Compiled by Leader staff writer RICK KRON
In this final of four articles looking back at The Leader’s front-page headlines of 2015, the last quarter of the year featured everything but snow. There was talk of lawsuits, a tragic accident, unmade payments, pushes for millage hikes, holds on executions, possible hospital shenanigans and a dry county looking at going wet.
October
• Despite lawsuit, Beebe borrows to extend water – City council approves borrowing up to $1 million for pipelines.
• It’s been tough for agriculture – Farmers have roughest year since 2010 and many cash out.
• C-130Js stay at Keesler in 2016 budget – Congressman French Hill fails to move 10 coveted cargo planes from Mississippi to LRAFB.
• JNPSD wants millage hike – As new board is sworn in, district considers tax increase and long-range needs.
• Hospital overdue on taxes – North Metro owes more than $2.1 million in unpaid state and federal withholding taxes, faces other problems.
• Plan for Cabot’s vacant council seat – Aldermen will add election for open position to primary election in March.
• More cable, Internet for Cabot – City council vote to allow another firm to construct, maintain and operate communications network.
• Historic Austin cemetery dates back to 1831 – Restoration is underway at the final resting place to many 19th Century Arkansans.
• Executions on hold for area killers – Judge Griffen says state not forthcoming about drugs for execution.
• Lawsuit possible on repairing faulty road project – Seven blocks of Palm Street in Lonoke, leading to the high school, are impassable and would cost about $200,000 to fix.
• Main Street mission backed by state – Jacksonville could get free advice on how to revive downtown.
• Officials seeking Osborne fixtures – Jacksonville chamber wants to bring famed Christmas display ad lights to city as a tourist draw.
• Hospital workers are uninsured – Employees were told that North Metro had not paid their health insurance policies for months.
• Hospital hoping benefits restored – Employees keeping fingers crossed insurance company will pay.
• Food pantry marks 40th year – Cabot Church of Christ has been helping the less fortunate in the area since 1975.
• Dry county exploring benefits of liquor sales – Lonoke County Quorum Court votes unanimously to ask UALR Extension Service to look at tax revenue from alcohol.
• Cabot gets award for managing its floods – Named city of the year by floodplain association for drainage work and Police Chief Jackie Davis named state police chief of the year.
• Complaints by workers increasing at hospital – North Metro’s operating room all but shuttered as supplies run low, payment deadline looms and liens are filed.
• Donor’s heart beating – A Cabot teen’s tragedy becomes a gift for another young person and others around the country.
• Nurses singing doctor’s praises – Embattled physician has many fans at Jacksonville hospital.
• Construction projects are over budget – Delays add to the cost of Cabot’s new sports complex and community center.
• Body cameras donated – Anonymous donor helps Jacksonville police department buy more equipment.
• Library bonds sold in two hours – Sherwood council told funding for $6 million is secured and at a good rate.
• Liquor drive may have to reboot again – Jacksonville to ask attorney general if old signatures still valid.
• Census in Austin may be too high – Town would see more funding but is $95,000 cost worth it?
• Still looking to fix bad street repair – Resurfacing on Palm Street in Lonoke was so badly done, nobody can safely drive on it.
NOVEMBER
• Kerr Station Road shut down for 60 days for drainage work – Improvement project will involve extension work to reduce flooding.
• Marijuana brought to state from Colorado – Area law enforcement agencies say visitors bringing it with them.
• New district headquarters – Remodeling work un-derway on repurposed JNP school administration building.
• Community mourns fatalities – The four young Cabot women are praised for their love of life and work with kids.
• Jacksonville teacher arrested for rape – His alleged victims were students at private school in Little Rock.
• Downtown site chosen – Lower enrollment means new high school will be small at the old Jacksonville Middle School site.
• Library is given a grand opening – New $2.6 million Cabot facility showcased at ribbon-cutting ceremony.
• Vietnam War helicopter restored – Old chopper returned to pristine state and back on display at museum.
• Competitive races in ’16 after filings – Contests include House and Senate and Lonoke County judge.
• Lattes, espressos for Powell store – Historic site in Beebe’s downtown square set to reopen as a coffee shop.
• Hearing to settle territory dispute over water – Jacksonville does not like Sherwood’s push to gain acreage.
• A and P money faces reckoning – Jacksonville will probably change the way it funds nonprofits with “hamburger tax.”
• Core samples set for botched road – Lonoke City Council will spend $3,550 to try to figure out what went wrong on Palm Street.
• Victim’s DNA detected in Lewis’ vehicle – Alleged killer of realtor Beverly Carter tries to exclude some evidence from trial.
• Director can keep $21,000 – Beebe mayor says deal was made privately and was not improper.
• Hospital CEO: Criticism will cause trouble – North Metro owner Rock Bordelon and Dr. Tracy Phillips, chief medical officer issue warning to staff to toe the line.
• Groups worried they could lose special funding – Boys and Girls Club, military museum and Reed’s Bridge hit hardest.
• Director agrees to pay back $21,000 – Rhetoric heats up after parks chief overpaid for nearly four years.
• Water dispute pits neighbors – Jacksonville sees Sherwood’s move as threat to its customer base.
• Work halts on highway bridge – Change order, utility relocation stalls Main Street overpass in Jacksonville.
• Doctors are told to repay insurer – Cigna has taken back claims it paid for North Metro employees and their families; employees responsible now.
• Halfway house is proposed for Lonoke County – State money available to build re-entry facility for ex-convicts.
• Farmers market pavilion – Sherwood’s advertising and promotion commission puts up $600,000 to build shaded event space.
• Downtown new site for festival – Strawberry celebration moving from Veterans Park in Cabot.
• Neighbors voice anger at rezoning – Cabot’s planning and zoning commission approves request for planned unit developments.
• Garbage rates on the rise – Sherwood City Council approves raising pickup fees by $5 a month in 2016.
DECEMBER
• Judge O’Bryan can stay on the bench – Charges dropped against Lonoke County District judge.
• Last story time in Ward – Final children’s program was Dec. 22 before facility is permanently closed Dec. 31.
• Judge rules candidates can go on ballot – Court tells Lonoke County clerk to qualify opponent and constable hopeful.
• Small pay raises for Jacksonville – City workers to get 2 percent increase in 2016 as city dips into reserves.
• Road funds running out, mayor says – Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert tells council that residents should call congressmen.
• Task force will submit highway plans – Details of proposed road funding will be announced in report before the end of the year.
• Veterans cemetery need wreaths – Woman from Beebe leads drive to honor fallen with decorations.
• Doctor explains away concerns – State Medical Board questions North Metro Medical Center’s chief doctor over possible alcohol violation and improper blood procedure.
• ASU-Beebe hires Karla Fisher as chancellor – Coming in from Kansas, she will succeed longtime campus leader Eugene McKay.
• Formula for state funding to stay – Feared cuts to city and county road funds now appear unlikely.
• New high school plans submitted – Architect shares ideas for a state-of-the-art facility to replace a dilapidated Jacksonville campus.
• Chickens in backyards – Lonoke will now let people raise these fowls as part of a growing trend.
• Sherwood sees library opening middle of 2017 – Construction of multi-million facility set to start soon off Hwy. 107.
• Alleged killer of toddler in court – Details of boy’s murder emerges as defendant faces judge.
• District upbeat as PCSSD struggles – Jacksonville moves ahead as state keeps reins on county schools.
• Cabot’s budget at $11.6 million for 2016 – Aldermen approved spending plan just before Christmas.
• Sidewalk grant for Ward is $220,000 – City council also approves purchase of locators for patrol cars, which will aid in faster responses.
• Airmen’s kids go to the North Pole – About 50 children of National Guard members went on special deployment to meet Santa.
• Weird weather hits – From record high temperatures the day after Christmas to deluge of rain, flooding, high winds and a 30-dgree drop in temperature.
