Compiled by RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Jacksonville’s new school district dominated the news during 2015, but there was a lot more than school news happening in Cabot, Sherwood, Lonoke, Beebe, Jacksonville and parts in between.
Take a look at these front-page headlines from The Leader during the first three months of the year in this first of four quarterly reviews of 2015.
JANUARY
• Cabot eighth grader fights cancer – Barrett Starks is battling leukemia at age 14 at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
• Jacksonville operates on a tight budget – City will maintain all services, but offers no extra employee benefits.
• State starts probe of funeral home – Jacksonville undertaker denies charge it mishandled bodies.
• Courthouse beefing up its security – Cameras and metal detectors to be added to Lonoke County landmark.
• Lester: Present at creation –Retired PCSSD superintendent named interim head of new Jacksonville-North Pulaski County School District.
• School chiefs list more issues at Capitol – Superintendents lobby lawmakers about Internet access, health insurance and more.
• JPD holds its first town hall – Jacksonville aldermen, chief host meet and greet to gauge resident’s thoughts on city and police department.
• Hospital cited for improvements – North Metro one of 28 hospitals in state that have advanced patient care.
• Library nears completion – New $2.6 million facility on Main Street in Cabot will have 24,000 square feet.
• Education center for Sherwood –New facility offers job-skills training, GED assistance, computer classes and more.
• Highway improvements in the works – Plans call for under- and overpasses on Jacksonville freeway.
• Jacksonville chamber hears it’s a new dawn – Schools, highway work and wet-dry effort touted at dinner.
• Court decides county judge can’t be sued – Erwin said to be immune from $3 million suit for blocking development.
• Governor’s budget offers more for schools – The state’s $5.2 billion budget for 2016 includes more for jails, health care and families, too.
• Hutchinson praised by lawmakers – legislators like governor’s health-care reforms and call for savings.
• Lawmakers supporting tax cuts – Gov. Hutchinson’s plan gains momentum as lawmakers push agenda for schools, counties.
• New fire trucks needed for city – Aging fleet will have to be replaced, Jacksonville mayor reports.
• Cabot upgrades sewer – City says it will improve capacity and save $20 million in the future.
• Undertaker shuts, gives up license – Board levies a $10,000 fine, and families air grievances against Arkansas Funeral Care.
FEBRUARY
• Search surges ahead –New JNPSD should name permanent superintendent by end of April.
• Alcohol drive short 1,415 names – Jacksonville given 30 more days to come up with signatures for a referendum on alcohol sales.
• Students make a killing in stock market – Warren Dupree pupils show a knack for turning a profit in statewide game.
• Mother’s mold story unravels after arrest – Former Jacksonville resident is free on $100,000 bond in death of her child.
• Recognition at last – William Barnett, 92, of Beebe receives WWII medals.
• Designation of distress challenged – Beebe School District will appeal state board designation of academic failure at alternative school.
• A million shots in one year at range – But foundation’s promise of $2 million still short $1.6 million.
• Base: Cuts could affect readiness – Sequestration a “dark cloud” as infrastructure ages and help from communities is sought.
• Storm hurries baby’s arrival – Child doing fine after sudden birth in truck outside hospital.
• Cops get new bike for accident victim – 5-year-old suffered fractured skull and brain bleeding in a hit-and-run accident.
• Private option helping hospitals – Getting more patients who are now able to pay for their treatment.
• District looks at tax vote – After years of neglect, building new schools and renovating old ones will cost millions, JNPSD interim superintendent says.
• Water dispute in Jackson-ville – City water department and CAW officials meet to resolve $129,000 issue.
• Budget of $92 million for new schools – Scenario includes new high school, remodeling old buildings.
• ‘Pork’ grants here costing state $9.2 million – Ex-legislator thinking about going back to stop practice.
• Winter storm causes pileups – Record is set for late February after snow and low temperatures.
• City offers CAW $90,000 water deal – Jacksonville willing to give Little Rock utility most of what it wants.
• Military spends millions on base projects – $108 million for runway, $21 million for fuel cell, $4.1 million on simulator.
• Judge will decide on Lewis’ competence – Evaluation finds defendant accused of capital murder has antisocial disorder.
MARCH
• Bill to form new districts passes – Sherwood and Maumelle awaiting governor’s signature on law that makes splitting from PCSSD easier.
• Plans set to move middle school – New district will shut down substandard Jacksonville Middle School.
• The Leader starts its 29th year – Award-winning newspaper was launched on March 4, 1987.
• Winter weather was brrr… — Latest storm cancels meetings, disrupts travel and school activities.
• Liquor sales rules eased for petitions – Senate bill says fewer signatures will be required for wet-dry vote.
• $6 million bond to fund Sherwood library – City to buy land, construct and equip facility with millage hike.
• Hill warns of cuts at air base – Congressman tours LRAFB and says military needs more flexibility on sequestration.
• Eminent domain invoked – Sherwood is at a standstill with some owners for Maryland Avenue project.
• Alpine Village gets the axe – Cabot City Council could hire firm to remove complex that was too dangerous to occupy.
• Guilty plea made in wife’s murder – Ex-auxiliary Lonoke County sheriff’s deputy gets life without parole in shooting.
• NPHS teens protest PCSSD policy – Many students back teachers as seniority question imperils jobs.
• District not out of fiscal distress – State rules that PCSSD’s finances are still not strong enough, so state will control the district for at least another year.
• Severe potholes getting repaired – Hwy. 67/167 lanes closed for day so crews could patch weather damage.
• Board warns on state cuts – Cabot School Board president criticizes state proposal, which would hurt the district.
• Millage vote to affect schools – PCSSD tax increase would mean new facilities, upgrades.
• Puppy mill dogs adopted – Crowds line up at Sherwood facility to adopt six of 31 shih tzus.
• Questions remain on treatment of bodies – Jacksonville funeral home must answer investigators on question of whether deceased were improperly prepared.
• Senator pushes for workforce – Sen. Jane English promised $17 million for job training initiative and wants $40 million more.
• More hours for students – Snow days cause area school districts to add six to seven days to the school year.
• Job security of teachers raises fears – Educators feeling insecure amidst many proposed detachment changes, but PCSSD superintendent says not to worry.
• Floods anger Sherwood residents – Residents file Freedom of Information request to get documents as they allege violation occurred.
• Loans will modernize businesses’ power use – Pulaski County energy district loans would pay for themselves by cutting usage.
• Church is helping area’s hungry kids – North Little Rock’s First Assembly is helping those in need in Jacksonville and Sherwood.
• First-term reflections – Representatives Tim Lemons, Camille Bennett and Karilyn Brown discuss legislation.
