DONNA ALLEN-BRITTON, 43
Donna Ann Allen-Britton, 43, of Tyler, Texas, passed away April 15. She was born Aug. 3, 1962 to Barry and Patricia Spears in New Milford, Conn.
She was preceded in death by husband Dennis Lee Allen, and brother, Tommy Spears.
Survivors include husband Charles Britton of Tyler; daughters: DeAna Phillips, Charlene Allen and Elizabeth Layrock all of Searcy; step-children: Re-becca Bos-well and Kayla Vana-man of Sher-wood, Linda Weathers, Charlie Brit-ton and Clar-issa Britton of Providen-ce; parents: Barry Spears of Florida and Patricia Spears of Texas and Charles and Elise Allen of Augusta; sister, Debbie Schmidt; brothers Toby Spears and Tim Spears all of Texas; five grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren and one step great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Victory Bap-tist Church in Cabot with interment at Providence Cemetery. Memorials may be made to any Cancer Research Organization.
Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Service of Cabot.
REV. ANDREW RUTLEDGE AND LENA RUTLEDGE, 89
Rev. Andrew Jackson Rutledge and his wife, Lena Geneva Rutledge, formerly of Jacksonville, went to be with the Lord this weekend in Springfield, Mo.
Mr. Rutledge died on April 14 at the age of 89, and Mrs. Rutledge died on April 16 also at the age of 89.
The loving couple were married on Aug. 30, 1940, and spent 66 beautiful years together.
Mr. Rutledge was born in Horneback, Tenn., on July 28, 1916 to the late William and Ethel Webster Rutledge. Two brothers also preceded him in death.
He was an Assembly of God minister. Mrs. Rutledge was born in Zalma, Mo., on Aug. 14, 1916, to the late William A. and Ina M. Mansfield McKenzie. Five brothers and a sister also precede her.
Survivors include one son, William A. Rutledge and his wife, Lois, of North Little Rock, two daughters; Joyce Garman and husband Kelsey of Springfield, Mo.; and Donna Jenkins and husband Danny of Ward; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Royce Lowe officiating. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 on Wednesday night at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under direction of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home.
CHARLES DAVIS, 64
Charles Wayne Davis, 64, of Cabot passed away on April 16.
Survivors include his special friend Michael Faught and family; the nurses and residents of Spring Creek Living Center and his church family at Vic-tory Baptist Church in Cabot.
Visitation will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Wed-nesday, at the funeral home and from 8 a.m. until service time Thursday at Victory Baptist Church in Cabot with Bro. Ben Leonard officiating.
Interment will follow at Sylvania Cemetery.
Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Service 713 South Second St. Cabot.
DARRELL HOUSE, 74
Darrell Eugene House, 74, of Jacksonville departed this earth April 14.
He was born Nov. 6, 1931, in Swif-ton to the late Richard and Della Mae House.
House is survived by his wife, Dor-othy; one daughter, Judy Puckett of Jacksonville five sons; Brian and his wife Dawn House of Jackson-ville, Michael House of North Little Rock, Richard House of St. Louis, Mo., Danny House of North Little Rock, and Jimmy House of Ferndale; two grandchildren Darrell and Natalie House; one brother, Carl House of Little Rock; two sisters, Beatrice Haigwood and Mildred Cochran both of North Little Rock.
Funeral services were held at Tuesday at Stanfill Baptist Church in Jacksonville with Brother Gene Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Stanfill Cemetery.
Arrangements by Moore’s Cabot Funeral Home.
JIMANNA KORNEGAY, 90
Jimanna Kornegay, 90, of Jacksonville, died April 17 at Rebsamen Medical Center. Born April 26, 1915, in Oktibbeha County, Miss., she was a daughter of the late James Robert and Ruby A. McIntosh Ferguson.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Alton Kornegay; two sisters, Gussie Mae Hall and Florence Coleman; and a brother, Hugh Ferguson.
A devout Christian, she and her husband were charter members of Marshall Road Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and enjoyed participating in the choir and the senior group activities. They helped organize the MAC group (making age count).
was always a believer and contributor of the Lottie Moon Offering. Jimanna enjoyed fishing and playing cards with friends and family.
She belonged to the garden club, the Homemakers Extension Club and also worked as a poll worker.
Survivors include her two daughters, Colleen Van Nostrand, and Mary Odell and husband Phillip Ford; grandchildren, Karen Wisniewski, Robert Stephen Van Nostrand and Kenneth Scott Ford; eight great-grandchildren, Bill Kennedy, Charleen and Jake Van Nostrand, Kenneth, Blake, Cath-erine and Peter Ford and Meagan Wisniewski; two brothers, C.R. Ferguson, Paul Cloyce Ferguson; and a sister Ruth Betts Vickers and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday at Moore’s Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville, with Rev. John Sammons and Rev. Cliff Hutchins officiating.
Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marshall Road Baptist Church Building Fund, 821 Marshall Road, Jacksonville, Ark., 72076 or a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are under direction of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home.
MARILYN CASH, 73
Marilyn M. Lester Cash, 73, of Modesto, Calif., and a native of Santa Maria, Calif., died April 14 at her home.
She was born April 20, 1932.
She is retired from Tri Valley Growers and was formerly employed by the Sharp Army Depot.
She was a member of Moose Lodge Women’s Auxiliary and the fraternal Order of Eagles Wom-en’s Auxiliary as well as a volunteer at Doctors Medical Center with the auxiliary.
She is survived by her children Sandra Cash of Modesto, Calif., and Johnette Smith of Dublin, Texas; brother James Lester of Antioch; sisters Joyce Usiak of Modesto, Calif., and Carolyn Piper of Powder Springs, Ga., and 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Cash.
Funeral services were held April 19 at Colonial Chapel-Franklin & Downs.
Memorials may be sent to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, Calif., 95356. Arrangements by Colonial Chapel-Franklin and Downs in California.
M.J. ADAMS, 65
M.J. “Knockout” Adams, born Dec. 31, 1940, died April 16. He was a member of Palm Street Church of Christ, Lonoke, a graduate of Jacksonville High School and was a retired self-employed building contractor.
In earlier years he built a 10-acre subdivision in Lonoke County.
He was an avid hunter with many trophies to attest to his skills. He had a log cabin in Stone County where he spent a large portion of his time during the winter and summer. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren at the cabin.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bud and Louise Adams; a son, Michael J. Adams of Cabot and a baby sister.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Kathleen Chapman Adams; two daughters, Robin and hsuband Jimmy Prince and Karen Adams; seven grandchildren, Bailie and Marlie Prince, Jared, Tyler and Alex Adams, all of Jacksonville, Nolan and Brandon Hidalgo of S.C.; one brother, Don and wife Kaye Adams of Greers Ferry; two sisters, Patty and husband Carl Peters of Jacksonville and Barbara Hiner of Benton.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Jacksonville Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Bayou Meto Cemetery, arrangements by Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke.
Great appreciation to the nurses and staff of Arkansas Hospice and St. Vincent’s Family Clinic in Jacksonville. Memorials can be made to www.pancan.org to aid in research for a cure of pancreatic cancer.
KENT MCDONALD, 13
Kent Edward McDonald, Jr., 13 of Beebe, died April 17. Kent, better known as Kentster to many, was a funny, loving, happy-go-lucky 13-year-old who attended Beebe Junior High School.
Kentster was loved and adored by all who knew him because of his gift of compassion for others before himself.
He filled his days with skateboarding, riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers with cousins and friends, and most of all, looking out for his little sister, Nikki.
Those who knew Kentster were truly blessed to have known such a wonderful person and he will be missed tremendously; however, we know he is with his Lord and Savior.
He is survived by his grandparents, Wayne and Shirley Mc-Donald of Beebe, and Janett Tazelaar of Little Rock; parents, Kent and Tammy McDonald of Beebe; one sister, Nikki McDonald of Beebe; and four cousins, Chris Cummings of Beebe, Brandi Bartlett and husband Mike of Jacksonville, Eric and Sydney Rowell of Beebe.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Weir Cemetery.
Arrangements by Westbrook Funeral Home.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
WED 4-19-6 EDITORIAL >> Beebe fights tax charge
One thing that is as predictable as the solar orbits is that whenever a Democratic officeholder runs for higher office, the Republican Party will put out a report exaggerating the man’s record on taxes.
You will remember that when Bill Clinton won the Democratic nomination for president in 1992 the Republicans published an encyclopedic list numbering in the hundreds of tax increases that Clinton had signed in 12 years as governor.
He was the biggest taxer in history. Anyone who looked up the act numbers would find scores of shocking levies like a $5 annual license fee for water-well drillers or podiatrists. Quite a few actually were new deductions or exemptions that lowered, not raised taxes. But what voter has time to research the details?
Monday, much earlier in the election than anyone would have guessed, the Arkansas Republican Party released a lengthy report of Attorney General Mike Beebe’s votes on taxes as a state senator. Beebe is the Democratic candidate for governor, and the executive director of the Republican Party said the report highlighted “a pattern of fiscal irresponsibility” in Beebe’s 20 years of lawmaking that made him unfit to be governor.
A possible explanation of the timing was that an independent poll had just come out showing Beebe with an 11-point lead over the Republican, Asa Hutchinson.
The report on Beebe’s tax votes was even more disingenuous than the one on Clinton.
Down in the list of tax votes were taxes on bingo operations, a $3-a-year tax on corporations to pay for a signature-imaging system in the state corporation registration office, a tax on the rental of townhouses and condominiums and a 2-pennies-a-bushel tax on raw rice to pay for scientific research on rice. The GOP statement did not mention that a number of Beebe’s votes were for taxes pushed by Gov. Mike Huckabee — a Republican, if anyone needs reminding.
In fact, it subtly credits — or blames — Beebe for Huckabee’s last big sales tax increase, at a special session in 2004, although Beebe was no longer in the Senate.
It said that since Beebe went to the Senate in 1983, the sales tax had swollen from 3 to more than 6 percent, neglecting to point out that Beebe had no role whatever in the last leg of that rise or that much of that increase came on the watch of Gov. Huckabee and with his blessing.
The report also did not give Beebe credit for having helped craft the individual income tax reductions of 1997, which Gov. Huckabee touts far and wide as evidence that he is a conservative tax cutter.
But that is not the really dishonest part of the attack. “Mike Beebe is the $10 Billion Man,” said Clint Reed, the GOP executive director. He said the tax increases supported by Beebe totaled $10 billion. Statehouse reporters ordinarily do not ask many questions, but it was hard to pass on that. If the total state budget now stands at less than $5 billion, how could Beebe have raised it by $10 billion?
Well, Reed explained, they simply added the revenue every year from, for example, the 1983 sales tax increase for education and made the same cumulative computation for every tax. No one has ever calculated taxes that way before nor will the Republicans like them to be figured that way for Huckabee or for Hutchinson. Hutchinson, you see, could be said to have cut taxes for American billionaires as a congressman in 2001 and 2002 by trillions of dollars.
That exaggerates his generosity to the Gateses, Waltons and Tysons, some. Beebe had another response, a good one. Which services funded by those taxes and endorsed by the Republican governor would the Republicans eliminate if Hutchinson is elected?
Here is the fatal weakness in the Republican election strategy nowadays. The party assumes that voters have only one concern about their government, which is how much it collects in taxes.
Greed does not motivate most people. They like low taxes and fair taxes even more (the party will not be enlisting in that fight), but that is not the sum or even the summit of their civic interests. Republicans make a mistake when they assume it to be so. What voters will insist upon, even when the legitimate subject is taxes, is that either party and any candidate be honest and straightforward and not take them all for saps.
You will remember that when Bill Clinton won the Democratic nomination for president in 1992 the Republicans published an encyclopedic list numbering in the hundreds of tax increases that Clinton had signed in 12 years as governor.
He was the biggest taxer in history. Anyone who looked up the act numbers would find scores of shocking levies like a $5 annual license fee for water-well drillers or podiatrists. Quite a few actually were new deductions or exemptions that lowered, not raised taxes. But what voter has time to research the details?
Monday, much earlier in the election than anyone would have guessed, the Arkansas Republican Party released a lengthy report of Attorney General Mike Beebe’s votes on taxes as a state senator. Beebe is the Democratic candidate for governor, and the executive director of the Republican Party said the report highlighted “a pattern of fiscal irresponsibility” in Beebe’s 20 years of lawmaking that made him unfit to be governor.
A possible explanation of the timing was that an independent poll had just come out showing Beebe with an 11-point lead over the Republican, Asa Hutchinson.
The report on Beebe’s tax votes was even more disingenuous than the one on Clinton.
Down in the list of tax votes were taxes on bingo operations, a $3-a-year tax on corporations to pay for a signature-imaging system in the state corporation registration office, a tax on the rental of townhouses and condominiums and a 2-pennies-a-bushel tax on raw rice to pay for scientific research on rice. The GOP statement did not mention that a number of Beebe’s votes were for taxes pushed by Gov. Mike Huckabee — a Republican, if anyone needs reminding.
In fact, it subtly credits — or blames — Beebe for Huckabee’s last big sales tax increase, at a special session in 2004, although Beebe was no longer in the Senate.
It said that since Beebe went to the Senate in 1983, the sales tax had swollen from 3 to more than 6 percent, neglecting to point out that Beebe had no role whatever in the last leg of that rise or that much of that increase came on the watch of Gov. Huckabee and with his blessing.
The report also did not give Beebe credit for having helped craft the individual income tax reductions of 1997, which Gov. Huckabee touts far and wide as evidence that he is a conservative tax cutter.
But that is not the really dishonest part of the attack. “Mike Beebe is the $10 Billion Man,” said Clint Reed, the GOP executive director. He said the tax increases supported by Beebe totaled $10 billion. Statehouse reporters ordinarily do not ask many questions, but it was hard to pass on that. If the total state budget now stands at less than $5 billion, how could Beebe have raised it by $10 billion?
Well, Reed explained, they simply added the revenue every year from, for example, the 1983 sales tax increase for education and made the same cumulative computation for every tax. No one has ever calculated taxes that way before nor will the Republicans like them to be figured that way for Huckabee or for Hutchinson. Hutchinson, you see, could be said to have cut taxes for American billionaires as a congressman in 2001 and 2002 by trillions of dollars.
That exaggerates his generosity to the Gateses, Waltons and Tysons, some. Beebe had another response, a good one. Which services funded by those taxes and endorsed by the Republican governor would the Republicans eliminate if Hutchinson is elected?
Here is the fatal weakness in the Republican election strategy nowadays. The party assumes that voters have only one concern about their government, which is how much it collects in taxes.
Greed does not motivate most people. They like low taxes and fair taxes even more (the party will not be enlisting in that fight), but that is not the sum or even the summit of their civic interests. Republicans make a mistake when they assume it to be so. What voters will insist upon, even when the legitimate subject is taxes, is that either party and any candidate be honest and straightforward and not take them all for saps.
SPORTS >> Red Devils take two non-league matchups
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Jacksonville Red Devils added two wins to their record with a win over Little Rock Christian on Friday 11-2 and a close 4-3 victory over Oak Grove on Monday at Dupree Park. The non-conference wins come after a struggle in the conference season for the Red Devils, losing eight AAAAA-East matchups in a row.
Friday’s game against Christian was a dominating performance. Jacksonville took off to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Cameron Hood and Adrian Baker put the first two runs on the board, followed by Seth Tomboli and Santiago Salazar.
The Warriors not only had trouble defensively against Jacksonville, but batting was a struggle as well. Christian went scoreless for the first four innings, as the Red Devils stretched out their advantage in the bottom of the fourth.
Adam Ussery singled to start out the inning, followed by Blake Mattison. Mattison was hit by a pitch to get to first, putting two more runs in position. A walk for Jake Ussery loaded the bases for the Red Devils.
Two of those runs scored when Hood doubled two batters later. By the end of the fourth inning, Jacksonville had increased its lead to 9-0. The Warriors finally avoided the shutout when they came away with one run in the fifth inning.
Mattison was driven in by Jake Ussery for another run in the bottom of the fifth inning, with a single run home run from Hood in the bottom of the sixth setting the Red Devils’ final score. Christian was only able to add one more run in the sixth, giving Jacksonville the rout.
Monday’s contest against Oak Grove was much more closely contested.
The Hornets struck first in the top of the first inning with a run. The Red Devils put four runs up in the opening inning, with Adam Ussery and Mattison both singling off to start the inning. Both runners were then driven in with a two-run homer from Jake Ussery.
Hood kept things going with a double, and was driven in moments later off a single from Salazar. The Hornets tried to rally in the middle of the contest, scoring runs in the top of the third and fifth innings to close Jacksonville’s lead to within one.
The Red Devils held Oak Grove at bay during the final two innings to take their second straight win. The wins improve the Red Devils’ overall record to 8-12.
Jacksonville played at Forrest City last night after Leader deadlines. Look for details of that game in Saturday’s edition of The Leader.
Leader sportswriter
The Jacksonville Red Devils added two wins to their record with a win over Little Rock Christian on Friday 11-2 and a close 4-3 victory over Oak Grove on Monday at Dupree Park. The non-conference wins come after a struggle in the conference season for the Red Devils, losing eight AAAAA-East matchups in a row.
Friday’s game against Christian was a dominating performance. Jacksonville took off to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Cameron Hood and Adrian Baker put the first two runs on the board, followed by Seth Tomboli and Santiago Salazar.
The Warriors not only had trouble defensively against Jacksonville, but batting was a struggle as well. Christian went scoreless for the first four innings, as the Red Devils stretched out their advantage in the bottom of the fourth.
Adam Ussery singled to start out the inning, followed by Blake Mattison. Mattison was hit by a pitch to get to first, putting two more runs in position. A walk for Jake Ussery loaded the bases for the Red Devils.
Two of those runs scored when Hood doubled two batters later. By the end of the fourth inning, Jacksonville had increased its lead to 9-0. The Warriors finally avoided the shutout when they came away with one run in the fifth inning.
Mattison was driven in by Jake Ussery for another run in the bottom of the fifth inning, with a single run home run from Hood in the bottom of the sixth setting the Red Devils’ final score. Christian was only able to add one more run in the sixth, giving Jacksonville the rout.
Monday’s contest against Oak Grove was much more closely contested.
The Hornets struck first in the top of the first inning with a run. The Red Devils put four runs up in the opening inning, with Adam Ussery and Mattison both singling off to start the inning. Both runners were then driven in with a two-run homer from Jake Ussery.
Hood kept things going with a double, and was driven in moments later off a single from Salazar. The Hornets tried to rally in the middle of the contest, scoring runs in the top of the third and fifth innings to close Jacksonville’s lead to within one.
The Red Devils held Oak Grove at bay during the final two innings to take their second straight win. The wins improve the Red Devils’ overall record to 8-12.
Jacksonville played at Forrest City last night after Leader deadlines. Look for details of that game in Saturday’s edition of The Leader.
SPORTS >> Sylvan Hills sweeps two East games from Cabot
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills Bears got a huge doubleheader sweep from Cabot Tuesday night at Cabot, and in doing so, assumed first place in the AAAAA-East conference championship race. The Bears improved to 11-1 in league play while Cabot fell to 10-2, and saw its 14-game winning streak snapped.
Sylvan Hills got the two wins in drastically different ways, compiling 16 base hits in game one, but only winning 8-4. In game two, the Bears only collected eight hits, but took advantage of seven Panther errors to take a 13-5 victory.
Sylvan Hills battered Cabot ace Justin Haas in game one, but left several runners on base and didn’t assume full control until a five-run third inning gave the Bears a 7-2 lead.
“He’s (Haas) not an overpowering pitcher,” Sylvan Hills coach Denny Tipton said. “He’s got some different things and hits his spots well, but we just stayed back and drove the ball.”
After game two, an errorless game for the Bears, Tipton boasted of his team’s capabilities.
“I totally believe we can beat anybody in the state,” Tipton said. “Our success and failure depends a lot on what we do to ourselves. Our problem is we’re capable of losing to just about anybody. Monday night (against Catholic) we didn’t play good defense and got beat. Tonight we played defense and swung the bats and beat a good team.”
The big third started with three straight, one-out singles by Hunter Miller, Nathan Van Schoyck and Jarrett Boles, with Boles’ single driving in Miller.
Shawn Bybee flew out to right field for the second out, but three more consecutive base hits drove in the final four runs.
Mark Turpin singled in a run, leadoff hitter Taylor Roark doubled for two RBIs and Hayden Miller doubled to drive in Roark.
Six different Bears turned in multiple-hit performances. Van Schoyck and Boles had three hits apiece, all singles.
Roark, Hayden Miller, Gwatney and Boles all collected two hits in the victory.
Sam Bates and Daryl Murphy did most of the offensive work for Cabot in game one.
Bates got three base hits while Murphy had two for five of Cabot’s nine base raps.
Justin Free provided the highlight with a two-run homerun in the second inning that tied the game.
Sylvan Hills senior Ashur Tolliver got the win, giving up nine hits, three earned runs while striking out nine Panthers.
If only earned runs counted, Cabot and Sylvan Hills would have been tied at 5-5 after seven innings of game two, but the seven Panther miscues helped pave an easy road for the Bears’ nightcap victory.
Sylvan Hills built a 7-0 lead over three innings, but Cabot began to make some noise in the fifth inning.
The Panthers got three runs in the fifth, one off starter Tony Pavan, and two off relief pitcher Ross Bogard to pull to within 7-3. The Bears answered and got two of those runs back in the bottom of the same frame, starting with a monster of a homerun by cleanup hitter Austin Gwatney, who led off the inning.
Gwatney’s shot sailed over the fence in left-center between the 375- and 390-feet signs.
Van Schoyck then reached on an error at third base, and advanced to third two batters later on an error at second. That set up a sacrifice fly to make it a 9-3 game.
The Panthers added two more in the top of the sixth. Starting pitcher Colin Fuller was hit by a pitch with no outs, but was thrown out at second on a grounder by freshmen outfielder Drew Burks.
Burks moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a double down the left-field line by first baseman Chris Gross.
Gross took third on a wild pitch, and his pinch runner scored on a balk by Sylvan Hills’ third pitcher Blaine Sims.
Kyle West then roped a line shot to centerfield, but it sailed right to Gwatney for the second out of the inning.
Sims then fanned Bates to end the Cabot threat. The Bears add-ed four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth with the help of three walks and two Cabot errors.
Tolliver inserted a two-RBI single among the gifts, then scored on a rare two-RBI sac-bunt by Bybee.
Sims ended the game with a flare, striking out the first three batters of the seventh, but the final victim, Logan Lucas, reach-ed on a third-strike passed ball. Cory Wade flew out to right field on the next at bat to end the game.
The Panthers fell to 16-6 overall while Sylvan Hills improved to 15-7.
The Cabot freshman Burks turned in the best offensive effort in the game, going 3 for 4 and scoring two runs.
Tolliver was the only Bear with multiple hits. His first was a triple to right field that became a round-tripper when Burks’ throw to the infield went awry.
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills Bears got a huge doubleheader sweep from Cabot Tuesday night at Cabot, and in doing so, assumed first place in the AAAAA-East conference championship race. The Bears improved to 11-1 in league play while Cabot fell to 10-2, and saw its 14-game winning streak snapped.
Sylvan Hills got the two wins in drastically different ways, compiling 16 base hits in game one, but only winning 8-4. In game two, the Bears only collected eight hits, but took advantage of seven Panther errors to take a 13-5 victory.
Sylvan Hills battered Cabot ace Justin Haas in game one, but left several runners on base and didn’t assume full control until a five-run third inning gave the Bears a 7-2 lead.
“He’s (Haas) not an overpowering pitcher,” Sylvan Hills coach Denny Tipton said. “He’s got some different things and hits his spots well, but we just stayed back and drove the ball.”
After game two, an errorless game for the Bears, Tipton boasted of his team’s capabilities.
“I totally believe we can beat anybody in the state,” Tipton said. “Our success and failure depends a lot on what we do to ourselves. Our problem is we’re capable of losing to just about anybody. Monday night (against Catholic) we didn’t play good defense and got beat. Tonight we played defense and swung the bats and beat a good team.”
The big third started with three straight, one-out singles by Hunter Miller, Nathan Van Schoyck and Jarrett Boles, with Boles’ single driving in Miller.
Shawn Bybee flew out to right field for the second out, but three more consecutive base hits drove in the final four runs.
Mark Turpin singled in a run, leadoff hitter Taylor Roark doubled for two RBIs and Hayden Miller doubled to drive in Roark.
Six different Bears turned in multiple-hit performances. Van Schoyck and Boles had three hits apiece, all singles.
Roark, Hayden Miller, Gwatney and Boles all collected two hits in the victory.
Sam Bates and Daryl Murphy did most of the offensive work for Cabot in game one.
Bates got three base hits while Murphy had two for five of Cabot’s nine base raps.
Justin Free provided the highlight with a two-run homerun in the second inning that tied the game.
Sylvan Hills senior Ashur Tolliver got the win, giving up nine hits, three earned runs while striking out nine Panthers.
If only earned runs counted, Cabot and Sylvan Hills would have been tied at 5-5 after seven innings of game two, but the seven Panther miscues helped pave an easy road for the Bears’ nightcap victory.
Sylvan Hills built a 7-0 lead over three innings, but Cabot began to make some noise in the fifth inning.
The Panthers got three runs in the fifth, one off starter Tony Pavan, and two off relief pitcher Ross Bogard to pull to within 7-3. The Bears answered and got two of those runs back in the bottom of the same frame, starting with a monster of a homerun by cleanup hitter Austin Gwatney, who led off the inning.
Gwatney’s shot sailed over the fence in left-center between the 375- and 390-feet signs.
Van Schoyck then reached on an error at third base, and advanced to third two batters later on an error at second. That set up a sacrifice fly to make it a 9-3 game.
The Panthers added two more in the top of the sixth. Starting pitcher Colin Fuller was hit by a pitch with no outs, but was thrown out at second on a grounder by freshmen outfielder Drew Burks.
Burks moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a double down the left-field line by first baseman Chris Gross.
Gross took third on a wild pitch, and his pinch runner scored on a balk by Sylvan Hills’ third pitcher Blaine Sims.
Kyle West then roped a line shot to centerfield, but it sailed right to Gwatney for the second out of the inning.
Sims then fanned Bates to end the Cabot threat. The Bears add-ed four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth with the help of three walks and two Cabot errors.
Tolliver inserted a two-RBI single among the gifts, then scored on a rare two-RBI sac-bunt by Bybee.
Sims ended the game with a flare, striking out the first three batters of the seventh, but the final victim, Logan Lucas, reach-ed on a third-strike passed ball. Cory Wade flew out to right field on the next at bat to end the game.
The Panthers fell to 16-6 overall while Sylvan Hills improved to 15-7.
The Cabot freshman Burks turned in the best offensive effort in the game, going 3 for 4 and scoring two runs.
Tolliver was the only Bear with multiple hits. His first was a triple to right field that became a round-tripper when Burks’ throw to the infield went awry.
NEIGHBORS >> A closer look at life on the farm
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
Ward Central Pre-K students spend a day learning where food comes from.
Ward Central pre-kindergartners, many of them on a farm for the first time, pressed tight around a dwarf goat, prodding, petting and poking a critter so intent upon its grazing that it seemed blissfully oblivious of the attention.
About 150 children arrived in two school buses accompanied by 14 cars bearing chaperones as the children had a field day at C & C Farms on Minton Road off state Hwy. 38.
This was the second consecutive year Jeff and Kim Cass and their two sons have hosted the event, which included a ride in a tractor-drawn wagon, close-up inspection of a hay rake and baler, the opportunity to plant some seeds in a cup, and also a chance to pet and pester a Shetland pony, a chicken and a rooster.
“Only 2 percent of the people (in the U.S.) are employed in agriculture at all,” said Susan Matthews, a Lonoke County Extension Service agent.
“Most are so far removed from where their food comes from. (Children) think chicken comes from McDonald’s or Kroger and milk comes from a bottle.
“We wanted to provide them with a farm experience,” she said, to connect the value of agriculture to their daily lives.”
For the tractor ride, the children and their watchers crowded onto the wagon, which Jeff Cass drove around his pasture, stopping so the children could watch the cattle feed.
When they drove on, the cows followed as if waiting for a big round bale of hay to be dropped off the back of the trailer.
Lonoke County Extension Service staff chair Jeff Welch talked with the children about chickens and eggs (he didn’t say which came first) and Matthews helped each child plant two sunflower seeds in a plastic cup they could take home and grow.
The Cass family rents 150 acres for this Black Angus cow-café operation and lives on another farm closer to Lonoke, Kim Cass said.
Leader staff writer
Ward Central Pre-K students spend a day learning where food comes from.
Ward Central pre-kindergartners, many of them on a farm for the first time, pressed tight around a dwarf goat, prodding, petting and poking a critter so intent upon its grazing that it seemed blissfully oblivious of the attention.
About 150 children arrived in two school buses accompanied by 14 cars bearing chaperones as the children had a field day at C & C Farms on Minton Road off state Hwy. 38.
This was the second consecutive year Jeff and Kim Cass and their two sons have hosted the event, which included a ride in a tractor-drawn wagon, close-up inspection of a hay rake and baler, the opportunity to plant some seeds in a cup, and also a chance to pet and pester a Shetland pony, a chicken and a rooster.
“Only 2 percent of the people (in the U.S.) are employed in agriculture at all,” said Susan Matthews, a Lonoke County Extension Service agent.
“Most are so far removed from where their food comes from. (Children) think chicken comes from McDonald’s or Kroger and milk comes from a bottle.
“We wanted to provide them with a farm experience,” she said, to connect the value of agriculture to their daily lives.”
For the tractor ride, the children and their watchers crowded onto the wagon, which Jeff Cass drove around his pasture, stopping so the children could watch the cattle feed.
When they drove on, the cows followed as if waiting for a big round bale of hay to be dropped off the back of the trailer.
Lonoke County Extension Service staff chair Jeff Welch talked with the children about chickens and eggs (he didn’t say which came first) and Matthews helped each child plant two sunflower seeds in a plastic cup they could take home and grow.
The Cass family rents 150 acres for this Black Angus cow-café operation and lives on another farm closer to Lonoke, Kim Cass said.
FROM THE PUBLISHER >> DWI should end Huck’s presidential campaign
Gov. Huckabee’s presidential candidacy effectively ended last week when a habitual drunk driver whose prison sentence he had commuted to time served was arrested again on April 4, almost killing the policeman who arrested him.
Eugene Fields of Van Buren (Crawford County) was so drunk that he nearly crashed head-on into Barling Police Officer Kevin Dugan on Arkansas 59 in western Arkansas. Fields plead guilty and paid an $800 fine.
Huckabee had granted Fields clemency in April 2004 after the 68-year-old businessman served just six months of his seven-year sentence. He would have been eligible for parole in a few months anyway, but the governor thought Fields had suffered enough and the state parole board let him go early.
Law-enforcement officials, prosecutors and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were furious, and now they’ll try to send Fields back to prison for being an incorrigible drunk. He still has more than two years left on his parole, which the state could revoke at any time.
“We have increased supervision of this offender,” said Rhonda Sharp, a spokesperson for the Department of Community Punishment, which makes recommendations to the state parole board on parole revocations.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving thought Huckabee was setting a terrible example, especially since he had just honored state troopers for their fight against drunk drivers.
What’s Huckabee trying to do? Run a national campaign to go easy on drunk drivers? With his record on pardons for killers, rapists and drunks, can we trust him to manage the war in Iraq?
Hardly anyone takes his presidential candidacy seriously — Huckabee has raised just $129,000 in PAC money for his quixotic run for the White House, which is a pittance for a national campaign and is about what cranks raise for their presidential races — although the people he’s pardoned over the years, or their relatives, ought to consider making donations to his presidential campaign.
Have the pardon scandals embarrassed Huckabee? Not really. Remember the serial rapist and murderer Wayne DuMond?
Huckabee thought he was innocent and had the parole board exile him to Missouri, where DuMond killed a couple of women right after he arrived in the Show Me State. At least Missouri never considered him for parole, and he died in prison.
Did Huckabee apologize? Not a word out of him.
He did issue a statement through his spokesperson about Fields’ latest DWI arrest, saying he “has broken all trust and deserves the full penalty that the law allows. Not everyone does right, but when a person fails on a second chance, he forfeits a future one.”
Fields, of course, had four previous chances to straighten out, yet he kept drinking and driving.
Huckabee has the worst record on pardons and clemencies since Orval Faubus, who was known to pardon pals and campaign contributors.
You remember the orgy of pardons Huckabee issued over the past decade? How can we forget: Psychopaths, sadists, rapists, drunks, you name them, the governor saw their better side and let them go free — until the Legislature made him stop, and now he’s issuing just a fraction of the clemencies and pardons he did a year ago.
What a record to run on for president. Maybe the national media will start asking him some serious questions other than about his weight-loss program, but since his campaign has gone nowhere, they might not even care about his record anymore. If they did, they would realize Huckabee is Arkansas’ most ethically challenged governor in nearly half a century.
Eugene Fields of Van Buren (Crawford County) was so drunk that he nearly crashed head-on into Barling Police Officer Kevin Dugan on Arkansas 59 in western Arkansas. Fields plead guilty and paid an $800 fine.
Huckabee had granted Fields clemency in April 2004 after the 68-year-old businessman served just six months of his seven-year sentence. He would have been eligible for parole in a few months anyway, but the governor thought Fields had suffered enough and the state parole board let him go early.
Law-enforcement officials, prosecutors and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were furious, and now they’ll try to send Fields back to prison for being an incorrigible drunk. He still has more than two years left on his parole, which the state could revoke at any time.
“We have increased supervision of this offender,” said Rhonda Sharp, a spokesperson for the Department of Community Punishment, which makes recommendations to the state parole board on parole revocations.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving thought Huckabee was setting a terrible example, especially since he had just honored state troopers for their fight against drunk drivers.
What’s Huckabee trying to do? Run a national campaign to go easy on drunk drivers? With his record on pardons for killers, rapists and drunks, can we trust him to manage the war in Iraq?
Hardly anyone takes his presidential candidacy seriously — Huckabee has raised just $129,000 in PAC money for his quixotic run for the White House, which is a pittance for a national campaign and is about what cranks raise for their presidential races — although the people he’s pardoned over the years, or their relatives, ought to consider making donations to his presidential campaign.
Have the pardon scandals embarrassed Huckabee? Not really. Remember the serial rapist and murderer Wayne DuMond?
Huckabee thought he was innocent and had the parole board exile him to Missouri, where DuMond killed a couple of women right after he arrived in the Show Me State. At least Missouri never considered him for parole, and he died in prison.
Did Huckabee apologize? Not a word out of him.
He did issue a statement through his spokesperson about Fields’ latest DWI arrest, saying he “has broken all trust and deserves the full penalty that the law allows. Not everyone does right, but when a person fails on a second chance, he forfeits a future one.”
Fields, of course, had four previous chances to straighten out, yet he kept drinking and driving.
Huckabee has the worst record on pardons and clemencies since Orval Faubus, who was known to pardon pals and campaign contributors.
You remember the orgy of pardons Huckabee issued over the past decade? How can we forget: Psychopaths, sadists, rapists, drunks, you name them, the governor saw their better side and let them go free — until the Legislature made him stop, and now he’s issuing just a fraction of the clemencies and pardons he did a year ago.
What a record to run on for president. Maybe the national media will start asking him some serious questions other than about his weight-loss program, but since his campaign has gone nowhere, they might not even care about his record anymore. If they did, they would realize Huckabee is Arkansas’ most ethically challenged governor in nearly half a century.
TOP STORY >> Drought worries farmers
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
Soybean rust spores already have been found in the southern United States and in Texas, which is not good news for Arkansas producers, according to Jeff Welch, Lonoke County Cooperative Extension service agent.
Last year’s drought conditions in the state prevented rust from getting a hold here, said Welch, but those same dry conditions had farmers burning lots of expensive fuel to pump irrigation water overtime from an already-depleted aquifer. Welch said current dry conditions could hint at a repeat, which could spell disaster for some producers.
A second consecutive year of diminishing returns could cause the banks to call loans or to refuse to extend additional credit to get next year’s crop in the ground, he said.
“We had a pretty good year as far as yield,” Welch said. “The problem was the costs were substantially above normal because of the costs of fuel, fertilizer, labor and interest, negating good yields.”
“It’s pretty close to economic disaster even with decent yields. It takes a lot more yield now just to break even,” he added.
Welch said between seven and 10 Lonoke County farmers went out of business last year, but other farmers absorbed their crops.
“Last year we had to irrigate crops just to get them up,” said Welch Thursday. “We may have to flush rice up. It’s really dry out there.”
Welch said the soybean producers haven’t had to irrigate yet, but they will unless there is some significant rainfall within the next 10 days.
In addition to early beans and rice, producers are starting to plant cotton. If it’s too dry, the cotton will have to be irrigated to germinate and get up out of the ground. Three conditions are necessary for rust to take hold, said Welch. Farmers need susceptible plants, a favorable environment and the presence of rust spores.
“Our winds are from the southwest, and that’s where Texas is, he said.
Leader staff writer
Soybean rust spores already have been found in the southern United States and in Texas, which is not good news for Arkansas producers, according to Jeff Welch, Lonoke County Cooperative Extension service agent.
Last year’s drought conditions in the state prevented rust from getting a hold here, said Welch, but those same dry conditions had farmers burning lots of expensive fuel to pump irrigation water overtime from an already-depleted aquifer. Welch said current dry conditions could hint at a repeat, which could spell disaster for some producers.
A second consecutive year of diminishing returns could cause the banks to call loans or to refuse to extend additional credit to get next year’s crop in the ground, he said.
“We had a pretty good year as far as yield,” Welch said. “The problem was the costs were substantially above normal because of the costs of fuel, fertilizer, labor and interest, negating good yields.”
“It’s pretty close to economic disaster even with decent yields. It takes a lot more yield now just to break even,” he added.
Welch said between seven and 10 Lonoke County farmers went out of business last year, but other farmers absorbed their crops.
“Last year we had to irrigate crops just to get them up,” said Welch Thursday. “We may have to flush rice up. It’s really dry out there.”
Welch said the soybean producers haven’t had to irrigate yet, but they will unless there is some significant rainfall within the next 10 days.
In addition to early beans and rice, producers are starting to plant cotton. If it’s too dry, the cotton will have to be irrigated to germinate and get up out of the ground. Three conditions are necessary for rust to take hold, said Welch. Farmers need susceptible plants, a favorable environment and the presence of rust spores.
“Our winds are from the southwest, and that’s where Texas is, he said.
TOP STORY >> Major chains looking
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
With the success of Chili’s, a developer is pressing hard to get Jacksonville’s approval to bring a Cici’s Pizza restaurant and at least one other national franchise to the city.
“Jacksonville is on the radar of a number of national chains right now,” said Tommy Bond, with Bond Consulting Engin-eers and representing the developer.
Along with the commercial development, two new subdivisions should get final approval this week. The commercial plan is a complicated and fragile deal that calls for developing the acreage on Marshall Road, north of the New China restaurant and west of John Harden Drive.
Plans call for at least two retail buildings with more than 35,000 square feet and close to 200 parking spaces, but the developer needs to get all the necessary approvals before leaving the area later this month. There are a number of hurdles that the developer hopes to clear at Board of Adjustment and planning commission meetings at 6 p.m. Monday at city hall.
First, the developer is trying to combine two lots into one, but the northern lot is under the control of the hospital and only medical-related businesses are to be built on the land.
The developer must get approval from the hospital board to change that requirement and to move a billboard on the property.
“We’ve made contact with the hospital board members and there doesn’t seem to be any problems there,” Bond said. The developer must also meet with the board of adjust ments to get a variance for building setbacks. On one lot the setback is 50 feet and on the other its is 25 feet. “We want it to be 25 feet across the lots or the developer won’t be able to get his buildings in,” Bond explained. The planning commission will meet immediately after the board of adjustments to give approval to the project if enough of the question marks have been rectified.
Bond added that he thought the project was a good economic deal for Jacksonville. If the commission approves it, then the city council can review the project and give it a final approval as early as its Thursday meeting. Also at its Thursday night meeting the council will:
• Decide on rezoning the 20-acre Graham Settlement, near the corner of Loop and Graham roads from commercial to single-family homes (R-1) for new subdivision of homes. The planning commission unanimously approved the rezoning earlier this month.
• The council must also decide on the rezoning of the 120-acre Foxwood Estates from manufactured homes (R-7) to single-family homes (R-0) so that a county-style gated community can be built. Plans call for lots to average about 5 acres. The development has been called “country living in the city.”
• Aldermen will also approve the final plat of the Eastview Subdivision, Phase IV-B, completing Gina Circle.
• Make three appointments to the Residential Housing Facilities Board.
• Honor youth coaches of the year.
Leader staff writer
With the success of Chili’s, a developer is pressing hard to get Jacksonville’s approval to bring a Cici’s Pizza restaurant and at least one other national franchise to the city.
“Jacksonville is on the radar of a number of national chains right now,” said Tommy Bond, with Bond Consulting Engin-eers and representing the developer.
Along with the commercial development, two new subdivisions should get final approval this week. The commercial plan is a complicated and fragile deal that calls for developing the acreage on Marshall Road, north of the New China restaurant and west of John Harden Drive.
Plans call for at least two retail buildings with more than 35,000 square feet and close to 200 parking spaces, but the developer needs to get all the necessary approvals before leaving the area later this month. There are a number of hurdles that the developer hopes to clear at Board of Adjustment and planning commission meetings at 6 p.m. Monday at city hall.
First, the developer is trying to combine two lots into one, but the northern lot is under the control of the hospital and only medical-related businesses are to be built on the land.
The developer must get approval from the hospital board to change that requirement and to move a billboard on the property.
“We’ve made contact with the hospital board members and there doesn’t seem to be any problems there,” Bond said. The developer must also meet with the board of adjust ments to get a variance for building setbacks. On one lot the setback is 50 feet and on the other its is 25 feet. “We want it to be 25 feet across the lots or the developer won’t be able to get his buildings in,” Bond explained. The planning commission will meet immediately after the board of adjustments to give approval to the project if enough of the question marks have been rectified.
Bond added that he thought the project was a good economic deal for Jacksonville. If the commission approves it, then the city council can review the project and give it a final approval as early as its Thursday meeting. Also at its Thursday night meeting the council will:
• Decide on rezoning the 20-acre Graham Settlement, near the corner of Loop and Graham roads from commercial to single-family homes (R-1) for new subdivision of homes. The planning commission unanimously approved the rezoning earlier this month.
• The council must also decide on the rezoning of the 120-acre Foxwood Estates from manufactured homes (R-7) to single-family homes (R-0) so that a county-style gated community can be built. Plans call for lots to average about 5 acres. The development has been called “country living in the city.”
• Aldermen will also approve the final plat of the Eastview Subdivision, Phase IV-B, completing Gina Circle.
• Make three appointments to the Residential Housing Facilities Board.
• Honor youth coaches of the year.
TOP STORY >> Lonoke hoping to land Toyota
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
Even as Toyota announces that one or more sites in Arkansas are among those under consideration for a new auto plant, Lonoke city fathers, including Mayor Thomas Privett, are closer than ever to construction of a new Hwy. 89/I-40 interchange. But for the lack of the proposed new interchange on the west side of Lonoke and adjacent to prime industrial development sites, Lonoke might already have landed a major manufacturer, they say.
“It would encourage a big outfit like Toyota,” Privett said Tuesday. “We have money, and we can get what we need to match. We’re going ahead with pre-engineering for the interchange.”
He added, “That’s important to people that like the site.”
Privett, chamber director John Garner and members of the Lonoke Industrial Development Committee have been in discussions with several manufacturers over the past two years, and they think they’ve come close to landing a big one.
“Arkansas has a presence on their radar screen,” said Privett, who revealed at least one manufacturer is interested in the site adjacent to the future interchange.
The Lonoke City Council last week passed a resolution required by the state Highway and Transportation Depart-ment before planning and engineering can go any further. “I hope we can bid (pre-engineering) next month,” said the mayor.
During talks with Highway Department officials, including director Dan Flowers and commissioner Carl Rosen-baum, a tentative plan that resembles half a cloverleaf but provides on and off ramps both east and west on I-40 has emerged as an economical solution, according to the mayor.
“That was the highway people’s choice, lesser cost,” he said.
Planning and design and right-of-way procurement and engineering are on the same page, he said, although a Highway Department spokesman was unable to confirm that Tuesday afternoon.
That half-cloverleaf design would cost an estimated $5.9 million, ac-cording to the mayor, most of which has been earmarked for the project in the form of Federal Highway Administration funds, courtesy of hard work by Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Cong. Marion Berry, all Demo-crats .
Now the city is trying to get more federal money to cover about $1 million it needs in matching funds, he said. It’s possible that the money could be obtained by the Lonoke Industrial Development Commis-sion, Privett said.
Right now, he said, the project is targeted for a 2009 start date, but the city is trying to get it moved up to 2007.
Leader staff writer
Even as Toyota announces that one or more sites in Arkansas are among those under consideration for a new auto plant, Lonoke city fathers, including Mayor Thomas Privett, are closer than ever to construction of a new Hwy. 89/I-40 interchange. But for the lack of the proposed new interchange on the west side of Lonoke and adjacent to prime industrial development sites, Lonoke might already have landed a major manufacturer, they say.
“It would encourage a big outfit like Toyota,” Privett said Tuesday. “We have money, and we can get what we need to match. We’re going ahead with pre-engineering for the interchange.”
He added, “That’s important to people that like the site.”
Privett, chamber director John Garner and members of the Lonoke Industrial Development Committee have been in discussions with several manufacturers over the past two years, and they think they’ve come close to landing a big one.
“Arkansas has a presence on their radar screen,” said Privett, who revealed at least one manufacturer is interested in the site adjacent to the future interchange.
The Lonoke City Council last week passed a resolution required by the state Highway and Transportation Depart-ment before planning and engineering can go any further. “I hope we can bid (pre-engineering) next month,” said the mayor.
During talks with Highway Department officials, including director Dan Flowers and commissioner Carl Rosen-baum, a tentative plan that resembles half a cloverleaf but provides on and off ramps both east and west on I-40 has emerged as an economical solution, according to the mayor.
“That was the highway people’s choice, lesser cost,” he said.
Planning and design and right-of-way procurement and engineering are on the same page, he said, although a Highway Department spokesman was unable to confirm that Tuesday afternoon.
That half-cloverleaf design would cost an estimated $5.9 million, ac-cording to the mayor, most of which has been earmarked for the project in the form of Federal Highway Administration funds, courtesy of hard work by Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Cong. Marion Berry, all Demo-crats .
Now the city is trying to get more federal money to cover about $1 million it needs in matching funds, he said. It’s possible that the money could be obtained by the Lonoke Industrial Development Commis-sion, Privett said.
Right now, he said, the project is targeted for a 2009 start date, but the city is trying to get it moved up to 2007.
TOP STORY >> New fees to bring millions to Cabot
By JOAN MCCOY
Leader staff writer
A study completed in March shows the city of Cabot could collect $2.3 million annually in impact fees attached to new construction.
If the city council approves the plan as drafted, the new revenue would be earmarked for roads, wastewater, parks and fire protection. Most of the new revenue, about $1.8 million, would come from average-sized, single-family homes of about 1,600 square feet, which would have an attached fee of about $3,300.
Carroll Steen — the member of the stakeholders committee created by the council to work with the Texas consultants hired to do the study, who is an average citizen and not part of city government or the building or banking industry — said this week that she hopes the council approves the fees as proposed by Duncan and Associates.
“The impact fee will lighten the load taxpayers have to bear,” Steen said. Adding that it’s only fair builders and developers should pay because they are the ones who create the burden on the city’s infrastructure.
“(Building) is the economic engine that’s driving this city,” she said. “But it’s the economic engine that’s going to drive it into the ground.”
Furthermore, Steen wants the fees paid by the builders before the houses are sold so the city will be certain of getting paid. She is opposed to any sort of installment plan for the payments. The money needs to be available to the city as quickly as possible, she said.
James Moore, a builder and developer and former member of the city council disagrees.
Moore said he is for the impact fee.
“I’d vote for it myself if I was still on the council,” he said.
But he is opposed to both the amount of the fee and the intended recipients.
Moore served on the stakeholders committee while he was a council member and he says he had no input into which city departments the fees would be collected for.
“The first time we met, the people doing the study told us what the money would be used for. We didn’t tell them, which I thought was ridiculous,” Moore said.
“I’m for it going for water and I’m for it going for streets,” he said. “I’m not for it going for sewer because we’ve got a tax to pay for that.
“I’m for it going for parks, but not much of it because they have a 1.5 percent tax that supports them. I’m for giving some to fire and police but not much because, they’ve got a one-cent tax.
“I’m for giving some to the library. They’ve got plans for adding on a second story and no money to do it,” Moore said.
Moore said he would support an impact fee of $1,000 to $1,500 on a 1,600-square-foot house but more than that would be enough to send developers toward Beebe and Vilonia. Both have the good school systems that have made Cabot desirable.
The impact fee study has been a long time coming. It started with a 2004 council resolution sponsored by Alderman David Polantz and approved by all members of the council that said an impact fee would be in place by January 2005.
The stakeholders committee grew out of the turmoil that followed that resolution. Builders, developers and bankers learned about the resolution after it passed and complained that they had been left out when impact fees would affect them the most.
Alderman James Glenn sponsored legislation to create the committee which met infrequently while the study was underway and has not met since it was completed.
Steen attended the city council meeting Monday night to ask when a meeting would be scheduled with Duncan and Associates so the stakeholders could go over the plan.
Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh an-swered that the firm would need at least two week’s notice.
And Steen responded that the notice should have already been given.
Steen spoke during the public comment portion at the end of the regular meeting. She reported that Conway has collected $2.4 million for parks and streets since its impact fee went into effect in September 2003, shortly after the state legislature passed a law allowing the fees.
The Conway builders who were opposed to the fee are paying, she told the council.
“All the fussing, all the fuming, that’s all over with,” she said.
Leader staff writer
A study completed in March shows the city of Cabot could collect $2.3 million annually in impact fees attached to new construction.
If the city council approves the plan as drafted, the new revenue would be earmarked for roads, wastewater, parks and fire protection. Most of the new revenue, about $1.8 million, would come from average-sized, single-family homes of about 1,600 square feet, which would have an attached fee of about $3,300.
Carroll Steen — the member of the stakeholders committee created by the council to work with the Texas consultants hired to do the study, who is an average citizen and not part of city government or the building or banking industry — said this week that she hopes the council approves the fees as proposed by Duncan and Associates.
“The impact fee will lighten the load taxpayers have to bear,” Steen said. Adding that it’s only fair builders and developers should pay because they are the ones who create the burden on the city’s infrastructure.
“(Building) is the economic engine that’s driving this city,” she said. “But it’s the economic engine that’s going to drive it into the ground.”
Furthermore, Steen wants the fees paid by the builders before the houses are sold so the city will be certain of getting paid. She is opposed to any sort of installment plan for the payments. The money needs to be available to the city as quickly as possible, she said.
James Moore, a builder and developer and former member of the city council disagrees.
Moore said he is for the impact fee.
“I’d vote for it myself if I was still on the council,” he said.
But he is opposed to both the amount of the fee and the intended recipients.
Moore served on the stakeholders committee while he was a council member and he says he had no input into which city departments the fees would be collected for.
“The first time we met, the people doing the study told us what the money would be used for. We didn’t tell them, which I thought was ridiculous,” Moore said.
“I’m for it going for water and I’m for it going for streets,” he said. “I’m not for it going for sewer because we’ve got a tax to pay for that.
“I’m for it going for parks, but not much of it because they have a 1.5 percent tax that supports them. I’m for giving some to fire and police but not much because, they’ve got a one-cent tax.
“I’m for giving some to the library. They’ve got plans for adding on a second story and no money to do it,” Moore said.
Moore said he would support an impact fee of $1,000 to $1,500 on a 1,600-square-foot house but more than that would be enough to send developers toward Beebe and Vilonia. Both have the good school systems that have made Cabot desirable.
The impact fee study has been a long time coming. It started with a 2004 council resolution sponsored by Alderman David Polantz and approved by all members of the council that said an impact fee would be in place by January 2005.
The stakeholders committee grew out of the turmoil that followed that resolution. Builders, developers and bankers learned about the resolution after it passed and complained that they had been left out when impact fees would affect them the most.
Alderman James Glenn sponsored legislation to create the committee which met infrequently while the study was underway and has not met since it was completed.
Steen attended the city council meeting Monday night to ask when a meeting would be scheduled with Duncan and Associates so the stakeholders could go over the plan.
Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh an-swered that the firm would need at least two week’s notice.
And Steen responded that the notice should have already been given.
Steen spoke during the public comment portion at the end of the regular meeting. She reported that Conway has collected $2.4 million for parks and streets since its impact fee went into effect in September 2003, shortly after the state legislature passed a law allowing the fees.
The Conway builders who were opposed to the fee are paying, she told the council.
“All the fussing, all the fuming, that’s all over with,” she said.
TOP STORY >> Council, county at odds
By JOAN MCCOY
Leader staff writer
An ordinance to allow the county to replace seven worn and dangerously narrow bridges on First Street that lead to a ballpark in Cabot, in exchange for the city helping the county build two roads that could help with traffic congestion in the city, has been placed on hold for 30 days to wait for an attorney general’s opinion about the legality of such a transaction.
Or so the political wrangling went Monday night over one of the most controversial issues to come before the council in many months. In fact, insiders say, the ordinance was tabled because the five votes on the council that would have passed it would not be enough to override a veto from Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh, who is openly opposed to the proposal.
Stumbaugh told the council that he has seen no engineering reports on the planned project, and he demanded to know if Lonoke County Judge Charlie Troutman owns property along the road under construction between Highway 5 and the new Wal-Mart that is included in the ordinance.
“No, I don’t,” Troutman said, adding that his property is on the highway.
“It’s becoming painfully clear to me that the mayor is not even trying to work with the county,” Lonoke County JP Larry Odom said after the meeting.
The ordinance sponsored by Aldermen Odis Waymack and Tom Armstrong says the county will charge the city $75,000 to replace the bridges with culverts, and the city will contribute $400,000 toward the construction of two roads.
One of those roads was started last fall. It will join Highway 5 to 89 West and will provide a route to the new Wal-Mart without fighting downtown traffic, but it will likely not be completed this year without help from the city.
The city had planned to spend $750,000 to replace the narrow bridges with box culverts that would allow the street to be widened into a main artery when funds become available later.
Leading the council opposition to the tabled ordinance is Alderman David Polantz, who asked City Attorney Clint McGue to get the attorney general’s opinion.
McGue’s office submitted the request March 6 to state Sen. Bobby Glover, D.-Carlisle, who made the request to Attorney General Mike Beebe.
Polantz wants to know if the county can legally build roads inside the city or the city’s five-mile planning area that don’t meet city specifications.
He also wants to know if building roads that aren’t in line with Metroplan (which distributes federal highway money) will have a negative impact on the city’s ability to get federal money to build roads.
Polantz also talked during the council meeting about the importance of not leaving the planning commission out of discussions about new roads. The city requires developers to get approval for streets, so why should the city not be held to the same standards, he asked.
However, that question was not one submitted to the attorney general and as the council heatedly discussed the ordinance, it became clear that in addition to jurisdiction, the heart of the debate also includes opposing philosophies about how city road money should be spent.
The five who support the ordinance, aldermen Waymack, Armstrong, Eddie Cook, Bob Duke and James Glenn, want to use the money to fix immediate problems and at least Polantz, from among the three who oppose it, wants to do less now, but do it better.
Sources say those who support the ordinance hope to bring Alderman Jerry Stephens over to their side so they will have six votes in case of a mayoral veto.
Alderman Patrick Hutton has not said he will vote against the ordinance, but he has questioned whether the culverts Troutman wants to install on First Street will be adequate.
Odom, who was instrumental in the construction of the Hwy. 321 bypass around Cabot and who has worked with Waymack and Armstrong to get support for the city and county working together on traffic issues, said after the meeting that Polantz should consider immediate needs and stop demanding the best.
“It’s like having 10 children,” Odom said. “You can’t afford to dress them all in the best clothes, so you suit one of them out real well and let the rest go naked.”
Alderman Duke, who retires this year after about 30 years on the council, is usually reserved, but he became visibly agitated at Polantz’ questions about whether the work Troutman plans for the city will meet state and federal guidelines.
Polantz turned red in the face as he chided Duke for not insisting on the absolute highest standard.
Troutman said the culverts he wants to install on First Street are the same kind the state uses.
He said during an earlier interview with The Leader that the road he is building to Wal-Mart meets state guidelines.
To clear up any confusion about who raised the question of the city helping to build roads, Armstrong told the Leader that when Troutman learned that the city planned to replace the bridges on First Street (the street where the ballpark is located) at a cost of $750,000, he said he could do it for one-tenth that amount.
Armstrong said once he realized Troutman was talking about a considerable savings to the city, he suggested that the city might contribute part of that to help finish the road to Wal-Mart.
Waymack said he added the provision for $200,000 to extend Willie Ray Drive to Davis Road in Austin.
Troutman told the council that he never intended for the county to bear the full burden of constructing the road from Highway 5 to Wal-Mart.
He always intended to at least get help from individuals, he said.
But, he added, the city would benefit much more from the road than the county would.
“You’ll draw enough sales tax in one year (from the new Wal-Mart) to pay that $200,000,” he said.
Leader staff writer
An ordinance to allow the county to replace seven worn and dangerously narrow bridges on First Street that lead to a ballpark in Cabot, in exchange for the city helping the county build two roads that could help with traffic congestion in the city, has been placed on hold for 30 days to wait for an attorney general’s opinion about the legality of such a transaction.
Or so the political wrangling went Monday night over one of the most controversial issues to come before the council in many months. In fact, insiders say, the ordinance was tabled because the five votes on the council that would have passed it would not be enough to override a veto from Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh, who is openly opposed to the proposal.
Stumbaugh told the council that he has seen no engineering reports on the planned project, and he demanded to know if Lonoke County Judge Charlie Troutman owns property along the road under construction between Highway 5 and the new Wal-Mart that is included in the ordinance.
“No, I don’t,” Troutman said, adding that his property is on the highway.
“It’s becoming painfully clear to me that the mayor is not even trying to work with the county,” Lonoke County JP Larry Odom said after the meeting.
The ordinance sponsored by Aldermen Odis Waymack and Tom Armstrong says the county will charge the city $75,000 to replace the bridges with culverts, and the city will contribute $400,000 toward the construction of two roads.
One of those roads was started last fall. It will join Highway 5 to 89 West and will provide a route to the new Wal-Mart without fighting downtown traffic, but it will likely not be completed this year without help from the city.
The city had planned to spend $750,000 to replace the narrow bridges with box culverts that would allow the street to be widened into a main artery when funds become available later.
Leading the council opposition to the tabled ordinance is Alderman David Polantz, who asked City Attorney Clint McGue to get the attorney general’s opinion.
McGue’s office submitted the request March 6 to state Sen. Bobby Glover, D.-Carlisle, who made the request to Attorney General Mike Beebe.
Polantz wants to know if the county can legally build roads inside the city or the city’s five-mile planning area that don’t meet city specifications.
He also wants to know if building roads that aren’t in line with Metroplan (which distributes federal highway money) will have a negative impact on the city’s ability to get federal money to build roads.
Polantz also talked during the council meeting about the importance of not leaving the planning commission out of discussions about new roads. The city requires developers to get approval for streets, so why should the city not be held to the same standards, he asked.
However, that question was not one submitted to the attorney general and as the council heatedly discussed the ordinance, it became clear that in addition to jurisdiction, the heart of the debate also includes opposing philosophies about how city road money should be spent.
The five who support the ordinance, aldermen Waymack, Armstrong, Eddie Cook, Bob Duke and James Glenn, want to use the money to fix immediate problems and at least Polantz, from among the three who oppose it, wants to do less now, but do it better.
Sources say those who support the ordinance hope to bring Alderman Jerry Stephens over to their side so they will have six votes in case of a mayoral veto.
Alderman Patrick Hutton has not said he will vote against the ordinance, but he has questioned whether the culverts Troutman wants to install on First Street will be adequate.
Odom, who was instrumental in the construction of the Hwy. 321 bypass around Cabot and who has worked with Waymack and Armstrong to get support for the city and county working together on traffic issues, said after the meeting that Polantz should consider immediate needs and stop demanding the best.
“It’s like having 10 children,” Odom said. “You can’t afford to dress them all in the best clothes, so you suit one of them out real well and let the rest go naked.”
Alderman Duke, who retires this year after about 30 years on the council, is usually reserved, but he became visibly agitated at Polantz’ questions about whether the work Troutman plans for the city will meet state and federal guidelines.
Polantz turned red in the face as he chided Duke for not insisting on the absolute highest standard.
Troutman said the culverts he wants to install on First Street are the same kind the state uses.
He said during an earlier interview with The Leader that the road he is building to Wal-Mart meets state guidelines.
To clear up any confusion about who raised the question of the city helping to build roads, Armstrong told the Leader that when Troutman learned that the city planned to replace the bridges on First Street (the street where the ballpark is located) at a cost of $750,000, he said he could do it for one-tenth that amount.
Armstrong said once he realized Troutman was talking about a considerable savings to the city, he suggested that the city might contribute part of that to help finish the road to Wal-Mart.
Waymack said he added the provision for $200,000 to extend Willie Ray Drive to Davis Road in Austin.
Troutman told the council that he never intended for the county to bear the full burden of constructing the road from Highway 5 to Wal-Mart.
He always intended to at least get help from individuals, he said.
But, he added, the city would benefit much more from the road than the county would.
“You’ll draw enough sales tax in one year (from the new Wal-Mart) to pay that $200,000,” he said.
Friday, April 14, 2006
FROM THE PUBLISHER >> How Beebe didn’t get vote right on lenders
Attorney General Mike Beebe’s voting record on payday lenders is more complicated than we realized.
Beebe’s people were unhappy with my last payday lenders column, where I said the former senator actually voted for the Check Cashers Act in 1999, contrary to earlier reports that he voted against the bill.
Although he was recorded as voting for the Check Cashers Act, which the Senate passed unanimously, Beebe says he opposed the bill and should not have been included as a supporter of the measure.
But he did vote yes, probably between dashing from one conference room to another. His staff doesn’t remember how it happened.
Zack Wright, Beebe’s spokesman, sent us this e-mail on Friday: “It was seven years ago — the general doesn’t have recollection of why they recorded the vote wrong. In the Senate, there is not a board to see the vote.
"The clerk reads the names of the Senators and the Senators respond ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’
"It is marked with a pencil and can be recorded incorrectly simply by checking the wrong box, and sometimes the response is hard to hear because of noise in the chamber. I can’t speak to why it was recorded incorrectly the first time.
"But, since they announced the tally as 35-0, it was obvious his vote had been mis-recorded and hence he corrected it (as recorded in the Legislative Journal).”
Wright also sent us this item:
“BEEBE LETTER CORRECTED ROLL CALL VOTE TALLY. Beebe is incorrectly listed as having voted ‘Aye’ for SB 781 in the Arkansas Senate Journal. Following the vote on March 24, 1999, Beebe learned that his vote had been incorrectly recorded and immediately submitted a letter to the Secretary of the Senate so that the record could be corrected. [1999 Arkansas Senate Journal, Volume 7, page 5461].”
Although Beebe’s letter is legally worthless, I thought I’d share it with our readers.
Earlier this week, one of the consumer groups fighting the payday lenders pointed us to the unanimous Senate vote in favor of the cash checkers.
The vote was brought to our attention because we’ve been reporting Beebe’s opposition to the usurers.
In addition, Beebe fought the measure when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate with a “do pass as amended” recommendation.
He has been consistent in his opposition, except on the Senate floor, when he apparently didn’t vote the way he meant to.
Beebe and former Sen. Mike Ross (D-Prescott), who is now in Congress, claim they were the only senators who voted against the usurers.
But the official record shows Rep. Travis Dowd (D-Texarkana) as the only legislator who voted against the bill during the official tally.
How did this screwup happen?
Did somebody else vote for Beebe and Ross while they were absent?
Why wasn’t the first vote expunged?
Ernie Dumas, Arkansas’ greatest living journalist, who has covered the Legislature for more than 40 years and writes for The Leader, explains the episode this way:
“Unlike the House, which has voting machines where someone can come over and push your button, they actually physically call the roll in the Senate.
"They say BEEBE and you holler aye or nay or present. It was 35-0 and Beebe and Ross wrote letters saying they were opposed to passage.
"But that doesn’t change the vote. The only way to change the vote legally is to expunge the record (which takes a two-thirds vote, 24 in the Senate). If the bill passed 18-17 and you were recorded as voting aye, that bill becomes law even if you write a letter like Beebe did saying that’s not how you wanted to be recorded. It’s done.
“Only Beebe probably can explain what happened that day. What happens is that the Senate will get into a period of voting on noncontroversial bills. It’s called ‘running’ bills. Senators are in and out of chamber and the clerk just runs down the roll call over and over on one bill after another.
"Scores of them are recorded 35-0, although there may not be more than 15 senators in the chamber on any one roll call. The bill might have been called up during that period and got through like that.
“Sen. Doyle Webb of Benton, a Republican (now chief of staff for Win Rockefeller) was the sponsor. I’m told that Sen. Cliff Hoofman (D- NLR) was furious with Webb for transmitting the bill directly to the House after passage in violation of a gentlemen’s agreement to hold it in the Senate for a while. Hoofman thought it a grievous breach of civility.
(Hoofman is still a critic of check cashers but of course he was representing the pawnbrokers, so he’s a good guy with an asterisk.)
And why was Hoofman not recorded against the bill?
Beebe might not have intended to, but he did legally vote for the bill.”
What’s more important, though, is that the attorney general says if he’s elected governor, he’ll ask the Legislature to repeal the cash checkers act. Asa Hutchinson, his Republican opponent, said he’ll do the same. Now we're getting somewhere.
Beebe’s people were unhappy with my last payday lenders column, where I said the former senator actually voted for the Check Cashers Act in 1999, contrary to earlier reports that he voted against the bill.
Although he was recorded as voting for the Check Cashers Act, which the Senate passed unanimously, Beebe says he opposed the bill and should not have been included as a supporter of the measure.
But he did vote yes, probably between dashing from one conference room to another. His staff doesn’t remember how it happened.
Zack Wright, Beebe’s spokesman, sent us this e-mail on Friday: “It was seven years ago — the general doesn’t have recollection of why they recorded the vote wrong. In the Senate, there is not a board to see the vote.
"The clerk reads the names of the Senators and the Senators respond ‘yea’ or ‘nay.’
"It is marked with a pencil and can be recorded incorrectly simply by checking the wrong box, and sometimes the response is hard to hear because of noise in the chamber. I can’t speak to why it was recorded incorrectly the first time.
"But, since they announced the tally as 35-0, it was obvious his vote had been mis-recorded and hence he corrected it (as recorded in the Legislative Journal).”
Wright also sent us this item:
“BEEBE LETTER CORRECTED ROLL CALL VOTE TALLY. Beebe is incorrectly listed as having voted ‘Aye’ for SB 781 in the Arkansas Senate Journal. Following the vote on March 24, 1999, Beebe learned that his vote had been incorrectly recorded and immediately submitted a letter to the Secretary of the Senate so that the record could be corrected. [1999 Arkansas Senate Journal, Volume 7, page 5461].”
Although Beebe’s letter is legally worthless, I thought I’d share it with our readers.
Earlier this week, one of the consumer groups fighting the payday lenders pointed us to the unanimous Senate vote in favor of the cash checkers.
The vote was brought to our attention because we’ve been reporting Beebe’s opposition to the usurers.
In addition, Beebe fought the measure when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate with a “do pass as amended” recommendation.
He has been consistent in his opposition, except on the Senate floor, when he apparently didn’t vote the way he meant to.
Beebe and former Sen. Mike Ross (D-Prescott), who is now in Congress, claim they were the only senators who voted against the usurers.
But the official record shows Rep. Travis Dowd (D-Texarkana) as the only legislator who voted against the bill during the official tally.
How did this screwup happen?
Did somebody else vote for Beebe and Ross while they were absent?
Why wasn’t the first vote expunged?
Ernie Dumas, Arkansas’ greatest living journalist, who has covered the Legislature for more than 40 years and writes for The Leader, explains the episode this way:
“Unlike the House, which has voting machines where someone can come over and push your button, they actually physically call the roll in the Senate.
"They say BEEBE and you holler aye or nay or present. It was 35-0 and Beebe and Ross wrote letters saying they were opposed to passage.
"But that doesn’t change the vote. The only way to change the vote legally is to expunge the record (which takes a two-thirds vote, 24 in the Senate). If the bill passed 18-17 and you were recorded as voting aye, that bill becomes law even if you write a letter like Beebe did saying that’s not how you wanted to be recorded. It’s done.
“Only Beebe probably can explain what happened that day. What happens is that the Senate will get into a period of voting on noncontroversial bills. It’s called ‘running’ bills. Senators are in and out of chamber and the clerk just runs down the roll call over and over on one bill after another.
"Scores of them are recorded 35-0, although there may not be more than 15 senators in the chamber on any one roll call. The bill might have been called up during that period and got through like that.
“Sen. Doyle Webb of Benton, a Republican (now chief of staff for Win Rockefeller) was the sponsor. I’m told that Sen. Cliff Hoofman (D- NLR) was furious with Webb for transmitting the bill directly to the House after passage in violation of a gentlemen’s agreement to hold it in the Senate for a while. Hoofman thought it a grievous breach of civility.
(Hoofman is still a critic of check cashers but of course he was representing the pawnbrokers, so he’s a good guy with an asterisk.)
And why was Hoofman not recorded against the bill?
Beebe might not have intended to, but he did legally vote for the bill.”
What’s more important, though, is that the attorney general says if he’s elected governor, he’ll ask the Legislature to repeal the cash checkers act. Asa Hutchinson, his Republican opponent, said he’ll do the same. Now we're getting somewhere.
SATURDAY EDITORIAL >>Huckabee's no liberal
For a relatively obscure Southern governor who wants the Republican nomination for president, a heated debate with a right-wing group over whether you are a liberal is not the dialogue that you want to be having with Republican voters. But there was Gov. Huckabee this week arguing with the Club for Growth and its Arkansas agent, former state Sen. Peggy Jeffries, over whether he was a big liberal.
Liberal is a dirty word in contemporary Republican politics, although the Republicans were the original liberal party from its founding until well after Lincoln’s assassination.
The most liberal governor in Arkansas history by any stretch was Winthrop Rockefeller (1967-71), a Republican, who wanted to raise taxes by 50 percent, including a 12-percent marginal income tax rate, got the first Arkansas minimum wage, cleansed the prisons, toughened business regulation and fought for racial and economic justice. But Rockefeller also disavowed the liberal label, at least publicly, and the media indulged him.
Critics began to apply the liberal label to Huckabee last week when he called the legislature into session to raise the minimum wage, outlaw smoking in business and government offices and sharply increase aid to schools.
The Club for Growth, a big-business organization that wants to free business from government restraints, privatize Social Security, curb government services for the needy and slash taxes on big business and the rich, said Huckabee’s nine years as governor greatly expanded government and taxes.
Huckabee really can’t deny that. Taxes have risen considerably, the state government payroll has swelled by a whopping 20 percent, and vast new public health services have been put in place. That is the Republican definition of liberal, although liberals would object to how he went about it.
The taxes were regressive levies on working people, not those a liberal would support.
A liberal tax program was Sid McMath’s in 1949, which sought to shift taxes to higher incomes and corporations. He failed in the conservative legislature. Huckabee’s expansions of government medical services for the poor would make any liberal heart bleed.
He also fought for wholesale school consolidation, a progressive step that only one other modern governor, the liberal McMath, had championed. And he has vastly expanded government debt to build highways and water impoundments, and tried unsuccessfully to expand it even more until the voters rebelled in December.
Huckabee a liberal? By low Southern standards, maybe. He will need to find a way to turn it to his advantage. What about “compassionate conservative”? Wait, that’s been used.
The governor claimed this week that rather than being a liberal he was the “most conservative governor in Arkansas history.”
He shouldn’t go there. He wants to be known as more right wing than old Marion Futrell, who opposed having high schools for Arkansas kids?
Or the race baiters, the Klansman Tom Terral, or the family that corrupted politics and government and held back the state for a good part of a century?
Just tell them you’re a tepid Southern liberal, governor, except when it comes to gays and abortion.
Liberal is a dirty word in contemporary Republican politics, although the Republicans were the original liberal party from its founding until well after Lincoln’s assassination.
The most liberal governor in Arkansas history by any stretch was Winthrop Rockefeller (1967-71), a Republican, who wanted to raise taxes by 50 percent, including a 12-percent marginal income tax rate, got the first Arkansas minimum wage, cleansed the prisons, toughened business regulation and fought for racial and economic justice. But Rockefeller also disavowed the liberal label, at least publicly, and the media indulged him.
Critics began to apply the liberal label to Huckabee last week when he called the legislature into session to raise the minimum wage, outlaw smoking in business and government offices and sharply increase aid to schools.
The Club for Growth, a big-business organization that wants to free business from government restraints, privatize Social Security, curb government services for the needy and slash taxes on big business and the rich, said Huckabee’s nine years as governor greatly expanded government and taxes.
Huckabee really can’t deny that. Taxes have risen considerably, the state government payroll has swelled by a whopping 20 percent, and vast new public health services have been put in place. That is the Republican definition of liberal, although liberals would object to how he went about it.
The taxes were regressive levies on working people, not those a liberal would support.
A liberal tax program was Sid McMath’s in 1949, which sought to shift taxes to higher incomes and corporations. He failed in the conservative legislature. Huckabee’s expansions of government medical services for the poor would make any liberal heart bleed.
He also fought for wholesale school consolidation, a progressive step that only one other modern governor, the liberal McMath, had championed. And he has vastly expanded government debt to build highways and water impoundments, and tried unsuccessfully to expand it even more until the voters rebelled in December.
Huckabee a liberal? By low Southern standards, maybe. He will need to find a way to turn it to his advantage. What about “compassionate conservative”? Wait, that’s been used.
The governor claimed this week that rather than being a liberal he was the “most conservative governor in Arkansas history.”
He shouldn’t go there. He wants to be known as more right wing than old Marion Futrell, who opposed having high schools for Arkansas kids?
Or the race baiters, the Klansman Tom Terral, or the family that corrupted politics and government and held back the state for a good part of a century?
Just tell them you’re a tepid Southern liberal, governor, except when it comes to gays and abortion.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
SPORTS >> Hitting picks up win by SH ladies
BY JASON KING
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Lady Bears softball team got two wins over Forrest City on Monday in Sherwood.
Sylvan Hills improved its conference record with a sweep over the Lady Mustangs of Forrest City Monday at Sherwood Parks. The Lady Bears took both games by scores of 11-2. There was plenty of hitting during the twin bill, as both teams combined for a total of 116 hits in the two games. Defense proved to be the difference in the game for the Lady Bears, leaving several FC runners on base without scores.
“It took us forever to get going,” Lady Bears coach Laura Allred said. “The past three games we have finally put together some offense. Our defense has been solid all year, but we have struggled offensively.”
Sylvan Hills built its lead slowly in the first game, with a run from Melissa Hobby. Hobby’s run was the first score of the evening for the Lady Bears, giving them the early lead.
Two more runs were added in the third inning for Sylvan Hills, but the third and fourth innings put the game away. The Lady Bears came away with three runs in both innings, putting Forrest City in the difficult spot of making up nine runs in three innings.
The Lady Mustangs couldn’t answer the mid-game streak from Sylvan Hills, as the Lady Bears took game one convincingly.
Pitcher Hannah Scott got the win for Sylvan Hills with three strikeouts. Amanda Harmon was 3 for 4 in the game, along with Megan Uekman, Hobby and Kasey Smith. Sylvan Hills finished the game with 11 runs, 33 hits and two errors. The Lady Mustangs came away with two runs, 26 hits and two errors.
The second game had a similar tone as the opener, with Sylvan Hills building a slow lead in the opening innings before pouring it on late.
Amber Lovell got the Lady Bears’ first run of the game in style in the second inning with an inside-the-park home run. Lovell’s one-run homer gave Sylvan Hills a 1-0 lead, and the Lady Bears never looked back from there.
Another strong offensive performance in the fourth and fifth innings put the game away for Sylvan Hills, with three runs scored in each inning. The Lady Mustangs found themselves forced to climb out of a deep hole once again, and just like the first game, were unable to make it happen.
Starting pitcher Uekman turned in a solid performance for Sylvan Hills with nine strikeouts for the game winner. Stephanie Starks went 2 for 3 for the Lady Bears, with Raven Pickett, Brittany Arnold and Lovell going 2 for 4.
“The pitching was solid in both games,” Allred said. “I was very pleased with the way things went. We had a bunch of junior varsity players that played, they came in and did a great job. Hopefully, this will give us some momentum for the rest of the season.”
The wins improve Sylvan Hills’ record to 6-10 overall and 4-9 in the AAAAA-East conference. The Lady Bears faced league-leading Jacksonville Tuesday after Leader deadlines.Look for details of that game in the Saturday sports section of The Leader.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Lady Bears softball team got two wins over Forrest City on Monday in Sherwood.
Sylvan Hills improved its conference record with a sweep over the Lady Mustangs of Forrest City Monday at Sherwood Parks. The Lady Bears took both games by scores of 11-2. There was plenty of hitting during the twin bill, as both teams combined for a total of 116 hits in the two games. Defense proved to be the difference in the game for the Lady Bears, leaving several FC runners on base without scores.
“It took us forever to get going,” Lady Bears coach Laura Allred said. “The past three games we have finally put together some offense. Our defense has been solid all year, but we have struggled offensively.”
Sylvan Hills built its lead slowly in the first game, with a run from Melissa Hobby. Hobby’s run was the first score of the evening for the Lady Bears, giving them the early lead.
Two more runs were added in the third inning for Sylvan Hills, but the third and fourth innings put the game away. The Lady Bears came away with three runs in both innings, putting Forrest City in the difficult spot of making up nine runs in three innings.
The Lady Mustangs couldn’t answer the mid-game streak from Sylvan Hills, as the Lady Bears took game one convincingly.
Pitcher Hannah Scott got the win for Sylvan Hills with three strikeouts. Amanda Harmon was 3 for 4 in the game, along with Megan Uekman, Hobby and Kasey Smith. Sylvan Hills finished the game with 11 runs, 33 hits and two errors. The Lady Mustangs came away with two runs, 26 hits and two errors.
The second game had a similar tone as the opener, with Sylvan Hills building a slow lead in the opening innings before pouring it on late.
Amber Lovell got the Lady Bears’ first run of the game in style in the second inning with an inside-the-park home run. Lovell’s one-run homer gave Sylvan Hills a 1-0 lead, and the Lady Bears never looked back from there.
Another strong offensive performance in the fourth and fifth innings put the game away for Sylvan Hills, with three runs scored in each inning. The Lady Mustangs found themselves forced to climb out of a deep hole once again, and just like the first game, were unable to make it happen.
Starting pitcher Uekman turned in a solid performance for Sylvan Hills with nine strikeouts for the game winner. Stephanie Starks went 2 for 3 for the Lady Bears, with Raven Pickett, Brittany Arnold and Lovell going 2 for 4.
“The pitching was solid in both games,” Allred said. “I was very pleased with the way things went. We had a bunch of junior varsity players that played, they came in and did a great job. Hopefully, this will give us some momentum for the rest of the season.”
The wins improve Sylvan Hills’ record to 6-10 overall and 4-9 in the AAAAA-East conference. The Lady Bears faced league-leading Jacksonville Tuesday after Leader deadlines.Look for details of that game in the Saturday sports section of The Leader.
NEIGHBORS >> Kiwanis to honor students
BY SARA GREENE
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Kiwanis Club of Cabot will recognize nearly 200 juniors and seniors of Cabot High School with its 10th annual honor banquet on April 20 at the Cabot Junior High School North cafeteria.
The Kiwanis Club of Cabot will recognize nearly two hundred juniors and seniors of Cabot High School with its 10th annual honor banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at the Cabot Junior High School North cafeteria. Academic achievement certificates will be given to students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average above 3.5.
“These young men and women are our future leaders,” said Chris Roberts, president of the Kiwanis Club of Cabot.
“It is important to the Kiwanis Club to commend them on their outstanding academic achievements while giving them our support as they move into the next steps of their lives. Kiwanis and Cabot are proud of these young people.”
The Kiwanis Club hosts the banquet each year to recognize the top students and to encourage academic excellence in the Cabot school system.
The students get a free meal catered by Crossroads Café and Catering of Cabot. Parents and guests wishing to attend must purchase a ticket for the meal at the Cabot High School Principal’s Complex by Tuesday, April 18.
“These students have worked hard to reach their goals and as a Kiwanian it is a pleasure to recognize the accomplishments of not only the students but their parents who have provided their support,” said Teresa Wojciechowski-Allen of the Kiwanis Club of Cabot.
For the past 10 years, the Kiwanis Club of Cabot has endeavored to encourage students to achieve academic excellence and be involved in community service through youth organizations such as K-Kids at Eastside Elementary, Central Elementary, Ward Central Elementary, Magness Creek Elementary and Northside Elementary; Builders Clubs in Cabot Middle School North, Cabot Middle School South, and Cabot Junior High School North as well the Key Club at Cabot High School.
“We award two $1,000 scholarships to graduating students of Cabot High School to encourage post-secondary education,” said Jim Thompson of the Kiwanis Club of Cabot.
“We have seen a growth in the number of students maintaining a higher grade-point average since we started this recognition program ten years ago. That was our hope and we are delighted that it is being realized.”
Seniors to be honored include: Jason S. Aist, Brittany M. Allison, Nicholas Paul Amis, Braylin May Artigues, Lauren Elizabeth Bailey, Lacey N. Ball, Tyler A. Bartels, Christina N. Bearden, Jessica N. Beaulieu, Nicholas T. Billingsley, Melissa A. Bishop, Daniel James Bizzell, Brian Allen Bopp, Jonathan D. Boyd, Jennifer Kristen Bradley, Samantha Lynn Burnett, Billie Ann Branscum, Camron Mitchell Browning, Cara Deann Coker, Jessica B. Cowart, Melissa F. Curtis, Christina M. Declerk, Emily Noelle Dixon, Tiffany L. Duhamel, Amanda Kay Ehlers, Tisha Lanelle Flud, Matthew Michael Ford, Heather Brook Forester, Kevin G. Frey, Daniel S Gates, Bettye Nicole George, Michael Alan Gertsch, Chad R. Glover, Enrico Haarland, Stephanie R. Ham, Christi Leigh Hankins, Lauren Jo Harrington, Jessica Lynn Hazeslip, Loni Danielle Hefner, Jason W. Hill, Jonathan C. Hill, Lauren E. Hopkins, Megan B. Houston, Cody G. Jackson, Kristi Lynn Jensen, Jessica Elaine Jervis, Courtney Danielle Jones, Mary Katherine Jones, Kari Michelle Kiihnl, Katie L. Knox, William Michael Kruse, Joshua A. Lieblong, Danielle Lovellette, Michael Spence Lowry, James R. Madding, Shelli Melissa Mann, Anna J. Manry, Bryan A. Martinez, Brittany D. Mathews, Kevin W. Meeler, Ashley Danielle Meyer, Lynette Marie Mitchell, Mallory D. Morgan, Seth Anthony Murdoch, Anthony M. Nelson, Lindsey Michelle Nichols, Kara Elizabeth Patterson, Ashley Dianne Payne, Kristen L. Phelps, Madeline R. Phillips, Judy Jolene Pitt, Ashlee R. Powell, Colton C. Roberts, Sarah N. Roberts, Candace Brooke Rodman, Christopher E. Rodriguez, Kristin Ann Rogers, Raney Ann Rogers, Michael Andrew Roller, Casandra Ann Russell, Taylor Howell Self, Brady W. Sharp, Michael C. Sherer, Crystal Lynn Short, Melissa M. Simmons, Kimberly Michel Sitzmann, Carly N. Slayden, Mallory J. Styron, Jeanette Lynn Thompson, Seth Charles Thomson, Tyler Worth Troutman, Joseph Bradly Tyree, Samantha Elaine Walker, Shannon Nicole Walker, Sara B. Waller, Jessica D. Walton, Whitney Nicole Watkins, Aaron D. Willis, Cody Rutledge Wilson, Abby Lauren Wisniewski, Coby A. Withers and Brett Wayne Yother.
Juniors to be honored include: Joan M. Abbott, Brandon M. Aist, Patricia L. Ard, Ashley A. Austin, Amy L. Baldwin, Justin Andrew Barnes, Carrie Elizabeth Belt, Katy E. Bittle, Heather Diane Bodiford, Elizabeth M. Buerges, John Russell Burks, Kimberly Ballena Carter, Eric J. Clark, Sarah A. Coggins, Anne Elizabeth Coltrane, Corey Delaney, Krista P. Demiere, Mallory Lynne Eanes, Melissa Ann Edwards, Jeryca A. Einhorn, Melissa A. Euler, Jared R. Evanov, Anthony C. Farler, Jennifer Lea Farnsworth, Alissa Jo Foster, Justin M. Free, Nicole M. Funk, Jessica M. Gann, Holly P. Giblin, Sondra Kristine Grinnis, Cody D. Haas, Ashley A. Harris, Jordan W. Hawkins, Madisan T. Helms, Brianna R. Henderson, Brandon Chase Herekamp, Ryan Noel Hill, Brittany Lauren Hodges, Kevin David Howard, Joshua Michael Huckabee, Chelsea Nicole Hunter, Abigail Elizabeth Jackson, Amanda Nicole Jarman, Austin Gregory Jarrett, Nathan Merritt Johnson, Julianna Michelle Jordan, Kyle James Kobi, Aimee Allison Landry, Ryan W. Laws, Haley B. Little, Victoria Lovellette, Rayna A. Mackey, Mallory S. Magie, Colleen C. Menery, Sarah Renee Miley, Timmy H. Minnie, Derek Samuel Mobbs, Melissa K. Moore, Stevi Neal Moore, Natalie J. Noack, Sara Kristine Oakley, Shannon Lynn Onale, Chelsea Louann Paoletti, Victoria Denise Pearson, Jocelyn C. Pendergist, Maricela Jacqueline Pinedo, Elizabeth Frances Roberg, Michael James Rowlett, Stephanie M. Schneider, Jordan L. Scott, Alex J. Sharp, Codi E. Smith, Tyler K. Spencer, Justin B. Sperry, Mark Joseph Staples, Jeremy Matthew Stark, Jamie Amanda Sterrenberg, Amber N. Stockman, Zachary Wayne Taylor, Dinah Victoria Thomas, Thomas James Thompson, Jessica Lenae Todd, Lauren N. Uhrich, Daniel Shane Walters, Andrew Jeremy Waters, Lindsey Elizabeth Watts, Jamee D. Wawak, Elizabeth Mae Willen, Craig Alan Williams, Sara Elizabeth Wojhoski, Justin Levi Woodall, Sharon F. Wyatt, Monica N. Yarbrough and Brady N. Zweifel.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Kiwanis Club of Cabot will recognize nearly 200 juniors and seniors of Cabot High School with its 10th annual honor banquet on April 20 at the Cabot Junior High School North cafeteria.
The Kiwanis Club of Cabot will recognize nearly two hundred juniors and seniors of Cabot High School with its 10th annual honor banquet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at the Cabot Junior High School North cafeteria. Academic achievement certificates will be given to students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average above 3.5.
“These young men and women are our future leaders,” said Chris Roberts, president of the Kiwanis Club of Cabot.
“It is important to the Kiwanis Club to commend them on their outstanding academic achievements while giving them our support as they move into the next steps of their lives. Kiwanis and Cabot are proud of these young people.”
The Kiwanis Club hosts the banquet each year to recognize the top students and to encourage academic excellence in the Cabot school system.
The students get a free meal catered by Crossroads Café and Catering of Cabot. Parents and guests wishing to attend must purchase a ticket for the meal at the Cabot High School Principal’s Complex by Tuesday, April 18.
“These students have worked hard to reach their goals and as a Kiwanian it is a pleasure to recognize the accomplishments of not only the students but their parents who have provided their support,” said Teresa Wojciechowski-Allen of the Kiwanis Club of Cabot.
For the past 10 years, the Kiwanis Club of Cabot has endeavored to encourage students to achieve academic excellence and be involved in community service through youth organizations such as K-Kids at Eastside Elementary, Central Elementary, Ward Central Elementary, Magness Creek Elementary and Northside Elementary; Builders Clubs in Cabot Middle School North, Cabot Middle School South, and Cabot Junior High School North as well the Key Club at Cabot High School.
“We award two $1,000 scholarships to graduating students of Cabot High School to encourage post-secondary education,” said Jim Thompson of the Kiwanis Club of Cabot.
“We have seen a growth in the number of students maintaining a higher grade-point average since we started this recognition program ten years ago. That was our hope and we are delighted that it is being realized.”
Seniors to be honored include: Jason S. Aist, Brittany M. Allison, Nicholas Paul Amis, Braylin May Artigues, Lauren Elizabeth Bailey, Lacey N. Ball, Tyler A. Bartels, Christina N. Bearden, Jessica N. Beaulieu, Nicholas T. Billingsley, Melissa A. Bishop, Daniel James Bizzell, Brian Allen Bopp, Jonathan D. Boyd, Jennifer Kristen Bradley, Samantha Lynn Burnett, Billie Ann Branscum, Camron Mitchell Browning, Cara Deann Coker, Jessica B. Cowart, Melissa F. Curtis, Christina M. Declerk, Emily Noelle Dixon, Tiffany L. Duhamel, Amanda Kay Ehlers, Tisha Lanelle Flud, Matthew Michael Ford, Heather Brook Forester, Kevin G. Frey, Daniel S Gates, Bettye Nicole George, Michael Alan Gertsch, Chad R. Glover, Enrico Haarland, Stephanie R. Ham, Christi Leigh Hankins, Lauren Jo Harrington, Jessica Lynn Hazeslip, Loni Danielle Hefner, Jason W. Hill, Jonathan C. Hill, Lauren E. Hopkins, Megan B. Houston, Cody G. Jackson, Kristi Lynn Jensen, Jessica Elaine Jervis, Courtney Danielle Jones, Mary Katherine Jones, Kari Michelle Kiihnl, Katie L. Knox, William Michael Kruse, Joshua A. Lieblong, Danielle Lovellette, Michael Spence Lowry, James R. Madding, Shelli Melissa Mann, Anna J. Manry, Bryan A. Martinez, Brittany D. Mathews, Kevin W. Meeler, Ashley Danielle Meyer, Lynette Marie Mitchell, Mallory D. Morgan, Seth Anthony Murdoch, Anthony M. Nelson, Lindsey Michelle Nichols, Kara Elizabeth Patterson, Ashley Dianne Payne, Kristen L. Phelps, Madeline R. Phillips, Judy Jolene Pitt, Ashlee R. Powell, Colton C. Roberts, Sarah N. Roberts, Candace Brooke Rodman, Christopher E. Rodriguez, Kristin Ann Rogers, Raney Ann Rogers, Michael Andrew Roller, Casandra Ann Russell, Taylor Howell Self, Brady W. Sharp, Michael C. Sherer, Crystal Lynn Short, Melissa M. Simmons, Kimberly Michel Sitzmann, Carly N. Slayden, Mallory J. Styron, Jeanette Lynn Thompson, Seth Charles Thomson, Tyler Worth Troutman, Joseph Bradly Tyree, Samantha Elaine Walker, Shannon Nicole Walker, Sara B. Waller, Jessica D. Walton, Whitney Nicole Watkins, Aaron D. Willis, Cody Rutledge Wilson, Abby Lauren Wisniewski, Coby A. Withers and Brett Wayne Yother.
Juniors to be honored include: Joan M. Abbott, Brandon M. Aist, Patricia L. Ard, Ashley A. Austin, Amy L. Baldwin, Justin Andrew Barnes, Carrie Elizabeth Belt, Katy E. Bittle, Heather Diane Bodiford, Elizabeth M. Buerges, John Russell Burks, Kimberly Ballena Carter, Eric J. Clark, Sarah A. Coggins, Anne Elizabeth Coltrane, Corey Delaney, Krista P. Demiere, Mallory Lynne Eanes, Melissa Ann Edwards, Jeryca A. Einhorn, Melissa A. Euler, Jared R. Evanov, Anthony C. Farler, Jennifer Lea Farnsworth, Alissa Jo Foster, Justin M. Free, Nicole M. Funk, Jessica M. Gann, Holly P. Giblin, Sondra Kristine Grinnis, Cody D. Haas, Ashley A. Harris, Jordan W. Hawkins, Madisan T. Helms, Brianna R. Henderson, Brandon Chase Herekamp, Ryan Noel Hill, Brittany Lauren Hodges, Kevin David Howard, Joshua Michael Huckabee, Chelsea Nicole Hunter, Abigail Elizabeth Jackson, Amanda Nicole Jarman, Austin Gregory Jarrett, Nathan Merritt Johnson, Julianna Michelle Jordan, Kyle James Kobi, Aimee Allison Landry, Ryan W. Laws, Haley B. Little, Victoria Lovellette, Rayna A. Mackey, Mallory S. Magie, Colleen C. Menery, Sarah Renee Miley, Timmy H. Minnie, Derek Samuel Mobbs, Melissa K. Moore, Stevi Neal Moore, Natalie J. Noack, Sara Kristine Oakley, Shannon Lynn Onale, Chelsea Louann Paoletti, Victoria Denise Pearson, Jocelyn C. Pendergist, Maricela Jacqueline Pinedo, Elizabeth Frances Roberg, Michael James Rowlett, Stephanie M. Schneider, Jordan L. Scott, Alex J. Sharp, Codi E. Smith, Tyler K. Spencer, Justin B. Sperry, Mark Joseph Staples, Jeremy Matthew Stark, Jamie Amanda Sterrenberg, Amber N. Stockman, Zachary Wayne Taylor, Dinah Victoria Thomas, Thomas James Thompson, Jessica Lenae Todd, Lauren N. Uhrich, Daniel Shane Walters, Andrew Jeremy Waters, Lindsey Elizabeth Watts, Jamee D. Wawak, Elizabeth Mae Willen, Craig Alan Williams, Sara Elizabeth Wojhoski, Justin Levi Woodall, Sharon F. Wyatt, Monica N. Yarbrough and Brady N. Zweifel.
NEIGHBORS >> Cabot foundation chooses recipients for scholarships
BY SARA GREENE
LEader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Cabot Scholarship Foundation has announced the names of 30 Cabot seniors who will be recognized during the annual Roast and Toast on Tuesday, April 18.
The Cabot Scholarship Foundation has announced the names of 30 Cabot seniors who will be recognized during the 11th annual Scholarship Roast and Toast at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 at Cabot Junior High North’s cafeteria.
The Roast and Toast is the foundation’s only fundraiser. Last year, more than $7,500 was raised. Donations to the foundation range from $5 to $25,000. An endowed scholarship provides funds from interest earned and many employers will meet employee donations. Donations to the fund are often in memory or in honor of friend or loved one and help send deserving students on to college. The amount of the scholarships and the 2006 recipients are:
$2,000
Brady Hooper Memorial Scholarship, funded by an anonymous donor, is awarded to an outstanding Reserve Officer Training Corps student who has been exemplary in military leadership as well as participating school and community affairs. This year’s recipient is Melissa Anne Bishop.
$1,500
Paula B. Green Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award in memory of Green, a teacher in the Cabot school system for 17 years. Donations are by Green’s friends and family. This year’s recipient is Brittany Monica Allison.
There are two scholarships in memory of Carolyn Mann. She served as a Cabot High School counselor from July 1962 until August 1974. Funding for the scholarships provided by the Mann family. A generous bequest from the estate of Bill Mann, Carolyn’s brother who died in 1997, made it possible add a second scholarship and increase the value of each to $1,500. This year’s recipients are Sarah Nicole Roberts and Christopher Benjamin Cockrell.
Luther and Frances Rea Memorial Scholarship is funded by gifts from the Rea’s family and friends. The scholarship is awarded to a student who reflects the attributes of a good citizen as exemplified by the Reas. This year’s recipient is Cody Glenn Jackson.
$1,000
A Cabot Junior High South National Junior Honor Society Scholarship is being presented in memory of Dakota Hawkins who died in February after battling leukemia for two years. The recipient of the scholarship is Jonathan Christopher Hill.
The first ever Nell and Thompson Barnwell Scholarship is given to the recipient each semester for up to eight consecutive semesters with evidence of successful progress toward a degree. The donor specified that all factors being equal, the scholarship would be awarded on the basis of need, preferably to a student who is a first generation college student. Prior to the creation of the Cabot Scholarship Foundation Nell Barnwell was deeply involved in the administration of the Carolyn Mann scholarship, Cabot’s first endowed scholarship. The recipient is Judy Jolene Pitt.
Bob Brown funds the Jeraldine Brown Scholarship in honor of his wife’s retirement from 31 years of teaching and continued interest in the Cabot School District. The scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in education. This year’s recipient is Trisha Lamella Flood.
Cabot Centennial Scholarship was established in 1992 as a one-year scholarship awarded to a student with positive character traits and exemplary behavior. Funds for this scholarship are provided through the roast and toast as well as by private donations. This year’s recipient is Michael Andrew Roller.
Cabot Home Builders Association funds the Cabot Home Builders Association Scholarship, a one-year scholarship awarded to a student with proven ability to succeed in college. This year’s recipient is Daniel Sanford Gates.
The first ever Cabot Fine Arts Council scholarship is for a student who receives planning to attend an Arkansas college to major in an applied fine arts field include oral communications, dance or music. The recipient is Joel Bradley Head.
The first ever Class of 1975/Debbie Gilbert Memorial Scholarship is memory of Gilbert, a teacher and assistant principal. Her family and classmates fund the scholarship. It is given to a student planning on becoming a teacher. The recipient is Lauren Jo Harrington.
Lance and Leann Hanshaw Servant-Leader Scholarship honors two of Lonoke County’s servant leaders donated by the Hanshaw family. It is an endowed scholarship given to a deserving graduate who has demonstrated high moral character, strong leadership and service in school, church and community. This year’s recipient is Seth Anthony Murdoch.
The first ever Taylor Lane Keck Memorial Scholarship is funded in memory of Keck who would have been a senior in 2006. The scholarship is to be awarded to a student planning to attend an Arkansas college to become an engineer. The recipient is Christopher Eugene Rodriguez.
Warren and Sandra Knight Scholarship is an endowed scholarship by the family of Warren and Sandra Knight. It is awarded a student whose ACT score, grade point average and class standing indicate the ability to complete college. This year’s recipient is Loni Danielle Hefner.
Jake P. Lowman Memorial Scholarship honors Lowman, a lifelong Cabot resident, businessman, volunteer firefighter and Cabot High School graduate. Friends and family support this scholarship. This year’s recipient is Tiffany Leigh Duhamel.
Mike Malham, Jr. Scholarship is an endowed scholarship through a gift from Joe Dan Ray and Jimmy Ray of Crown Metal Buildings. The scholarship is awarded to a student with proven leadership ability, good moral character and who plays sports. This year’s recipient is Colton Chase Roberts.
Carolyn Park Scholarship is funded by J.M. Park in honor of his wife, Carolyn, for interest and involvement in the Cabot Scholarship Foundation. It awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates exemplary scholarship. This year’s recipient is Nicholas Paul Amis.
The Mayor Willie and Gene Ray Scholarship is endowed for a senior who will attend an Arkansas college and who reflects the attributes of a good citizen, as exemplified by the donors. This year’s recipient is Jessica Nicole Beaulieu.
Pamela Roberts Smith Scholarship is an endowed scholarship created in honor of Pam by her parents, Raymond and Jeanette Roberts. This year’s recipient is Jeannette Lynn Thompson.
Charley Templeton Memorial Scholarship was created in honor of Charley who worked hard for many years to help Cabot High School graduates attend college. Family and friends collect funds to continue this scholarship. This year’s recipient is Christina Nicole Bearden.
Frances Holt Wittenberg Scholarship us awarded in honor of the 46 year long teaching career of Frances. The award is given to a student who is active in the community, well respected by teachers and working towards becoming an elementary educator.
This year’s recipient is Mary Katherine Jones.
$500
Regions Bank Scholarship recognizes outstanding and well-respected college bound students. This year’s recipient is Candace Brooke Rodman.
The Internship Advisory Council awards two Dr. Martha Ray Marshall Internship Scholarships. This year’s recipients are Reed Ellis Durden and Danielle Lovellette.
James D. Frederick Scholarship is awarded to driven students of strong character. Jay Michael Frederick of the Frederick-Moore Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley and his wife, Katherine Frederick, provide the scholarship. This year’s recipient is Kinley Elizabeth Crump.
$250
The Scott Foltz Memorial Scholarship is endowed to a Christian student interested in public service. This year’s recipient is Jason Wayne Hill. He is also the recipient of the $250
The theme of this year’s roast and toast is “Scholarship Round-Up.” The meal is being catered by Back Yard Burgers. The guest of honor is Brooks Nash, school board member and former principal. Past honorees have included Miss Arkansas 2003 Whitney Kirk, J. M. Park, Jack Carrington, Mike Mallham Jr., Del Medlin, Dewey Faught, Joe Allman, Joe Trusty, William Kehler and Jane Morgan Balgavy.
Tickets are on sale for $25 a piece or $175 for a table of eight. Tickets are available at the Bank of the Ozarks, 615 W. Main St. in Cabot or from any of the foundation members including John Thompson, Fred Campbell, Tracy French, Steve Tipton, Nina Butler, Carol Jones, Carolyn Park and Don Elliott. The Cabot Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
LEader staff writer
IN SHORT: The Cabot Scholarship Foundation has announced the names of 30 Cabot seniors who will be recognized during the annual Roast and Toast on Tuesday, April 18.
The Cabot Scholarship Foundation has announced the names of 30 Cabot seniors who will be recognized during the 11th annual Scholarship Roast and Toast at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 at Cabot Junior High North’s cafeteria.
The Roast and Toast is the foundation’s only fundraiser. Last year, more than $7,500 was raised. Donations to the foundation range from $5 to $25,000. An endowed scholarship provides funds from interest earned and many employers will meet employee donations. Donations to the fund are often in memory or in honor of friend or loved one and help send deserving students on to college. The amount of the scholarships and the 2006 recipients are:
$2,000
Brady Hooper Memorial Scholarship, funded by an anonymous donor, is awarded to an outstanding Reserve Officer Training Corps student who has been exemplary in military leadership as well as participating school and community affairs. This year’s recipient is Melissa Anne Bishop.
$1,500
Paula B. Green Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award in memory of Green, a teacher in the Cabot school system for 17 years. Donations are by Green’s friends and family. This year’s recipient is Brittany Monica Allison.
There are two scholarships in memory of Carolyn Mann. She served as a Cabot High School counselor from July 1962 until August 1974. Funding for the scholarships provided by the Mann family. A generous bequest from the estate of Bill Mann, Carolyn’s brother who died in 1997, made it possible add a second scholarship and increase the value of each to $1,500. This year’s recipients are Sarah Nicole Roberts and Christopher Benjamin Cockrell.
Luther and Frances Rea Memorial Scholarship is funded by gifts from the Rea’s family and friends. The scholarship is awarded to a student who reflects the attributes of a good citizen as exemplified by the Reas. This year’s recipient is Cody Glenn Jackson.
$1,000
A Cabot Junior High South National Junior Honor Society Scholarship is being presented in memory of Dakota Hawkins who died in February after battling leukemia for two years. The recipient of the scholarship is Jonathan Christopher Hill.
The first ever Nell and Thompson Barnwell Scholarship is given to the recipient each semester for up to eight consecutive semesters with evidence of successful progress toward a degree. The donor specified that all factors being equal, the scholarship would be awarded on the basis of need, preferably to a student who is a first generation college student. Prior to the creation of the Cabot Scholarship Foundation Nell Barnwell was deeply involved in the administration of the Carolyn Mann scholarship, Cabot’s first endowed scholarship. The recipient is Judy Jolene Pitt.
Bob Brown funds the Jeraldine Brown Scholarship in honor of his wife’s retirement from 31 years of teaching and continued interest in the Cabot School District. The scholarship is awarded to a senior pursuing a career in education. This year’s recipient is Trisha Lamella Flood.
Cabot Centennial Scholarship was established in 1992 as a one-year scholarship awarded to a student with positive character traits and exemplary behavior. Funds for this scholarship are provided through the roast and toast as well as by private donations. This year’s recipient is Michael Andrew Roller.
Cabot Home Builders Association funds the Cabot Home Builders Association Scholarship, a one-year scholarship awarded to a student with proven ability to succeed in college. This year’s recipient is Daniel Sanford Gates.
The first ever Cabot Fine Arts Council scholarship is for a student who receives planning to attend an Arkansas college to major in an applied fine arts field include oral communications, dance or music. The recipient is Joel Bradley Head.
The first ever Class of 1975/Debbie Gilbert Memorial Scholarship is memory of Gilbert, a teacher and assistant principal. Her family and classmates fund the scholarship. It is given to a student planning on becoming a teacher. The recipient is Lauren Jo Harrington.
Lance and Leann Hanshaw Servant-Leader Scholarship honors two of Lonoke County’s servant leaders donated by the Hanshaw family. It is an endowed scholarship given to a deserving graduate who has demonstrated high moral character, strong leadership and service in school, church and community. This year’s recipient is Seth Anthony Murdoch.
The first ever Taylor Lane Keck Memorial Scholarship is funded in memory of Keck who would have been a senior in 2006. The scholarship is to be awarded to a student planning to attend an Arkansas college to become an engineer. The recipient is Christopher Eugene Rodriguez.
Warren and Sandra Knight Scholarship is an endowed scholarship by the family of Warren and Sandra Knight. It is awarded a student whose ACT score, grade point average and class standing indicate the ability to complete college. This year’s recipient is Loni Danielle Hefner.
Jake P. Lowman Memorial Scholarship honors Lowman, a lifelong Cabot resident, businessman, volunteer firefighter and Cabot High School graduate. Friends and family support this scholarship. This year’s recipient is Tiffany Leigh Duhamel.
Mike Malham, Jr. Scholarship is an endowed scholarship through a gift from Joe Dan Ray and Jimmy Ray of Crown Metal Buildings. The scholarship is awarded to a student with proven leadership ability, good moral character and who plays sports. This year’s recipient is Colton Chase Roberts.
Carolyn Park Scholarship is funded by J.M. Park in honor of his wife, Carolyn, for interest and involvement in the Cabot Scholarship Foundation. It awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates exemplary scholarship. This year’s recipient is Nicholas Paul Amis.
The Mayor Willie and Gene Ray Scholarship is endowed for a senior who will attend an Arkansas college and who reflects the attributes of a good citizen, as exemplified by the donors. This year’s recipient is Jessica Nicole Beaulieu.
Pamela Roberts Smith Scholarship is an endowed scholarship created in honor of Pam by her parents, Raymond and Jeanette Roberts. This year’s recipient is Jeannette Lynn Thompson.
Charley Templeton Memorial Scholarship was created in honor of Charley who worked hard for many years to help Cabot High School graduates attend college. Family and friends collect funds to continue this scholarship. This year’s recipient is Christina Nicole Bearden.
Frances Holt Wittenberg Scholarship us awarded in honor of the 46 year long teaching career of Frances. The award is given to a student who is active in the community, well respected by teachers and working towards becoming an elementary educator.
This year’s recipient is Mary Katherine Jones.
$500
Regions Bank Scholarship recognizes outstanding and well-respected college bound students. This year’s recipient is Candace Brooke Rodman.
The Internship Advisory Council awards two Dr. Martha Ray Marshall Internship Scholarships. This year’s recipients are Reed Ellis Durden and Danielle Lovellette.
James D. Frederick Scholarship is awarded to driven students of strong character. Jay Michael Frederick of the Frederick-Moore Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley and his wife, Katherine Frederick, provide the scholarship. This year’s recipient is Kinley Elizabeth Crump.
$250
The Scott Foltz Memorial Scholarship is endowed to a Christian student interested in public service. This year’s recipient is Jason Wayne Hill. He is also the recipient of the $250
The theme of this year’s roast and toast is “Scholarship Round-Up.” The meal is being catered by Back Yard Burgers. The guest of honor is Brooks Nash, school board member and former principal. Past honorees have included Miss Arkansas 2003 Whitney Kirk, J. M. Park, Jack Carrington, Mike Mallham Jr., Del Medlin, Dewey Faught, Joe Allman, Joe Trusty, William Kehler and Jane Morgan Balgavy.
Tickets are on sale for $25 a piece or $175 for a table of eight. Tickets are available at the Bank of the Ozarks, 615 W. Main St. in Cabot or from any of the foundation members including John Thompson, Fred Campbell, Tracy French, Steve Tipton, Nina Butler, Carol Jones, Carolyn Park and Don Elliott. The Cabot Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
NEIGHBORS >> Chamber banquet
BY JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Lonoke honors top citizens yearly event
Peggy Anderson was chosen as the Citizen of the Year, and the Order of the Oakleaf award was conferred upon state Rep. Lenville Evans and state Sen. Bobby Glover on Friday night when the Lonoke Chamber of Commerce celebrated the town’s 135th birthday.
Balloons and birthday cake helped mark the occasion and a timeline, with photographs and period dress, adorned the walls.
Local businessman Bill Ryker donned a period tux and top hat as he recounted many historical Lonoke highlights and introduced those who presented the various awards.
In the absence of chamber director John Garner, Ryker said Monday the catfish and chicken supper was served to about 285 people.
The town was born Jan. 22, 1871, according to Ryker.
The twin themes of the banquet were the birthday party and “Lonoke: Our town, our lives, moving forward.”
The Scott Mitchell family, which tends crops about two miles north of Lonoke on state Hwy. 31, was recognized as both county and district farm family of the year.
A pair of 4.0-plus grade point average Lonoke seniors each received a $600 Future Business Leaders of America scholarship.
Sissy Fletcher presented the scholarships to Ashley Lynch and Charlotte Muse.
Lonoke School Supt. Sharron Havens presented the Educator of the Year award to Karen Burgess, who came to the district 18 years ago as a student teacher and stayed to teach 350 first graders before moving on to teach middle school.
Havens, quoting a parent, said Burgess “Takes the time to work one-to-one and takes as much time as needed.”
Melissa Coefield turned over the chamber gavel to Gary Elmore, who will serve as president for the next year. Seven Lonoke students won awards for their original posters dealing with the town’s birthday, its history or current events.
Primary school winners were Mallory Moore and Drake Adams, elementary school winners were James Chambless and Austin Red, middle school winners were Dylan Elmore and Tim Liebig and the high school winner was Christie Huffman.
Leader staff writer
IN SHORT: Lonoke honors top citizens yearly event
Peggy Anderson was chosen as the Citizen of the Year, and the Order of the Oakleaf award was conferred upon state Rep. Lenville Evans and state Sen. Bobby Glover on Friday night when the Lonoke Chamber of Commerce celebrated the town’s 135th birthday.
Balloons and birthday cake helped mark the occasion and a timeline, with photographs and period dress, adorned the walls.
Local businessman Bill Ryker donned a period tux and top hat as he recounted many historical Lonoke highlights and introduced those who presented the various awards.
In the absence of chamber director John Garner, Ryker said Monday the catfish and chicken supper was served to about 285 people.
The town was born Jan. 22, 1871, according to Ryker.
The twin themes of the banquet were the birthday party and “Lonoke: Our town, our lives, moving forward.”
The Scott Mitchell family, which tends crops about two miles north of Lonoke on state Hwy. 31, was recognized as both county and district farm family of the year.
A pair of 4.0-plus grade point average Lonoke seniors each received a $600 Future Business Leaders of America scholarship.
Sissy Fletcher presented the scholarships to Ashley Lynch and Charlotte Muse.
Lonoke School Supt. Sharron Havens presented the Educator of the Year award to Karen Burgess, who came to the district 18 years ago as a student teacher and stayed to teach 350 first graders before moving on to teach middle school.
Havens, quoting a parent, said Burgess “Takes the time to work one-to-one and takes as much time as needed.”
Melissa Coefield turned over the chamber gavel to Gary Elmore, who will serve as president for the next year. Seven Lonoke students won awards for their original posters dealing with the town’s birthday, its history or current events.
Primary school winners were Mallory Moore and Drake Adams, elementary school winners were James Chambless and Austin Red, middle school winners were Dylan Elmore and Tim Liebig and the high school winner was Christie Huffman.
SPORTS >> Falcons split twinbill with Oak Grove
BY JASON KING
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: North Pulaski took the second game of a twinbill against conference rival Oak Grove Monday.
The North Pulaski Falcons split a pair of AAAA-Southeast conference games with Oak Grove on Monday at Dupree Park. The original date at Oak Grove was rained out, prompting the make-up games to be played in Jacksonville. The Hornets edged out the Falcons in the opener 7-6, but a dynamic performance from Tyler Uptergrove in the nightcap propelled North Pulaski to a 13-3 rout.
The first game started out in the Falcons’ favor, with a run scored in each of the first two innings for North Pulaski.
Zach James put himself in position with a single in the bottom of the first inning. James was driven in with a triple from Uptergrove for an early 1-0 lead.
Shane Graham was the next Falcon to score when a RBI single from Tim Craven gave him the safe path to the plate.
The Falcons held on to the 2-0 lead until the Hornets came to life offensively in the top of the fourth inning. Oak Grove put five runs on the board in the fourth to take a 5-2 lead.
Uptergrove came away with another RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning when he drove in Josh Mansfield with a single. North Pulaski had closed back to within two runs, but the Hornets added a pair of scores in the sixth inning to keep control of the game 7-3.
North Pulaski added three more runs in the sixth inning. Graham reached base with an error, and was driven in with a single from Jason Regnas. After a single from Craven, courtesy runner Andre Nalen stole second to put the Falcons in position for another score. That run was scored when Mansfield singled, who was then driven in by a double from Andrew Peters.
The trio of runs in the sixth inning pulled the Falcons to within one, with the seventh inning still to go. The bottom of the seventh saw the Falcons in position to win with the bases loaded, but reached the third out before any of the runners could score.
Game two went much smoo-ther for the Falcons. The top of the first resulted in three runs for North Pulaski. Graham and Thurman both drove in runs, and Uptergrove scored on a passed ball during Scott Bolen’s at bat.
James and Uptergrove helped three more runs come in for the Falcons in the second inning. Uptergrove’s triple scored James and Peters after James singled to bring in Mansfield, giving North Pulaski a 6-0 lead after two.
North Pulaski extended its lead in the third inning with four more runs. Oak Grove’s first scores of the game came in the third as well, with two unearned runs to make it 10-2.
Another three runs in the fourth inning put the game into run-rule status, as the Hornets were only able to come up with one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Falcons took the game with the 10-after-two rule for the conference split.
Uptergrove was the player of the day, going 3 for 4 in the first game with two RBI’s, and also going 3 for 4 in the second game with four RBI’s.
The senior finished the games with two triples and a double, and made two diving catches defensively.
North Pulaski’s records now stand at 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the Southeast conference. The Falcons will play at Helena-West Helena Central on Thursday.
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT: North Pulaski took the second game of a twinbill against conference rival Oak Grove Monday.
The North Pulaski Falcons split a pair of AAAA-Southeast conference games with Oak Grove on Monday at Dupree Park. The original date at Oak Grove was rained out, prompting the make-up games to be played in Jacksonville. The Hornets edged out the Falcons in the opener 7-6, but a dynamic performance from Tyler Uptergrove in the nightcap propelled North Pulaski to a 13-3 rout.
The first game started out in the Falcons’ favor, with a run scored in each of the first two innings for North Pulaski.
Zach James put himself in position with a single in the bottom of the first inning. James was driven in with a triple from Uptergrove for an early 1-0 lead.
Shane Graham was the next Falcon to score when a RBI single from Tim Craven gave him the safe path to the plate.
The Falcons held on to the 2-0 lead until the Hornets came to life offensively in the top of the fourth inning. Oak Grove put five runs on the board in the fourth to take a 5-2 lead.
Uptergrove came away with another RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning when he drove in Josh Mansfield with a single. North Pulaski had closed back to within two runs, but the Hornets added a pair of scores in the sixth inning to keep control of the game 7-3.
North Pulaski added three more runs in the sixth inning. Graham reached base with an error, and was driven in with a single from Jason Regnas. After a single from Craven, courtesy runner Andre Nalen stole second to put the Falcons in position for another score. That run was scored when Mansfield singled, who was then driven in by a double from Andrew Peters.
The trio of runs in the sixth inning pulled the Falcons to within one, with the seventh inning still to go. The bottom of the seventh saw the Falcons in position to win with the bases loaded, but reached the third out before any of the runners could score.
Game two went much smoo-ther for the Falcons. The top of the first resulted in three runs for North Pulaski. Graham and Thurman both drove in runs, and Uptergrove scored on a passed ball during Scott Bolen’s at bat.
James and Uptergrove helped three more runs come in for the Falcons in the second inning. Uptergrove’s triple scored James and Peters after James singled to bring in Mansfield, giving North Pulaski a 6-0 lead after two.
North Pulaski extended its lead in the third inning with four more runs. Oak Grove’s first scores of the game came in the third as well, with two unearned runs to make it 10-2.
Another three runs in the fourth inning put the game into run-rule status, as the Hornets were only able to come up with one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Falcons took the game with the 10-after-two rule for the conference split.
Uptergrove was the player of the day, going 3 for 4 in the first game with two RBI’s, and also going 3 for 4 in the second game with four RBI’s.
The senior finished the games with two triples and a double, and made two diving catches defensively.
North Pulaski’s records now stand at 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the Southeast conference. The Falcons will play at Helena-West Helena Central on Thursday.
SPORTS >> Hillside sweeps Searcy
BY JASON KING
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT:The Sylvan Hills baseball Bears got a big doubleheader sweep of previously undefeated Searcy Monday night at Sylvan Hills High School.
Sylvan Hills came one step closer to owning at least a share of the AAAAA-East conference title on Monday with a huge two-game sweep of previously undefeated Searcy. The Bears took a close opener in extra innings 4-3, and routed the frustrated Lions in the nightcap 12-4. They were the first conference losses of the year for Searcy, dropping the Lions out of a first-place tie with Cabot and instantly moving Sylvan Hills above them in the league standings.
“They were big wins for us,” Sylvan Hills coach Denny Tipton said. “We’ve gone through some adversity in the last week, losing two starters to broken bones. Overall, it was a good night. We swung the bat really well.”
Sylvan Hills took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning when lead-off batter Taylor Roark was driven in by a shot to centerfield from Hayden Miller. Miller was driven in with another deep center hit from Austin Gwatney.
A fielding error put Lions batter Scott Sammons on first base to start the second inning, but starting Bears pitcher Ashur Tolliver ended Searcy’s turn with three of his total sixteen strikeouts for the game.
Sylvan Hills kept a 2-0 lead until the top of the fourth inning, when Searcy senior Scott Hudgins scored off a single from Sammons. Tolliver again prevented a Lions’ slugfest, striking out the following two batters to end the top of the session.
Searcy took its first and only lead of the evening in the top of the sixth inning. After a strikeout from Easton Valentine, Scott Hudgins and Kyle Taylor both singled to put the Lions in scoring position. Catcher Shane Crossen put the ball deep in right field to score both runners, putting Searcy ahead 3-2.
Sylvan Hills needed a run desperately in the bottom of the seventh to salvage the game. Searcy put Valentine on the mound to try and secure the win.
Valentine struck out Tony Pavan to start the inning, but walked following batter Hayden Miller. With the tying run on, Tolliver smashed the ball deep into right field, driving in Miller with a game-saving double. Austin Gwatney attempted to bring in Tolliver, but line-drived to third base to end regulation.
The game went to the bottom of the ninth, when Tolliver struck again for the Bears. Taylor Roark walked, and Tolliver brought him in with another double down the right-field line to score the winning run.
Tolliver went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and drove in the game-tying and game-winning runs offensively, and had sixteen strikeouts on the mound.
Despite his efforts, the game win was actually given to Caleb Mayden, who pitched the final inning.
Game two was a pitching disaster for both squads. Three Searcy pitchers and four pitchers for Sylvan Hills highlighted a sloppy nightcap. After the excitement of the first game, game two went on much longer than the extra-inning opener.
The Bears started out strong, scoring four runs in the opening inning. Tolliver drove in the first run when he grounded out, allowing Roark to score. Gwatney, Hunter Miller and Pavan also had RBI’s in the opening frame to put Sylvan Hills up 4-0 after one.
By the bottom of the fifth, Sylvan Hills had built a 10-0 lead and was on the verge of run-ruling the Lions.
New pitcher Blaine Sims walked Anthony Dillon and Justin Rowden to start the inning. Sims balked during Valentine’s turn at the plate, moving Dillon and Rowden to third and second. Another balk scored Dillon, putting Searcy on the board for the first time in the game.
“That was a team trying to lose, and another team trying to let them back in the game,” Tipton said. “They all played like no one wanted it.” Sylvan Hills struggled through the final two innings defensively, giving up three more runs to the Lions to set the final margin.
The wins improve Sylvan Hills record to 14-6 overall and 7-1 in conference. Searcy’s league record now stands at 8-2.
Leader sports writer
IN SHORT:The Sylvan Hills baseball Bears got a big doubleheader sweep of previously undefeated Searcy Monday night at Sylvan Hills High School.
Sylvan Hills came one step closer to owning at least a share of the AAAAA-East conference title on Monday with a huge two-game sweep of previously undefeated Searcy. The Bears took a close opener in extra innings 4-3, and routed the frustrated Lions in the nightcap 12-4. They were the first conference losses of the year for Searcy, dropping the Lions out of a first-place tie with Cabot and instantly moving Sylvan Hills above them in the league standings.
“They were big wins for us,” Sylvan Hills coach Denny Tipton said. “We’ve gone through some adversity in the last week, losing two starters to broken bones. Overall, it was a good night. We swung the bat really well.”
Sylvan Hills took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning when lead-off batter Taylor Roark was driven in by a shot to centerfield from Hayden Miller. Miller was driven in with another deep center hit from Austin Gwatney.
A fielding error put Lions batter Scott Sammons on first base to start the second inning, but starting Bears pitcher Ashur Tolliver ended Searcy’s turn with three of his total sixteen strikeouts for the game.
Sylvan Hills kept a 2-0 lead until the top of the fourth inning, when Searcy senior Scott Hudgins scored off a single from Sammons. Tolliver again prevented a Lions’ slugfest, striking out the following two batters to end the top of the session.
Searcy took its first and only lead of the evening in the top of the sixth inning. After a strikeout from Easton Valentine, Scott Hudgins and Kyle Taylor both singled to put the Lions in scoring position. Catcher Shane Crossen put the ball deep in right field to score both runners, putting Searcy ahead 3-2.
Sylvan Hills needed a run desperately in the bottom of the seventh to salvage the game. Searcy put Valentine on the mound to try and secure the win.
Valentine struck out Tony Pavan to start the inning, but walked following batter Hayden Miller. With the tying run on, Tolliver smashed the ball deep into right field, driving in Miller with a game-saving double. Austin Gwatney attempted to bring in Tolliver, but line-drived to third base to end regulation.
The game went to the bottom of the ninth, when Tolliver struck again for the Bears. Taylor Roark walked, and Tolliver brought him in with another double down the right-field line to score the winning run.
Tolliver went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and drove in the game-tying and game-winning runs offensively, and had sixteen strikeouts on the mound.
Despite his efforts, the game win was actually given to Caleb Mayden, who pitched the final inning.
Game two was a pitching disaster for both squads. Three Searcy pitchers and four pitchers for Sylvan Hills highlighted a sloppy nightcap. After the excitement of the first game, game two went on much longer than the extra-inning opener.
The Bears started out strong, scoring four runs in the opening inning. Tolliver drove in the first run when he grounded out, allowing Roark to score. Gwatney, Hunter Miller and Pavan also had RBI’s in the opening frame to put Sylvan Hills up 4-0 after one.
By the bottom of the fifth, Sylvan Hills had built a 10-0 lead and was on the verge of run-ruling the Lions.
New pitcher Blaine Sims walked Anthony Dillon and Justin Rowden to start the inning. Sims balked during Valentine’s turn at the plate, moving Dillon and Rowden to third and second. Another balk scored Dillon, putting Searcy on the board for the first time in the game.
“That was a team trying to lose, and another team trying to let them back in the game,” Tipton said. “They all played like no one wanted it.” Sylvan Hills struggled through the final two innings defensively, giving up three more runs to the Lions to set the final margin.
The wins improve Sylvan Hills record to 14-6 overall and 7-1 in conference. Searcy’s league record now stands at 8-2.
OBITUARIES >> 4-12-06
Annie Taylor
Annie Marie Taylor, 95, of Beebe was born Jan. 15, 1911, at Evansville, Ind., to Andrew and Christine Fisher Gable. She died April 7. She was a member of Union Valley Baptist Church. She is survived by her sons and daughters, Chester Tozer and wife Faye of McRae, Lester Tozer and wife Venus of Garner, Everett Tozer of Austin, Pauline Bass and husband Charles of Beebe and Linda Walker and husband Thomas of Beebe; 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons and a daughter, Harley and James Tozer and Mary Campbell. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Westbrook Funeral Home with burial at Cheek Cemetery at Garner.
Donna Crook
Donna Gayle Crook, 47, of Jacksonville died April 10 at her home in Jacksonville. She was born Oct. 29, 1958, in Harlingen, Texas, to J.C. and Naomi Bond Crook Sr. In 1977, she graduated from Jacksonville High School. Crook was employed the past eight years with U.S. Bank. Miss Crook was preceded in death by her parents who died in 1998; and a brother, Steven Lee Crook in 1989.
She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Wayne Hol-singer in Jacksonville; a brother, J.C. Crook, Jr., and his fiancée Bridget Norton of Cabot; niece and nephew, Bailey and Jace Crook of Harrison; her dog, Duke and cat, Kitty.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jerold Posey officiating. Burial will follow at Bayou Meto Cemetery in Jacksonville. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home.
Elsie Meredith
On the morning of April 8, the Lord Jesus Christ called Elsie “Dolly” Meredith of Lonoke home. She was born on Aug. 21, 1926, in North Little Rock to the late Louie and Augusta Lea of Jacksonville. She was also preceded in death by her husband, R.H. Meredith of Lonoke, two brothers and three sisters. She departed this life at the age of 79. She was a good wife and mother and suffered a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a Christian and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Cabot.
She is survived by her children, Deborah Kennedy of Cabot and Robert W. Meredith of Harrison; two grandchildren, Ashley Phillips and Brooklyn Villines, both of Har-rison; one great-grandson, Coleman Meredith Phillips of Harrison; three sisters, Helen Kennedy and Janie McRaven, both of Sherwood and Betty Jean Burkett of Atkins.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Moore’s Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with Rev. Robert W. Meredith officiating. Interment followed at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Moore’s Funeral Home in Jacksonville.
Geraldine Curtis
Geraldine “Gerri” Sims Curtis, 78, of Clarksville, formerly of Jacksonville, died April 7. She is survived by her husband Paul, son Larry Simms of Maumelle, daughters Elizabeth Warren of Clarksville and Mitzie Allen of Coal Hill, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and the children’s father Frank Edward Sims.
Services were held Tuesday at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Shady Grove Cemetery. Arrangements were by Hardwicke Funeral Chapel.
James Anderson
James B. Anderson, 62, of Ward was born April 23, 1943, at Hot Springs to Arthur W. and Gladys B. Sirratt Anderson, and he died April 7. He retired from the Lonoke County Road Department.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; four daughters, Suewaya Cotton and Shawnee Mercelle and husband Chipall of Wichita, Kan., Carol Halsey and husband Jackie of North Little Rock, Susan Patterson and husband Tim of Cabot; one brother, Douglas Anderson of Malvern; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Ernes-tine Dodson and Myrtle Farlow both of Malvern; and four step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shawna LeAnn Anderson, his parents and three brothers. Graveside service was Tuesday at Lebanon Cemetery, McRae.
Mary Burgess
Mary Elizabeth Garner Burgess, 83, passed away April 10 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on June 4, 1922, to Claude and Kate Garner in Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Chester Killingsworth; and three brothers, Gerald Wilson Garner, Gilbert Claude Garner and Lele Garner. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Troy Samuel Burgess; three daughters, Peggy Moore and husband Ben, Sandra Pawlowski and husband Jimmie and Debbie Roark; four grandchildren, Monte Moore and wife Mitzi, Melanie Hassen and husband Randy, Stacy Pawlowski and Courtney Roark and four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Holton Moore, Kate and Karly Hassen.
She was a retired nurse and a charter member of Roberson Bap-tist Church in Lonoke where she served as church secretary for several years. She was previously a charter member of Tyler Street Baptist in Little Rock. Funeral services will be held at Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke at 10 a.m. Thursday with interment in Pine Crest Cemetery at Alexander.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Baptist Hospice or Alzheimer’s Arkansas.
Percy Hunt
Percy W. Hunt, 87, departed this life April 8. Born on May 12, 1918, in North Little Rock, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hunt. He participated and excelled in all sports and was a graduate of Catholic High School.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred “Pat” Bowen Hunt; his daughter, Mary Nelle Whitehead and son-in-law Albert; his son Paul Hunt and daughter-in-law Jeanne; grandchildren Chris Whitehead, Stacy Hunt and husband Jerry Driskill, Kathleen Whitehead and husband Tim Felty, Simon Whitehead, Jason Hunt, Ashley Hunt and husband Jonathan Peoples, Gregory Hunt and Brooke Whitehead along with eight great-grandchildren. He was a decorated World War II and Korean War Air Force veteran. He received more than 16 medals including two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty over Wewak, New Guinea on August 29, 1943.
He finished his military career of over 30 years with the Arkansas 189th Air National Guard. He was an avid dancer and golfer with his favorite partner and love of his life Pat. He was a faithful and active member of St. Rose Parish in Carlisle and served as a eucharistic minister for many years. Rosary was Tuesday at St. Rose Parish, Carlisle. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Percy’s life at St. Rose for the funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Wednes-day with full-military honors and burial in the National Cemetery, Camp Robinson, North Little Rock.
Arrangements are by Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke.
Annie Marie Taylor, 95, of Beebe was born Jan. 15, 1911, at Evansville, Ind., to Andrew and Christine Fisher Gable. She died April 7. She was a member of Union Valley Baptist Church. She is survived by her sons and daughters, Chester Tozer and wife Faye of McRae, Lester Tozer and wife Venus of Garner, Everett Tozer of Austin, Pauline Bass and husband Charles of Beebe and Linda Walker and husband Thomas of Beebe; 22 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons and a daughter, Harley and James Tozer and Mary Campbell. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Westbrook Funeral Home with burial at Cheek Cemetery at Garner.
Donna Crook
Donna Gayle Crook, 47, of Jacksonville died April 10 at her home in Jacksonville. She was born Oct. 29, 1958, in Harlingen, Texas, to J.C. and Naomi Bond Crook Sr. In 1977, she graduated from Jacksonville High School. Crook was employed the past eight years with U.S. Bank. Miss Crook was preceded in death by her parents who died in 1998; and a brother, Steven Lee Crook in 1989.
She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Wayne Hol-singer in Jacksonville; a brother, J.C. Crook, Jr., and his fiancée Bridget Norton of Cabot; niece and nephew, Bailey and Jace Crook of Harrison; her dog, Duke and cat, Kitty.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jerold Posey officiating. Burial will follow at Bayou Meto Cemetery in Jacksonville. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home.
Elsie Meredith
On the morning of April 8, the Lord Jesus Christ called Elsie “Dolly” Meredith of Lonoke home. She was born on Aug. 21, 1926, in North Little Rock to the late Louie and Augusta Lea of Jacksonville. She was also preceded in death by her husband, R.H. Meredith of Lonoke, two brothers and three sisters. She departed this life at the age of 79. She was a good wife and mother and suffered a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a Christian and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Cabot.
She is survived by her children, Deborah Kennedy of Cabot and Robert W. Meredith of Harrison; two grandchildren, Ashley Phillips and Brooklyn Villines, both of Har-rison; one great-grandson, Coleman Meredith Phillips of Harrison; three sisters, Helen Kennedy and Janie McRaven, both of Sherwood and Betty Jean Burkett of Atkins.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Moore’s Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville with Rev. Robert W. Meredith officiating. Interment followed at Chapel Hill Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Moore’s Funeral Home in Jacksonville.
Geraldine Curtis
Geraldine “Gerri” Sims Curtis, 78, of Clarksville, formerly of Jacksonville, died April 7. She is survived by her husband Paul, son Larry Simms of Maumelle, daughters Elizabeth Warren of Clarksville and Mitzie Allen of Coal Hill, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and the children’s father Frank Edward Sims.
Services were held Tuesday at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church with burial at Shady Grove Cemetery. Arrangements were by Hardwicke Funeral Chapel.
James Anderson
James B. Anderson, 62, of Ward was born April 23, 1943, at Hot Springs to Arthur W. and Gladys B. Sirratt Anderson, and he died April 7. He retired from the Lonoke County Road Department.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; four daughters, Suewaya Cotton and Shawnee Mercelle and husband Chipall of Wichita, Kan., Carol Halsey and husband Jackie of North Little Rock, Susan Patterson and husband Tim of Cabot; one brother, Douglas Anderson of Malvern; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Ernes-tine Dodson and Myrtle Farlow both of Malvern; and four step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Shawna LeAnn Anderson, his parents and three brothers. Graveside service was Tuesday at Lebanon Cemetery, McRae.
Mary Burgess
Mary Elizabeth Garner Burgess, 83, passed away April 10 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on June 4, 1922, to Claude and Kate Garner in Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Chester Killingsworth; and three brothers, Gerald Wilson Garner, Gilbert Claude Garner and Lele Garner. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Troy Samuel Burgess; three daughters, Peggy Moore and husband Ben, Sandra Pawlowski and husband Jimmie and Debbie Roark; four grandchildren, Monte Moore and wife Mitzi, Melanie Hassen and husband Randy, Stacy Pawlowski and Courtney Roark and four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Holton Moore, Kate and Karly Hassen.
She was a retired nurse and a charter member of Roberson Bap-tist Church in Lonoke where she served as church secretary for several years. She was previously a charter member of Tyler Street Baptist in Little Rock. Funeral services will be held at Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke at 10 a.m. Thursday with interment in Pine Crest Cemetery at Alexander.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Baptist Hospice or Alzheimer’s Arkansas.
Percy Hunt
Percy W. Hunt, 87, departed this life April 8. Born on May 12, 1918, in North Little Rock, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hunt. He participated and excelled in all sports and was a graduate of Catholic High School.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred “Pat” Bowen Hunt; his daughter, Mary Nelle Whitehead and son-in-law Albert; his son Paul Hunt and daughter-in-law Jeanne; grandchildren Chris Whitehead, Stacy Hunt and husband Jerry Driskill, Kathleen Whitehead and husband Tim Felty, Simon Whitehead, Jason Hunt, Ashley Hunt and husband Jonathan Peoples, Gregory Hunt and Brooke Whitehead along with eight great-grandchildren. He was a decorated World War II and Korean War Air Force veteran. He received more than 16 medals including two Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty over Wewak, New Guinea on August 29, 1943.
He finished his military career of over 30 years with the Arkansas 189th Air National Guard. He was an avid dancer and golfer with his favorite partner and love of his life Pat. He was a faithful and active member of St. Rose Parish in Carlisle and served as a eucharistic minister for many years. Rosary was Tuesday at St. Rose Parish, Carlisle. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Percy’s life at St. Rose for the funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Wednes-day with full-military honors and burial in the National Cemetery, Camp Robinson, North Little Rock.
Arrangements are by Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke.
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