Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of four articles that takes a quarterly look back at The Leader’s front page headlines from 2015.
Formation of the new school district topped the headlines during the second quarter of the year, along with the state’s report card on individual schools and districts. Funding, both positive and negative, for LRAFB was also in the news often from April through June.
APRIL
• Air Force hit with $10 billion in budget cuts – Secretary asks for more funding as military is asked to do more with fewer resources and improvements
• JPD reaches out to build bonds with city’s youth – Teenagers learn what to expect when pulled over by officers.
• Community center marks its 20th year – Celebration will honor municipal facility pushed by former Mayor Tommy Swaim.
• LRAFB to get more C-130Js despite cuts – Including contingencies the military budget could reach $167 billion.
• E-cycling opportunity – Pulaski County offers a new service to dispose of old or unwanted computers and more.
• Wakes after five-month coma – Returns to her family from hospital; supplies and prayers needed.
• Ex-JPD cop’s murky world is uncovered – Lonoke sheriff said he once worked as a resource officer with the cop arrested in a meth raid.
• Ward wants youth, senior center – City is hoping to get state aid for multipurpose facility as generator project is winding down.
• Wood: We’ll make it work – Versed in all aspects of running a district, veteran educator signs on with JNPSD.
• State report cards rank area schools – More than half in Jacksonville score low, others are not much better.
• Mayor glad lawmakers home – Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher contends state legislature is making it more difficult to operate at city level.
• New community center on base – New facility named for colonel who was devoted to airman’s welfare.
• Arkansas First Lady hails Open Arms – Governor’s wife tells banquet that it is important to help the most vulnerable in our society, but more help is needed to fight child abuse in Arkansas.
• Utilities’ fees stay the same – Aldermen in Cabot decide raising fees might cost city’s residents.
• Teacher hiring is still a big issue – Uncertainty, frustration stymies efforts to separate districts.
• Hospital: Serving community well – North Metro CEO responds to critics who promote new competitor.
• Schools still fuming over report cards – An A grade can still classify school as needing improvement.
• Sherwood wants school millage –If PCSSD levy is passed, city schools will get $61 million in improvements.
• Concert series marks 10th year – IBLA winners to astound crowds with “world class” music.
• PCSSD: New district should be excluded – Schools in Pulaski County don’t want JNPSD in deseg suit.
• Hospital looks to new competitor – New facility to go in near North Metro, which continues to struggle.
MAY
• Ex-county assessor in fraud, gun bust – Jack McNally was a two-term official who made few friends during contentious period.
• Lonoke mayor explains firing of police chief – Dismissed Mike Wilson cleaned up the department after the Jay Campbell fiasco.
• Rains help replenish aquifers in farm areas –it had been too wet in Lonoke County in contrast with rest of state and drought-stricken California.
• Grading upsets Beebe schools – Superintendent Belinda Shook said report cards didn’t reflect the districts true performance.
• Second thoughts on store in Sherwood – City council says its not happy with the way lumberyard was built.
• Jacksonville to pay off range, issue bonds – Saving $82,000 a month will pay
• City welcomes new school chief, Tony Wood – Former state education commissioner picked to lead burgeoning Jacksonville district.
• Cabot health clinic wants old gym – City offered $375,000 by ARcare for its facility.
• Military may aid schools: LRAFB may pay 80 percent of Arnold Drive Elementary’s replacement costs.
• Lester: Millage needed – Jacksonville Middle School is demoralizing to kids and a tax is needed.
• Jacksonville to pay off range, issue bonds – Saving $82,000 a month will pay for remodeling firehouse, buying new police cars and more.
• Architect hired for new Sherwood library – City says it still hasn’t decided on where to put the new CALS branch library.
• Hospital releases CEO in shakeup – Rep. Joe Farrer will help run facility with financial office until replacement found.
• Voters defeat higher millage – Voters are adamant, reject new tax proposal.
• Lincoln Day: Time to celebrate – Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin urges Lonoke County Republicans to push for tax cuts and reform politics in the state.
• Panther Stadium is being trashed – Vandalism, arson and more lead to closure being considered.
• Another report card stuns district – Searcy takes a big tumble from top three years ago to near bottom, according to the state.
• Mistakes result in parolee’s shooting – He had rare ability to move handcuffs from back to front while officers weren’t looking.
• For air base, commitment always there – In an exit interview, Col. Patrick Rhatigan, 19th Airlift Wing commander looks back.
• Dividing assets by Jacksonville, PCSSD expected – Detachment settlement proposal could be ready for court date.
• Mom upset over reckless driving – Mother talks to the Cabot City Council about “joy riding” on her street.
• LRAFB gets new commander – Col. Charles Brown Jr., takes over the reins from Col. Patrick Rhatigan
• Couple drowns in a sea of debt – they face foreclosure because of flooding woes in Sherwood.
• More hires for new school district: One name you know well – Like father, like son as Bobby E. Lester may help lead new district.
• Sirens ready for stormy weather – Bad weather hits, damages and downs trees in Lonoke County.
• Bench warrant amnesty day set – District court judge in Jacksonville drops $260 administrative fee.
JUNE
• Base injects $813 million for economy – Financial impact of Little Rock Air force Base is significant.
• Jacksonville teachers in limbo – Instructors are uneasy about their prospects in new district.
• Report cards mostly subpar for Sherwood – Even newly opened middle school gets a ‘D’ grade from the state.
• ‘Flix on the Bricks’ premieres -- Free movies are set to be projected inside pavilion at Jacksonville’s Nixon Library.
• District want voters’ backing – JNPSD board passes budget projection, places existing millage on ballot, hires two.
• Planner may be added – Sherwood budget committee talks about new $50,000 hire to help city engineer.
• Online survey: State is unsafe –Wallethub reports dismal findings on Arkansans’ well being.
• Farmers fear EPA clean-water rule harmful –EPA says the 300-page document adds clarity and is not an economic strain.
• Snowing rice in Lonoke – City council thinks processing facility is causing air pollution.
• Open-carry gun law prevailing – All agree that owner cannot be arrest unless he or she plans to use firearm “unlawfully.”
• Doctors’ claim of slow pay an issue – Investigation by U.S. Department of Labor continues against North Metro.
• Ward selects $4.6 million sewer plant – Aero-Mod treatment facility is chosen from five proposed alternatives for growing community.
• Funeral owners plead innocent to corpse abuse – Father, son go before judge as they face 13 felony charges.
• Brown: ‘Defenders did their job’ – Attack at air base averted by security forces’ rapid response.
• Fireworks stay illegal in Cabot – Aldermen voted 4-3 to keep ban on fireworks.
• Strong reaction to decision by Supreme Court – Arkansans weigh in on same-sex marriage ruling.
• Sherwood could stop permits for a 30-day review – City council is determined to stop any metal buildings from going up again.
• Austin may hold a special census – Growing town could get more state aid if it can show population has grown.
• PCSSD will give teachers better pay starting out – More competitive pay, but still less than neighboring districts, and veterans will see just a small increase.
• Farrer: Hospital not dying, it’s stable – Amidst numerous issues, Allegiance Health Management explains it does not own the troubled North Metro.
• Local clergy mourn attack – Community expresses its solidarity after South Carolina hate crime. n Council meeting scene of tantrum –Man taken away after he was ranting at Jacksonville City Hall.
