Editor’s note: This is the third in a four-part series looking back at the news that made Leader front-page headlines in 2015.
The summer of 2015 was not all about the deadly hot weather, but also about Jacksonville’s new school district, problems at North Metro and more C-130s at Little Rock Air Force Base.
JULY
• Teacher pay plan approved by board – Experienced teachers get short shrift in new salary schedule, but plan may get reviewed if more funds become available.
• Murder accomplice pleads guilty – Estranged wife sentenced to 30 years in death of real estate agent Beverly Carter.
• Former official appears in court – Ex-assessor says he’s not guilty of felony fraud, theft and other charges.
• Two awarded Purple Hearts – Capitol ceremony honors pair of heroes; one died, one survived 2009 shooting in Little Rock.
• New chief for district – With total separation a year off, interim superintendent Bobby Lester hands off reins to former state education commissioner Tony Wood.
• Delivering Afghanistan’s fourth C-130H from base – LRAFB airmen continue to advise and train Afghan troops.
• Newspaper named best in state – Leader sweeps all weeklies in number of first place ribbons, taking 11.
• LRAFB renews fleet of C-130s – Four more C-130Js coming after 24th J model arrives at base.
• hauler will spend $2 million for automated pickups – Cabot will consider renewing garbage deal with one-man trucks.
• Sinking-home trial to be heard in the fall – Builder’s sister says no one knows what’s wrong and homeowners refused the solution offered.
• Cooling centers to open in cities – Suspected cause of woman’s death in Lonoke County is the heat.
• Lonoke beefs up church patrols – Police chief tells city council that officers are visiting worship services.
• Plans go forward on plant in Ward – ADEQ gives the city an extension on sewer facility which may cost less than predicted.
• Library in Cabot prepares to open – Books are moved from old library into new $2.6 million Main Street facility.
• Big bonus in bond payoff – Savings on interest nets $102,000 for Cabot parks and recreation.
• Jacksonville sees growth, others down – Construction up 60 percent, while Cabot, Sherwood, and Lonoke slide.
• Cabot might get a Cracker Barrel, shopping center – City renews contract with trash firm and will go to automation.
• Mayor: Library in Ward needed – Mayor Art Brooke tells city council that negotiations with library system board could bring results.
• A blazing chronicle – Book recounts history of Jacksonville fire department from 1947 to 1970 through daily log reports.
• JPs consider 1.25 percent levy for law enforcement – Lonoke Quorum Court votes against first reading to allow more time to study the proposal.
• Hwy. 67/167 improvements in flux – Main Street to Vandenberg phase put off, work toward Cabot to start.
• Sherwood RV owners protest parking ban – A proposal placing limits on recreational vehicle parking raises ire.
• A special census planned for Austin – Mayor says higher population count will mean a $50,000 boost in state aid.
AUGUST
• Library closing Dec. 31 – Lonoke-Prairie County Regional Library System decides to shutter Ward facility.
• Ward is aiming at 10,000 folks – Mayor sees doubling of population with hundreds of new homes.
• Districts will share money in separation – New Jacksonville district will pay $10.8 million for PCSSD schools, but will get $15 million.
• Bonds set for several projects – Jacksonville wants to update Splash Zone and a firehouse.
• Biology teacher is best in state – Beebe High School instructor honored at Rhode Island science gathering.
• Detachment agreement approved – Superintendent Tony Wood plans to hire architects and contractors to improve Jacksonville schools.
• Panel picks Sherwood library site – Location is 21 wooded acres off East Maryland and will cost $496,000.
• Math scores must improve, teachers told – Jacksonville schools at least 10 percent below the state average.
• District passes another hurdle – State board approves detachment agreement, now in judge’s court.
• Williams says job from far from finished – Senator announces that he will seek third term.
• High teacher turnover at Jacksonville schools – About 30 percent of instructors in new district will be new; other area districts are at 6 percent.
• Judge: New district must obey orders – U.S. District Judge insists desegregation rules must be followed or he could take action.
• Kids attend one middle school – Students in Jacksonville going to old Northwood Middle School for one year.
• Base repairs water leak – Main breaks early Saturday and affects Arnold Drive Elementary students.
• Minnow farm asks senator for labor help – U.S. Sen. John Boozman visits Anderson’s farm which is short migrant workers.
• Auditor positive on city’s finances – Jacksonville property worth $1.44 billion and tax collections are up.
• 350 fewer kids in new district – Attendance for first five days at PCSSD, JNPSD show decline.
• Justices to look at boosting revenues -- Lonoke County Quorum Court committee to study options for sheriff and jail.
• City patriarch T.P. White dies – He helped Jacksonville grow during the years after WWII.
• Judge leaving bench for his upcoming trial – Courts look for a substitute for Lonoke County District Judge O’Bryan who’s charged with battery.
• Base runway takes off – Work on new $117 million 2.3 –mile tarmac will include assault landing strip and taxiways.
• Judge back on bench after arrest – Lonoke County District judge is charged with domestic battery if girlfriend, but still holding court in Ward.
SEPTMBER
• Miracle of conjoined twins – Family says boys are doing well after they were separated at the tender age of six weeks.
• Hill: Let’s get C-130s from Keesler – Congressman fights to move 10 aircraft, claims cost less at LRAFB.
• Jacksonville business initiative – Growing downtown is aim of new group to build community.
• 40 years for racial attack at bar – Parolee could be out in 10 years after couple pleads guilty in stabbing death.
• Sen. English gets GOP competitor – Popular lawmaker opposed by State Rep. Donnie Copeland for seat that covers portions of Jacksonville and Sherwood.
• Cabot ready for $5.2 million remodel –City officials break ground on project to expand aging facility.
• Colonel: Guards will get medals –Ceremony set for airmen whose quick action pervaded a potential massacre at LRAFB.
• Doomed inmate will die Dec. 14 – Williams was convicted in the 1994 killing of a Jacksonville woman.
• Hospital exodus continues – More key staff members quit after Joe Farrer resignation as interim CEO.
• Board elected for new district in Jacksonville – McDonald, Dornblaser, Moore chosen for new JNPSD school board.
• Legislators organize to push area’s needs – Jacksonville, Sherwood, Cabot lawmakers making a difference to support growth north of the river.
• Base always on missions, target same – Commander says LRAFB is a role model for others to emulate.
• Liquor drive to get reboot – Jacksonville group meets to develop downtown revitalization.
• Scholars program is phased out – The special academic track could cost the Jacksonville district $500,000.
• Lonoke could allow backyard chickens – City council worried that approval opens gate to other animals.
• Officials don’t want cuts for county roads – judges angry that state plan would raise $194 million for highways, but cut funding for other roadwork.
• North Metro doctor says he’s sober – Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer says he’s under voluntary monitoring to verify that he’s not drinking.
• Pedestrian safety urged in Cabot – Couple tells city council that crosswalks are needed on Main Street to save lives.
• District planning new high school for 2019 – Jacksonville seeks public input at October meeting on design and requirements.
• Worker charged in arson – Walmart associate arrested for allegedly starting store fire.
• Church celebrates 165 years – First united Methodist is Jacksonville’s oldest congregation.
• Ill talk sickens hospital owner – Allegiance CEO says change to keep hospital viable is upsetting to some.
• Pipeline could bisect areas of Indian march – Planned fuel supply line from Searcy to Little will cut across Cabot land that was part of the Trail of Tears.
• Different site for library selected – After some residents complain Sherwood picks Hwy. 107 acreage instead of site off Maryland Avenue.
