hasbeen well taken care of. Asking price is under blue book vale. $12,500. Ward. 870-613-5333.
1998 LAND ROVER LSE. Black cherry, w tan leather interior. 58K miles. Garage-kept. $13,000.
1990 LINCOLN Towncar. Gold with cream lether interior. garage kept. 155K miles, sharp car, excellent condition. 43,500.
1997 FORD 350 modified long wheel base, extended cab, runs great. $1,000. Jerry Watson. 501-796-2412. 501-837-8400.
1998 DODGE Dakota Sport, black, clean, 4 cyl. 5 speed. $4,900. Jerry Watson. 501-796-2412 or 501-837-8400.
1998 Camaro red, T-Tops, CD, V-6, 25 mpg. good cond., $5950. 982-8396.
1989 ford F150 real good shape, can be seen at 1603 W. Iowa, Beebe. Real bargain at $2350. 882-3415.
2003 ford Explorer Limited, sunroof, loaded $19,500 financing. Available with good credit 920-5203.
1983 FORD F-150 4x4, engine Straight 6 cylinder, 78,000 miles (1 owner), Mechanically--Great condtion, Cosmetically--not too good, Searcy. $2,495 501-279-3602.
1992 SATURN $600. Good work car. 501-744-0202.
car parts: 1988 Bonneville, 1986 Crown Victoria, 1979 T-Bird. Too many to list. 563-5568.
2003 S-10 LS green, 16,800 miles, extended warranty, 5 speed. 605-1488.
1994 Lincoln Town Car exc. cond., leather int. like new, $4000. 843-3727.
1999 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, 3rd seat, leather, 56K miles, excellent condition $12,600 or take over payments of $351.06. 501-882-3109.
LAWNMOWER, TORO Proline, 15 HP Kohler, 37''recycler deck, elect start, extras, $3,200. 501-766-1601.
Billet polished aluminum fuel door (aircraft style). Fits new Dodge p/u. Factory new over $100. Exc cond .$60. 605-3613.
2002 Ford Ranger reg. cab, V6 Auto, CD, bedliner, etc. original owner, non-smoker, white, Only 41k miles! Asking $8,500. 501-454-0584.
2003 FORD Explorer Limited V-8,sunroof, loaded, 37K miles $19,950. 920-5203.
1995 kawaski ZX6 Ninja, full yoshi pipe, excellent condition, always garaged $3200. 501-838-7322.
2002 Ford Ranger with V6 Auto, 41k miles, and a 2004 Honda Rancher ES 4x2 ATV with 400 miles both for $11,900. Mike @ 501-454-0584.
1997 Harley Davidson FatBoy, Immaculate, Violet, Custom Harley Chrome, 10K miles, pampered. Vance/Hines Pipes, Yost Power Tube, New Tires. $13,000.
1991 CIVIC Wagon, great family car, $1,500. 279-6435. Call anytime.
RECREATIONAL
1993 Wilderness 5th wheel, 28 ft., hitch included, never been used, $6000. 834-2895.
FISHING RIG 15 ft. alumina weld w/mercury electric start engine. Galvanized dilly trailer. All in excellent condition. $1,700.
FISHING RIG 14 ft. w/18 inch sides, w/ 9.8 Mercury motor. Backwater traler. Heavy duty, all in excellent shape. $1,600. 870-255-3642.
For Sale 1985 duracraft V bottom boat with trailer. $250 255-2526 or 960-0231.
1996 Nomad 21' Fifth Wheel. Excellent Condition. Stayed in garage. $6,500. 501-676-7130.
2000 POLARIS MAGNUM 325, 4x2 ATV, like new, low hours, $2,500. 605-0188.
2002 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 400 with several camo accessories, low miles, $4,000. 605-0188.
FLAT BOTTOM, 15 ft John Boat, 20 hp Mercury motor, foot control trolling motor, live well, trailer and cover, $1,400. 501-843-2775 or 941-4038.
CHROME EXHAUST mufflers. factory. Fits. 2000-01 100 Honda Spirit. Both for $150. 882-2142.
1989 imperial ASI, 20 ft., inboard outboard, 140 Mercruiser, $3500. 519-4758.
1995 prowler RV 29 ft., pull type trailer. 1993 F250 diesel super caba with camper shell. Both in exc. cond. Road ready, $13,500 for both. 843-1209.
bass boat: trailer, live well, troling motor, depth finder, 40 hp Mercury motor, power trim, oil injected, electric start, $3500. 519-1079.
1996 founder RV low miles, lots of upgrades, $37,000. 941-2589.
Pontoon boat ladder. Aluminum. Slides under deck. New - $175. Now - $100. 501-556-4596.
camper for sale: 1988 Hiliday Rambler, 31 ft. long, makes 3 beds, new electric refrigerator, everything works. $5500. 941-7606 or 920-7692.
go-kart frame no tires. 843-0101 after 1 pm weekdays.
road runner scooter good cond. 982-3468.
2005 yamaha Blaster, brand new, ridden 5 hours, carries 2 year warranty. Want a bigger 4-wheeler, $3500. 690-4143.
1994 lowe boat with trailer, 70 hp Evinrude motor, 2 live wells, 2 depth finders, foot controlled trolling motor, very nice, exc. cond. $4000. 843-9055.
1996 Nomad 21' Fifth Wheel. Excellent condition. Stayed in garage. $6500. 501 676-7130.
1997 sportsman v-bottom double deck, 17 ft. with trailer adn cover, 60 Johnson motor, $4000. 765-2203.
1983 Yamaha XYZ Venture, 1200cc V-Twin classic bike, fully-dressed, fairing, windshield, saddlebags, trunk & radio. App. 42K miles. Fair condition, runs good, could use some TLC to be an excellent bike. Has been stored indoors. Located in Ward, AR. No test-drives without a motorcycle endorsement on drivers license. $1,995. OBO. 501-606-6044.
2004 Honda Rancher ES350 4x2, electric shift w/ optional manual. ONLY 400 miles! Never in mud. Garaged. Mint condition. Asking only $3,600. Cabot. 501-454-0584.
WANTED
TOY JOHN Deere Gator 12 volt, 2 ,speed, made by perego. Running or not, for parts. 843-5376.
Wanted free or really cheap truck, can be old up to 1980's,must be In good running condition if not free must be extrmely cheap and willing to Take payments if more than $300.. 985-9959 or 563-2306.
NEED GRASS cut with bushhog for 14 aces field. Jacksonville. 905 S. Oak. 982-2735.
WANTED: 2 bedroom house or apartment, 6/1/05. Washer/dryer hookup, apppliances furnished, small yard, junior high or high school area, HUD approved, excellent references. P.O. Box 918, Cabot, AR 72023. 605-1130.
WANTED: Disabled family sleeping on floor, needs full-sized mattress/box springs, couch and other household items, good Samaritan trying to help, have pickup to possibly transport items, call 501-941-3839.
NEED GRASS CUT with bush hog for 14 acre field. Jacksonville, 905 S. Oak Street, 982-2735.
NEED TWO twin mattress sets free or cheaply priced. Also, any girls clothes size 6-10. 726-3347.
WANTED, one Gaither homecoming ticket for concert at Alltell, on Sat. May 14, 2005. Call 501-941-8061.
WANTED: NINTENDO 64 video games, cheap, need to be rated E for everyone. Call 501-941-8061.
REAL ESTATE
why rent? No bank qualifying loan application. 10% down MOVES YOU IN 1600 square foot 2 BR, 2 1/2 BA townhouse on North Hills CC. Full tax deductions of homeownership. Only $659/mo. + association dues. CALL (214) 837-6188.
CUSTOM BUILT NEW HOME in Beebe area. 1,800 sq. ft., more or less, 3 bdrm. 2 bath Jacuzzi tub in master, large mudroom, exquisite sunroom, multilevel deck overlooking valley. $166,000. Call Katy Barton Realty 412-7911.
FOR SALE: 36 ST. JOHN, Cabot, AR, brick, 3 Br, 1.5 Ba, new carport, paint/tile, fenced. 901-490-7903 or 870-834-2598.
FSBO: BEAUTIFUL, 3 Br, 2 Ba, home on 3 acres, 1927 sf with new paint, fixtures, and carpet, 2-car garage, jacuzzi tub, covered deck, brick patio, Furlow area, $159,000. 501-676-0273 or 501-580-1543.
WERE YOU PROMISED steak and all you got was BULL-ongy? We have houses, financing and refinancing available. All we need is YOU... Freedom Note Liquidation. 501-843-6685.
1994 HOUSE TRAILER, 2 BR, 2 BA, built in cabinet in livingroom and kitchen, bay window, central heat and air, island in kitchen, beautiful house, $12,500. 870-734-2337 or 870-734-6124.
FSBO BEAUTIFUL home w/view. Austin/Cabot area near town, 2,800 sq. ft. located on 3 wooded acres. Attached garage. 3BR, 3FB, FP. 3 decks, 1 covered. $249,500. For appointment, call 843-5902.
2 CEMETERY plots for sale. Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, West Dewitt Henry Drive in Beebe, AR. Write 2912 La Estrella Circle, Colorado Springs, CO. 80917. Paid $840, will accept $700.
CABOT FSBO -121 N. Windwood Hts., 2,700 sq. ft. 1.5 ac., exec. brick home, in-ground pool, $279,900, 501-941-2342 or 605-2301, www.infotube.net/107107.
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
GOOD NEWS! We can find you a home, Guaranteed! Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Bankruptcy, foreclosures, tax liens or bad credit. Let us help you find your new home. Freedom Note Liquidation. 501-843-6685.
COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE available. Dude’s Place in Ward. Serious inquiries only! Perfect for beautician or barber shop. Call 501-743-0003 or 743-8427.
RENTALS
2 BDRM., 1 bath mobile home, HUD approved, $450 month, elderly encourage to apply. 743-0003.
2 BEDROOM, 1 bath moble home HUD approved, $450 month, elderly encouraged to apply. Call 501-743-0003 or 743-8427.
JACKSONVILLE-2 bdrm., 1 bath duplex. 200 Smart St., $350/mo. $300 deposit. Section 8 welcome. Call 985-7656 / 231-2653.
2 BDRM. 1 BATH house on one acre, $425/month. 501-743-0003 or 743-8427.
CABOT OFFICE suite for rent. Prime location FREE utilities FREE Internet access, month to month lease, $300 per month. Call 501-259-8958. 6/08
FOR RENT: 2 BDRM, 1 bath home. Near Furlow. Clean with big yard. 982-6647.
For rent ward: New duplexes, 2 BR, 1 BA. Washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher & range furnished. HUD accepted. $485 per mo. rent plus $350 deposit. Call 501-804-2304.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
OBITUARIES>>May 4, 2005
Steve Cross
Steve G. Cross, 75, of Robinsonville, Miss., died Monday at his home.
He was born June 23, 1929 in Gastonia, N.C., to the late Paul Nixon and Ora Ingledove Welch Childers.
Cross retired from the Air Force in 1972 after 26 years of service as a senior master sergeant. He was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 243 in Bessemer City, N.C., and the Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by one son, Steve Roland Cross of Robinsonville, Miss., and one daughter, Pamela R. Levering of Eureka Springs.
Cross is also survived by one brother, Paul Nixon Childers of Alamogordo, N.M., and one sister, Kathleen (Toonkie) Burgin of South Carolina; three grandchildren, Wayne C. Levering of Utica, N.Y.; Gwen Etheredge of Cabot; and Steve W. Cross of Blacksburg, S.C. as well as three great-grandchildren; Allen Charles Etheredge of Cabot, Hanna Estelle Etheredge of Cabot and Noah Holden Cross of Blacksburg, S.C., who also survive him.
Cross was preceded in death by his wife Frankie Luella Cross, one brother, Raymond Cross and one sister Jacquelyn Hoffman.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Glover Cemetery in Lonoke. Arrangements are by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home.
Lloyd Burgess
Lloyd Richard “Buddy” Burgess, 81, died in his home at Austin on May 3. Born on Nov. 15, 1923, in Lonoke County to the late Reverend R.B. and Lottie Burgess. Buddy was a retired carpenter and a member, deacon and song leader of Campground Union Church.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, John Burgess of Cabot.
He is survived by his wife, Rhoda Bell Dedmon Burgess of 55 years and five sons and their wives; Charles and Cheryl Beasley of Ward, Berry and Julie Burgess of Bigelow, Randy and Evelyn Burgess of Cabot, Bobby and Karen Burgess of Austin and Kelly Burgess of Austin; one daughter Melinda Cole and her husband Randy Cole of Ward.
Also 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers Earl Burgess and Robert “Sonny” Burgess both of Cabot; and three sisters, Louise Skinner and Pat Dodd, both of Cabot and Marcie Watson of Benton.
Visitation will be held Wednes-day from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Service in Cabot.
Funeral services will be officiated by Reverend Ron Cody at Campground Union Church on Thursday at 2 p.m. with burial immediately following at Hicks Cemetery in the Sandhill Community. Arrangements are by Thomas Funeral Service of Cabot.
Brenda Hodge
Brenda Joyce Patrom Hodge, 55, of Searcy, died April 29.
She is survived by her husband, Johnny L. Hodge of Searcy; three sons, Tony Patrom of Wynne-wood, Okla., Randy Patrom and Bryan Patrom, both of El Paso; one daughter, Charolette Richardson of Beebe; eight grandchildren and one sister, Jo Ann Clardy of El Paso. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vendal and Agnes Davis.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe, with burial in Grissard Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are by Westbrook Funeral Home of Beebe.
Sam Agee Sr.
Sam Agee, Sr., 96, of Cabot died April 29 in Cabot. Agee was born April 26, 1909, in Little Rock to the late Rayford and Alice Agee.
He retired from Myers bakery in 1974 after almost 50 years. He was a member and deacon of Landmark Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
He was preceded in death by two brothers Olin Agee, and Walter Agee, and one sister Ollie McCrotty.
He is survived by his wife, of over 76 years, Rosetta Stafford Agee; two children, Sam Agee, Jr. of Sherwood and Miladeen Dennie of Collierville, Tenn.; one sister, Ruby Roudebaugh of Sherwood and one brother, Marvin Agee of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Cheryl Jon Wood, Nikki Lynn Mitchell, Deena Sue Abeysckera, Floyd Scott Agee, Jay Eddie Agee, and Tanya Kay Emery; and eight great grandchildren, Kellie Nich-ole Mitchell, John Ryan Mitchell, Chelsea Lynn Mitchell, Kyle Raiford Wood, Floyd Scott Agee, Jr., Sarah Elizabeth Agee, Bradly James Emery and Shannon Ruth Emery also survive him.
Funeral services were held Monday at Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Tim Carter officiating.
Interment followed at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.
Memorial contributions may be made to Landmark Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Alberta Williams
Alberta “Sis” Brown Williams, 87, died April 30.
She was the widow of Bruce Williams.
She is survived by her brothers Woodrow and wife, Bessie, Brown of Orange, Texas; daughter, Linda and husband, Juan, Perez of Lonoke; sons, Jimmy and wife, Lou, Williams of Denison, Texas, Bill Williams and very special friend Carol Inman of Saginaw, Mich., Vernon and wife, Charlotte, Williams of North Little Rock, Kenneth Williams of Austin and Garry and wife Brenda Williams of Austin; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren and a special friend, Alice Mathis of Austin.
Funeral services were held May 3 at Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke with interment in Brownsville Cemetery.
Steve G. Cross, 75, of Robinsonville, Miss., died Monday at his home.
He was born June 23, 1929 in Gastonia, N.C., to the late Paul Nixon and Ora Ingledove Welch Childers.
Cross retired from the Air Force in 1972 after 26 years of service as a senior master sergeant. He was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 243 in Bessemer City, N.C., and the Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by one son, Steve Roland Cross of Robinsonville, Miss., and one daughter, Pamela R. Levering of Eureka Springs.
Cross is also survived by one brother, Paul Nixon Childers of Alamogordo, N.M., and one sister, Kathleen (Toonkie) Burgin of South Carolina; three grandchildren, Wayne C. Levering of Utica, N.Y.; Gwen Etheredge of Cabot; and Steve W. Cross of Blacksburg, S.C. as well as three great-grandchildren; Allen Charles Etheredge of Cabot, Hanna Estelle Etheredge of Cabot and Noah Holden Cross of Blacksburg, S.C., who also survive him.
Cross was preceded in death by his wife Frankie Luella Cross, one brother, Raymond Cross and one sister Jacquelyn Hoffman.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Glover Cemetery in Lonoke. Arrangements are by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home.
Lloyd Burgess
Lloyd Richard “Buddy” Burgess, 81, died in his home at Austin on May 3. Born on Nov. 15, 1923, in Lonoke County to the late Reverend R.B. and Lottie Burgess. Buddy was a retired carpenter and a member, deacon and song leader of Campground Union Church.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, John Burgess of Cabot.
He is survived by his wife, Rhoda Bell Dedmon Burgess of 55 years and five sons and their wives; Charles and Cheryl Beasley of Ward, Berry and Julie Burgess of Bigelow, Randy and Evelyn Burgess of Cabot, Bobby and Karen Burgess of Austin and Kelly Burgess of Austin; one daughter Melinda Cole and her husband Randy Cole of Ward.
Also 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers Earl Burgess and Robert “Sonny” Burgess both of Cabot; and three sisters, Louise Skinner and Pat Dodd, both of Cabot and Marcie Watson of Benton.
Visitation will be held Wednes-day from 6 to 8 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Service in Cabot.
Funeral services will be officiated by Reverend Ron Cody at Campground Union Church on Thursday at 2 p.m. with burial immediately following at Hicks Cemetery in the Sandhill Community. Arrangements are by Thomas Funeral Service of Cabot.
Brenda Hodge
Brenda Joyce Patrom Hodge, 55, of Searcy, died April 29.
She is survived by her husband, Johnny L. Hodge of Searcy; three sons, Tony Patrom of Wynne-wood, Okla., Randy Patrom and Bryan Patrom, both of El Paso; one daughter, Charolette Richardson of Beebe; eight grandchildren and one sister, Jo Ann Clardy of El Paso. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vendal and Agnes Davis.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe, with burial in Grissard Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are by Westbrook Funeral Home of Beebe.
Sam Agee Sr.
Sam Agee, Sr., 96, of Cabot died April 29 in Cabot. Agee was born April 26, 1909, in Little Rock to the late Rayford and Alice Agee.
He retired from Myers bakery in 1974 after almost 50 years. He was a member and deacon of Landmark Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
He was preceded in death by two brothers Olin Agee, and Walter Agee, and one sister Ollie McCrotty.
He is survived by his wife, of over 76 years, Rosetta Stafford Agee; two children, Sam Agee, Jr. of Sherwood and Miladeen Dennie of Collierville, Tenn.; one sister, Ruby Roudebaugh of Sherwood and one brother, Marvin Agee of Little Rock; six grandchildren, Cheryl Jon Wood, Nikki Lynn Mitchell, Deena Sue Abeysckera, Floyd Scott Agee, Jay Eddie Agee, and Tanya Kay Emery; and eight great grandchildren, Kellie Nich-ole Mitchell, John Ryan Mitchell, Chelsea Lynn Mitchell, Kyle Raiford Wood, Floyd Scott Agee, Jr., Sarah Elizabeth Agee, Bradly James Emery and Shannon Ruth Emery also survive him.
Funeral services were held Monday at Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Tim Carter officiating.
Interment followed at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.
Memorial contributions may be made to Landmark Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Alberta Williams
Alberta “Sis” Brown Williams, 87, died April 30.
She was the widow of Bruce Williams.
She is survived by her brothers Woodrow and wife, Bessie, Brown of Orange, Texas; daughter, Linda and husband, Juan, Perez of Lonoke; sons, Jimmy and wife, Lou, Williams of Denison, Texas, Bill Williams and very special friend Carol Inman of Saginaw, Mich., Vernon and wife, Charlotte, Williams of North Little Rock, Kenneth Williams of Austin and Garry and wife Brenda Williams of Austin; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren and a special friend, Alice Mathis of Austin.
Funeral services were held May 3 at Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke with interment in Brownsville Cemetery.
EDITORIAL>> Call Sens. Pryor and Lincoln today
If you turn on your television this week and do even a little channel surfing, you are apt to be beseeched by an announcer to tell Arkansas’ two U. S. senators to give Presi-dent Bush’s court appointments an up-or-down vote by changing the rules to prevent filibusters. Viewers in Arkansas and five other states where senators of one or the other party are thought to be shaky are being bombarded with commercials ahead of the vote on abolishing the filibuster.
Letting Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor know how you feel is not a bad idea. They seem almost certain to vote to retain the right of unlimited debate on judicial nominees, but they surely would like to know how you feel.
But the question bears more contemplation than you will get from these punchy little ads by a group called Progress For America, which promotes President Bush’s agenda on Social Security, taxation of the wealthy, judges and other matters. (Much of the money for the ads comes from Alex Spanos, the owner of the San Diego Padres.)
For instance, you will get the impression that Democrats are suddenly and shockingly thwarting Bush nominees to the federal bench and leaving courtrooms unmanned. Ten of more than 200 Bush court nominees have been blocked, but the others, all conservatives, have been confirmed. The ads will not mention that Republicans used parliamentary techniques to prevent 69 judicial appointees by President Clinton from receiving even a hearing and altogether blocked 114 Clinton appointments to district and appellate courts. Republican senators attempted to filibuster six others to death. Factor that record when you weigh the unfairness of the Democratic filibuster.
The ads focus on two current nominees who are before the Senate. One, Priscilla Owen, is a neighbor from Texas. She sits on the Texas Supreme Court. The ads say she is endorsed by major newspapers. The fact is that even conservative Texas newspapers have said her judicial activism — overriding statutes and precedents that protect consumers and workers — made her unsuited for appellate duty. She was sharply criticized even by President Bush’s new attorney general when he served on the same court with her. Her flagrant fund-raising among corporate groups and lawyers and her refusal to recuse when their cases come before her have raised ethical concerns.
Then there is the question of how much power a majority should have when it controls both houses and all branches of government. The filibuster, a tool of minority factions that can be exercised in only one house, forces consensus and protects us all from the extremes of partisan government.
Think about all these questions and then do what the ads say. Let your senator know how you feel.
Letting Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor know how you feel is not a bad idea. They seem almost certain to vote to retain the right of unlimited debate on judicial nominees, but they surely would like to know how you feel.
But the question bears more contemplation than you will get from these punchy little ads by a group called Progress For America, which promotes President Bush’s agenda on Social Security, taxation of the wealthy, judges and other matters. (Much of the money for the ads comes from Alex Spanos, the owner of the San Diego Padres.)
For instance, you will get the impression that Democrats are suddenly and shockingly thwarting Bush nominees to the federal bench and leaving courtrooms unmanned. Ten of more than 200 Bush court nominees have been blocked, but the others, all conservatives, have been confirmed. The ads will not mention that Republicans used parliamentary techniques to prevent 69 judicial appointees by President Clinton from receiving even a hearing and altogether blocked 114 Clinton appointments to district and appellate courts. Republican senators attempted to filibuster six others to death. Factor that record when you weigh the unfairness of the Democratic filibuster.
The ads focus on two current nominees who are before the Senate. One, Priscilla Owen, is a neighbor from Texas. She sits on the Texas Supreme Court. The ads say she is endorsed by major newspapers. The fact is that even conservative Texas newspapers have said her judicial activism — overriding statutes and precedents that protect consumers and workers — made her unsuited for appellate duty. She was sharply criticized even by President Bush’s new attorney general when he served on the same court with her. Her flagrant fund-raising among corporate groups and lawyers and her refusal to recuse when their cases come before her have raised ethical concerns.
Then there is the question of how much power a majority should have when it controls both houses and all branches of government. The filibuster, a tool of minority factions that can be exercised in only one house, forces consensus and protects us all from the extremes of partisan government.
Think about all these questions and then do what the ads say. Let your senator know how you feel.
EDITORIAL>> State laboratory is decertified
Arkansans have become accustomed the past five years to stories about bungling and inefficiencies in its public health services. Gov. Huckabee’s solution was finally to ask the legislature this winter to move the big Health Department under the control of the even bigger Department of Human Services, and the legislature obliged. The transfer will happen July 1.
Still it was a mild shock to hear that the state’s public health laboratory is losing its federal certification because screw-ups in the lab rendered its results unreliable. The lab had used equipment from an outside laboratory to test a specimen and then claimed the work as its own, although federal law specifically prohibits it. Super-visors had signed a statement that the state had used its own equipment. The lab also never implemented other quality-control steps to ensure the reliability of its testing.
In the past 15 months, 61 of the 175,000 public and private laboratories in the United States lost their federal certifications, but this is the first instance of a state public health department losing its certification. The state laboratory does about 800,000 tests annually. So starting Sept. 1, or sooner if it does not make some changes, the laboratory will be barred from blood typing and performing many other tests for disorders.
Patients and beneficiaries may not feel the result of the decertification because specimens will be sent to other certified labs, but that is no reason to be philosophical about the failure of the public laboratory and the disuse of its $9.8 million budget.
There was already enough tragedy in the Health Department’s annals. Dr. Fay Boozman, a gentle, caring and altogether good-hearted man with absolutely no aptitude for directing a big department with thousands of employees and many programs, had been fighting the demons of bureaucracy and of his own failings since almost the day Huckabee appointed him.
At that time we remembered his famous dictum when he was running for the U.S. Senate in 1998 that a woman who was raped need not worry about getting pregnant because her body would secrete antibodies that would prevent pregnancy by her attacker. He would admit later that he might not have any scientific basis for that notion, and we wondered if he was professionally suited to run a sprawling agency of health professionals.
Soon after the governor gently proposed putting the director of another department over Dr. Boozman in the name of efficiency, a wall of his barn fell on him and killed him. The merger of the two departments will occur nonetheless.
A spokesman for the Department of Human Services said the director would apply for recertification of the laboratory as soon as the merger occurs. We hope that works and that the other manifold problems of the Health Department can be resolved.
But we also recall that DHS, as it’s commonly known, has had more run-ins with federal watchdog agencies for its inefficiencies and failures than has Health.
So we are not optimistic. We are hopeful.
Still it was a mild shock to hear that the state’s public health laboratory is losing its federal certification because screw-ups in the lab rendered its results unreliable. The lab had used equipment from an outside laboratory to test a specimen and then claimed the work as its own, although federal law specifically prohibits it. Super-visors had signed a statement that the state had used its own equipment. The lab also never implemented other quality-control steps to ensure the reliability of its testing.
In the past 15 months, 61 of the 175,000 public and private laboratories in the United States lost their federal certifications, but this is the first instance of a state public health department losing its certification. The state laboratory does about 800,000 tests annually. So starting Sept. 1, or sooner if it does not make some changes, the laboratory will be barred from blood typing and performing many other tests for disorders.
Patients and beneficiaries may not feel the result of the decertification because specimens will be sent to other certified labs, but that is no reason to be philosophical about the failure of the public laboratory and the disuse of its $9.8 million budget.
There was already enough tragedy in the Health Department’s annals. Dr. Fay Boozman, a gentle, caring and altogether good-hearted man with absolutely no aptitude for directing a big department with thousands of employees and many programs, had been fighting the demons of bureaucracy and of his own failings since almost the day Huckabee appointed him.
At that time we remembered his famous dictum when he was running for the U.S. Senate in 1998 that a woman who was raped need not worry about getting pregnant because her body would secrete antibodies that would prevent pregnancy by her attacker. He would admit later that he might not have any scientific basis for that notion, and we wondered if he was professionally suited to run a sprawling agency of health professionals.
Soon after the governor gently proposed putting the director of another department over Dr. Boozman in the name of efficiency, a wall of his barn fell on him and killed him. The merger of the two departments will occur nonetheless.
A spokesman for the Department of Human Services said the director would apply for recertification of the laboratory as soon as the merger occurs. We hope that works and that the other manifold problems of the Health Department can be resolved.
But we also recall that DHS, as it’s commonly known, has had more run-ins with federal watchdog agencies for its inefficiencies and failures than has Health.
So we are not optimistic. We are hopeful.
NEIGHBORS>> How sweet it is
IN SHORT: Cabot gears up for weekend’s Strawberry festival
The third annual Cabot Strawberry Festival starts at 6 p.m. Friday with Strawberry Jam featuring the band’s “More Than a Threat,” “Swivel” and “Leyden.” Vendors will open their booths and strawberries will be for sale from local growers. The featured concert Friday night will be the band “Dust Forth” from Ouachita Baptist performing from 8 to 10 p.m.
Saturday’s activities will have plenty for children to explore beginning at 9 a.m. with vendors and strawberry sales, activities at the Cabot Lions Club Kids Zone until 4 p.m. and the Little Miss Strawberryfest Pageant until noon.
The Kids Zone will have a moonwalk, face painting and basketball toss as well as a storyteller, magician and gymnastics. Children can also check out the Arkansas Art Mobile and the Dino Bone Dig exhibit.
The band “Midnight Ride” and Cabot Idol winner Shane Thornton will provide entertainment at noon.
The Miss Strawberryfest Pageant will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. followed by a forensics program provided by Cabot High School. Contrary to a previous article, judges for the Strawberryfest pageants are not announced prior to the events.
The band “Legacy” takes the stage at 7 p.m. followed by “By HIS Grace” at 8 p.m.
LIONS PLAN EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AT FESTIVAL
Kids who attend the Strawberry Festival in Cabot on Saturday will find a whole section just for them where they can pay one $3 fee and come and go as they please all day long.
Entertainment is courtesy of the Lions Club, which will use the proceeds to help young people in need of eye care through World Services for the Blind in Little Rock and Mid-South Sight Center in Memphis.
Activities will include an inflatable moon walk, basketball toss and giant Lego blocks.
Matt Webber with the Lions Club said the group was asked to participate after the budget was set for the year so funds were limited.
However, the Museum of Discovery will be there with a dinosaur dig with bones the kids can find in sand and then help assemble.
Other activities include a morning gymnastic show and an afternoon performance by a local magician, followed by a drawing for a new bicycle donated by Debusk Family Dentistry.
A small concession stand will sell ice cream, cotton candy and large coloring books.
The third annual Cabot Strawberry Festival starts at 6 p.m. Friday with Strawberry Jam featuring the band’s “More Than a Threat,” “Swivel” and “Leyden.” Vendors will open their booths and strawberries will be for sale from local growers. The featured concert Friday night will be the band “Dust Forth” from Ouachita Baptist performing from 8 to 10 p.m.
Saturday’s activities will have plenty for children to explore beginning at 9 a.m. with vendors and strawberry sales, activities at the Cabot Lions Club Kids Zone until 4 p.m. and the Little Miss Strawberryfest Pageant until noon.
The Kids Zone will have a moonwalk, face painting and basketball toss as well as a storyteller, magician and gymnastics. Children can also check out the Arkansas Art Mobile and the Dino Bone Dig exhibit.
The band “Midnight Ride” and Cabot Idol winner Shane Thornton will provide entertainment at noon.
The Miss Strawberryfest Pageant will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. followed by a forensics program provided by Cabot High School. Contrary to a previous article, judges for the Strawberryfest pageants are not announced prior to the events.
The band “Legacy” takes the stage at 7 p.m. followed by “By HIS Grace” at 8 p.m.
LIONS PLAN EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AT FESTIVAL
Kids who attend the Strawberry Festival in Cabot on Saturday will find a whole section just for them where they can pay one $3 fee and come and go as they please all day long.
Entertainment is courtesy of the Lions Club, which will use the proceeds to help young people in need of eye care through World Services for the Blind in Little Rock and Mid-South Sight Center in Memphis.
Activities will include an inflatable moon walk, basketball toss and giant Lego blocks.
Matt Webber with the Lions Club said the group was asked to participate after the budget was set for the year so funds were limited.
However, the Museum of Discovery will be there with a dinosaur dig with bones the kids can find in sand and then help assemble.
Other activities include a morning gymnastic show and an afternoon performance by a local magician, followed by a drawing for a new bicycle donated by Debusk Family Dentistry.
A small concession stand will sell ice cream, cotton candy and large coloring books.
SPORTS>> Hurricane blows past Cabot in conference doubleheader
By Ray Benton
Leader sports editor
No harm was done to anything other than Cabot’s record, but the Panthers would have liked to have closed out their conference season on a better note than a doubleheader sweep at the hands of league champion Jonesboro.
The Hurricane blew into Cabot and blew out with wins of 11-0 and 7-6. The losses meant nothing to Cabot, who was going to the state tournament as a four seed regardless of the outcome of the two games. It did hurt Sylvan Hills, however, who needed the Panthers to win at least one game for the Bears’ streak of conference championships to continue.
“Believe me we tried,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch said. “It was a tough loss.”
Cabot almost gave Sylvan Hills what it needed, holding a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning of game two.
Cabot scored two runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead and got a leadoff hit by Chris Gross in the seventh, but failed to bring him around.
Jonesboro came to the plate and Michael Johnson got a one-out base hit to start the rally. Murray Watts followed that with another single that moved Johnson to third.
Hunter Smith hit a sacrifice fly to score Johnson and put Watts on second base with two outs. Cabot walked designated hitter Blake Cobb to set up force outs at every base, but catcher Eddie Price sent a 1-0 pitch to right field for a single and the game-winning RBI.
Cabot fought back from a three-run deficit it fell into in the first inning by putting up four runs and taking the lead in the fourth.
Senior pitcher Ryan Cotroneo led off with a single, but was picked off by the pitcher. Chris Gross doubled to right field and Tim Payne singled to right center to score Gross, and moved to second on an errant relay throw by second baseman Derrick Coleman.
Kyle West hit a sac fly to move Payne up and Bryant Bulice walked to put runners on the corners. Sophomore Colin Fuller hit a sac fly to score Payne. West and Bulice then scored on a two-RBI single by second baseman Kyle Stoner.
Jonesboro reclaimed the lead in the fifth, but another two-RBI base hit by Stoner against scored West and Bulice’s pinch runner Bronson Britt. Stoner finished the game 2 for 2 with a walk and four RBIs.
One good thing that came out of the game was the performance of sophomore pitcher Justin Haas, who impressed Fitch in relief duty for Cotroneo. Cabot’s top three pitchers this year are seniors, so Fitch was very pleased to see how well Haas performed against one of the state’s best hitting teams.
“He did a great job of hitting spots and mixing his pitches up,” Fitch said. “As he matures with these big games under his belt and gets a little stronger, he’s going to be tough to beat over the next two years.”
Cabot was not in game one after the second inning. The first inning was a scoreless one for both teams, but Jonesboro put up six in the second and five in the third to set the final margin. Jonesboro ace Jack McGrath gave up just two hits, a double in the third by Neal Hatcher, and a single in the fourth by designated hitter Britt.
The Panthers finish conference play with a 7-7 record, and fall to 12-7 overall. They play North Pulaski at home on Friday before heading to Bryant Saturday.
Leader sports editor
No harm was done to anything other than Cabot’s record, but the Panthers would have liked to have closed out their conference season on a better note than a doubleheader sweep at the hands of league champion Jonesboro.
The Hurricane blew into Cabot and blew out with wins of 11-0 and 7-6. The losses meant nothing to Cabot, who was going to the state tournament as a four seed regardless of the outcome of the two games. It did hurt Sylvan Hills, however, who needed the Panthers to win at least one game for the Bears’ streak of conference championships to continue.
“Believe me we tried,” Cabot coach Jay Fitch said. “It was a tough loss.”
Cabot almost gave Sylvan Hills what it needed, holding a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning of game two.
Cabot scored two runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead and got a leadoff hit by Chris Gross in the seventh, but failed to bring him around.
Jonesboro came to the plate and Michael Johnson got a one-out base hit to start the rally. Murray Watts followed that with another single that moved Johnson to third.
Hunter Smith hit a sacrifice fly to score Johnson and put Watts on second base with two outs. Cabot walked designated hitter Blake Cobb to set up force outs at every base, but catcher Eddie Price sent a 1-0 pitch to right field for a single and the game-winning RBI.
Cabot fought back from a three-run deficit it fell into in the first inning by putting up four runs and taking the lead in the fourth.
Senior pitcher Ryan Cotroneo led off with a single, but was picked off by the pitcher. Chris Gross doubled to right field and Tim Payne singled to right center to score Gross, and moved to second on an errant relay throw by second baseman Derrick Coleman.
Kyle West hit a sac fly to move Payne up and Bryant Bulice walked to put runners on the corners. Sophomore Colin Fuller hit a sac fly to score Payne. West and Bulice then scored on a two-RBI single by second baseman Kyle Stoner.
Jonesboro reclaimed the lead in the fifth, but another two-RBI base hit by Stoner against scored West and Bulice’s pinch runner Bronson Britt. Stoner finished the game 2 for 2 with a walk and four RBIs.
One good thing that came out of the game was the performance of sophomore pitcher Justin Haas, who impressed Fitch in relief duty for Cotroneo. Cabot’s top three pitchers this year are seniors, so Fitch was very pleased to see how well Haas performed against one of the state’s best hitting teams.
“He did a great job of hitting spots and mixing his pitches up,” Fitch said. “As he matures with these big games under his belt and gets a little stronger, he’s going to be tough to beat over the next two years.”
Cabot was not in game one after the second inning. The first inning was a scoreless one for both teams, but Jonesboro put up six in the second and five in the third to set the final margin. Jonesboro ace Jack McGrath gave up just two hits, a double in the third by Neal Hatcher, and a single in the fourth by designated hitter Britt.
The Panthers finish conference play with a 7-7 record, and fall to 12-7 overall. They play North Pulaski at home on Friday before heading to Bryant Saturday.
SPORTS>> NP wins, loses one at state
IN SHORT: NP ladies get school’s first playoff win
By Ray Benton
Leader sports editor
The Lady Falcon soccer team won North Pulaski’s first state tournament game Saturday afternoon at Burns Park. The Lady Falcons got a single goal less than a minute before halftime, then held on the rest of the way to beat Greenwood 1-0 and advance to the quarterfinal round.
That quarterfinal matchup took place Monday and saw an end to the season. The NP ladies, the two seed from the AAAA-East, took on West champion Greenbrier and fell 3-1 in a hard-fought match. North Pulaski led 1-0 at halftime Monday, but a bad collision sent NP goalkeeper Kristen Williams to the hospital for stitches around her eye, and left the Lady Falcons at a major disadvantage.
The only other Lady Falcon with much experience tending goal was also the team’s leading scorer, Ashley Durr. Durr moved to goalkeeper and North Pulaski went into a defensive mode to try and maintain its lead.
“We just tried to dig a trench and say give us what you got,” North Pulaski coach Deryll Durr said. “Our offense suffered without Ashley in there, and our goalkeeping suffered without Kristen. She was having a phenomenal game, so it made it tough against one of the highest rated teams in the state. But I guarantee you Greenbrier knew they were in a dogfight. I’m very, very proud of the girls. They battled hard and gave it everything they had.”
Williams left the game after leaving the box to grab the ball from a Greenbrier breakaway. Williams slid on her side and snatched the ball just as the Lady Panther struck, resulting in Williams getting kicked in the face.
“It was pretty nasty,” Durr said. “So not only did we have all the personnel problems after she left, all our girls were really concerned about her.”
Greenbrier simply attacked, and attacked some more after the injury to Williams, scoring three goals in the second half to advance to the semifinals.
North Pulaski took the lead on a goal of unknown origin after a big pile up in front of the North Pulaski goal.
Durr took the initial shot on goal. The Greenbrier goalkeeper blocked it, but couldn’t hold on and the ball dribbled back out into play. That resulted in a massive convergence on the ball just in front of the goal. After a moment of mayhem, the ball squirted out of the pack and into the net.
“We’re just not sure who scored it,” Durr said. “We think Ashlee Rico kicked out of the pack, but there may have been another girl touch it after that. We just can’t tell.”
On Saturday, the lone North Pulaski goal was scored by Durr, who also broke the school record for goals in the season with 23. Durr took a direct kick pass from Megan Delao from midfield. The ball bounced once and Durr scored from the 18.
“It was an outstanding play,” Durr said. “Megan got the direct kick of a lifetime. They were playing us too deep and Ashley nailed it.”
The Lady Falcons finish the season 10-8. Their second-place finish in the East conference was also the highest finish in school history. The previous high was fourth place.
“It was a great year,” Durr said. “The girls really, really improved from beginning to end.
“Our only conference loss was to Valley View and that was really early in the season. It was 6-2 and I think if we could have played them again later in the year the result would have been a lot different. We’re a totally different team than when we started. Greenbrier is an outstanding team and playing them so close is a testament to how much this group has improved.”
By Ray Benton
Leader sports editor
The Lady Falcon soccer team won North Pulaski’s first state tournament game Saturday afternoon at Burns Park. The Lady Falcons got a single goal less than a minute before halftime, then held on the rest of the way to beat Greenwood 1-0 and advance to the quarterfinal round.
That quarterfinal matchup took place Monday and saw an end to the season. The NP ladies, the two seed from the AAAA-East, took on West champion Greenbrier and fell 3-1 in a hard-fought match. North Pulaski led 1-0 at halftime Monday, but a bad collision sent NP goalkeeper Kristen Williams to the hospital for stitches around her eye, and left the Lady Falcons at a major disadvantage.
The only other Lady Falcon with much experience tending goal was also the team’s leading scorer, Ashley Durr. Durr moved to goalkeeper and North Pulaski went into a defensive mode to try and maintain its lead.
“We just tried to dig a trench and say give us what you got,” North Pulaski coach Deryll Durr said. “Our offense suffered without Ashley in there, and our goalkeeping suffered without Kristen. She was having a phenomenal game, so it made it tough against one of the highest rated teams in the state. But I guarantee you Greenbrier knew they were in a dogfight. I’m very, very proud of the girls. They battled hard and gave it everything they had.”
Williams left the game after leaving the box to grab the ball from a Greenbrier breakaway. Williams slid on her side and snatched the ball just as the Lady Panther struck, resulting in Williams getting kicked in the face.
“It was pretty nasty,” Durr said. “So not only did we have all the personnel problems after she left, all our girls were really concerned about her.”
Greenbrier simply attacked, and attacked some more after the injury to Williams, scoring three goals in the second half to advance to the semifinals.
North Pulaski took the lead on a goal of unknown origin after a big pile up in front of the North Pulaski goal.
Durr took the initial shot on goal. The Greenbrier goalkeeper blocked it, but couldn’t hold on and the ball dribbled back out into play. That resulted in a massive convergence on the ball just in front of the goal. After a moment of mayhem, the ball squirted out of the pack and into the net.
“We’re just not sure who scored it,” Durr said. “We think Ashlee Rico kicked out of the pack, but there may have been another girl touch it after that. We just can’t tell.”
On Saturday, the lone North Pulaski goal was scored by Durr, who also broke the school record for goals in the season with 23. Durr took a direct kick pass from Megan Delao from midfield. The ball bounced once and Durr scored from the 18.
“It was an outstanding play,” Durr said. “Megan got the direct kick of a lifetime. They were playing us too deep and Ashley nailed it.”
The Lady Falcons finish the season 10-8. Their second-place finish in the East conference was also the highest finish in school history. The previous high was fourth place.
“It was a great year,” Durr said. “The girls really, really improved from beginning to end.
“Our only conference loss was to Valley View and that was really early in the season. It was 6-2 and I think if we could have played them again later in the year the result would have been a lot different. We’re a totally different team than when we started. Greenbrier is an outstanding team and playing them so close is a testament to how much this group has improved.”
TOP STORY>> New museum opens doors to visitors
IN SHORT: Some 300 people on Sunday attended the grand opening ceremony in Jacksonville for a museum that has been planned for 20 years.
By Brian Rodriguez
Leader staff writer
The Jacksonville Museum of Military History at 100 Veterans Circle in Jackson-ville opened its doors to about 300 people Sunday to share its exhibits from the Civil War to current conflicts.
Members of the Little Rock Air Force Base Historic Foundation have worked to open the museum for more than 20 years.
“Man, it feels great after all these years,” said Brig. Gen. Charles Linz (ret.), vice president of the foundation. “It seems like a lot of weight’s off the shoulders.”
Bill Elia, a foundation board member, said it was a great feeling to look at his watch and see only five minutes remained to open the doors after working on the project for more than two decades.
The museum is a 4,500-square-foot building that houses items from the Civil War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the war in Bosnia-Kosovo, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and other conflicts.
“This has been a long day coming,” said Joan Zumwalt, secretary and treasurer for the foundation. “It’s something for the community to be proud of.”
Ben Rice, president of the foundation, said he never doubted the project would succeed.
“There was enough grass root support that we all knew it would open some day,” he said. “We are a military town and we’re going with the flow. We’re not running against traffic.”
The museum was first proposed at LRAFB, but the Air Force issued a halt to the construction of any new parks or museums on Air Force bases before work could begin.
The foundation also planned to build where the new Jacksonville Wal-Mart Supercenter is located, but elected to find a new location and sold its land to Wal-Mart.
The foundation finally decided to locate the museum in the administration building of the former Jacksonville Ordnance Plant that later housed the Jacksonville Funeral Home and several other occupants like a McDonald’s office, a barbershop and an antique shop.
Col. Joseph M. Reheiser, commander of the LRAFB, commended the efforts of the LRAFB Historic Foundation.
“It’s a very well-done museum for Jacksonville,” he said. “I knew it was going to be a class act by the people putting it together.”
Some visitors at the opening came from cities in Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida and Hawaii.
Vietnam veteran Bobby Bowen, one of many who attended the opening, said the museum shows how much the public’s attitude on the military has changed since he was enlisted.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I guess it was worth the wait,” he said. “Jacksonville has seen a lot of changes and this is a good change. The patriotism has picked up quite a bit.”
“It wasn’t such a good scene for the guys coming back in the 70s,” he continued. “Past, present and future, the vets need the support and this is another way of showing it.”
The foundation has chosen Berna Love to serve as a consultant while it continues its search for a curator.
“They’re doing great. The whole museum – I’m impressed,” she said. “I’ve never seen the caliber of artifacts they have here.”
She said she likes hearing firsthand accounts of military experiences from veterans who visit the museum for their own knowledge.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and military personnel, and $1 for students.
An expansion project is underway for a 9,150-square-foot addition that is funded by a $300,000 loan from Community Bank.
The foundation plans to feature LRAFB and the Air National Guard in the expansion in about six months when construction is finished.
By Brian Rodriguez
Leader staff writer
The Jacksonville Museum of Military History at 100 Veterans Circle in Jackson-ville opened its doors to about 300 people Sunday to share its exhibits from the Civil War to current conflicts.
Members of the Little Rock Air Force Base Historic Foundation have worked to open the museum for more than 20 years.
“Man, it feels great after all these years,” said Brig. Gen. Charles Linz (ret.), vice president of the foundation. “It seems like a lot of weight’s off the shoulders.”
Bill Elia, a foundation board member, said it was a great feeling to look at his watch and see only five minutes remained to open the doors after working on the project for more than two decades.
The museum is a 4,500-square-foot building that houses items from the Civil War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the war in Bosnia-Kosovo, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and other conflicts.
“This has been a long day coming,” said Joan Zumwalt, secretary and treasurer for the foundation. “It’s something for the community to be proud of.”
Ben Rice, president of the foundation, said he never doubted the project would succeed.
“There was enough grass root support that we all knew it would open some day,” he said. “We are a military town and we’re going with the flow. We’re not running against traffic.”
The museum was first proposed at LRAFB, but the Air Force issued a halt to the construction of any new parks or museums on Air Force bases before work could begin.
The foundation also planned to build where the new Jacksonville Wal-Mart Supercenter is located, but elected to find a new location and sold its land to Wal-Mart.
The foundation finally decided to locate the museum in the administration building of the former Jacksonville Ordnance Plant that later housed the Jacksonville Funeral Home and several other occupants like a McDonald’s office, a barbershop and an antique shop.
Col. Joseph M. Reheiser, commander of the LRAFB, commended the efforts of the LRAFB Historic Foundation.
“It’s a very well-done museum for Jacksonville,” he said. “I knew it was going to be a class act by the people putting it together.”
Some visitors at the opening came from cities in Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida and Hawaii.
Vietnam veteran Bobby Bowen, one of many who attended the opening, said the museum shows how much the public’s attitude on the military has changed since he was enlisted.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I guess it was worth the wait,” he said. “Jacksonville has seen a lot of changes and this is a good change. The patriotism has picked up quite a bit.”
“It wasn’t such a good scene for the guys coming back in the 70s,” he continued. “Past, present and future, the vets need the support and this is another way of showing it.”
The foundation has chosen Berna Love to serve as a consultant while it continues its search for a curator.
“They’re doing great. The whole museum – I’m impressed,” she said. “I’ve never seen the caliber of artifacts they have here.”
She said she likes hearing firsthand accounts of military experiences from veterans who visit the museum for their own knowledge.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and military personnel, and $1 for students.
An expansion project is underway for a 9,150-square-foot addition that is funded by a $300,000 loan from Community Bank.
The foundation plans to feature LRAFB and the Air National Guard in the expansion in about six months when construction is finished.
TOP STORY>> Locating sex offenders
IN SHORT: A comprehensive survey of registered criminals reveals how many live in your community and how their numbers compare to the rest of the state.
By Brian Rodriguez
Leader staff writer
Comparing the most re-cent sex offender population of cities in The Leader’s coverage area against the most recent census data shows Jacksonville leads the area in total number of registered sex offenders, but McRae has the most per capita.
Each convicted sex offender undergoes an assessment to determine what level the sex offender will be classified as, and the level determines who should be made aware of the offender’s presence.
“The higher the risk level, the more people in the community who should be notified,” said Sheri Flynn, administrator of the Arkansas Criminal Information Center.
A Level 1 sex offender is considered a low-risk offender, Level 2 is a moderate-risk offender, Level 3 is a high-risk offender, and Level 4 is considered a sexual predator.
Jacksonville has four Level 1 sex offenders, 21 Level 2, 14 Level 3, and five unclassified sex offenders for 44 offenders. The cities with the next highest numbers of sex offenders are Searcy with 32, Cabot with 20, Beebe with 18, and Bald Knob with 17.
While Jacksonville has 12 more registered sex offenders than Searcy and more than double the individual numbers for the next three of the top five, Bald Knob has the most per capita registered sex offenders in The Leader’s coverage area.
With seven sex offenders in a town of only 661 people, McRae has one registered sex offender for every 94 people in the city. Jacksonville, although it has the most registered sex offenders overall, has only one for every 680 people.
The next cities with the next highest overall prevalence are Rose Bud with one for every 143, Bald Knob with one for every 188, Kensett with one for every 256, and Beebe with one for every 274 people.
Sherwood has the lowest prevalence overall with only one sex offender for 2,390 people.
With one Level 2 offender as the only offender in the city, Bradford has the next lowest prevalence with only one for 800 people and Cabot follows with one for every 763 people. Cabot leads the Level 1 population with six, and has seven Level 2 offenders, four Level 3 offenders, and three unclassified sex offenders.
Searcy is the only city with a Level 4 sex offender within city limits, but there is one more Level 4 sex offender in our coverage area who is registered near Cabot.
With 4,831 offenders assessed out of 2,673,400 people in the state, the overall state average is one sex offender per 553 people. Our coverage area, with 184 offenders and 109,195 people, has a slightly lower prevalence with one for each 593 people. A committee appointed by the governor has assigned 405 offenders the Level 1 rating, 993 the Level 2 rating, 2,036 the Level 3 rating, and 39 the Level 4 rating.
Flynn pointed out the number of Level 3 offenders may seem inflated because each offender who misses two appointments is automatically upgraded to Level 3 offender rating.
The cities with the most prevalent sex offenders per level are McRae with one Level 1 offender for every 220 people, Lonoke with one Level 2 for every 390, McRae with one Level 3 for every 220, Searcy with one Level 4 for every 18,928, and Judsonia with one unclassified offender for every 496 people.
The state averages one Level 1 offender for every 6,600 people, one for every 2,692 at Level 2, one for every 1,313 at Level 3, and one for every 68,549 people at Level 4.
Jacksonville has the most Level 2 offenders in our coverage area with 21, the most Level 3 offenders with 14, and is tied with Searcy for the most unclassified offenders at five.
There is a large difference in Level 3 sex offenders in north Pulaski and Lonoke counties who live near a city but not within the city limits.
According to the ACIC web site, Jacksonville has 14 Level 3 offenders living nearby, Sherwood has five, Austin has one, Ward has two, Lonoke has four, and Carlisle has three. Public notification requirements differ for each level sex offender and are based on the population the offender may place in danger.
Notification guidelines for Level 1 sex offenders include law-enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the area they live in and law- enforcement agencies the offenders are likely to encounter, all adult members of the offender’s household, as well as victims or guardians of the victims.
Notification for Level 2 sex offenders also includes the heads of agencies and organizations in the offender’s target group, state licensing boards and prospective employers, and the heads of families or individuals with members that are of the age and gender of the offender’s target group who are likely to encounter the offender or live in the same neighborhood.
Notification for Level 3 sex offenders also includes any member of the community the offender is likely to encounter. Offender fact sheets are also given out, and along with Level 4 offenders, are listed online at http://www.acic.org. Level 3 and 4 sex offender information can also be found online at http://criminalcheck.com.
Level 4 notification also includes members of the public in the general area where the offender lives, travels and works. Community meetings can be held to inform residents in the area where the offender is likely to be found, and printed material, posters and electronic media can be used to notify and inform the public.
By Brian Rodriguez
Leader staff writer
Comparing the most re-cent sex offender population of cities in The Leader’s coverage area against the most recent census data shows Jacksonville leads the area in total number of registered sex offenders, but McRae has the most per capita.
Each convicted sex offender undergoes an assessment to determine what level the sex offender will be classified as, and the level determines who should be made aware of the offender’s presence.
“The higher the risk level, the more people in the community who should be notified,” said Sheri Flynn, administrator of the Arkansas Criminal Information Center.
A Level 1 sex offender is considered a low-risk offender, Level 2 is a moderate-risk offender, Level 3 is a high-risk offender, and Level 4 is considered a sexual predator.
Jacksonville has four Level 1 sex offenders, 21 Level 2, 14 Level 3, and five unclassified sex offenders for 44 offenders. The cities with the next highest numbers of sex offenders are Searcy with 32, Cabot with 20, Beebe with 18, and Bald Knob with 17.
While Jacksonville has 12 more registered sex offenders than Searcy and more than double the individual numbers for the next three of the top five, Bald Knob has the most per capita registered sex offenders in The Leader’s coverage area.
With seven sex offenders in a town of only 661 people, McRae has one registered sex offender for every 94 people in the city. Jacksonville, although it has the most registered sex offenders overall, has only one for every 680 people.
The next cities with the next highest overall prevalence are Rose Bud with one for every 143, Bald Knob with one for every 188, Kensett with one for every 256, and Beebe with one for every 274 people.
Sherwood has the lowest prevalence overall with only one sex offender for 2,390 people.
With one Level 2 offender as the only offender in the city, Bradford has the next lowest prevalence with only one for 800 people and Cabot follows with one for every 763 people. Cabot leads the Level 1 population with six, and has seven Level 2 offenders, four Level 3 offenders, and three unclassified sex offenders.
Searcy is the only city with a Level 4 sex offender within city limits, but there is one more Level 4 sex offender in our coverage area who is registered near Cabot.
With 4,831 offenders assessed out of 2,673,400 people in the state, the overall state average is one sex offender per 553 people. Our coverage area, with 184 offenders and 109,195 people, has a slightly lower prevalence with one for each 593 people. A committee appointed by the governor has assigned 405 offenders the Level 1 rating, 993 the Level 2 rating, 2,036 the Level 3 rating, and 39 the Level 4 rating.
Flynn pointed out the number of Level 3 offenders may seem inflated because each offender who misses two appointments is automatically upgraded to Level 3 offender rating.
The cities with the most prevalent sex offenders per level are McRae with one Level 1 offender for every 220 people, Lonoke with one Level 2 for every 390, McRae with one Level 3 for every 220, Searcy with one Level 4 for every 18,928, and Judsonia with one unclassified offender for every 496 people.
The state averages one Level 1 offender for every 6,600 people, one for every 2,692 at Level 2, one for every 1,313 at Level 3, and one for every 68,549 people at Level 4.
Jacksonville has the most Level 2 offenders in our coverage area with 21, the most Level 3 offenders with 14, and is tied with Searcy for the most unclassified offenders at five.
There is a large difference in Level 3 sex offenders in north Pulaski and Lonoke counties who live near a city but not within the city limits.
According to the ACIC web site, Jacksonville has 14 Level 3 offenders living nearby, Sherwood has five, Austin has one, Ward has two, Lonoke has four, and Carlisle has three. Public notification requirements differ for each level sex offender and are based on the population the offender may place in danger.
Notification guidelines for Level 1 sex offenders include law-enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the area they live in and law- enforcement agencies the offenders are likely to encounter, all adult members of the offender’s household, as well as victims or guardians of the victims.
Notification for Level 2 sex offenders also includes the heads of agencies and organizations in the offender’s target group, state licensing boards and prospective employers, and the heads of families or individuals with members that are of the age and gender of the offender’s target group who are likely to encounter the offender or live in the same neighborhood.
Notification for Level 3 sex offenders also includes any member of the community the offender is likely to encounter. Offender fact sheets are also given out, and along with Level 4 offenders, are listed online at http://www.acic.org. Level 3 and 4 sex offender information can also be found online at http://criminalcheck.com.
Level 4 notification also includes members of the public in the general area where the offender lives, travels and works. Community meetings can be held to inform residents in the area where the offender is likely to be found, and printed material, posters and electronic media can be used to notify and inform the public.
TOP STORY>> School scare often chases off students
IN SHORT: Although hit lists should not be ignored, a former McRae superintendent warns against hysteria.
By Joan McCoy
Leader staff writer
While hit lists are not to be ignored, a former superintendent at McRae Schools says talk of a hit list that never really existed was the beginning of the decline in enrollment that led to that small school district consolidating with Beebe.
When the state legislature mandated that school districts with enrollments of fewer than 350 students must consolidate, McRae was already about 25 below that number.
Rosebud Superintendent Jeff Williams, who was superintendent at McRae four years ago when the hit list scare broke, says the district lost about 75 students who either transferred to Beebe or opted for home-schooling after the scare.
Additionally, the school district paid $8,000 to install a security fence around the campus that many patrons disliked because they said it made the school look like a prison.
Williams said school officials got the news about the hit list from the White County Sheriff’s Department which had received its information from the Morgan Nick Foundation.
The foundation received an unsigned letter from someone who overheard a conversation about a list that included students and one teacher, Williams said.
The sheriff’s investigation produced two junior high boys who admitted to having the conversation, but no list was ever found. No charges were filed because the author of the letter never came forward, Williams said.
The boys fit the profile of the boys from Columbine, he said. They were different from most of the other students. One wore a trench coat. Their hair was long and unkempt.
The school found out about the letter on a Tuesday, he said. School was dismissed for Wednesday and resumed on Thursday. Thursday night the school board called a town meeting to discuss what was going on.
“People were just panicking,” he said.
Some talked about the danger of drive-by shootings, where none really existed, at least no more so than before the call from the sheriff’s department about the letter to the Morgan Nick Foundation.
The students also attended school on Friday, but then they were out for spring break.
When they returned a week later, the security fence was in place and deputies with metal detectors barred the entrance.
“We checked everybody,” Williams said, “every kid, every teacher, every adult.”
A deputy stayed on the grounds for about two weeks, Williams said. After that, the school district bought its own hand-held metal detector and conducted random screenings. No weapons were ever found.
The two boys who caused the uproar left.
One was home schooled and the other was tutored at home for a time by a teacher who worked for the school district.
Was anyone ever in danger?
Williams says he doubts it. The two boys didn’t own guns or have access to guns owned by family members.
“They were just two junior high kids blowing off steam,” he said.
By Joan McCoy
Leader staff writer
While hit lists are not to be ignored, a former superintendent at McRae Schools says talk of a hit list that never really existed was the beginning of the decline in enrollment that led to that small school district consolidating with Beebe.
When the state legislature mandated that school districts with enrollments of fewer than 350 students must consolidate, McRae was already about 25 below that number.
Rosebud Superintendent Jeff Williams, who was superintendent at McRae four years ago when the hit list scare broke, says the district lost about 75 students who either transferred to Beebe or opted for home-schooling after the scare.
Additionally, the school district paid $8,000 to install a security fence around the campus that many patrons disliked because they said it made the school look like a prison.
Williams said school officials got the news about the hit list from the White County Sheriff’s Department which had received its information from the Morgan Nick Foundation.
The foundation received an unsigned letter from someone who overheard a conversation about a list that included students and one teacher, Williams said.
The sheriff’s investigation produced two junior high boys who admitted to having the conversation, but no list was ever found. No charges were filed because the author of the letter never came forward, Williams said.
The boys fit the profile of the boys from Columbine, he said. They were different from most of the other students. One wore a trench coat. Their hair was long and unkempt.
The school found out about the letter on a Tuesday, he said. School was dismissed for Wednesday and resumed on Thursday. Thursday night the school board called a town meeting to discuss what was going on.
“People were just panicking,” he said.
Some talked about the danger of drive-by shootings, where none really existed, at least no more so than before the call from the sheriff’s department about the letter to the Morgan Nick Foundation.
The students also attended school on Friday, but then they were out for spring break.
When they returned a week later, the security fence was in place and deputies with metal detectors barred the entrance.
“We checked everybody,” Williams said, “every kid, every teacher, every adult.”
A deputy stayed on the grounds for about two weeks, Williams said. After that, the school district bought its own hand-held metal detector and conducted random screenings. No weapons were ever found.
The two boys who caused the uproar left.
One was home schooled and the other was tutored at home for a time by a teacher who worked for the school district.
Was anyone ever in danger?
Williams says he doubts it. The two boys didn’t own guns or have access to guns owned by family members.
“They were just two junior high kids blowing off steam,” he said.
TOP STORY>> Districts to start on their facilities
IN SHORT: The new state school improvement board established emergency rules so districts can keep children “safe, warm, dry and healthy.”
By John Hofheimer
Leader staff writer
The freshly minted Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Commission on Tuesday authorized interim director Dave Floyd to begin hiring a staff and it adopted emergency rules and regulations for 120 days so that schools can begin applying for authorization and money to make critical school repairs.
Applications are due by July 1, but “we are ready, waiting on them to say, ‘Here’s the money,’” said James Warren, assistant superintendent for facilities at Pulaski County Special School District.
“We know what needs to be fixed first and foremost. They’ll have people looking over our shoulder. We need to spend on roofs. That’s where we are right now.
“The district has roofs and HVAC systems that are more than 20 years old and need to be replaced. Right now, roofs are leaking into classrooms, ruining floor and ceiling tiles,” according to Warren.
“We’re taking bids on roofs right now,” he said. “We hope those will be priority one.”
He said at least 10 schools needed new roofs at an estimated cost of more than $550,000. Those include the Jacksonville Elementary main building, Oak Grove High School band building, Oak Grove High School Gym dressing rooms, Lawson Elementary original building, Fuller Middle School cafeteria, Mill High School four-classroom pod, Adkins Elementary School media center, Sherwood Elementary School media center, Cato Elementary School original building and the Jacksonville auxiliary gym dressing rooms.
Originally the roofs were designated priority three, but the district has asked for those roofs to be designated critical, for immediate attention.
Eligible for the immediate repair program are projects including HVAC, floors, roofs, sewage systems, water supplies, asbestos abatement, fire alarm systems, exterior doors, emergency lighting and accessibility for the disabled.
As interim director Dave Floyd put it, the criteria for immediate repair would be things that interfered with keeping occupants “safe, warm, dry and healthy.”
In many cases, however, roofs and HVAC systems cannot be replaced while school is in session, said Floyd.
Including the less-pressing as well as the critical needs, it will cost an estimated $203 million to make schools in Cabot, Lonoke, Beebe and the Jacksonville area adequate, according to the $8.5 million school facilities report.
That would correct current deficiencies, make the schools educationally suitable and allow for enrollment growth and normal deterioration over the next five years.
Making adequate the Jacksonville area schools—part of the Pulaski County Special School District—will cost an estimated $118 million. The tab for Cabot Schools is $51 million, Beebe schools $21 million and Lonoke Schools $13.6 million according to estimates in the report.
Lonoke Superintendent Sharron Havens has told her board that Lonoke Schools don’t have many critical problems and won’t likely receive much money the first year. The facilities report released last year identified only $183,000 worth of critical needs at Lonoke.
Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, whose legacy may prove to be the state’s school facilities laws passed this last session, thanked the commission for the hard work it has and will do.
“We picked you for your talents,” he said. “This is an evolving process. A lot of us spent the last two years working on this. I thought this day would never come. We had no idea how to start an $8.5 million study.”
He said there would be a lot of construction dollars to help boost the state economy while protecting the state’s school children and responding to the Lake View School Adequacy rulings.
This beginning, according to Charles Knox, assistant director of the Arkansas Association of Edu-cational Administrators, should encourage school administrators.
The commission and its rules address emergency needs and provide for help in case of a catastrophe, he said, but “we’ve yet to see the rules and regulations on the partnership between the districts and the state.”
Knox said he hoped the next General Assembly would establish a permanent funding mechanism for facilities repair and construction.
Members of the three-person commission are Dr. Ken James, director of the state Education De-partment; Richard Weiss, director of the state Finance and Adminis-tration Department, and Mac Dodson, president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.
The commission also voted to advertise for:
• Seven new jobs in the division, which eventually will have about 25 employees to oversee building projects in all 254 school districts. Ten of the permanent jobs will be bus inspectors that the state will cross-train to inspect school buildings. Districts that don’t keep their facilities up to state standards will be sanctioned.
• Architects and engineers who will be hired on a part-time basis to review each district’s application for state aid. Floyd estimated that about a dozen such professionals would be needed in the next 18 months.
The state and its school districts will be operating on short deadlines for both immediate state aid and 10-year building plans for each district.
“We’re going to be inundated with all these plans,” Floyd said of the need for temporary employees. “The permanent staff can’t handle that flow.”
The Legislature last month set aside $20 million for immediate and catastrophic repairs. Another $50 million is for local school building debt incurred after Jan. 1, 2005, and $40 million is to help with each district’s state-ap-proved master plan.
Districts must have applications completed for immediate-needs funding by July 1, and the 10-year master plan is due by Feb. 1, 2006.
To be eligible for the repairs, districts must provide documentation of the deficiency and of how it is an immediate hazard to the health and safety of students, teachers and others using the facility, the integrity of the facility with regard to meeting minimum health or safety standards or extraordinary deterioration.
David Robinson of the Arkansas News Bureau contributed to this article.
By John Hofheimer
Leader staff writer
The freshly minted Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Commission on Tuesday authorized interim director Dave Floyd to begin hiring a staff and it adopted emergency rules and regulations for 120 days so that schools can begin applying for authorization and money to make critical school repairs.
Applications are due by July 1, but “we are ready, waiting on them to say, ‘Here’s the money,’” said James Warren, assistant superintendent for facilities at Pulaski County Special School District.
“We know what needs to be fixed first and foremost. They’ll have people looking over our shoulder. We need to spend on roofs. That’s where we are right now.
“The district has roofs and HVAC systems that are more than 20 years old and need to be replaced. Right now, roofs are leaking into classrooms, ruining floor and ceiling tiles,” according to Warren.
“We’re taking bids on roofs right now,” he said. “We hope those will be priority one.”
He said at least 10 schools needed new roofs at an estimated cost of more than $550,000. Those include the Jacksonville Elementary main building, Oak Grove High School band building, Oak Grove High School Gym dressing rooms, Lawson Elementary original building, Fuller Middle School cafeteria, Mill High School four-classroom pod, Adkins Elementary School media center, Sherwood Elementary School media center, Cato Elementary School original building and the Jacksonville auxiliary gym dressing rooms.
Originally the roofs were designated priority three, but the district has asked for those roofs to be designated critical, for immediate attention.
Eligible for the immediate repair program are projects including HVAC, floors, roofs, sewage systems, water supplies, asbestos abatement, fire alarm systems, exterior doors, emergency lighting and accessibility for the disabled.
As interim director Dave Floyd put it, the criteria for immediate repair would be things that interfered with keeping occupants “safe, warm, dry and healthy.”
In many cases, however, roofs and HVAC systems cannot be replaced while school is in session, said Floyd.
Including the less-pressing as well as the critical needs, it will cost an estimated $203 million to make schools in Cabot, Lonoke, Beebe and the Jacksonville area adequate, according to the $8.5 million school facilities report.
That would correct current deficiencies, make the schools educationally suitable and allow for enrollment growth and normal deterioration over the next five years.
Making adequate the Jacksonville area schools—part of the Pulaski County Special School District—will cost an estimated $118 million. The tab for Cabot Schools is $51 million, Beebe schools $21 million and Lonoke Schools $13.6 million according to estimates in the report.
Lonoke Superintendent Sharron Havens has told her board that Lonoke Schools don’t have many critical problems and won’t likely receive much money the first year. The facilities report released last year identified only $183,000 worth of critical needs at Lonoke.
Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, whose legacy may prove to be the state’s school facilities laws passed this last session, thanked the commission for the hard work it has and will do.
“We picked you for your talents,” he said. “This is an evolving process. A lot of us spent the last two years working on this. I thought this day would never come. We had no idea how to start an $8.5 million study.”
He said there would be a lot of construction dollars to help boost the state economy while protecting the state’s school children and responding to the Lake View School Adequacy rulings.
This beginning, according to Charles Knox, assistant director of the Arkansas Association of Edu-cational Administrators, should encourage school administrators.
The commission and its rules address emergency needs and provide for help in case of a catastrophe, he said, but “we’ve yet to see the rules and regulations on the partnership between the districts and the state.”
Knox said he hoped the next General Assembly would establish a permanent funding mechanism for facilities repair and construction.
Members of the three-person commission are Dr. Ken James, director of the state Education De-partment; Richard Weiss, director of the state Finance and Adminis-tration Department, and Mac Dodson, president of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority.
The commission also voted to advertise for:
• Seven new jobs in the division, which eventually will have about 25 employees to oversee building projects in all 254 school districts. Ten of the permanent jobs will be bus inspectors that the state will cross-train to inspect school buildings. Districts that don’t keep their facilities up to state standards will be sanctioned.
• Architects and engineers who will be hired on a part-time basis to review each district’s application for state aid. Floyd estimated that about a dozen such professionals would be needed in the next 18 months.
The state and its school districts will be operating on short deadlines for both immediate state aid and 10-year building plans for each district.
“We’re going to be inundated with all these plans,” Floyd said of the need for temporary employees. “The permanent staff can’t handle that flow.”
The Legislature last month set aside $20 million for immediate and catastrophic repairs. Another $50 million is for local school building debt incurred after Jan. 1, 2005, and $40 million is to help with each district’s state-ap-proved master plan.
Districts must have applications completed for immediate-needs funding by July 1, and the 10-year master plan is due by Feb. 1, 2006.
To be eligible for the repairs, districts must provide documentation of the deficiency and of how it is an immediate hazard to the health and safety of students, teachers and others using the facility, the integrity of the facility with regard to meeting minimum health or safety standards or extraordinary deterioration.
David Robinson of the Arkansas News Bureau contributed to this article.
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