Sen. Jack Crumbly of eastern Arkansas can keep his seat despite “flagrant fraud” that helped him get elected, but two veteran senators are outraged that their colleagues voted last week to let him stay in the Senate.
“I thought he got there in a fraudulent manner and he shouldn’t be there,” Sen. John Paul Capps, D-Searcy, told us Monday.
“This was not a free election. It smelled. I thought he would resign.”
Capps thinks the Senate should have called for another election with outside supervision to make sure the vote was honest.
“The corruption and voter fraud was almost unbelievable,” Capps told us.
“If we can’t have fair elections, what have we got?” he asked. “I felt sorry for the good people of St. Francis County.
Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, also said the election was “crooked” and Crumbly should have been expelled.
“It’s very clear to me that the election was perhaps one of the most corrupt in the state of Arkansas,” he told reporters after the Senate voted 19-12 not to expel Crumbly.
“I think there’s always going to be a cloud there over him,” Glover said. What’s more, he added, “I think there will always be a cloud over the Senate because of the actions that were taken here today.”
Unlike these veteran legislators, a lot of younger senators didn’t seem too upset about the ballot stuffing that got Crumbly re-elected. It makes you wish we had more experienced lawmakers like Glover and Capps, but because of term limits, they’ll be gone at the end of 2010.
Arkansas will miss their legislative expertise. Capps served 36 years in the House, while Glover was there for 20 years. They’ll both serve eight years in the Senate when their terms expire. I guess the Crumblys and their allies will remain in charge.
But Glover and Capps know exactly what was going on in St. Francis County a couple of years ago, when the disputed primary took place: Old-fashioned vote stealing right out of the Lyndon Johnson playbook, which calls for stealing just enough votes to have yourself declared the winner during the recount.
Crumbly, of Widener, supposedly defeated Rep. Arnell Willis in the 2006 Democratic primary by 68 votes. Although Willis was initially declared the winner, Crumbly claimed victory after a recount.
There was voter fraud everywhere: Crumbly’s campaign manager was a St. Francis County election commissioner who rigged the outcome with newly found absentee ballots, phantom votes, forged signatures, missing ballot stubs — you name it, this vote would have made a Chicago alderman call for honest government.
Glover said there was a “blatant and proven disregard of election laws,” including:
Allowing unregistered voters to cast ballots.
A paid Crumbly campaign worker, nicknamed the Queen of Absentee Ballots, admitted handling between 250 and 275 ballots, when the law allows her to handle no more than two.
Ninety-nine early voting ballots were missing.
511 early voting stubs were missing.
Seventy-two stubs for early voting were found out of sequence banded together in a stub box.
There were 97 more absentee stubs than ballots and two were not counted.
There’s more, but you get the idea.
A special prosecutor is looking into the case, and the U.S. attorney’s office will also probably investigate the allegations of fraud.
Don’t be surprised if some of the characters involved in the shenanigans are indicted.
But Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, who voted to let Crumbly stay in the Senate, doesn’t think the decision has hurt the Senate’s image.
“I think the credibility of the Senate has been enhanced by the whole way this situation was handled,” Broadway foolishly told reporters. “I think it’s been handled with dignity and it’s been handled with class.”
There’s nothing dignified or classy about fraud at the polls. Here you have the difference between a young legislator who can’t tell right from wrong, and two old-time lawmakers who know that the voters of St. Francis County have been cheated.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
TOP STORY > >Group gets new commander
By EILEEN FELDMAN
Leader executive editor
“Sir, I relinquish command.”
“Sir, I assume command.”
With those words, Col. Rudolph Byrne, 314th Operations Group commander at Little Rock Air Force Base, relinquished command to Col. Patrick Mordente in a-change-of-command ceremony Tuesday at Little Rock Air Force Base.
The operations group provides C-130 training to the Air Force, along with support missions around the world.
Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz, Jr., commander of the base’s 314th Airlift Wing, was the officiating officer.
“We’ve seen many welcomes. None could match the heartwarming welcome when we arrived at Little Rock Air Force Base,” Mordente told the assembled group of family, military and local officials who attended the change of command.
“When I first became a pilot, I learned two things — all roads lead to Little Rock, and Little Rock Air Force Base is home to tactical airlift,” the new commander said.
“I realize the importance of responsibilities and duties of the position I’ve been appointed to. It is an honor to be here with you,” Mordente told the group.
Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim and Cabot Mayor Eddie Joe Williams were on hand for the ceremony, which included the presentation of colors, the National Anthem and awards presentation to Byrne.
Of Mordente, Gen. Schatz said, “He is the right person at the right time. He is a tremendous officer and tremendous leader and is stepping into some very big shoes.”
Of the departing Byrne, Schatz said, “A lot of accomplishments of the wing, Rudy had a large part in. He led the charge to modernize the C-130 training syllabus, and under Col. Byrne, more than 3,600 students have graduated at a 98 percent on-time rate.”
The departing commander said, “I am thankful to (former wing commander) Gen. (Kip) Self for hiring me and thankful to Gen. Schatz for keeping me. When we talk about the accomplishments of Little Rock Air Force Base, they were a team effort and I thank every one of you. Remember our fellow airmen, many of whom trained here, as they fight the Global War on Terror.”
A command pilot with more than 2,500 hours in T-37 and C-130 aircraft, Mordente comes to Little Rock Air Force Base from the Pentagon, where he served on the joint staff as branch chief for strategy integration and analysis and joint specialty officer.
His many awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal.
This is Mordente’s second assignment to LRAFB.
After his graduation from the Air Force Academy with a degree in engineering mechanics, he attended pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., and stayed on as an instructor pilot. From there it was on to Rhein Main and Ramstein air bases in Germany where he participated in Operations Provide Promise, Provide Comfort and Provide Transition as an aircraft commander in the C-130 weapons system. From there he was assigned to the 62nd AS at Little Rock as a formal training unit instructor.
He later attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College after which he was assigned to Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., where he served as a deployment analyst and an aide de camp for the deputy commander in chief of the Joint Forces Command.
He and his wife, Marissa, have two children, Cauthen and Catherine.
Byrne leaves to become chief of staff, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He will also serve as the military commander for all the Marshall Center U.S. military personnel.
The Marshall Center’s mission is to create a more stable security environment by advancing democratic defense institutions and relationships; promoting active, peaceful engagement, and enhancing enduring partnerships among the nations of America, Europe and Eurasia.
Byrne is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in various military aircraft. He has received many awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.
He deployed in support of operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort while serving as a C-130 pilot and instructor pilot at Rhein Main Air Base in Germany.
He completed his assignment there as the chief, airlift and deployment inspections, U.S. Air Forces in Europe office of the inspector general at Ramstein Air Base.
Byrne and his wife, Laurie, have four children, Jillian, Christopher, Timothy and Kaleigh.
The 314th Ops Group is composed of four flying squadrons, the 48th, 53rd and 62nd Airlift Squadrons which fly training missions in C-130E Hercules and the 48th Airlift Squadron which flies the C-130J; one support squadron, the 314th Operations Support Squadron, and one training squadron, the 714th Training Squadron.
The fourth flying squadron, the 45th Airlift Squadron, is a tenant unit at Keesler Air Force Base teaching pilots to fly the C-21A, a twin turbofan engine aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift which is particularly helpful in medical evacuations.
The 314th Operations Group is comprised of 440 personnel employing C-130E, C-130J and C-21 aircraft. The group trains 2,000 students each year from all Department of Defense services and 31 countries. The group flies an annual 24,100 hours with an operating budget of $2.2 million.
Leader executive editor
“Sir, I relinquish command.”
“Sir, I assume command.”
With those words, Col. Rudolph Byrne, 314th Operations Group commander at Little Rock Air Force Base, relinquished command to Col. Patrick Mordente in a-change-of-command ceremony Tuesday at Little Rock Air Force Base.
The operations group provides C-130 training to the Air Force, along with support missions around the world.
Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz, Jr., commander of the base’s 314th Airlift Wing, was the officiating officer.
“We’ve seen many welcomes. None could match the heartwarming welcome when we arrived at Little Rock Air Force Base,” Mordente told the assembled group of family, military and local officials who attended the change of command.
“When I first became a pilot, I learned two things — all roads lead to Little Rock, and Little Rock Air Force Base is home to tactical airlift,” the new commander said.
“I realize the importance of responsibilities and duties of the position I’ve been appointed to. It is an honor to be here with you,” Mordente told the group.
Jacksonville Mayor Tommy Swaim and Cabot Mayor Eddie Joe Williams were on hand for the ceremony, which included the presentation of colors, the National Anthem and awards presentation to Byrne.
Of Mordente, Gen. Schatz said, “He is the right person at the right time. He is a tremendous officer and tremendous leader and is stepping into some very big shoes.”
Of the departing Byrne, Schatz said, “A lot of accomplishments of the wing, Rudy had a large part in. He led the charge to modernize the C-130 training syllabus, and under Col. Byrne, more than 3,600 students have graduated at a 98 percent on-time rate.”
The departing commander said, “I am thankful to (former wing commander) Gen. (Kip) Self for hiring me and thankful to Gen. Schatz for keeping me. When we talk about the accomplishments of Little Rock Air Force Base, they were a team effort and I thank every one of you. Remember our fellow airmen, many of whom trained here, as they fight the Global War on Terror.”
A command pilot with more than 2,500 hours in T-37 and C-130 aircraft, Mordente comes to Little Rock Air Force Base from the Pentagon, where he served on the joint staff as branch chief for strategy integration and analysis and joint specialty officer.
His many awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal.
This is Mordente’s second assignment to LRAFB.
After his graduation from the Air Force Academy with a degree in engineering mechanics, he attended pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., and stayed on as an instructor pilot. From there it was on to Rhein Main and Ramstein air bases in Germany where he participated in Operations Provide Promise, Provide Comfort and Provide Transition as an aircraft commander in the C-130 weapons system. From there he was assigned to the 62nd AS at Little Rock as a formal training unit instructor.
He later attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College after which he was assigned to Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., where he served as a deployment analyst and an aide de camp for the deputy commander in chief of the Joint Forces Command.
He and his wife, Marissa, have two children, Cauthen and Catherine.
Byrne leaves to become chief of staff, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He will also serve as the military commander for all the Marshall Center U.S. military personnel.
The Marshall Center’s mission is to create a more stable security environment by advancing democratic defense institutions and relationships; promoting active, peaceful engagement, and enhancing enduring partnerships among the nations of America, Europe and Eurasia.
Byrne is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in various military aircraft. He has received many awards including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.
He deployed in support of operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort while serving as a C-130 pilot and instructor pilot at Rhein Main Air Base in Germany.
He completed his assignment there as the chief, airlift and deployment inspections, U.S. Air Forces in Europe office of the inspector general at Ramstein Air Base.
Byrne and his wife, Laurie, have four children, Jillian, Christopher, Timothy and Kaleigh.
The 314th Ops Group is composed of four flying squadrons, the 48th, 53rd and 62nd Airlift Squadrons which fly training missions in C-130E Hercules and the 48th Airlift Squadron which flies the C-130J; one support squadron, the 314th Operations Support Squadron, and one training squadron, the 714th Training Squadron.
The fourth flying squadron, the 45th Airlift Squadron, is a tenant unit at Keesler Air Force Base teaching pilots to fly the C-21A, a twin turbofan engine aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift which is particularly helpful in medical evacuations.
The 314th Operations Group is comprised of 440 personnel employing C-130E, C-130J and C-21 aircraft. The group trains 2,000 students each year from all Department of Defense services and 31 countries. The group flies an annual 24,100 hours with an operating budget of $2.2 million.
TOP STORY > >Cabot puts off annexing area
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
A request for annexation of a proposed mini storage has led the Cabot City Council to consider annexing all the land surrounded by the city.
Plans to annex a 20-acre area surrounded by Cabot disintegrated Monday night after a resident told the city council that he would oppose the annexation unless the city tended to drainage problems there.
Instead on annexing just that “island,” the council decided instead to begin the process of annexing all the land surrounded by Cabot city limits, possibly as many as six islands.
The 7.5 acres on Campground Road at Linda Lane, owned by members of the Woosley family, who moved to Cabot in 1973, was included in the proposed annexation. But Jimmy Woosley told the council that the city would need to stop the flooding problems that have developed on his property as the city grew around him or he wouldoppose the annexation. Woosley also pointed out that his family’s property was not the only island in Cabot and that he felt that by trying to annex, the city was discriminating against him.
“Don’t start picking on me. Go get all of them,” Woosley said.
Alderman Ed Long suggested tabling the annexation for 30 days while city workers analyzed the problems and recommended a solution. But Alderman Ken Williams, a lawyer, told the council that he was not willing to consider fixing drainage problems on Woosley’s property to gain his support of the annexation when there were areas all over the city with drainage problems.
“I’d rather leave them out than do that,” he said.
However, Williams said he would consider annexing all the islands if that was something that needed to be done.
“If we need to take in the islands, then let’s take in the islands and be done with it,” he said.
Mayor Eddie Joe Williams suggested the possibility of only annexing the 10 acres where the mini storage is to be built because the owner wants to be in the city limits for the fire and police protection. Ron Craig, chairman of the planning commission, said he thought the city wanted the annexation and pointed out that half an island is still an island.
Mayor Williams said the city wasn’t pushing the annexation; he thought the push was from the planning commission. But regardless of who wanted the annexation, Woosley said it would be hard for him to oppose it if the city also took in all the other pockets of land surrounded by the city.
Long made a motion for staff with public works to identify the location of the islands and bring the information to the next public works committee meeting to begin the annexation process.
The motion was approved by all five council members present, Long, Williams, Eddie Cook, Virgil Teague and Becky Lemaster.
Teri Miessner, Lisa Brickell and Tom Armstrong were absent.
Leader staff writer
A request for annexation of a proposed mini storage has led the Cabot City Council to consider annexing all the land surrounded by the city.
Plans to annex a 20-acre area surrounded by Cabot disintegrated Monday night after a resident told the city council that he would oppose the annexation unless the city tended to drainage problems there.
Instead on annexing just that “island,” the council decided instead to begin the process of annexing all the land surrounded by Cabot city limits, possibly as many as six islands.
The 7.5 acres on Campground Road at Linda Lane, owned by members of the Woosley family, who moved to Cabot in 1973, was included in the proposed annexation. But Jimmy Woosley told the council that the city would need to stop the flooding problems that have developed on his property as the city grew around him or he wouldoppose the annexation. Woosley also pointed out that his family’s property was not the only island in Cabot and that he felt that by trying to annex, the city was discriminating against him.
“Don’t start picking on me. Go get all of them,” Woosley said.
Alderman Ed Long suggested tabling the annexation for 30 days while city workers analyzed the problems and recommended a solution. But Alderman Ken Williams, a lawyer, told the council that he was not willing to consider fixing drainage problems on Woosley’s property to gain his support of the annexation when there were areas all over the city with drainage problems.
“I’d rather leave them out than do that,” he said.
However, Williams said he would consider annexing all the islands if that was something that needed to be done.
“If we need to take in the islands, then let’s take in the islands and be done with it,” he said.
Mayor Eddie Joe Williams suggested the possibility of only annexing the 10 acres where the mini storage is to be built because the owner wants to be in the city limits for the fire and police protection. Ron Craig, chairman of the planning commission, said he thought the city wanted the annexation and pointed out that half an island is still an island.
Mayor Williams said the city wasn’t pushing the annexation; he thought the push was from the planning commission. But regardless of who wanted the annexation, Woosley said it would be hard for him to oppose it if the city also took in all the other pockets of land surrounded by the city.
Long made a motion for staff with public works to identify the location of the islands and bring the information to the next public works committee meeting to begin the annexation process.
The motion was approved by all five council members present, Long, Williams, Eddie Cook, Virgil Teague and Becky Lemaster.
Teri Miessner, Lisa Brickell and Tom Armstrong were absent.
TOP STORY > >Districts have no proposal for judge
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Although technically in negotiations to end the school-desegregation agreement, officials of neither the Pulaski County Special School District nor the North Little Rock School District have prepared a plan or a proposal, much to the annoyance of state
Rep. Will Bond (D-Jacksonville) and others on the General Assembly’s Desegregation Litigation Oversight Subcommittee.
“How can you negotiate when you don’t know what it is you want?” Bond asked representatives of each of the school districts when the subcommittee met Tuesday morning at the state Capitol.
Bond was asking hard questions and taking names as he challenged attorneys for both school districts and to a lesser degree, officials of the Little Rock School District, which has at least the outline of a plan.
“The districts don’t have a fiscal plan from which to negotiate,” said Bond. “The attitude seems to be, ‘We’re going to get all we can, then figure out what to do.’”
“The school board members have not given mea directive other than to keep an open mind,” said Sam Jones, attorney for PCSSD. Supt. James Sharpe briefly addressed the committee, and then deferred to Jones.
Parties to the negotiations include the three school districts, school districts, the Joshua interveners, the Knight interveners and the state Attorney General’s Office.
“The process is not moving along fast enough,” said Bond, “and I’m frustrated.”
Currently, the state is financing the desegregation agreement to the tune of about $60 million a year, primarily to pay for minority-to-majority transfers, magnet schools and the transportation costs associated with them.
Of that, Little Rock gets about $26 million, North Little Rock gets about $10 million and PCSSD gets about $16 million.
The state Legislature has said the desegregation money could be phased out over as long as seven years.
“Is there a fiscal plan to end the lawsuit?” Bond asked Jones.
“We have to know how far to cut,” Jones replied.
The three districts have been locked in a desegregation agreement since the mid 1980s and each district much prove that it is essentially desegregated (unitary) before it can be released from the agreement.
But the large amount of money the districts receive from the state has turned into a disincentive, according to Bond.
The agreement can be ended by court decree or else by negotiation.
District Judge Bill Wilson has ruled the Little Rock District unitary, but that ruling is being challenged by the Joshua Intervenors in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The North Little Rock District is considered unitary, but has not yet been declared and released from the agreement.
Jones, the PCSSD attorney, says he believes that district is essentially desegregated as well, but Judge Wilson won’t rule until he hears back from the Court of Appeals on the Little Rock appeal.
State Rep. Linda Chesterfield, chairman of the committee, asked Jones if PCSSD had a concrete plan in place should unitary status be granted.
“I appreciate the fluid nature of your oratory,” Chesterfield told Jones, in a humorous effort to pin him down.
“We don’t have a concrete plan,” Jones said. “We know how to spell ‘fiscal distress,’” he said, alluding to the district’s recent fiscal distress designation and strict oversight by the state from which it was released just over a year ago.
“We’re not cogitating a blank slate,” Jones added.
He said if the district were released from the desegregation agreement, that reduced revenues from the state would require reduced costs by the district.
When North Little Rock Superintendent Kenneth Kirspel and board attorney Stephen Jones came before the committee, Chesterfield asked, “What are you doing? There are a lot of unknowns and I’m hard put to figure out what’s being discussed (in negotiations),” she said.
“I want it to move faster,” said Bond. “Have you received any requests for discovery?”
Jones said the district had provided a lot of information but hadn’t been asked for discovery. He said no one had said they would oppose his district’s unitary status, nor had anyone said they are not going to oppose.
“Some negotiations are not occurring in good faith by some parties,” said Bond.
Jones said he believed everyone was negotiating in good faith.
Bond said that when he negotiated a settlement on behalf of a client in court, “I don’t go in blindly without some plan of how we want to end up.”
“It’s an issue of getting the cart before the horse,” Jones responded. “The district has to identify programs that could be cut.”
Bond winced visibly, and then asked, “Why hasn’t that been done yet?”
Jones said the district didn’t want to disrupt or frighten parents and students with talk of programs that could be eliminated.
A recently released assessment by the court’s Office of Desegregation Monitoring concludes that North Little Rock is unitary and a similar report should be completed for PCSSD by September, according to Judge Andree Roaf, director of the office.
“You are not going to escape Judge Wilson no matter how it’s settled,” said Roaf.
He will look at the terms of the agreement—a contract—even if a settlement is negotiated.
Leader senior staff writer
Although technically in negotiations to end the school-desegregation agreement, officials of neither the Pulaski County Special School District nor the North Little Rock School District have prepared a plan or a proposal, much to the annoyance of state
Rep. Will Bond (D-Jacksonville) and others on the General Assembly’s Desegregation Litigation Oversight Subcommittee.
“How can you negotiate when you don’t know what it is you want?” Bond asked representatives of each of the school districts when the subcommittee met Tuesday morning at the state Capitol.
Bond was asking hard questions and taking names as he challenged attorneys for both school districts and to a lesser degree, officials of the Little Rock School District, which has at least the outline of a plan.
“The districts don’t have a fiscal plan from which to negotiate,” said Bond. “The attitude seems to be, ‘We’re going to get all we can, then figure out what to do.’”
“The school board members have not given mea directive other than to keep an open mind,” said Sam Jones, attorney for PCSSD. Supt. James Sharpe briefly addressed the committee, and then deferred to Jones.
Parties to the negotiations include the three school districts, school districts, the Joshua interveners, the Knight interveners and the state Attorney General’s Office.
“The process is not moving along fast enough,” said Bond, “and I’m frustrated.”
Currently, the state is financing the desegregation agreement to the tune of about $60 million a year, primarily to pay for minority-to-majority transfers, magnet schools and the transportation costs associated with them.
Of that, Little Rock gets about $26 million, North Little Rock gets about $10 million and PCSSD gets about $16 million.
The state Legislature has said the desegregation money could be phased out over as long as seven years.
“Is there a fiscal plan to end the lawsuit?” Bond asked Jones.
“We have to know how far to cut,” Jones replied.
The three districts have been locked in a desegregation agreement since the mid 1980s and each district much prove that it is essentially desegregated (unitary) before it can be released from the agreement.
But the large amount of money the districts receive from the state has turned into a disincentive, according to Bond.
The agreement can be ended by court decree or else by negotiation.
District Judge Bill Wilson has ruled the Little Rock District unitary, but that ruling is being challenged by the Joshua Intervenors in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The North Little Rock District is considered unitary, but has not yet been declared and released from the agreement.
Jones, the PCSSD attorney, says he believes that district is essentially desegregated as well, but Judge Wilson won’t rule until he hears back from the Court of Appeals on the Little Rock appeal.
State Rep. Linda Chesterfield, chairman of the committee, asked Jones if PCSSD had a concrete plan in place should unitary status be granted.
“I appreciate the fluid nature of your oratory,” Chesterfield told Jones, in a humorous effort to pin him down.
“We don’t have a concrete plan,” Jones said. “We know how to spell ‘fiscal distress,’” he said, alluding to the district’s recent fiscal distress designation and strict oversight by the state from which it was released just over a year ago.
“We’re not cogitating a blank slate,” Jones added.
He said if the district were released from the desegregation agreement, that reduced revenues from the state would require reduced costs by the district.
When North Little Rock Superintendent Kenneth Kirspel and board attorney Stephen Jones came before the committee, Chesterfield asked, “What are you doing? There are a lot of unknowns and I’m hard put to figure out what’s being discussed (in negotiations),” she said.
“I want it to move faster,” said Bond. “Have you received any requests for discovery?”
Jones said the district had provided a lot of information but hadn’t been asked for discovery. He said no one had said they would oppose his district’s unitary status, nor had anyone said they are not going to oppose.
“Some negotiations are not occurring in good faith by some parties,” said Bond.
Jones said he believed everyone was negotiating in good faith.
Bond said that when he negotiated a settlement on behalf of a client in court, “I don’t go in blindly without some plan of how we want to end up.”
“It’s an issue of getting the cart before the horse,” Jones responded. “The district has to identify programs that could be cut.”
Bond winced visibly, and then asked, “Why hasn’t that been done yet?”
Jones said the district didn’t want to disrupt or frighten parents and students with talk of programs that could be eliminated.
A recently released assessment by the court’s Office of Desegregation Monitoring concludes that North Little Rock is unitary and a similar report should be completed for PCSSD by September, according to Judge Andree Roaf, director of the office.
“You are not going to escape Judge Wilson no matter how it’s settled,” said Roaf.
He will look at the terms of the agreement—a contract—even if a settlement is negotiated.
SPORTS>> Rhinos get defensive in beating Blast
By KELLY FENTON
Leader sports editor
MEMPHIS — The Arkansas Rhinos made their season opener a special one on Saturday in Memphis.
Or, more accurately, a special teams one.
The Rhinos returned a punt and an interception fortouchdowns and picked off three passes in pasting the Memphis Blast 34-7 at Hank’s Field.
“The funny thing is, I’m aspecial teams coach,” said fifth-year head coach Oscar Malone. “The whole defense did a wonderful job.”
No one was better than middle linebacker Enrico Wilkins, who led the way with 15 total tackles — 12 solo. Ken Thompson added eight. Wilkins earned game defensive MVP for his efforts.
“It was between him and Jermaine Kornegay,” Malone said. “Both played a very impressive game.”
Kornegay picked off two passes.
Garrett Morgan put the Rhinos on top with a 17-yard field goal in the first quarter, but the Blast responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass to take its only lead of the game with 4:35 left.
But former Arkansas Baptist quarterback Josh Dixon put the Rhinos ahead for good on Arkansas’ next drive when he hit Morgan for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Rhinos padded the lead on Tony Phillips’ 8-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7.
Though the Rhinos were playing without Ben and Sam Witchers in the secondary, the defensive backfield did a good job on Saturday by picking off three passes. Robert Jemerson returned an interception for a touchdown.
Former Henderson State University wideout Lance Smith capped the Rhinos’ scoring with a 41-yard punt return.
“We went over and scouted (the Blast) a week earlier so we kind of learned their strengths and weaknesses,” Malone said of
Memphis’ season-opening loss to Kansas City. “We felt a lot better about things after that.”
Morgan was named the Rhinos offensive MVP for the game, while Smith picked up the special teams honor.
The Rhino offense totaled 388 yards. Phillips rushed 17 times for 87 yards; Sam Wood picked up 39 yards on eight totes, and Shannon Rhea rushed six times for 42 yards.
Leader sports editor
MEMPHIS — The Arkansas Rhinos made their season opener a special one on Saturday in Memphis.
Or, more accurately, a special teams one.
The Rhinos returned a punt and an interception fortouchdowns and picked off three passes in pasting the Memphis Blast 34-7 at Hank’s Field.
“The funny thing is, I’m aspecial teams coach,” said fifth-year head coach Oscar Malone. “The whole defense did a wonderful job.”
No one was better than middle linebacker Enrico Wilkins, who led the way with 15 total tackles — 12 solo. Ken Thompson added eight. Wilkins earned game defensive MVP for his efforts.
“It was between him and Jermaine Kornegay,” Malone said. “Both played a very impressive game.”
Kornegay picked off two passes.
Garrett Morgan put the Rhinos on top with a 17-yard field goal in the first quarter, but the Blast responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass to take its only lead of the game with 4:35 left.
But former Arkansas Baptist quarterback Josh Dixon put the Rhinos ahead for good on Arkansas’ next drive when he hit Morgan for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Rhinos padded the lead on Tony Phillips’ 8-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7.
Though the Rhinos were playing without Ben and Sam Witchers in the secondary, the defensive backfield did a good job on Saturday by picking off three passes. Robert Jemerson returned an interception for a touchdown.
Former Henderson State University wideout Lance Smith capped the Rhinos’ scoring with a 41-yard punt return.
“We went over and scouted (the Blast) a week earlier so we kind of learned their strengths and weaknesses,” Malone said of
Memphis’ season-opening loss to Kansas City. “We felt a lot better about things after that.”
Morgan was named the Rhinos offensive MVP for the game, while Smith picked up the special teams honor.
The Rhino offense totaled 388 yards. Phillips rushed 17 times for 87 yards; Sam Wood picked up 39 yards on eight totes, and Shannon Rhea rushed six times for 42 yards.
SPORTS>> Rhinos get defensive in beating Blast
By KELLY FENTON
Leader sports editor
MEMPHIS — The Arkansas Rhinos made their season opener a special one on Saturday in Memphis.
Or, more accurately, a special teams one.
The Rhinos returned a punt and an interception fortouchdowns and picked off three passes in pasting the Memphis Blast 34-7 at Hank’s Field.
“The funny thing is, I’m aspecial teams coach,” said fifth-year head coach Oscar Malone. “The whole defense did a wonderful job.”
No one was better than middle linebacker Enrico Wilkins, who led the way with 15 total tackles — 12 solo. Ken Thompson added eight. Wilkins earned game defensive MVP for his efforts.
“It was between him and Jermaine Kornegay,” Malone said. “Both played a very impressive game.”
Kornegay picked off two passes.
Garrett Morgan put the Rhinos on top with a 17-yard field goal in the first quarter, but the Blast responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass to take its only lead of the game with 4:35 left.
But former Arkansas Baptist quarterback Josh Dixon put the Rhinos ahead for good on Arkansas’ next drive when he hit Morgan for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Rhinos padded the lead on Tony Phillips’ 8-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7.
Though the Rhinos were playing without Ben and Sam Witchers in the secondary, the defensive backfield did a good job on Saturday by picking off three passes. Robert Jemerson returned an interception for a touchdown.
Former Henderson State University wideout Lance Smith capped the Rhinos’ scoring with a 41-yard punt return.
“We went over and scouted (the Blast) a week earlier so we kind of learned their strengths and weaknesses,” Malone said of
Memphis’ season-opening loss to Kansas City. “We felt a lot better about things after that.”
Morgan was named the Rhinos offensive MVP for the game, while Smith picked up the special teams honor.
The Rhino offense totaled 388 yards. Phillips rushed 17 times for 87 yards; Sam Wood picked up 39 yards on eight totes, and Shannon Rhea rushed six times for 42 yards.
Leader sports editor
MEMPHIS — The Arkansas Rhinos made their season opener a special one on Saturday in Memphis.
Or, more accurately, a special teams one.
The Rhinos returned a punt and an interception fortouchdowns and picked off three passes in pasting the Memphis Blast 34-7 at Hank’s Field.
“The funny thing is, I’m aspecial teams coach,” said fifth-year head coach Oscar Malone. “The whole defense did a wonderful job.”
No one was better than middle linebacker Enrico Wilkins, who led the way with 15 total tackles — 12 solo. Ken Thompson added eight. Wilkins earned game defensive MVP for his efforts.
“It was between him and Jermaine Kornegay,” Malone said. “Both played a very impressive game.”
Kornegay picked off two passes.
Garrett Morgan put the Rhinos on top with a 17-yard field goal in the first quarter, but the Blast responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass to take its only lead of the game with 4:35 left.
But former Arkansas Baptist quarterback Josh Dixon put the Rhinos ahead for good on Arkansas’ next drive when he hit Morgan for a 12-yard touchdown.
The Rhinos padded the lead on Tony Phillips’ 8-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7.
Though the Rhinos were playing without Ben and Sam Witchers in the secondary, the defensive backfield did a good job on Saturday by picking off three passes. Robert Jemerson returned an interception for a touchdown.
Former Henderson State University wideout Lance Smith capped the Rhinos’ scoring with a 41-yard punt return.
“We went over and scouted (the Blast) a week earlier so we kind of learned their strengths and weaknesses,” Malone said of
Memphis’ season-opening loss to Kansas City. “We felt a lot better about things after that.”
Morgan was named the Rhinos offensive MVP for the game, while Smith picked up the special teams honor.
The Rhino offense totaled 388 yards. Phillips rushed 17 times for 87 yards; Sam Wood picked up 39 yards on eight totes, and Shannon Rhea rushed six times for 42 yards.
SPORTS>> Cabot takes a pair from Jacksonville
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Clayton Fenton’s complete game, four-hit, four-strikeout performance for Gwatney Chevrolet was more than good enough to win on most nights, but UA Fort Smith freshman Colin Fuller upped the ante on Monday.
Fuller fanned 13 batters and gave up only three hits en route to a 2-0 win for Cabot Community Bank at Conrade Memorial Field.
An error at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning ended up the deciding factor in the senior Legion pitcher’s duel, as one of Gwatney’s best infielders in Terrell Brown let one slip under his glove and into the outfield off a grounder by Drew Burks.
Matt Evans and Shayne Burgan scored on the play for the only two runs of the night. Evans led off the deciding frame with a single into centerfield, and Burgan’s stand-up double two outs later put a runner at third for the first time all evening.
Brown made up for the error moments later by turning his second double play of the game, but Fuller closed it out forCommunity Bank in the top of the seventh by doing what he had done almost all night — striking out people.
Fuller retired six of the final eight Jacksonville batters he faced, leaving Fenton holding the loss after a stellar performance of his own.
“You saw two guys throwing good games tonight,” Cabot coach Jay Darr said. “(Fenton) threw a good game for Jacksonville. Our guy, Colin, came out and had 13 Ks. His slider was just nasty, and he threw his change-up real well too. With him being a college kid, we want him to work on all pitches. This is him just getting work in for the summer.”
Plate highlights were few and far between for both clubs on Monday. Gwatney leadoff batter Adam Ussery was the only batter for either team to come away with multiple hits with a pair of infield singles.
He ended up stranded both times. In fact, second base was as far as the Chevy boys were able to make it against Fuller and the Cabot defense all night.
Fuller did walk Tyler Wisdom in the top of the second inning, and hit two batters with pitches in the late going, but Thurman’s double into center in the top of the first inning was the only big hit Fuller allowed.
Darr may have wanted to see more offense from his squad, but he was thankful that they capitalized on the opportunity they were given late.
“That’s what close game are all about,” Darr said. “One play can swing it one way or the other. He makes that play, and then we miss a play the next inning, then it could turn the other way. I give credit to both teams. Both teams played real hard.
“This is a rivalry — it has been for a real long time. It’s really good to see kids come out here and play their hearts out and have close games.”
Cabot senior Legion is now 5-5 on the season.
The Gwatney senior team started its week out on a strong note with a 3-0 shutout win over Texarkana on Sunday at Burns Park. Michael Harmon got the win on the mound with a four-hit performance.
CABOT JUNIORS 6, GWATNEY 5
The Community Bank junior Legion team had an even tougher way to go on Monday. Gwatney jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning, but a walk-off double by Justin Tyler in the bottom of the fifth inning completed the comeback for Cabot.
Andrew Reynolds started the winning rally when he singled down the third base line. Tyler then sent a deep fly ball that landed right in the hole between left fielder Jeffery Tillman and centerfielder Hayden Simpson.
“We’ve kind of turned into the heart attack kids,” Cabot coach Andy Runyan said. “That’s a couple of games in a row now that we’ve started out slow and really tried to make a charge late. It didn’t work out for us against North Little Rock. We ended up winning the game big at Conway Christian, and tonight, we were able to get away with the one-run win.
“Justin Tyler, man, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. We’re up against a time limit. If we don’t score, we tie. To us, a tie is just like a loss. You don’t feel any better. If this game were played anywhere besides Cabot, that would have been a walk-off home run.”
Cabot’s offense showed little signs of life until the bottom of the fourth inning, as the innings, along with the hour and 50 minute time limit, began to run out.
Jacksonville pitcher Stephen Swaggerty had done a solid job of keeping Cabot batters off the bases for most of the contest, but a pair of walks to start the bottom of the fourth inning was the beginning of the unraveling for the Chevy boys.
Ty Steele and Reynolds both took free trips to first to start the rally, and both came home on a triple to the fence by leadoff batter Matt Evans.
A passed ball scored Evans to make it 5-4.
Cabot is now 13-3-1 for the season.
Leader sportswriter
Clayton Fenton’s complete game, four-hit, four-strikeout performance for Gwatney Chevrolet was more than good enough to win on most nights, but UA Fort Smith freshman Colin Fuller upped the ante on Monday.
Fuller fanned 13 batters and gave up only three hits en route to a 2-0 win for Cabot Community Bank at Conrade Memorial Field.
An error at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning ended up the deciding factor in the senior Legion pitcher’s duel, as one of Gwatney’s best infielders in Terrell Brown let one slip under his glove and into the outfield off a grounder by Drew Burks.
Matt Evans and Shayne Burgan scored on the play for the only two runs of the night. Evans led off the deciding frame with a single into centerfield, and Burgan’s stand-up double two outs later put a runner at third for the first time all evening.
Brown made up for the error moments later by turning his second double play of the game, but Fuller closed it out forCommunity Bank in the top of the seventh by doing what he had done almost all night — striking out people.
Fuller retired six of the final eight Jacksonville batters he faced, leaving Fenton holding the loss after a stellar performance of his own.
“You saw two guys throwing good games tonight,” Cabot coach Jay Darr said. “(Fenton) threw a good game for Jacksonville. Our guy, Colin, came out and had 13 Ks. His slider was just nasty, and he threw his change-up real well too. With him being a college kid, we want him to work on all pitches. This is him just getting work in for the summer.”
Plate highlights were few and far between for both clubs on Monday. Gwatney leadoff batter Adam Ussery was the only batter for either team to come away with multiple hits with a pair of infield singles.
He ended up stranded both times. In fact, second base was as far as the Chevy boys were able to make it against Fuller and the Cabot defense all night.
Fuller did walk Tyler Wisdom in the top of the second inning, and hit two batters with pitches in the late going, but Thurman’s double into center in the top of the first inning was the only big hit Fuller allowed.
Darr may have wanted to see more offense from his squad, but he was thankful that they capitalized on the opportunity they were given late.
“That’s what close game are all about,” Darr said. “One play can swing it one way or the other. He makes that play, and then we miss a play the next inning, then it could turn the other way. I give credit to both teams. Both teams played real hard.
“This is a rivalry — it has been for a real long time. It’s really good to see kids come out here and play their hearts out and have close games.”
Cabot senior Legion is now 5-5 on the season.
The Gwatney senior team started its week out on a strong note with a 3-0 shutout win over Texarkana on Sunday at Burns Park. Michael Harmon got the win on the mound with a four-hit performance.
CABOT JUNIORS 6, GWATNEY 5
The Community Bank junior Legion team had an even tougher way to go on Monday. Gwatney jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning, but a walk-off double by Justin Tyler in the bottom of the fifth inning completed the comeback for Cabot.
Andrew Reynolds started the winning rally when he singled down the third base line. Tyler then sent a deep fly ball that landed right in the hole between left fielder Jeffery Tillman and centerfielder Hayden Simpson.
“We’ve kind of turned into the heart attack kids,” Cabot coach Andy Runyan said. “That’s a couple of games in a row now that we’ve started out slow and really tried to make a charge late. It didn’t work out for us against North Little Rock. We ended up winning the game big at Conway Christian, and tonight, we were able to get away with the one-run win.
“Justin Tyler, man, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. We’re up against a time limit. If we don’t score, we tie. To us, a tie is just like a loss. You don’t feel any better. If this game were played anywhere besides Cabot, that would have been a walk-off home run.”
Cabot’s offense showed little signs of life until the bottom of the fourth inning, as the innings, along with the hour and 50 minute time limit, began to run out.
Jacksonville pitcher Stephen Swaggerty had done a solid job of keeping Cabot batters off the bases for most of the contest, but a pair of walks to start the bottom of the fourth inning was the beginning of the unraveling for the Chevy boys.
Ty Steele and Reynolds both took free trips to first to start the rally, and both came home on a triple to the fence by leadoff batter Matt Evans.
A passed ball scored Evans to make it 5-4.
Cabot is now 13-3-1 for the season.
SPORTS>> Cabot takes a pair from Jacksonville
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Clayton Fenton’s complete game, four-hit, four-strikeout performance for Gwatney Chevrolet was more than good enough to win on most nights, but UA Fort Smith freshman Colin Fuller upped the ante on Monday.
Fuller fanned 13 batters and gave up only three hits en route to a 2-0 win for Cabot Community Bank at Conrade Memorial Field.
An error at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning ended up the deciding factor in the senior Legion pitcher’s duel, as one of Gwatney’s best infielders in Terrell Brown let one slip under his glove and into the outfield off a grounder by Drew Burks.
Matt Evans and Shayne Burgan scored on the play for the only two runs of the night. Evans led off the deciding frame with a single into centerfield, and Burgan’s stand-up double two outs later put a runner at third for the first time all evening.
Brown made up for the error moments later by turning his second double play of the game, but Fuller closed it out forCommunity Bank in the top of the seventh by doing what he had done almost all night — striking out people.
Fuller retired six of the final eight Jacksonville batters he faced, leaving Fenton holding the loss after a stellar performance of his own.
“You saw two guys throwing good games tonight,” Cabot coach Jay Darr said. “(Fenton) threw a good game for Jacksonville. Our guy, Colin, came out and had 13 Ks. His slider was just nasty, and he threw his change-up real well too. With him being a college kid, we want him to work on all pitches. This is him just getting work in for the summer.”
Plate highlights were few and far between for both clubs on Monday. Gwatney leadoff batter Adam Ussery was the only batter for either team to come away with multiple hits with a pair of infield singles.
He ended up stranded both times. In fact, second base was as far as the Chevy boys were able to make it against Fuller and the Cabot defense all night.
Fuller did walk Tyler Wisdom in the top of the second inning, and hit two batters with pitches in the late going, but Thurman’s double into center in the top of the first inning was the only big hit Fuller allowed.
Darr may have wanted to see more offense from his squad, but he was thankful that they capitalized on the opportunity they were given late.
“That’s what close game are all about,” Darr said. “One play can swing it one way or the other. He makes that play, and then we miss a play the next inning, then it could turn the other way. I give credit to both teams. Both teams played real hard.
“This is a rivalry — it has been for a real long time. It’s really good to see kids come out here and play their hearts out and have close games.”
Cabot senior Legion is now 5-5 on the season.
The Gwatney senior team started its week out on a strong note with a 3-0 shutout win over Texarkana on Sunday at Burns Park. Michael Harmon got the win on the mound with a four-hit performance.
CABOT JUNIORS 6, GWATNEY 5
The Community Bank junior Legion team had an even tougher way to go on Monday. Gwatney jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning, but a walk-off double by Justin Tyler in the bottom of the fifth inning completed the comeback for Cabot.
Andrew Reynolds started the winning rally when he singled down the third base line. Tyler then sent a deep fly ball that landed right in the hole between left fielder Jeffery Tillman and centerfielder Hayden Simpson.
“We’ve kind of turned into the heart attack kids,” Cabot coach Andy Runyan said. “That’s a couple of games in a row now that we’ve started out slow and really tried to make a charge late. It didn’t work out for us against North Little Rock. We ended up winning the game big at Conway Christian, and tonight, we were able to get away with the one-run win.
“Justin Tyler, man, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. We’re up against a time limit. If we don’t score, we tie. To us, a tie is just like a loss. You don’t feel any better. If this game were played anywhere besides Cabot, that would have been a walk-off home run.”
Cabot’s offense showed little signs of life until the bottom of the fourth inning, as the innings, along with the hour and 50 minute time limit, began to run out.
Jacksonville pitcher Stephen Swaggerty had done a solid job of keeping Cabot batters off the bases for most of the contest, but a pair of walks to start the bottom of the fourth inning was the beginning of the unraveling for the Chevy boys.
Ty Steele and Reynolds both took free trips to first to start the rally, and both came home on a triple to the fence by leadoff batter Matt Evans.
A passed ball scored Evans to make it 5-4.
Cabot is now 13-3-1 for the season.
Leader sportswriter
Clayton Fenton’s complete game, four-hit, four-strikeout performance for Gwatney Chevrolet was more than good enough to win on most nights, but UA Fort Smith freshman Colin Fuller upped the ante on Monday.
Fuller fanned 13 batters and gave up only three hits en route to a 2-0 win for Cabot Community Bank at Conrade Memorial Field.
An error at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning ended up the deciding factor in the senior Legion pitcher’s duel, as one of Gwatney’s best infielders in Terrell Brown let one slip under his glove and into the outfield off a grounder by Drew Burks.
Matt Evans and Shayne Burgan scored on the play for the only two runs of the night. Evans led off the deciding frame with a single into centerfield, and Burgan’s stand-up double two outs later put a runner at third for the first time all evening.
Brown made up for the error moments later by turning his second double play of the game, but Fuller closed it out forCommunity Bank in the top of the seventh by doing what he had done almost all night — striking out people.
Fuller retired six of the final eight Jacksonville batters he faced, leaving Fenton holding the loss after a stellar performance of his own.
“You saw two guys throwing good games tonight,” Cabot coach Jay Darr said. “(Fenton) threw a good game for Jacksonville. Our guy, Colin, came out and had 13 Ks. His slider was just nasty, and he threw his change-up real well too. With him being a college kid, we want him to work on all pitches. This is him just getting work in for the summer.”
Plate highlights were few and far between for both clubs on Monday. Gwatney leadoff batter Adam Ussery was the only batter for either team to come away with multiple hits with a pair of infield singles.
He ended up stranded both times. In fact, second base was as far as the Chevy boys were able to make it against Fuller and the Cabot defense all night.
Fuller did walk Tyler Wisdom in the top of the second inning, and hit two batters with pitches in the late going, but Thurman’s double into center in the top of the first inning was the only big hit Fuller allowed.
Darr may have wanted to see more offense from his squad, but he was thankful that they capitalized on the opportunity they were given late.
“That’s what close game are all about,” Darr said. “One play can swing it one way or the other. He makes that play, and then we miss a play the next inning, then it could turn the other way. I give credit to both teams. Both teams played real hard.
“This is a rivalry — it has been for a real long time. It’s really good to see kids come out here and play their hearts out and have close games.”
Cabot senior Legion is now 5-5 on the season.
The Gwatney senior team started its week out on a strong note with a 3-0 shutout win over Texarkana on Sunday at Burns Park. Michael Harmon got the win on the mound with a four-hit performance.
CABOT JUNIORS 6, GWATNEY 5
The Community Bank junior Legion team had an even tougher way to go on Monday. Gwatney jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning, but a walk-off double by Justin Tyler in the bottom of the fifth inning completed the comeback for Cabot.
Andrew Reynolds started the winning rally when he singled down the third base line. Tyler then sent a deep fly ball that landed right in the hole between left fielder Jeffery Tillman and centerfielder Hayden Simpson.
“We’ve kind of turned into the heart attack kids,” Cabot coach Andy Runyan said. “That’s a couple of games in a row now that we’ve started out slow and really tried to make a charge late. It didn’t work out for us against North Little Rock. We ended up winning the game big at Conway Christian, and tonight, we were able to get away with the one-run win.
“Justin Tyler, man, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. We’re up against a time limit. If we don’t score, we tie. To us, a tie is just like a loss. You don’t feel any better. If this game were played anywhere besides Cabot, that would have been a walk-off home run.”
Cabot’s offense showed little signs of life until the bottom of the fourth inning, as the innings, along with the hour and 50 minute time limit, began to run out.
Jacksonville pitcher Stephen Swaggerty had done a solid job of keeping Cabot batters off the bases for most of the contest, but a pair of walks to start the bottom of the fourth inning was the beginning of the unraveling for the Chevy boys.
Ty Steele and Reynolds both took free trips to first to start the rally, and both came home on a triple to the fence by leadoff batter Matt Evans.
A passed ball scored Evans to make it 5-4.
Cabot is now 13-3-1 for the season.
SPORTS>> Eighteen area athletes help fill rosters for prestigious games
By KELLY FENTON
Leader sports editor
The 53rd edition of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games got under way this week at the University of Arkansas.
Last night after Leader deadlines, the baseball doubleheader and the girls and boys soccer matches were played.
Area players selected for the baseball game at Baum Stadium included Jacksonville’s Cameron Hood and Sylvan Hills’ Clint Thornton.
North Pulaski’s Meagan Delao and Searcy’s Rachael Maina and Natalie Polston were selected to the East squad in the girls soccer game held at Lady Back Field. Delao, though, was not listed on the final roster posted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Tuesday morning.
North Pulaski’s Greg West and Searcy’s Jason Felton and Frank Seitz played for the East in the boys game.
Tonight, the softball doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. at Lady Back Yard. Beebe’s Ashley Watkins will play for the East.
The volleyball game will tip off tonight at 7 at Barnhill Arena.
Thursday night, Bud Walton Arena will host the girls and boys basketball games. The girls East squad includes Beebe’s Emily Bass. Game time is 6 p.m.
The boys game, which is slated to tip at 8, will feature Bradley Spencer of the 4A state champion Lonoke.
All-Star week concludes with the football game on Friday night at 7 at Razorback Stadium. Jacksonville’s Brayden Murray will play for the East team, along with Cabot’s L.J. Tarrant, Sylvan Hills’ Hunter Miller and James T. Long, Beebe’s Cody Cameron, Searcy’s Ryan Wilbourn and Harding Academy’s T.J. Thompson.
Leader sports editor
The 53rd edition of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games got under way this week at the University of Arkansas.
Last night after Leader deadlines, the baseball doubleheader and the girls and boys soccer matches were played.
Area players selected for the baseball game at Baum Stadium included Jacksonville’s Cameron Hood and Sylvan Hills’ Clint Thornton.
North Pulaski’s Meagan Delao and Searcy’s Rachael Maina and Natalie Polston were selected to the East squad in the girls soccer game held at Lady Back Field. Delao, though, was not listed on the final roster posted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Tuesday morning.
North Pulaski’s Greg West and Searcy’s Jason Felton and Frank Seitz played for the East in the boys game.
Tonight, the softball doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. at Lady Back Yard. Beebe’s Ashley Watkins will play for the East.
The volleyball game will tip off tonight at 7 at Barnhill Arena.
Thursday night, Bud Walton Arena will host the girls and boys basketball games. The girls East squad includes Beebe’s Emily Bass. Game time is 6 p.m.
The boys game, which is slated to tip at 8, will feature Bradley Spencer of the 4A state champion Lonoke.
All-Star week concludes with the football game on Friday night at 7 at Razorback Stadium. Jacksonville’s Brayden Murray will play for the East team, along with Cabot’s L.J. Tarrant, Sylvan Hills’ Hunter Miller and James T. Long, Beebe’s Cody Cameron, Searcy’s Ryan Wilbourn and Harding Academy’s T.J. Thompson.
SPORTS>> Eighteen area athletes help fill rosters for prestigious games
By KELLY FENTON
Leader sports editor
The 53rd edition of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games got under way this week at the University of Arkansas.
Last night after Leader deadlines, the baseball doubleheader and the girls and boys soccer matches were played.
Area players selected for the baseball game at Baum Stadium included Jacksonville’s Cameron Hood and Sylvan Hills’ Clint Thornton.
North Pulaski’s Meagan Delao and Searcy’s Rachael Maina and Natalie Polston were selected to the East squad in the girls soccer game held at Lady Back Field. Delao, though, was not listed on the final roster posted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Tuesday morning.
North Pulaski’s Greg West and Searcy’s Jason Felton and Frank Seitz played for the East in the boys game.
Tonight, the softball doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. at Lady Back Yard. Beebe’s Ashley Watkins will play for the East.
The volleyball game will tip off tonight at 7 at Barnhill Arena.
Thursday night, Bud Walton Arena will host the girls and boys basketball games. The girls East squad includes Beebe’s Emily Bass. Game time is 6 p.m.
The boys game, which is slated to tip at 8, will feature Bradley Spencer of the 4A state champion Lonoke.
All-Star week concludes with the football game on Friday night at 7 at Razorback Stadium. Jacksonville’s Brayden Murray will play for the East team, along with Cabot’s L.J. Tarrant, Sylvan Hills’ Hunter Miller and James T. Long, Beebe’s Cody Cameron, Searcy’s Ryan Wilbourn and Harding Academy’s T.J. Thompson.
Leader sports editor
The 53rd edition of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games got under way this week at the University of Arkansas.
Last night after Leader deadlines, the baseball doubleheader and the girls and boys soccer matches were played.
Area players selected for the baseball game at Baum Stadium included Jacksonville’s Cameron Hood and Sylvan Hills’ Clint Thornton.
North Pulaski’s Meagan Delao and Searcy’s Rachael Maina and Natalie Polston were selected to the East squad in the girls soccer game held at Lady Back Field. Delao, though, was not listed on the final roster posted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette on Tuesday morning.
North Pulaski’s Greg West and Searcy’s Jason Felton and Frank Seitz played for the East in the boys game.
Tonight, the softball doubleheader will begin at 5 p.m. at Lady Back Yard. Beebe’s Ashley Watkins will play for the East.
The volleyball game will tip off tonight at 7 at Barnhill Arena.
Thursday night, Bud Walton Arena will host the girls and boys basketball games. The girls East squad includes Beebe’s Emily Bass. Game time is 6 p.m.
The boys game, which is slated to tip at 8, will feature Bradley Spencer of the 4A state champion Lonoke.
All-Star week concludes with the football game on Friday night at 7 at Razorback Stadium. Jacksonville’s Brayden Murray will play for the East team, along with Cabot’s L.J. Tarrant, Sylvan Hills’ Hunter Miller and James T. Long, Beebe’s Cody Cameron, Searcy’s Ryan Wilbourn and Harding Academy’s T.J. Thompson.
SPORTS>> Cabot duo looking to break through
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Morning qualifying at Foxwood Golf Club on Monday was a stroll in the park for Nicklaus Benton, literally.
Benton, of Cabot, is the defending champion of this week’s Arkansas State Golf Association Boys Junior Match Play tournament, and was exempt from qualifying for the event. That exemption proved to be rewarding in afternoon match play, when Benton opened with an easy 7 and 6 victory.
His close second-place finish at last week’s Bruce Jenkins Memorial was still fresh on his mind, and Benton gave early notice at Foxwood that he was intent on getting the job done this week.
Meanwhile, his younger Panther golf teammate, Hunter Smith, made the most of his qualifying round, shooting a hole-in-one at the 11th hole to qualify in the top half of the field with a round of 75.
Smith used his 3-iron on the 210-yard, par 3. Smith went on to win his first two match play matches, and was two up after nine holes on Jenkins Memorial winner Austin Moix as the Leader went to press late Tuesday afternoon.
Benton won his first match on Tuesday morning and was four up in his afternoon match.
Benton’s Cabot High School coach Ronny Tollett is hardly surprised by his early success.
“Nicklaus has always had that thought process of doing the right thing,” Tollett said. “He’s just an all-American type of kid. He always sets a good example. He’s not a big voice, but he has always been concerned with what’s best for the entire team, and not just himself.”
Tollett is also proud of Smith’s accomplishments early on, but expressed concern that too many might be expecting too much from him too soon.
“One thing that happens in golf, is that growing 1/32 of an inch can change your swing dramatically,” Tollett explained. “It’s hard to make a prediction. I assume he will get bigger and stronger, and you have to stay with your game to adapt to your growth.
“He has a good work ethic, and his goals are his own. I think we have some other kids that are capable of those kinds of accomplishments — his just came early.”
His summer is starting out on a strong note, but accolades and trophies are nothing new for the 17-year-old Benton. He was the 2007 Arkansas State Golf Association player of the year, along with being the medalist at the 7A state golf tournament. He has made All Conference three times from his freshman to junior years, and has earned All State honors the past two years.
Benton plans on playing in all of the ASGA events this summer, and is considering a couple of national tournaments, including the Ping Phoenix junior national tournament in Arizona, and the Bass Pro junior tourney in Missouri.
Benton may be the elder statesman of the duo, but the15-year-old Smith has actually been playing longer. Benton did not pick up the clubs seriously until age 12, but for Smith, it’s always been serious.
Last year’s 7A state runner up to Benton, Smith was also an All State selection, and has been winning tournaments across the state since the age of eight. He says he has been playing since the age of three, which put him at a big advantage when he started playing competitively.
In fact, he entered five tournaments his first year, and won them all. He has won close to 30 tournaments to date, but is not worried about having too much hardware at this point. He has not yet chosen a college, but does want to play for a Division I program.
There is already college interest for Benton from a number of programs across the state, but he is not saying if he is leaning toward a decision just yet.
“There’s a lot of factors that go into it,” Benton said. “It’s the school mainly — what they can offer course-wise. I would like to go to a school that has good facilities also. That can help make you a better player. UALR would be a good college to go to.
They have Chenal and Pleasant Valley and those places, but I also wouldn’t mind going out of state. That would be pretty sweet too.”
Smith was not thinking about the future on Monday. He was still thinking about the thrill of a hole-in-one in such a competitive setting, and was anxious to take to the greens again that afternoon.
“I didn’t even know it rolled in until I went up there,” Smith said. “Everyone was really surprised.”
Last year at the 7A state tournament, the Panthers posted a good enough team score to actually win, but they had failed to qualify as a team at the conference tournament. Benton thinks it’s unlikely for that scenario to play out again.
“I think we have the best team since I’ve been here,” he said. “We have five solid players. We can all shoot around even par, so I think we can take a shot at the state title this year.”
Leader sportswriter
Morning qualifying at Foxwood Golf Club on Monday was a stroll in the park for Nicklaus Benton, literally.
Benton, of Cabot, is the defending champion of this week’s Arkansas State Golf Association Boys Junior Match Play tournament, and was exempt from qualifying for the event. That exemption proved to be rewarding in afternoon match play, when Benton opened with an easy 7 and 6 victory.
His close second-place finish at last week’s Bruce Jenkins Memorial was still fresh on his mind, and Benton gave early notice at Foxwood that he was intent on getting the job done this week.
Meanwhile, his younger Panther golf teammate, Hunter Smith, made the most of his qualifying round, shooting a hole-in-one at the 11th hole to qualify in the top half of the field with a round of 75.
Smith used his 3-iron on the 210-yard, par 3. Smith went on to win his first two match play matches, and was two up after nine holes on Jenkins Memorial winner Austin Moix as the Leader went to press late Tuesday afternoon.
Benton won his first match on Tuesday morning and was four up in his afternoon match.
Benton’s Cabot High School coach Ronny Tollett is hardly surprised by his early success.
“Nicklaus has always had that thought process of doing the right thing,” Tollett said. “He’s just an all-American type of kid. He always sets a good example. He’s not a big voice, but he has always been concerned with what’s best for the entire team, and not just himself.”
Tollett is also proud of Smith’s accomplishments early on, but expressed concern that too many might be expecting too much from him too soon.
“One thing that happens in golf, is that growing 1/32 of an inch can change your swing dramatically,” Tollett explained. “It’s hard to make a prediction. I assume he will get bigger and stronger, and you have to stay with your game to adapt to your growth.
“He has a good work ethic, and his goals are his own. I think we have some other kids that are capable of those kinds of accomplishments — his just came early.”
His summer is starting out on a strong note, but accolades and trophies are nothing new for the 17-year-old Benton. He was the 2007 Arkansas State Golf Association player of the year, along with being the medalist at the 7A state golf tournament. He has made All Conference three times from his freshman to junior years, and has earned All State honors the past two years.
Benton plans on playing in all of the ASGA events this summer, and is considering a couple of national tournaments, including the Ping Phoenix junior national tournament in Arizona, and the Bass Pro junior tourney in Missouri.
Benton may be the elder statesman of the duo, but the15-year-old Smith has actually been playing longer. Benton did not pick up the clubs seriously until age 12, but for Smith, it’s always been serious.
Last year’s 7A state runner up to Benton, Smith was also an All State selection, and has been winning tournaments across the state since the age of eight. He says he has been playing since the age of three, which put him at a big advantage when he started playing competitively.
In fact, he entered five tournaments his first year, and won them all. He has won close to 30 tournaments to date, but is not worried about having too much hardware at this point. He has not yet chosen a college, but does want to play for a Division I program.
There is already college interest for Benton from a number of programs across the state, but he is not saying if he is leaning toward a decision just yet.
“There’s a lot of factors that go into it,” Benton said. “It’s the school mainly — what they can offer course-wise. I would like to go to a school that has good facilities also. That can help make you a better player. UALR would be a good college to go to.
They have Chenal and Pleasant Valley and those places, but I also wouldn’t mind going out of state. That would be pretty sweet too.”
Smith was not thinking about the future on Monday. He was still thinking about the thrill of a hole-in-one in such a competitive setting, and was anxious to take to the greens again that afternoon.
“I didn’t even know it rolled in until I went up there,” Smith said. “Everyone was really surprised.”
Last year at the 7A state tournament, the Panthers posted a good enough team score to actually win, but they had failed to qualify as a team at the conference tournament. Benton thinks it’s unlikely for that scenario to play out again.
“I think we have the best team since I’ve been here,” he said. “We have five solid players. We can all shoot around even par, so I think we can take a shot at the state title this year.”
SPORTS>> Moving on up
By KELLY FENTON
Leader sports editor
Maybe it was the news over the weekend that they were moving up to a higher classification.
Whatever it was, the Sylvan Hills Bruins junior American Legion team jumped all over a pretty good North Little Rock Colts club, 11-4, on Monday evening at Burns Park.
Blake Evans pitched a solid game until he tired in the final inning, and Jordan Spears delivered the goods offensively with two hits, including a 3-run double.
The junior team has likely played its last game at the lower level after the Bruins received a ruling from American Legion over the weekend that, because of enrollment and the age makeup of the roster, Sylvan Hills will move up to the AAA level, joining the other Bruins’ club already playing AAA.
“We knew (the ruling) could go either way,” said Bruins coach Jim Fink. “But they’re looking forward to the challenge. It will give the 17- and the 18-year-olds, and some of the 16-year-olds a chance to face some better competition. They’re actually excited about it.”
The competition on Monday should have been high quality, but the Colts were in giveaway mode all night, surrendering eight walks and four hit batters, and committing five errors. That allowed the Bruins to do all their damage on just five hits.
“They had several mistakes they made to help us out,” Fink acknowledged. “But Jordan Spears hit the ball real hard.”
Spears’ hardest-hit ball came in Sylvan Hills’ eight-run fourth, when they sent 13 to the plate. He belted a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double into the left field gap to break open a 5-0 game.
While the Colts were kicking it around defensively, Sylvan Hills was turning in a flawless performance in the field.
Evans, who is easing his way back into the pitching rotation after undergoing shoulder surgery a year ago, struggled early to find his control, hitting the first batter, then issuing a two-out walk. But he settled down in the middle innings, and carried a one-hitter into the fifth.
That’s when the Colts began to solve him. Three consecutive doubles — one a misplay in the outfield — a strikeout-passed ball and an RBI single finally chased Evans with one out in the fifth and four runs across.
Chris Perez came in to set down the two batters he faced to close it out.
“Once Blake gets going, he does a good job,” Fink said. “He’s a slow starter. That’s the longest he’s pitched this year and I think he tired toward the end. But overall, he did a pretty good job. He’s got a good breaking pitch and has pretty good control of it.
“He’s only going to get better the more he pitches.”
The Colts made their first contribution to the Sylvan Hills cause in the first inning when their pitcher made a two-out throwing error on a routine tap to the mound, which allowed Ryan Dillon and Spears to score to make it 2-0. Evans pitched out of a two-on jam in the bottom half, and the Bruins added a run without a hit in the second on Dillon’s sacrifice fly.
With the game still up for grabs in the third, North Little Rock put two on with just one out, but Evans got a pop out and a strikeout to end the threat. The Bruins put it away with their eight-run fourth, picking up just four hits in the inning, including two RBI singles by Eric McKinney and Spears’ 3-run double.
Evans allowed five hits and four earned funs over 4 1-3 innings, striking out six, walking two and hitting two.
NLR AAA 10, SYLVAN HILLS 6
As generous as the Colts junior team was in the first game of the evening, the Sylvan Hills senior club was just as giving in the nightcap.
The Bruins committed three errors, issued eight walks and hit a batter, while stranding 10 in their loss to North Little Rock.
The Bruins out-hit the Colts 11-6.
Sylvan Hills entered the seventh trailing 10-3 and tried to stage a rally with five hits — including T.C. Squires’ 2-run home run to left. But Colts relief pitcher Hunter Benton came in to get Justin Treece on a bouncer back to the mound to end it.
Other than his struggles with control, Bruins starter Blain Sims held the potent Colts lineup in check for the most part. But he walked six and hit a batter in 3 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits, but two were bloops and another was an infield single. Only Travis Bearden hit the ball hard against him when he blasted a 2-run homer in the third, when the Colts took the lead for good.
The Bruins got singles from Matt Rugger and Ross Bogart to jump to a 1-0 lead after one, but the Colts tied it with an unearned run off an error and a bloop double in the bottom half.
Squires’ leadoff single, followed by a passed ball and two wild pitches, put Sylvan Hill back on top in the second, and Sims pitched around a two-out walk in the second. But an infield hit and Bearden’s homer run in the third put the Colts ahead 3-2.
A hit batsman, a walk and a bloop 2-run single extended the lead to 5-2.
The Bruins got one back in the fourth when Mark Turpin singled and eventually scored on a throwing error.
Four walks and a single put two more across for the Colts in the bottom of the inning, and two errors, a walk and a 2-run double pushed the lead to 10-3 in the sixth.
D.J. Baxendale led off the seventh with a solid single and one out later Garrett Eller grounded a sharp single to right.
Turpin’s sacrifice fly scored Baxendale before Squires’ home run. Nathan Eller doubled and Chris Eastham delivered a pinch single before Benton came in to close it out.
Counting Eastham’s single, every spot in the Bruin order delivered a hit. Bogart and Squires had two each.
Bryan Chastain allowed only one hit and one earned run over 2 1/3 innings of relief for Sylvan Hills.
Leader sports editor
Maybe it was the news over the weekend that they were moving up to a higher classification.
Whatever it was, the Sylvan Hills Bruins junior American Legion team jumped all over a pretty good North Little Rock Colts club, 11-4, on Monday evening at Burns Park.
Blake Evans pitched a solid game until he tired in the final inning, and Jordan Spears delivered the goods offensively with two hits, including a 3-run double.
The junior team has likely played its last game at the lower level after the Bruins received a ruling from American Legion over the weekend that, because of enrollment and the age makeup of the roster, Sylvan Hills will move up to the AAA level, joining the other Bruins’ club already playing AAA.
“We knew (the ruling) could go either way,” said Bruins coach Jim Fink. “But they’re looking forward to the challenge. It will give the 17- and the 18-year-olds, and some of the 16-year-olds a chance to face some better competition. They’re actually excited about it.”
The competition on Monday should have been high quality, but the Colts were in giveaway mode all night, surrendering eight walks and four hit batters, and committing five errors. That allowed the Bruins to do all their damage on just five hits.
“They had several mistakes they made to help us out,” Fink acknowledged. “But Jordan Spears hit the ball real hard.”
Spears’ hardest-hit ball came in Sylvan Hills’ eight-run fourth, when they sent 13 to the plate. He belted a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double into the left field gap to break open a 5-0 game.
While the Colts were kicking it around defensively, Sylvan Hills was turning in a flawless performance in the field.
Evans, who is easing his way back into the pitching rotation after undergoing shoulder surgery a year ago, struggled early to find his control, hitting the first batter, then issuing a two-out walk. But he settled down in the middle innings, and carried a one-hitter into the fifth.
That’s when the Colts began to solve him. Three consecutive doubles — one a misplay in the outfield — a strikeout-passed ball and an RBI single finally chased Evans with one out in the fifth and four runs across.
Chris Perez came in to set down the two batters he faced to close it out.
“Once Blake gets going, he does a good job,” Fink said. “He’s a slow starter. That’s the longest he’s pitched this year and I think he tired toward the end. But overall, he did a pretty good job. He’s got a good breaking pitch and has pretty good control of it.
“He’s only going to get better the more he pitches.”
The Colts made their first contribution to the Sylvan Hills cause in the first inning when their pitcher made a two-out throwing error on a routine tap to the mound, which allowed Ryan Dillon and Spears to score to make it 2-0. Evans pitched out of a two-on jam in the bottom half, and the Bruins added a run without a hit in the second on Dillon’s sacrifice fly.
With the game still up for grabs in the third, North Little Rock put two on with just one out, but Evans got a pop out and a strikeout to end the threat. The Bruins put it away with their eight-run fourth, picking up just four hits in the inning, including two RBI singles by Eric McKinney and Spears’ 3-run double.
Evans allowed five hits and four earned funs over 4 1-3 innings, striking out six, walking two and hitting two.
NLR AAA 10, SYLVAN HILLS 6
As generous as the Colts junior team was in the first game of the evening, the Sylvan Hills senior club was just as giving in the nightcap.
The Bruins committed three errors, issued eight walks and hit a batter, while stranding 10 in their loss to North Little Rock.
The Bruins out-hit the Colts 11-6.
Sylvan Hills entered the seventh trailing 10-3 and tried to stage a rally with five hits — including T.C. Squires’ 2-run home run to left. But Colts relief pitcher Hunter Benton came in to get Justin Treece on a bouncer back to the mound to end it.
Other than his struggles with control, Bruins starter Blain Sims held the potent Colts lineup in check for the most part. But he walked six and hit a batter in 3 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits, but two were bloops and another was an infield single. Only Travis Bearden hit the ball hard against him when he blasted a 2-run homer in the third, when the Colts took the lead for good.
The Bruins got singles from Matt Rugger and Ross Bogart to jump to a 1-0 lead after one, but the Colts tied it with an unearned run off an error and a bloop double in the bottom half.
Squires’ leadoff single, followed by a passed ball and two wild pitches, put Sylvan Hill back on top in the second, and Sims pitched around a two-out walk in the second. But an infield hit and Bearden’s homer run in the third put the Colts ahead 3-2.
A hit batsman, a walk and a bloop 2-run single extended the lead to 5-2.
The Bruins got one back in the fourth when Mark Turpin singled and eventually scored on a throwing error.
Four walks and a single put two more across for the Colts in the bottom of the inning, and two errors, a walk and a 2-run double pushed the lead to 10-3 in the sixth.
D.J. Baxendale led off the seventh with a solid single and one out later Garrett Eller grounded a sharp single to right.
Turpin’s sacrifice fly scored Baxendale before Squires’ home run. Nathan Eller doubled and Chris Eastham delivered a pinch single before Benton came in to close it out.
Counting Eastham’s single, every spot in the Bruin order delivered a hit. Bogart and Squires had two each.
Bryan Chastain allowed only one hit and one earned run over 2 1/3 innings of relief for Sylvan Hills.
Friday, June 13, 2008
TOP STORY > >Commission opposes more development
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
The Hwy. 5 area around Greystone in Cabot is generally considered the city’s growth area for both residential and commercial development. The only problem is: the 10-inch force sewer main that serves the area is too small, so the water and wastewater commission opposes any more development.
“This commission has drawn the line on Greystone. It’s already at capacity,” Bill Cypert, secretary of the Cabot Water and Wastewater Commis-sion told landowners Randall and Tori Uhiren, who hope to sell property on Hwy. 5 for an assisted-living development.
Cypert, who usually speaks for the commission, said during the regular commission meeting Thursday night that the commission is pro-development, but available sewer capacity belongs to the developers of Greystone, who paid for it.
And the commission is committed to preserving it for their use.
The commission also opposes the private sewer-treatment plant the assisted-living developers have proposed, because they say there is no guarantee it will be maintained to an acceptable standard.
Cypert told the Uhirens that a 30-inch gravity main is planned for the area but not for at least three to five years. With an anticipated price tag of $30 million or so, the project cannot be funded without the sewer rate increase the commission has talked about for two years.
Josh Minton, the engineer on the planned project, countered that the state regulates private treatment plants as closely as public ones, so the facility would be maintained.
He also suggested that the developers would be willing to sign an agreement to close the plant as soon as city sewer became available.
At that, the proposal became more palatable to the commission.
“I think we might be able to look at it and see how it will fit into our plans,” Cypert said.
The proposed development of five, 10,000-square-foot buildings would house 90 residents.
Cypert and Gary Walker, commission vice-chairman, said there were other options, like buying capacity from those who hold claim to it.
“There are options to be looked at here,” Walker said, but he warned that the commission would have to be involved in any deal made between developers.
Although the proposed 30-inch sewer main is part of the commission master plan for the area, the commission also has considered building a second sewer-treatment plant for the area, but that would be just as costly.
Although water rates in Cabot are adequate for maintenance and operation as well as growth, sewer rates are so low that Cypert has described the financial situation of that utility as “hand to mouth.”
Without a rate increase, no major sewer construction is likely.
Randall Uhiren told the commissioners that although they consider Hwy. 5 a no-growth area, the city council doesn’t share that opinion as evidenced by the fact that property there is being annexed into the city.
If the city hadn’t annexed their property, the commission would have had no authority over it and the developers they hope to sell to would have been able to build the sewer treatment plant they need.
“We got annexed into the city and now we’re just sitting there,” he said.
Leader staff writer
The Hwy. 5 area around Greystone in Cabot is generally considered the city’s growth area for both residential and commercial development. The only problem is: the 10-inch force sewer main that serves the area is too small, so the water and wastewater commission opposes any more development.
“This commission has drawn the line on Greystone. It’s already at capacity,” Bill Cypert, secretary of the Cabot Water and Wastewater Commis-sion told landowners Randall and Tori Uhiren, who hope to sell property on Hwy. 5 for an assisted-living development.
Cypert, who usually speaks for the commission, said during the regular commission meeting Thursday night that the commission is pro-development, but available sewer capacity belongs to the developers of Greystone, who paid for it.
And the commission is committed to preserving it for their use.
The commission also opposes the private sewer-treatment plant the assisted-living developers have proposed, because they say there is no guarantee it will be maintained to an acceptable standard.
Cypert told the Uhirens that a 30-inch gravity main is planned for the area but not for at least three to five years. With an anticipated price tag of $30 million or so, the project cannot be funded without the sewer rate increase the commission has talked about for two years.
Josh Minton, the engineer on the planned project, countered that the state regulates private treatment plants as closely as public ones, so the facility would be maintained.
He also suggested that the developers would be willing to sign an agreement to close the plant as soon as city sewer became available.
At that, the proposal became more palatable to the commission.
“I think we might be able to look at it and see how it will fit into our plans,” Cypert said.
The proposed development of five, 10,000-square-foot buildings would house 90 residents.
Cypert and Gary Walker, commission vice-chairman, said there were other options, like buying capacity from those who hold claim to it.
“There are options to be looked at here,” Walker said, but he warned that the commission would have to be involved in any deal made between developers.
Although the proposed 30-inch sewer main is part of the commission master plan for the area, the commission also has considered building a second sewer-treatment plant for the area, but that would be just as costly.
Although water rates in Cabot are adequate for maintenance and operation as well as growth, sewer rates are so low that Cypert has described the financial situation of that utility as “hand to mouth.”
Without a rate increase, no major sewer construction is likely.
Randall Uhiren told the commissioners that although they consider Hwy. 5 a no-growth area, the city council doesn’t share that opinion as evidenced by the fact that property there is being annexed into the city.
If the city hadn’t annexed their property, the commission would have had no authority over it and the developers they hope to sell to would have been able to build the sewer treatment plant they need.
“We got annexed into the city and now we’re just sitting there,” he said.
TOP STORY > >Fight over extending Sherwood street
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
It sounds simple—complete one street and in exchange don’t require the completion of another street.
But that request from Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman has turned out to be very muddied and complicated, legally, historically and politically.
Cypress Properties, one of Sherwood’s largest landowners and the developer of Stonehill Subdivision, came to the mayor earlier this year with a proposal that it would spend about $400,000 of its own money to complete the portion of Maryland Avenue that runs through its property, and then with a small portion the city planned to complete, Maryland Avenue would become a complete east-west thoroughfare connecting Brockington Road and Hwy. 107.
In exchange, the developer wanted assurance from the city that he would not have to build and open up the remainder of Hemphill Road. Hemphill runs north-south, from Kiehl Avenue, but then coming to a dead end. The city’s master street plan shows the road eventually extending to Maryland Avenue.
To guarantee that Cypress Properties would not have to build the rest of Hemphill Road, Andy Collins, chairman of the board for the company, asked that the remainder of the planned road be removed from the city’s master street plan.
Cypress has made the request, according to Collins, on behalf of Stonehill residents and those on Hemphill who feel it is best not to make the road a through street.
Scotty Thurman, director of real estate for Cypress, said, “Once Maryland is complete, the rush hour congestion will be immediately and substantially alleviated.
There would be no purpose whatsoever to extend Hemphill because it would become a commuter speedway through a secluded and peaceful neighborhood.”
Thurman added, “We respect the master street plan but it can and should be modified to fit changing realities.”
But in May, the city council didn’t see eye-to-eye with the mayor or the developer and suggested that the developer open Maryland Avenue on his own with the only guarantee that the council would listen to his request to remove Hemphill from the master street plan after Maryland was completed and the city studied the traffic flow.
“It is in the best interest of the city to open Maryland,” the mayor explained.
“We aren’t doing the developer any favors as we can’t make him open up any street that he’s not developing. At this point we have nothing,” Hillman said.
Scotty Thurman, the former Razorback representing Cypress Properties, said the issue has become misconstrued as an ultimatum.
“We are just trying to work with the city to benefit the residents of Sherwood. It’s not about what Scotty thinks, or Andy (Collins) thinks or what the mayor thinks, it’s what the people think,” Thurman said.
He added that at the council and commission meetings all the residents have spoken for the idea. “The council should listen to the people speaking out,” he said.
Alderman Becki Vassar, the senior member of the council, said, “There’s not an alderman or city leader that doesn’t want Maryland Avenue opened, but this is not the way to do it.”
The master street plan is not something the council just got together and decided on one day, explained Vassar.
She said it was a joint effort by the city, Metroplan and the Municipal League. “
The master street plan is a well-studied document. It took a long time to prepare and looks 20 to 30 years down the road,” she said.
“It’s not something to be taken lightly,” she said.“Even the state highway department showed respect for it.”
The highway department’s first planned route for the North Belt segment going through Sherwood butted heads with the city’s master street plan and rather than the city changing its street plan, the state has had to spend years revising their I-440 route.
“If the state moves the North Belt in respect of our master street plan, I think a developer should too,” Vassar said.
Collins responded, “I have a great deal of respect for Vassar’s years of public service. However, I was close enough to the North Belt issue to know with certainty that there were many other motives besides the respect for the city’s street plan for diverting the loop away from the heart of Sherwood.”
Collins continued, “The master street plan is a document which must and will change as Sherwood’s borders, population and other characteristics change,” he said, adding that 700 acres of Cypress acreage near the air base was recently annexed into the city and will have to be added to the master street plan.
According to city ordinances, a developer doesn’t have to build a subdivision street until that section is developed, and in the case of Stonehill, Cypress Properties hasn’t started developing the sections containing Maryland or Hemphill, so hasn’t had to build either road.
“I don’t want to make any developer mad, but maybe we’ve been too nice, letting them build out of sequence,” Vassar said.
If Cypress Properties had built the Stonehill phases in order, Vassar, believes both roads would have already been built.
She added that developers know what they are required to do when they come before the city’s planning commission.
“The developer knew years ago when the subdivision was approved that he was required to build the roads,” Vassar explained, and has the minutes from the meetings where representatives for Cypress Properties agreed to build both roads.
“I’m not trying to be hard- hearted,” Vassar said. “But I have a hard time taking a street off the master plan and saying that it will never have to be built. It’s on that map for a reason.
“I have a problem with the developer wanting to change the rules after the T’s have been crossed and I’s dotted,” she said.
Vassar continued, “I have a problem with this developer not wanting to follow the rules and follow through with the commitment he made.”
The developer, based on city ordinances, doesn’t have to build either road yet and in fact can sit on the property indefinitely.
“I don’t think that would be fair to the residents of Sherwood,” Vassar said.
Collins responded by saying that Cypress has always followed what Sherwood wanted. “I respectfully disagree with Vassar’s mischaracterization of the facts.
“I’m a retired tax attorney and not the all-knowing developer Vassar paints Cypress to be. We rely on our engineers who design the subdivision and work with the city. The final say is Sherwood’s, not ours. We do what we are told. We developed all phases of Stonehill pursuant to Sherwood’s guidance and directives and to say otherwise is inaccurate,” Collins said.
Leader staff writer
It sounds simple—complete one street and in exchange don’t require the completion of another street.
But that request from Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman has turned out to be very muddied and complicated, legally, historically and politically.
Cypress Properties, one of Sherwood’s largest landowners and the developer of Stonehill Subdivision, came to the mayor earlier this year with a proposal that it would spend about $400,000 of its own money to complete the portion of Maryland Avenue that runs through its property, and then with a small portion the city planned to complete, Maryland Avenue would become a complete east-west thoroughfare connecting Brockington Road and Hwy. 107.
In exchange, the developer wanted assurance from the city that he would not have to build and open up the remainder of Hemphill Road. Hemphill runs north-south, from Kiehl Avenue, but then coming to a dead end. The city’s master street plan shows the road eventually extending to Maryland Avenue.
To guarantee that Cypress Properties would not have to build the rest of Hemphill Road, Andy Collins, chairman of the board for the company, asked that the remainder of the planned road be removed from the city’s master street plan.
Cypress has made the request, according to Collins, on behalf of Stonehill residents and those on Hemphill who feel it is best not to make the road a through street.
Scotty Thurman, director of real estate for Cypress, said, “Once Maryland is complete, the rush hour congestion will be immediately and substantially alleviated.
There would be no purpose whatsoever to extend Hemphill because it would become a commuter speedway through a secluded and peaceful neighborhood.”
Thurman added, “We respect the master street plan but it can and should be modified to fit changing realities.”
But in May, the city council didn’t see eye-to-eye with the mayor or the developer and suggested that the developer open Maryland Avenue on his own with the only guarantee that the council would listen to his request to remove Hemphill from the master street plan after Maryland was completed and the city studied the traffic flow.
“It is in the best interest of the city to open Maryland,” the mayor explained.
“We aren’t doing the developer any favors as we can’t make him open up any street that he’s not developing. At this point we have nothing,” Hillman said.
Scotty Thurman, the former Razorback representing Cypress Properties, said the issue has become misconstrued as an ultimatum.
“We are just trying to work with the city to benefit the residents of Sherwood. It’s not about what Scotty thinks, or Andy (Collins) thinks or what the mayor thinks, it’s what the people think,” Thurman said.
He added that at the council and commission meetings all the residents have spoken for the idea. “The council should listen to the people speaking out,” he said.
Alderman Becki Vassar, the senior member of the council, said, “There’s not an alderman or city leader that doesn’t want Maryland Avenue opened, but this is not the way to do it.”
The master street plan is not something the council just got together and decided on one day, explained Vassar.
She said it was a joint effort by the city, Metroplan and the Municipal League. “
The master street plan is a well-studied document. It took a long time to prepare and looks 20 to 30 years down the road,” she said.
“It’s not something to be taken lightly,” she said.“Even the state highway department showed respect for it.”
The highway department’s first planned route for the North Belt segment going through Sherwood butted heads with the city’s master street plan and rather than the city changing its street plan, the state has had to spend years revising their I-440 route.
“If the state moves the North Belt in respect of our master street plan, I think a developer should too,” Vassar said.
Collins responded, “I have a great deal of respect for Vassar’s years of public service. However, I was close enough to the North Belt issue to know with certainty that there were many other motives besides the respect for the city’s street plan for diverting the loop away from the heart of Sherwood.”
Collins continued, “The master street plan is a document which must and will change as Sherwood’s borders, population and other characteristics change,” he said, adding that 700 acres of Cypress acreage near the air base was recently annexed into the city and will have to be added to the master street plan.
According to city ordinances, a developer doesn’t have to build a subdivision street until that section is developed, and in the case of Stonehill, Cypress Properties hasn’t started developing the sections containing Maryland or Hemphill, so hasn’t had to build either road.
“I don’t want to make any developer mad, but maybe we’ve been too nice, letting them build out of sequence,” Vassar said.
If Cypress Properties had built the Stonehill phases in order, Vassar, believes both roads would have already been built.
She added that developers know what they are required to do when they come before the city’s planning commission.
“The developer knew years ago when the subdivision was approved that he was required to build the roads,” Vassar explained, and has the minutes from the meetings where representatives for Cypress Properties agreed to build both roads.
“I’m not trying to be hard- hearted,” Vassar said. “But I have a hard time taking a street off the master plan and saying that it will never have to be built. It’s on that map for a reason.
“I have a problem with the developer wanting to change the rules after the T’s have been crossed and I’s dotted,” she said.
Vassar continued, “I have a problem with this developer not wanting to follow the rules and follow through with the commitment he made.”
The developer, based on city ordinances, doesn’t have to build either road yet and in fact can sit on the property indefinitely.
“I don’t think that would be fair to the residents of Sherwood,” Vassar said.
Collins responded by saying that Cypress has always followed what Sherwood wanted. “I respectfully disagree with Vassar’s mischaracterization of the facts.
“I’m a retired tax attorney and not the all-knowing developer Vassar paints Cypress to be. We rely on our engineers who design the subdivision and work with the city. The final say is Sherwood’s, not ours. We do what we are told. We developed all phases of Stonehill pursuant to Sherwood’s guidance and directives and to say otherwise is inaccurate,” Collins said.
TOP STORY > >Fight over extending Sherwood street
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
It sounds simple—complete one street and in exchange don’t require the completion of another street.
But that request from Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman has turned out to be very muddied and complicated, legally, historically and politically.
Cypress Properties, one of Sherwood’s largest landowners and the developer of Stonehill Subdivision, came to the mayor earlier this year with a proposal that it would spend about $400,000 of its own money to complete the portion of Maryland Avenue that runs through its property, and then with a small portion the city planned to complete, Maryland Avenue would become a complete east-west thoroughfare connecting Brockington Road and Hwy. 107.
In exchange, the developer wanted assurance from the city that he would not have to build and open up the remainder of Hemphill Road. Hemphill runs north-south, from Kiehl Avenue, but then coming to a dead end. The city’s master street plan shows the road eventually extending to Maryland Avenue.
To guarantee that Cypress Properties would not have to build the rest of Hemphill Road, Andy Collins, chairman of the board for the company, asked that the remainder of the planned road be removed from the city’s master street plan.
Cypress has made the request, according to Collins, on behalf of Stonehill residents and those on Hemphill who feel it is best not to make the road a through street.
Scotty Thurman, director of real estate for Cypress, said, “Once Maryland is complete, the rush hour congestion will be immediately and substantially alleviated.
There would be no purpose whatsoever to extend Hemphill because it would become a commuter speedway through a secluded and peaceful neighborhood.”
Thurman added, “We respect the master street plan but it can and should be modified to fit changing realities.”
But in May, the city council didn’t see eye-to-eye with the mayor or the developer and suggested that the developer open Maryland Avenue on his own with the only guarantee that the council would listen to his request to remove Hemphill from the master street plan after Maryland was completed and the city studied the traffic flow.
“It is in the best interest of the city to open Maryland,” the mayor explained.
“We aren’t doing the developer any favors as we can’t make him open up any street that he’s not developing. At this point we have nothing,” Hillman said.
Scotty Thurman, the former Razorback representing Cypress Properties, said the issue has become misconstrued as an ultimatum.
“We are just trying to work with the city to benefit the residents of Sherwood. It’s not about what Scotty thinks, or Andy (Collins) thinks or what the mayor thinks, it’s what the people think,” Thurman said.
He added that at the council and commission meetings all the residents have spoken for the idea. “The council should listen to the people speaking out,” he said.
Alderman Becki Vassar, the senior member of the council, said, “There’s not an alderman or city leader that doesn’t want Maryland Avenue opened, but this is not the way to do it.”
The master street plan is not something the council just got together and decided on one day, explained Vassar.
She said it was a joint effort by the city, Metroplan and the Municipal League. “
The master street plan is a well-studied document. It took a long time to prepare and looks 20 to 30 years down the road,” she said.
“It’s not something to be taken lightly,” she said.“Even the state highway department showed respect for it.”
The highway department’s first planned route for the North Belt segment going through Sherwood butted heads with the city’s master street plan and rather than the city changing its street plan, the state has had to spend years revising their I-440 route.
“If the state moves the North Belt in respect of our master street plan, I think a developer should too,” Vassar said.
Collins responded, “I have a great deal of respect for Vassar’s years of public service. However, I was close enough to the North Belt issue to know with certainty that there were many other motives besides the respect for the city’s street plan for diverting the loop away from the heart of Sherwood.”
Collins continued, “The master street plan is a document which must and will change as Sherwood’s borders, population and other characteristics change,” he said, adding that 700 acres of Cypress acreage near the air base was recently annexed into the city and will have to be added to the master street plan.
According to city ordinances, a developer doesn’t have to build a subdivision street until that section is developed, and in the case of Stonehill, Cypress Properties hasn’t started developing the sections containing Maryland or Hemphill, so hasn’t had to build either road.
“I don’t want to make any developer mad, but maybe we’ve been too nice, letting them build out of sequence,” Vassar said.
If Cypress Properties had built the Stonehill phases in order, Vassar, believes both roads would have already been built.
She added that developers know what they are required to do when they come before the city’s planning commission.
“The developer knew years ago when the subdivision was approved that he was required to build the roads,” Vassar explained, and has the minutes from the meetings where representatives for Cypress Properties agreed to build both roads.
“I’m not trying to be hard- hearted,” Vassar said. “But I have a hard time taking a street off the master plan and saying that it will never have to be built. It’s on that map for a reason.
“I have a problem with the developer wanting to change the rules after the T’s have been crossed and I’s dotted,” she said.
Vassar continued, “I have a problem with this developer not wanting to follow the rules and follow through with the commitment he made.”
The developer, based on city ordinances, doesn’t have to build either road yet and in fact can sit on the property indefinitely.
“I don’t think that would be fair to the residents of Sherwood,” Vassar said.
Collins responded by saying that Cypress has always followed what Sherwood wanted. “I respectfully disagree with Vassar’s mischaracterization of the facts.
“I’m a retired tax attorney and not the all-knowing developer Vassar paints Cypress to be. We rely on our engineers who design the subdivision and work with the city. The final say is Sherwood’s, not ours. We do what we are told. We developed all phases of Stonehill pursuant to Sherwood’s guidance and directives and to say otherwise is inaccurate,” Collins said.
Leader staff writer
It sounds simple—complete one street and in exchange don’t require the completion of another street.
But that request from Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman has turned out to be very muddied and complicated, legally, historically and politically.
Cypress Properties, one of Sherwood’s largest landowners and the developer of Stonehill Subdivision, came to the mayor earlier this year with a proposal that it would spend about $400,000 of its own money to complete the portion of Maryland Avenue that runs through its property, and then with a small portion the city planned to complete, Maryland Avenue would become a complete east-west thoroughfare connecting Brockington Road and Hwy. 107.
In exchange, the developer wanted assurance from the city that he would not have to build and open up the remainder of Hemphill Road. Hemphill runs north-south, from Kiehl Avenue, but then coming to a dead end. The city’s master street plan shows the road eventually extending to Maryland Avenue.
To guarantee that Cypress Properties would not have to build the rest of Hemphill Road, Andy Collins, chairman of the board for the company, asked that the remainder of the planned road be removed from the city’s master street plan.
Cypress has made the request, according to Collins, on behalf of Stonehill residents and those on Hemphill who feel it is best not to make the road a through street.
Scotty Thurman, director of real estate for Cypress, said, “Once Maryland is complete, the rush hour congestion will be immediately and substantially alleviated.
There would be no purpose whatsoever to extend Hemphill because it would become a commuter speedway through a secluded and peaceful neighborhood.”
Thurman added, “We respect the master street plan but it can and should be modified to fit changing realities.”
But in May, the city council didn’t see eye-to-eye with the mayor or the developer and suggested that the developer open Maryland Avenue on his own with the only guarantee that the council would listen to his request to remove Hemphill from the master street plan after Maryland was completed and the city studied the traffic flow.
“It is in the best interest of the city to open Maryland,” the mayor explained.
“We aren’t doing the developer any favors as we can’t make him open up any street that he’s not developing. At this point we have nothing,” Hillman said.
Scotty Thurman, the former Razorback representing Cypress Properties, said the issue has become misconstrued as an ultimatum.
“We are just trying to work with the city to benefit the residents of Sherwood. It’s not about what Scotty thinks, or Andy (Collins) thinks or what the mayor thinks, it’s what the people think,” Thurman said.
He added that at the council and commission meetings all the residents have spoken for the idea. “The council should listen to the people speaking out,” he said.
Alderman Becki Vassar, the senior member of the council, said, “There’s not an alderman or city leader that doesn’t want Maryland Avenue opened, but this is not the way to do it.”
The master street plan is not something the council just got together and decided on one day, explained Vassar.
She said it was a joint effort by the city, Metroplan and the Municipal League. “
The master street plan is a well-studied document. It took a long time to prepare and looks 20 to 30 years down the road,” she said.
“It’s not something to be taken lightly,” she said.“Even the state highway department showed respect for it.”
The highway department’s first planned route for the North Belt segment going through Sherwood butted heads with the city’s master street plan and rather than the city changing its street plan, the state has had to spend years revising their I-440 route.
“If the state moves the North Belt in respect of our master street plan, I think a developer should too,” Vassar said.
Collins responded, “I have a great deal of respect for Vassar’s years of public service. However, I was close enough to the North Belt issue to know with certainty that there were many other motives besides the respect for the city’s street plan for diverting the loop away from the heart of Sherwood.”
Collins continued, “The master street plan is a document which must and will change as Sherwood’s borders, population and other characteristics change,” he said, adding that 700 acres of Cypress acreage near the air base was recently annexed into the city and will have to be added to the master street plan.
According to city ordinances, a developer doesn’t have to build a subdivision street until that section is developed, and in the case of Stonehill, Cypress Properties hasn’t started developing the sections containing Maryland or Hemphill, so hasn’t had to build either road.
“I don’t want to make any developer mad, but maybe we’ve been too nice, letting them build out of sequence,” Vassar said.
If Cypress Properties had built the Stonehill phases in order, Vassar, believes both roads would have already been built.
She added that developers know what they are required to do when they come before the city’s planning commission.
“The developer knew years ago when the subdivision was approved that he was required to build the roads,” Vassar explained, and has the minutes from the meetings where representatives for Cypress Properties agreed to build both roads.
“I’m not trying to be hard- hearted,” Vassar said. “But I have a hard time taking a street off the master plan and saying that it will never have to be built. It’s on that map for a reason.
“I have a problem with the developer wanting to change the rules after the T’s have been crossed and I’s dotted,” she said.
Vassar continued, “I have a problem with this developer not wanting to follow the rules and follow through with the commitment he made.”
The developer, based on city ordinances, doesn’t have to build either road yet and in fact can sit on the property indefinitely.
“I don’t think that would be fair to the residents of Sherwood,” Vassar said.
Collins responded by saying that Cypress has always followed what Sherwood wanted. “I respectfully disagree with Vassar’s mischaracterization of the facts.
“I’m a retired tax attorney and not the all-knowing developer Vassar paints Cypress to be. We rely on our engineers who design the subdivision and work with the city. The final say is Sherwood’s, not ours. We do what we are told. We developed all phases of Stonehill pursuant to Sherwood’s guidance and directives and to say otherwise is inaccurate,” Collins said.
TOP STORY > >PCSSD offers online classes this summer
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
For the first time this year, most Pulaski County Special School District high school summer school students can make up classes in their pajamas and without leaving home.
That’s because summer school this year—and likely for the foreseeable future—is an online activity, according to Carletta Wilson, a PCCSD spokesperson.
To accommodate students who don’t have Internet access at home, the district has computers available on both sides of the Arkansas River—at Fuller Middle School annex and at Sylvan Hills High School. Each school has a certified teacher to help students get on-line or help with content, Wilson said. Those centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
She said Internet summer school addressed several problems.
“We’ve had cyber school during the school year,” Wilson said. “We had a hard time finding teachers to teach summer school and it reduces the fuel costs of transporting many of the 200 students to summer school.”
South of the river, only a handful of students go to Fuller to use the computers for summer school, while at Sylvan Hills, the number is about 20.
About five years ago, the district stopped teaching summer school classes for students trying to get ahead, concentrating instead on those trying to recover credits.
The summer school students use the same books they would use in a classroom and have lessons to complete online, she said. For testing, they must come to take tests and they must complete 60 hours online. All English classes in grades nine-12 and all math classes except calculus are offered, plus science classes, Amercian and world histories and government.
Students also can use computers at libraries, and can even travel or go on vacation as long as they have regular Internet access and complete their assignments, she said.
While the district doesn’t have any information on the success of Internet summer school from other sites, Wilson said the district’s cyber school during the school year had proven successful. Students attending cyber school might have been prohibited from attending school, or in some cases at their parent’s request.
“We haven’t seen any negatives on it,” she added.
“This is what we do (for summer school) until further notice,” she said. “This may be the new face of school in years to come.”
But that would be a long way down the road.
Leader staff writer
For the first time this year, most Pulaski County Special School District high school summer school students can make up classes in their pajamas and without leaving home.
That’s because summer school this year—and likely for the foreseeable future—is an online activity, according to Carletta Wilson, a PCCSD spokesperson.
To accommodate students who don’t have Internet access at home, the district has computers available on both sides of the Arkansas River—at Fuller Middle School annex and at Sylvan Hills High School. Each school has a certified teacher to help students get on-line or help with content, Wilson said. Those centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
She said Internet summer school addressed several problems.
“We’ve had cyber school during the school year,” Wilson said. “We had a hard time finding teachers to teach summer school and it reduces the fuel costs of transporting many of the 200 students to summer school.”
South of the river, only a handful of students go to Fuller to use the computers for summer school, while at Sylvan Hills, the number is about 20.
About five years ago, the district stopped teaching summer school classes for students trying to get ahead, concentrating instead on those trying to recover credits.
The summer school students use the same books they would use in a classroom and have lessons to complete online, she said. For testing, they must come to take tests and they must complete 60 hours online. All English classes in grades nine-12 and all math classes except calculus are offered, plus science classes, Amercian and world histories and government.
Students also can use computers at libraries, and can even travel or go on vacation as long as they have regular Internet access and complete their assignments, she said.
While the district doesn’t have any information on the success of Internet summer school from other sites, Wilson said the district’s cyber school during the school year had proven successful. Students attending cyber school might have been prohibited from attending school, or in some cases at their parent’s request.
“We haven’t seen any negatives on it,” she added.
“This is what we do (for summer school) until further notice,” she said. “This may be the new face of school in years to come.”
But that would be a long way down the road.
TOP STORY > >Beebe schools told fuel will keep rising
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The ripple-effect of rising oil prices continues to spread as Hal Crisco, assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation at Beebe Public School, told the school board during Monday’s meeting to budget more money for fuel costs for next school year.
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon.”
“When a 7,500-gallon tanker load of diesel fuel was delivered (to the transportation department), the price averaged to $3.94 a gallon on May 14. Today, it would be over $4,” Crisco said.
“Only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district,” Crisco later told The Leader.
He said the district is “looking at greatly increasing the (fuel) budget — we’ll have to, it’s a necessity.
Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“The biggest thing is the amount of money budgeted for fuel cost. I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down, but I don’t see that happening.”
The district has 33 bus routes, and on May 14, the district spent an average of $1,000 a day on transportation.
Although the district has had a surplus of funds, to save fuel costs, Crisco and the transportation department will realign routes, consolidate stops and inform bus drivers about fuel conservation methods.
Board members inquired about converting buses to natural gas, but dismissed that option as unavailable when they learned that the cost of a conversion is the same as purchasing a new bus.
In other business, the school board approved a $64,000 bid to renovate Badger Academy, the Alternative Learning Environment building. Dr. Belinda Shook, school superintendent, said the construction costs will be paid with charter school grant money. The renovations were approved, because the district is meeting Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Tommy Reshel, a parent, addressed the school board about baseball and softball student athletes. Reshel suggested the baseball and softball programs should be included in the school’s seventh-period athletics program. Reshel reasoned it would be easier on the athletes academically, since they would not miss classes. They also would get home earlier after practice to complete homework.
“Baseball players should have the same opportunities as basketball and football athletes. It would be better academically and physically,” Reshel said.
Resignations to the school board were accepted from De-wayne Wammack, 11-12 assistant principal; Randy Kiihnl, PreK-2 assistant principal; Walter King, coach and teacher; Brian Jones, coach and teacher; Jenni Knox, math teacher; Tina Tollison, special-education paraprofessional; Paulette Cummins, cafeteria, Tim Wisinger, maintenance. Resigning from coaching only is Tim Dailey, pee wee basketball; Terry Flenor, softball; Michael Garrett, junior high football. The board approved a one-year leave of absence from Melissa Brown.
The school board approved the hiring of Cathy Boyette, primary cafeteria; Stesha Hill, central cafeteria; Rosa Engler, central cafeteria; Jackie Moore, junior high cafeteria; Lucille Jordan, cafeteria; Mary Faulhaber, cafeteria; Loretta Spears, custodian; Amy Elliott, family and consumer science teacher; David Payne, assistant junior high football coach and teacher, Jeremiah
Quattlebaum, assistant senior high basketball coach and history teacher; Tate Rector, assistant junior high football coach and science or social studies teacher; Richard Clevenger, head junior high football coach and history teacher; Stephanie Watkins, first grade teacher; Dana Johnston, kindergarten teacher. For summer school board members agreed hiring Eli Lowery, math teacher for 14 days and Diana Roventini, English teacher for 16.5 days.
Leader staff writer
The ripple-effect of rising oil prices continues to spread as Hal Crisco, assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation at Beebe Public School, told the school board during Monday’s meeting to budget more money for fuel costs for next school year.
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon.”
“When a 7,500-gallon tanker load of diesel fuel was delivered (to the transportation department), the price averaged to $3.94 a gallon on May 14. Today, it would be over $4,” Crisco said.
“Only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district,” Crisco later told The Leader.
He said the district is “looking at greatly increasing the (fuel) budget — we’ll have to, it’s a necessity.
Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“The biggest thing is the amount of money budgeted for fuel cost. I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down, but I don’t see that happening.”
The district has 33 bus routes, and on May 14, the district spent an average of $1,000 a day on transportation.
Although the district has had a surplus of funds, to save fuel costs, Crisco and the transportation department will realign routes, consolidate stops and inform bus drivers about fuel conservation methods.
Board members inquired about converting buses to natural gas, but dismissed that option as unavailable when they learned that the cost of a conversion is the same as purchasing a new bus.
In other business, the school board approved a $64,000 bid to renovate Badger Academy, the Alternative Learning Environment building. Dr. Belinda Shook, school superintendent, said the construction costs will be paid with charter school grant money. The renovations were approved, because the district is meeting Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Tommy Reshel, a parent, addressed the school board about baseball and softball student athletes. Reshel suggested the baseball and softball programs should be included in the school’s seventh-period athletics program. Reshel reasoned it would be easier on the athletes academically, since they would not miss classes. They also would get home earlier after practice to complete homework.
“Baseball players should have the same opportunities as basketball and football athletes. It would be better academically and physically,” Reshel said.
Resignations to the school board were accepted from De-wayne Wammack, 11-12 assistant principal; Randy Kiihnl, PreK-2 assistant principal; Walter King, coach and teacher; Brian Jones, coach and teacher; Jenni Knox, math teacher; Tina Tollison, special-education paraprofessional; Paulette Cummins, cafeteria, Tim Wisinger, maintenance. Resigning from coaching only is Tim Dailey, pee wee basketball; Terry Flenor, softball; Michael Garrett, junior high football. The board approved a one-year leave of absence from Melissa Brown.
The school board approved the hiring of Cathy Boyette, primary cafeteria; Stesha Hill, central cafeteria; Rosa Engler, central cafeteria; Jackie Moore, junior high cafeteria; Lucille Jordan, cafeteria; Mary Faulhaber, cafeteria; Loretta Spears, custodian; Amy Elliott, family and consumer science teacher; David Payne, assistant junior high football coach and teacher, Jeremiah
Quattlebaum, assistant senior high basketball coach and history teacher; Tate Rector, assistant junior high football coach and science or social studies teacher; Richard Clevenger, head junior high football coach and history teacher; Stephanie Watkins, first grade teacher; Dana Johnston, kindergarten teacher. For summer school board members agreed hiring Eli Lowery, math teacher for 14 days and Diana Roventini, English teacher for 16.5 days.
TOP STORY > >Beebe schools told fuel will keep rising
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The ripple-effect of rising oil prices continues to spread as Hal Crisco, assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation at Beebe Public School, told the school board during Monday’s meeting to budget more money for fuel costs for next school year.
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon.”
“When a 7,500-gallon tanker load of diesel fuel was delivered (to the transportation department), the price averaged to $3.94 a gallon on May 14. Today, it would be over $4,” Crisco said.
“Only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district,” Crisco later told The Leader.
He said the district is “looking at greatly increasing the (fuel) budget — we’ll have to, it’s a necessity.
Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“The biggest thing is the amount of money budgeted for fuel cost. I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down, but I don’t see that happening.”
The district has 33 bus routes, and on May 14, the district spent an average of $1,000 a day on transportation.
Although the district has had a surplus of funds, to save fuel costs, Crisco and the transportation department will realign routes, consolidate stops and inform bus drivers about fuel conservation methods.
Board members inquired about converting buses to natural gas, but dismissed that option as unavailable when they learned that the cost of a conversion is the same as purchasing a new bus.
In other business, the school board approved a $64,000 bid to renovate Badger Academy, the Alternative Learning Environment building. Dr. Belinda Shook, school superintendent, said the construction costs will be paid with charter school grant money. The renovations were approved, because the district is meeting Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Tommy Reshel, a parent, addressed the school board about baseball and softball student athletes. Reshel suggested the baseball and softball programs should be included in the school’s seventh-period athletics program. Reshel reasoned it would be easier on the athletes academically, since they would not miss classes. They also would get home earlier after practice to complete homework.
“Baseball players should have the same opportunities as basketball and football athletes. It would be better academically and physically,” Reshel said.
Resignations to the school board were accepted from De-wayne Wammack, 11-12 assistant principal; Randy Kiihnl, PreK-2 assistant principal; Walter King, coach and teacher; Brian Jones, coach and teacher; Jenni Knox, math teacher; Tina Tollison, special-education paraprofessional; Paulette Cummins, cafeteria, Tim Wisinger, maintenance. Resigning from coaching only is Tim Dailey, pee wee basketball; Terry Flenor, softball; Michael Garrett, junior high football. The board approved a one-year leave of absence from Melissa Brown.
The school board approved the hiring of Cathy Boyette, primary cafeteria; Stesha Hill, central cafeteria; Rosa Engler, central cafeteria; Jackie Moore, junior high cafeteria; Lucille Jordan, cafeteria; Mary Faulhaber, cafeteria; Loretta Spears, custodian; Amy Elliott, family and consumer science teacher; David Payne, assistant junior high football coach and teacher, Jeremiah
Quattlebaum, assistant senior high basketball coach and history teacher; Tate Rector, assistant junior high football coach and science or social studies teacher; Richard Clevenger, head junior high football coach and history teacher; Stephanie Watkins, first grade teacher; Dana Johnston, kindergarten teacher. For summer school board members agreed hiring Eli Lowery, math teacher for 14 days and Diana Roventini, English teacher for 16.5 days.
Leader staff writer
The ripple-effect of rising oil prices continues to spread as Hal Crisco, assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation at Beebe Public School, told the school board during Monday’s meeting to budget more money for fuel costs for next school year.
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon.”
“When a 7,500-gallon tanker load of diesel fuel was delivered (to the transportation department), the price averaged to $3.94 a gallon on May 14. Today, it would be over $4,” Crisco said.
“Only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district,” Crisco later told The Leader.
He said the district is “looking at greatly increasing the (fuel) budget — we’ll have to, it’s a necessity.
Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“The biggest thing is the amount of money budgeted for fuel cost. I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down, but I don’t see that happening.”
The district has 33 bus routes, and on May 14, the district spent an average of $1,000 a day on transportation.
Although the district has had a surplus of funds, to save fuel costs, Crisco and the transportation department will realign routes, consolidate stops and inform bus drivers about fuel conservation methods.
Board members inquired about converting buses to natural gas, but dismissed that option as unavailable when they learned that the cost of a conversion is the same as purchasing a new bus.
In other business, the school board approved a $64,000 bid to renovate Badger Academy, the Alternative Learning Environment building. Dr. Belinda Shook, school superintendent, said the construction costs will be paid with charter school grant money. The renovations were approved, because the district is meeting Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Tommy Reshel, a parent, addressed the school board about baseball and softball student athletes. Reshel suggested the baseball and softball programs should be included in the school’s seventh-period athletics program. Reshel reasoned it would be easier on the athletes academically, since they would not miss classes. They also would get home earlier after practice to complete homework.
“Baseball players should have the same opportunities as basketball and football athletes. It would be better academically and physically,” Reshel said.
Resignations to the school board were accepted from De-wayne Wammack, 11-12 assistant principal; Randy Kiihnl, PreK-2 assistant principal; Walter King, coach and teacher; Brian Jones, coach and teacher; Jenni Knox, math teacher; Tina Tollison, special-education paraprofessional; Paulette Cummins, cafeteria, Tim Wisinger, maintenance. Resigning from coaching only is Tim Dailey, pee wee basketball; Terry Flenor, softball; Michael Garrett, junior high football. The board approved a one-year leave of absence from Melissa Brown.
The school board approved the hiring of Cathy Boyette, primary cafeteria; Stesha Hill, central cafeteria; Rosa Engler, central cafeteria; Jackie Moore, junior high cafeteria; Lucille Jordan, cafeteria; Mary Faulhaber, cafeteria; Loretta Spears, custodian; Amy Elliott, family and consumer science teacher; David Payne, assistant junior high football coach and teacher, Jeremiah
Quattlebaum, assistant senior high basketball coach and history teacher; Tate Rector, assistant junior high football coach and science or social studies teacher; Richard Clevenger, head junior high football coach and history teacher; Stephanie Watkins, first grade teacher; Dana Johnston, kindergarten teacher. For summer school board members agreed hiring Eli Lowery, math teacher for 14 days and Diana Roventini, English teacher for 16.5 days.
TOP STORY >>Districts look to alternative fuels
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
Biodiesel bus fuel is a fair-weather fix, at least in these latitudes, according to Brad Montgomery, director of transportation for the Pulaski County Special School District.
That’s because in a federally funded pilot project, 20 percent biodiesel fuel increased miles per gallon by about 8 percent over regular diesel, but in cold weather it sometimes gelled and clogged or ruined injectors and other expensive parts.
Cutting the organic portion of the fuel from 20 percent to 5 percent cut the miles per gallon savings to about 2 percent.
“The hidden benefit is that we have witnessed an increase of about eight/10ths of a mile per gallon increase in efficiency,” according to Montgomery, which can be significant when 345 buses log about 4.6 million miles a year.
While no failures were reported in the 35 buses in the pilot project, once all 345 buses used biodiesel, six buses reported failures of injector pumps and other pricey engine components, he said.
While the failure rate diminishes when the district uses 5 percent biodiesel instead of 20 percent, so did the savings from greater fuel efficiency.
Biofuel also slowed the pumps at the bus barns. Buses that generally filled in about five minutes using diesel took 35 minutes or longer with biofuel, leaving lines of angry drivers.
The federal government paid Pulaski County to run the pilot project for two school years, which included buses running to Oak Grove and Jacksonville high schools.
With dramatic increases recently in the costs both diesel and biodiesel fuels, Montgomery said the relative cost of each fuel plus the weather would determine whether or when the district uses the biofuel.
“It helps the environment, helps reduce reliance on foreign oil and helps the farmer,” he said. During one year, it kept nearly four tons of smog out of the air in central Arkansas. The biodiesel component of the fuel the district used was derived from soybeans and grains he said, although it is possible to use animal fat and rendered oil.
“All of our buses are diesel, and when it makes sense, we use the biodiesel,” he said. “We don’t have to convert anything.”
Montgomery said the district’s fuel budget is a moving target.
“Last year, we budgeted $1.2 million. This year it’s near $2 million,” he said.
While the cost of diesel at the pump for the family car is about $4.73 a gallon, the school district gets a break, which cuts its cost to about $4.14 a gallon. The district budgeted about $1.2 million for fuel this past school year and expects to spend $2 million or more next year.
If fuel costs stay high or increase, districts will consider measures such as a four-day school week, cutting back field trips and sending fewer buses on athletic trips, perhaps reducing the size of the traveling squads.
The increasing cost of diesel has had a significant impact on the Cabot School District, according to Superintendent Tony Thurman.
“We were paying $2.59 per gallon at the beginning of the year and are now paying over $4 per gallon.We spent $303,000 last year and have been budgeting $418,000 this year,” he said.
“We increased the fuel budget over 20 percent from last year but will be significantly over budget even with the increase.”
Thurman said that without a dramatic decrease in fuel costs, the district would be forced to consider options next fall.
“We must make sure that every bus route is efficient in terms of student load and mileage. The district will also review all activity trips and make sure that we are not sending any more buses on these trips than absolutely necessary. We have sports teams that may have to double-up and ride the same bus instead of taking separate buses.
“We understand the importance of allowing students learning opportunities outside the regular classroom,” Thurman said, “but we may have to limit the number of trips that are being allowed for each school.”
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon,” said Hal Crisco, Beebe’s assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation.
“If I had to order more now, it would be higher yet. The only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district. Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down,” said Crisco, “but I don’t see that happening.”
“We’re fixing to change superintendents, and haven’t decided anything yet,” said Bill Trickey, Lonoke School District transportation director. The only thing he was prepared to commit to before consulting with incoming Superintendent John Tackett was to eliminate bus idling, but other things will be kicked around.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 or 18 years,” Trickey said. But in the past couple of years he’s seen fuel prices go from “two-something to four-something” a gallon.
“We spent $83,000 so far this year and don’t even have in bills from May and June.”
He said the district would consider tightening up its school bus routes, but that the higher fuel costs might turn people driving to school from as far away as Furlow and nearly Jacksonville into bus riders, increasing demand for bus transportation.
Leader staff writer
Biodiesel bus fuel is a fair-weather fix, at least in these latitudes, according to Brad Montgomery, director of transportation for the Pulaski County Special School District.
That’s because in a federally funded pilot project, 20 percent biodiesel fuel increased miles per gallon by about 8 percent over regular diesel, but in cold weather it sometimes gelled and clogged or ruined injectors and other expensive parts.
Cutting the organic portion of the fuel from 20 percent to 5 percent cut the miles per gallon savings to about 2 percent.
“The hidden benefit is that we have witnessed an increase of about eight/10ths of a mile per gallon increase in efficiency,” according to Montgomery, which can be significant when 345 buses log about 4.6 million miles a year.
While no failures were reported in the 35 buses in the pilot project, once all 345 buses used biodiesel, six buses reported failures of injector pumps and other pricey engine components, he said.
While the failure rate diminishes when the district uses 5 percent biodiesel instead of 20 percent, so did the savings from greater fuel efficiency.
Biofuel also slowed the pumps at the bus barns. Buses that generally filled in about five minutes using diesel took 35 minutes or longer with biofuel, leaving lines of angry drivers.
The federal government paid Pulaski County to run the pilot project for two school years, which included buses running to Oak Grove and Jacksonville high schools.
With dramatic increases recently in the costs both diesel and biodiesel fuels, Montgomery said the relative cost of each fuel plus the weather would determine whether or when the district uses the biofuel.
“It helps the environment, helps reduce reliance on foreign oil and helps the farmer,” he said. During one year, it kept nearly four tons of smog out of the air in central Arkansas. The biodiesel component of the fuel the district used was derived from soybeans and grains he said, although it is possible to use animal fat and rendered oil.
“All of our buses are diesel, and when it makes sense, we use the biodiesel,” he said. “We don’t have to convert anything.”
Montgomery said the district’s fuel budget is a moving target.
“Last year, we budgeted $1.2 million. This year it’s near $2 million,” he said.
While the cost of diesel at the pump for the family car is about $4.73 a gallon, the school district gets a break, which cuts its cost to about $4.14 a gallon. The district budgeted about $1.2 million for fuel this past school year and expects to spend $2 million or more next year.
If fuel costs stay high or increase, districts will consider measures such as a four-day school week, cutting back field trips and sending fewer buses on athletic trips, perhaps reducing the size of the traveling squads.
The increasing cost of diesel has had a significant impact on the Cabot School District, according to Superintendent Tony Thurman.
“We were paying $2.59 per gallon at the beginning of the year and are now paying over $4 per gallon.We spent $303,000 last year and have been budgeting $418,000 this year,” he said.
“We increased the fuel budget over 20 percent from last year but will be significantly over budget even with the increase.”
Thurman said that without a dramatic decrease in fuel costs, the district would be forced to consider options next fall.
“We must make sure that every bus route is efficient in terms of student load and mileage. The district will also review all activity trips and make sure that we are not sending any more buses on these trips than absolutely necessary. We have sports teams that may have to double-up and ride the same bus instead of taking separate buses.
“We understand the importance of allowing students learning opportunities outside the regular classroom,” Thurman said, “but we may have to limit the number of trips that are being allowed for each school.”
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon,” said Hal Crisco, Beebe’s assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation.
“If I had to order more now, it would be higher yet. The only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district. Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down,” said Crisco, “but I don’t see that happening.”
“We’re fixing to change superintendents, and haven’t decided anything yet,” said Bill Trickey, Lonoke School District transportation director. The only thing he was prepared to commit to before consulting with incoming Superintendent John Tackett was to eliminate bus idling, but other things will be kicked around.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 or 18 years,” Trickey said. But in the past couple of years he’s seen fuel prices go from “two-something to four-something” a gallon.
“We spent $83,000 so far this year and don’t even have in bills from May and June.”
He said the district would consider tightening up its school bus routes, but that the higher fuel costs might turn people driving to school from as far away as Furlow and nearly Jacksonville into bus riders, increasing demand for bus transportation.
TOP STORY >>Districts look to alternative fuels
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader staff writer
Biodiesel bus fuel is a fair-weather fix, at least in these latitudes, according to Brad Montgomery, director of transportation for the Pulaski County Special School District.
That’s because in a federally funded pilot project, 20 percent biodiesel fuel increased miles per gallon by about 8 percent over regular diesel, but in cold weather it sometimes gelled and clogged or ruined injectors and other expensive parts.
Cutting the organic portion of the fuel from 20 percent to 5 percent cut the miles per gallon savings to about 2 percent.
“The hidden benefit is that we have witnessed an increase of about eight/10ths of a mile per gallon increase in efficiency,” according to Montgomery, which can be significant when 345 buses log about 4.6 million miles a year.
While no failures were reported in the 35 buses in the pilot project, once all 345 buses used biodiesel, six buses reported failures of injector pumps and other pricey engine components, he said.
While the failure rate diminishes when the district uses 5 percent biodiesel instead of 20 percent, so did the savings from greater fuel efficiency.
Biofuel also slowed the pumps at the bus barns. Buses that generally filled in about five minutes using diesel took 35 minutes or longer with biofuel, leaving lines of angry drivers.
The federal government paid Pulaski County to run the pilot project for two school years, which included buses running to Oak Grove and Jacksonville high schools.
With dramatic increases recently in the costs both diesel and biodiesel fuels, Montgomery said the relative cost of each fuel plus the weather would determine whether or when the district uses the biofuel.
“It helps the environment, helps reduce reliance on foreign oil and helps the farmer,” he said. During one year, it kept nearly four tons of smog out of the air in central Arkansas. The biodiesel component of the fuel the district used was derived from soybeans and grains he said, although it is possible to use animal fat and rendered oil.
“All of our buses are diesel, and when it makes sense, we use the biodiesel,” he said. “We don’t have to convert anything.”
Montgomery said the district’s fuel budget is a moving target.
“Last year, we budgeted $1.2 million. This year it’s near $2 million,” he said.
While the cost of diesel at the pump for the family car is about $4.73 a gallon, the school district gets a break, which cuts its cost to about $4.14 a gallon. The district budgeted about $1.2 million for fuel this past school year and expects to spend $2 million or more next year.
If fuel costs stay high or increase, districts will consider measures such as a four-day school week, cutting back field trips and sending fewer buses on athletic trips, perhaps reducing the size of the traveling squads.
The increasing cost of diesel has had a significant impact on the Cabot School District, according to Superintendent Tony Thurman.
“We were paying $2.59 per gallon at the beginning of the year and are now paying over $4 per gallon.We spent $303,000 last year and have been budgeting $418,000 this year,” he said.
“We increased the fuel budget over 20 percent from last year but will be significantly over budget even with the increase.”
Thurman said that without a dramatic decrease in fuel costs, the district would be forced to consider options next fall.
“We must make sure that every bus route is efficient in terms of student load and mileage. The district will also review all activity trips and make sure that we are not sending any more buses on these trips than absolutely necessary. We have sports teams that may have to double-up and ride the same bus instead of taking separate buses.
“We understand the importance of allowing students learning opportunities outside the regular classroom,” Thurman said, “but we may have to limit the number of trips that are being allowed for each school.”
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon,” said Hal Crisco, Beebe’s assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation.
“If I had to order more now, it would be higher yet. The only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district. Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down,” said Crisco, “but I don’t see that happening.”
“We’re fixing to change superintendents, and haven’t decided anything yet,” said Bill Trickey, Lonoke School District transportation director. The only thing he was prepared to commit to before consulting with incoming Superintendent John Tackett was to eliminate bus idling, but other things will be kicked around.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 or 18 years,” Trickey said. But in the past couple of years he’s seen fuel prices go from “two-something to four-something” a gallon.
“We spent $83,000 so far this year and don’t even have in bills from May and June.”
He said the district would consider tightening up its school bus routes, but that the higher fuel costs might turn people driving to school from as far away as Furlow and nearly Jacksonville into bus riders, increasing demand for bus transportation.
Leader staff writer
Biodiesel bus fuel is a fair-weather fix, at least in these latitudes, according to Brad Montgomery, director of transportation for the Pulaski County Special School District.
That’s because in a federally funded pilot project, 20 percent biodiesel fuel increased miles per gallon by about 8 percent over regular diesel, but in cold weather it sometimes gelled and clogged or ruined injectors and other expensive parts.
Cutting the organic portion of the fuel from 20 percent to 5 percent cut the miles per gallon savings to about 2 percent.
“The hidden benefit is that we have witnessed an increase of about eight/10ths of a mile per gallon increase in efficiency,” according to Montgomery, which can be significant when 345 buses log about 4.6 million miles a year.
While no failures were reported in the 35 buses in the pilot project, once all 345 buses used biodiesel, six buses reported failures of injector pumps and other pricey engine components, he said.
While the failure rate diminishes when the district uses 5 percent biodiesel instead of 20 percent, so did the savings from greater fuel efficiency.
Biofuel also slowed the pumps at the bus barns. Buses that generally filled in about five minutes using diesel took 35 minutes or longer with biofuel, leaving lines of angry drivers.
The federal government paid Pulaski County to run the pilot project for two school years, which included buses running to Oak Grove and Jacksonville high schools.
With dramatic increases recently in the costs both diesel and biodiesel fuels, Montgomery said the relative cost of each fuel plus the weather would determine whether or when the district uses the biofuel.
“It helps the environment, helps reduce reliance on foreign oil and helps the farmer,” he said. During one year, it kept nearly four tons of smog out of the air in central Arkansas. The biodiesel component of the fuel the district used was derived from soybeans and grains he said, although it is possible to use animal fat and rendered oil.
“All of our buses are diesel, and when it makes sense, we use the biodiesel,” he said. “We don’t have to convert anything.”
Montgomery said the district’s fuel budget is a moving target.
“Last year, we budgeted $1.2 million. This year it’s near $2 million,” he said.
While the cost of diesel at the pump for the family car is about $4.73 a gallon, the school district gets a break, which cuts its cost to about $4.14 a gallon. The district budgeted about $1.2 million for fuel this past school year and expects to spend $2 million or more next year.
If fuel costs stay high or increase, districts will consider measures such as a four-day school week, cutting back field trips and sending fewer buses on athletic trips, perhaps reducing the size of the traveling squads.
The increasing cost of diesel has had a significant impact on the Cabot School District, according to Superintendent Tony Thurman.
“We were paying $2.59 per gallon at the beginning of the year and are now paying over $4 per gallon.We spent $303,000 last year and have been budgeting $418,000 this year,” he said.
“We increased the fuel budget over 20 percent from last year but will be significantly over budget even with the increase.”
Thurman said that without a dramatic decrease in fuel costs, the district would be forced to consider options next fall.
“We must make sure that every bus route is efficient in terms of student load and mileage. The district will also review all activity trips and make sure that we are not sending any more buses on these trips than absolutely necessary. We have sports teams that may have to double-up and ride the same bus instead of taking separate buses.
“We understand the importance of allowing students learning opportunities outside the regular classroom,” Thurman said, “but we may have to limit the number of trips that are being allowed for each school.”
“This budget year, from the first tanker we bought to the last one we got in May, the cost has gone up $1.70 a gallon,” said Hal Crisco, Beebe’s assistant superintendent for maintenance and transportation.
“If I had to order more now, it would be higher yet. The only thing we can do is be conservative, but there is only so much we can do as a school district. Activities are an integral part of the school day and school functions.
“I’ll have to look at doubling the budget at a minimum and hope fuel prices go down,” said Crisco, “but I don’t see that happening.”
“We’re fixing to change superintendents, and haven’t decided anything yet,” said Bill Trickey, Lonoke School District transportation director. The only thing he was prepared to commit to before consulting with incoming Superintendent John Tackett was to eliminate bus idling, but other things will be kicked around.
“I’ve been doing this for 17 or 18 years,” Trickey said. But in the past couple of years he’s seen fuel prices go from “two-something to four-something” a gallon.
“We spent $83,000 so far this year and don’t even have in bills from May and June.”
He said the district would consider tightening up its school bus routes, but that the higher fuel costs might turn people driving to school from as far away as Furlow and nearly Jacksonville into bus riders, increasing demand for bus transportation.
TOP STORY >>Motorists try to cope with rising prices
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Depending on the gas station one is driving by in the local area, the price for regular unleaded runs just a penny shy of $4 at some stations, while others charge 15 cents short of that mark despite recent price jumps.
At week’s end, the national average of a gallon of unleaded stood at $4.06 per gallon, with California topping out at $4.54.
In Arkansas, the state average Thursday was $3.91 with northwest Arkansas coming in the cheapest at $3.86 and central Arkansas the highest at $3.92, perhaps toward $5.
The fast-rising cost of gasoline is affecting everyone from families to pizza places to lawn companies to taxis.
“We’ve just lost four drivers because they are not making enough money in tips to cover their gas,” said Curtis Gorecke, manager of Papa John’s Pizza in Jacksonville. He said the company pays drivers a per diem to help cover gas. “Every time gas jumps we increase it, “Gorecke said. “Right now it’s 6.4 percent of the commission.”
Gorecke also said more and more residents are calling for delivery. “They don’t want to use up their gas picking up pizza, plus it seems they also have less for tip money because of the gas prices,” he said.
Keefe Lawn Care is also feeling the pinch. Eileen Keefe said the company operates two trucks, but each truck is hauling a trailer loaded with equipment that uses gasoline. “Things are very tight now,” she said. Keefe said in April, the company spent $900 for gasoline. “It’s several hundred dollars more now,” she said, adding that it has doubled from last year. “It’s tough on a small business.
“What makes it tough for the lawn service is that it has contracts with its customers. “We can’t pass on any of the cost until contract renewal time, and even then we don’t want to jump up too high,” she said.
Jacksonville taxi companies are also feeling the pinch as their local rates are restricted by city ordinance.
“I’m standing still until I get calls now,” said Myron Roberts with Discount Taxi. Roberts used to think nothing about driving around town between fares. “It was good advertisement, but I can’t afford it now,” he said. Roberts added that his fuel cost has jumped $20 to $30 a day, working out to a monthly increase of more than $800.
A driver for A Cab Company said the gas prices were definitely hurting the small business. “We will probably have to go to the city council and ask them to allow an increase in local fares,” she said.
The driver said just a few weeks ago it was costing $40 to fill up her cab and now it’s $67, “and I fill it up daily,” she added.
Chris Crain, with Crain Automotive Group, says they are starting to see some small shifts in vehicle buying, but thinks a lot of people are in a “sit and wait mode.”
“Gas prices always seem to spike during the spring months and then settle back down. I think a lot of people are waiting and looking for that downward tick,” Crain said.
But some people are trading in their large SUV’s for smaller vehicles, Crain said.
“Some are keeping their SUV’s,” said Crain, “and buying a smaller second vehicle to use for commuting,” he said.
Crain said a surprising trend is that people are buying pre-owned SUV’s. “The values on those vehicles are down right now, and sometimes you can save enough to offset the rising cost of gasoline.”
Clay Knupp, who works at The Leader in Jacksonville, drives 100 miles a day to work from Des Arc.
He said, “When I bought my truck in 2000, and it cost $25 to fill it up. Now it costs me $100. It’s a lot. It’ll keep getting worse.
“A big part of my paycheck goes for gas just to pay for commuting,” Knupp said. Because he lives in Des Arc, he must drive 30 miles to shop in big stores in Searcy or Cabot.
He spends about $150 a week on fuel. “It sucks,” he said.
Leader staff writer
Depending on the gas station one is driving by in the local area, the price for regular unleaded runs just a penny shy of $4 at some stations, while others charge 15 cents short of that mark despite recent price jumps.
At week’s end, the national average of a gallon of unleaded stood at $4.06 per gallon, with California topping out at $4.54.
In Arkansas, the state average Thursday was $3.91 with northwest Arkansas coming in the cheapest at $3.86 and central Arkansas the highest at $3.92, perhaps toward $5.
The fast-rising cost of gasoline is affecting everyone from families to pizza places to lawn companies to taxis.
“We’ve just lost four drivers because they are not making enough money in tips to cover their gas,” said Curtis Gorecke, manager of Papa John’s Pizza in Jacksonville. He said the company pays drivers a per diem to help cover gas. “Every time gas jumps we increase it, “Gorecke said. “Right now it’s 6.4 percent of the commission.”
Gorecke also said more and more residents are calling for delivery. “They don’t want to use up their gas picking up pizza, plus it seems they also have less for tip money because of the gas prices,” he said.
Keefe Lawn Care is also feeling the pinch. Eileen Keefe said the company operates two trucks, but each truck is hauling a trailer loaded with equipment that uses gasoline. “Things are very tight now,” she said. Keefe said in April, the company spent $900 for gasoline. “It’s several hundred dollars more now,” she said, adding that it has doubled from last year. “It’s tough on a small business.
“What makes it tough for the lawn service is that it has contracts with its customers. “We can’t pass on any of the cost until contract renewal time, and even then we don’t want to jump up too high,” she said.
Jacksonville taxi companies are also feeling the pinch as their local rates are restricted by city ordinance.
“I’m standing still until I get calls now,” said Myron Roberts with Discount Taxi. Roberts used to think nothing about driving around town between fares. “It was good advertisement, but I can’t afford it now,” he said. Roberts added that his fuel cost has jumped $20 to $30 a day, working out to a monthly increase of more than $800.
A driver for A Cab Company said the gas prices were definitely hurting the small business. “We will probably have to go to the city council and ask them to allow an increase in local fares,” she said.
The driver said just a few weeks ago it was costing $40 to fill up her cab and now it’s $67, “and I fill it up daily,” she added.
Chris Crain, with Crain Automotive Group, says they are starting to see some small shifts in vehicle buying, but thinks a lot of people are in a “sit and wait mode.”
“Gas prices always seem to spike during the spring months and then settle back down. I think a lot of people are waiting and looking for that downward tick,” Crain said.
But some people are trading in their large SUV’s for smaller vehicles, Crain said.
“Some are keeping their SUV’s,” said Crain, “and buying a smaller second vehicle to use for commuting,” he said.
Crain said a surprising trend is that people are buying pre-owned SUV’s. “The values on those vehicles are down right now, and sometimes you can save enough to offset the rising cost of gasoline.”
Clay Knupp, who works at The Leader in Jacksonville, drives 100 miles a day to work from Des Arc.
He said, “When I bought my truck in 2000, and it cost $25 to fill it up. Now it costs me $100. It’s a lot. It’ll keep getting worse.
“A big part of my paycheck goes for gas just to pay for commuting,” Knupp said. Because he lives in Des Arc, he must drive 30 miles to shop in big stores in Searcy or Cabot.
He spends about $150 a week on fuel. “It sucks,” he said.
EDITORIAL >>They’re still stealing votes
The state Senate’s 19-12 vote to allow Sen. Jack Crumbly to keep his seat while authorities investigate the election procedures in St. Francis County leaves us a little unsatisfied. Would it not have served justice and the unfortunate voters of that corruptible district better to declare the office vacant and require a special election to fill it?
The people, after all, should be the objective and not which of the two men, Crumbly or former state Rep. Arnall Willis, is most deserving.
The people chose one or the other to represent them in the Senate for four years in the Democratic primary in 2006, and owing to substantial fraud in the election mechanics it now seems impossible to determine what their choice was. A full trial that tried to ascertain the validity of disputed ballots and for whom they were cast might have settled that issue, but the courts punted to the Senate, which for the first time in the modern era took up the matter of whether one of its members was validly elected to office.
Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, voted to oust Crumbly because he believes the election was stolen. The Senate did not have the means to decide that with absolute certainty, although the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, which did a lengthy inquiry into the election, concluded that there was fraud on a large scale and that it may have influenced the outcome.
Sen. Steve Faris, chairman of the committee, said the election was “the saddest and most disgusting chapter in the history of the Senate.” That would indeed be very disgusting.
The evidence was clear that the St. Francis County Election Commission was campaigning very hard for the local boy, Jack Crumbly, who seems to be a decent fellow. Most of the senators seem to have concluded that whatever wrongs were committed, Crumbly himself was not responsible.
They seemed to conclude that Crumbly was an innocent but deserving beneficiary of skullduggery, and that might or might not have been enough to elect him in a close race. Crumbly, who recused himself from voting on his own status, acknowledged that good election procedures were flouted, but he believed motives were pure.
Willis was first declared the winner by 28 votes in the spring of 2006, but a recount gave it to Crumbly by 68 votes. A second recount confirmed Crumbly as the winner, although questions were raised about the handling of a number of ballots.
Election fraud has been a part of the Arkansas culture since 1837 and it continues, although in increasingly rare instances, because we rarely get to the root of it and no one is ever punished.
The attitude is that good men get caught up in the democratic fever of political advocacy and get carried away. You don’t want to send good men to jail for excessive ardor for their friends or sully their reputations in the community by charging them with crimes. So the message always is that a little vote theft is tolerable, but you have to be careful.
To its credit, the Senate wanted to get to the bottom of it.
The State Agencies Committee referred the matter to federal and state authorities. The local prosecutor in the east Arkansas district did not want to investigate his county’s election, so a special prosecutor from outside the district has been appointed.
Faris said he had met with the United States attorney for the eastern district of Arkansas and supplied him with the evidence that the committee had amassed.
Do not expect too much of the investigation. At some point, election officials may be rebuked for their carelessness, but the wrongs of another election will not be rectified.
Some hereabouts remember a similar election dispute nearly 50 years ago when election officials in Lonoke and Prairie counties went about stealing votes in about equal proportions trying to put a local boy in the state Senate. Lonoke County wanted its favorite son in the position and Prairie County wanted its own.
The counties had an old gentleman’s agreement that Lonoke County would get the senator for four years and then Prairie County for four years. But the Prairie County man, Sen. Jerry Screeton of Hazen, did not want to surrender it when it became Lonoke County’s turn. Prairie County had the better vote bandits and kept the seat.
The people, after all, should be the objective and not which of the two men, Crumbly or former state Rep. Arnall Willis, is most deserving.
The people chose one or the other to represent them in the Senate for four years in the Democratic primary in 2006, and owing to substantial fraud in the election mechanics it now seems impossible to determine what their choice was. A full trial that tried to ascertain the validity of disputed ballots and for whom they were cast might have settled that issue, but the courts punted to the Senate, which for the first time in the modern era took up the matter of whether one of its members was validly elected to office.
Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, voted to oust Crumbly because he believes the election was stolen. The Senate did not have the means to decide that with absolute certainty, although the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, which did a lengthy inquiry into the election, concluded that there was fraud on a large scale and that it may have influenced the outcome.
Sen. Steve Faris, chairman of the committee, said the election was “the saddest and most disgusting chapter in the history of the Senate.” That would indeed be very disgusting.
The evidence was clear that the St. Francis County Election Commission was campaigning very hard for the local boy, Jack Crumbly, who seems to be a decent fellow. Most of the senators seem to have concluded that whatever wrongs were committed, Crumbly himself was not responsible.
They seemed to conclude that Crumbly was an innocent but deserving beneficiary of skullduggery, and that might or might not have been enough to elect him in a close race. Crumbly, who recused himself from voting on his own status, acknowledged that good election procedures were flouted, but he believed motives were pure.
Willis was first declared the winner by 28 votes in the spring of 2006, but a recount gave it to Crumbly by 68 votes. A second recount confirmed Crumbly as the winner, although questions were raised about the handling of a number of ballots.
Election fraud has been a part of the Arkansas culture since 1837 and it continues, although in increasingly rare instances, because we rarely get to the root of it and no one is ever punished.
The attitude is that good men get caught up in the democratic fever of political advocacy and get carried away. You don’t want to send good men to jail for excessive ardor for their friends or sully their reputations in the community by charging them with crimes. So the message always is that a little vote theft is tolerable, but you have to be careful.
To its credit, the Senate wanted to get to the bottom of it.
The State Agencies Committee referred the matter to federal and state authorities. The local prosecutor in the east Arkansas district did not want to investigate his county’s election, so a special prosecutor from outside the district has been appointed.
Faris said he had met with the United States attorney for the eastern district of Arkansas and supplied him with the evidence that the committee had amassed.
Do not expect too much of the investigation. At some point, election officials may be rebuked for their carelessness, but the wrongs of another election will not be rectified.
Some hereabouts remember a similar election dispute nearly 50 years ago when election officials in Lonoke and Prairie counties went about stealing votes in about equal proportions trying to put a local boy in the state Senate. Lonoke County wanted its favorite son in the position and Prairie County wanted its own.
The counties had an old gentleman’s agreement that Lonoke County would get the senator for four years and then Prairie County for four years. But the Prairie County man, Sen. Jerry Screeton of Hazen, did not want to surrender it when it became Lonoke County’s turn. Prairie County had the better vote bandits and kept the seat.
EDITORIAL >>They’re still stealing votes
The state Senate’s 19-12 vote to allow Sen. Jack Crumbly to keep his seat while authorities investigate the election procedures in St. Francis County leaves us a little unsatisfied. Would it not have served justice and the unfortunate voters of that corruptible district better to declare the office vacant and require a special election to fill it?
The people, after all, should be the objective and not which of the two men, Crumbly or former state Rep. Arnall Willis, is most deserving.
The people chose one or the other to represent them in the Senate for four years in the Democratic primary in 2006, and owing to substantial fraud in the election mechanics it now seems impossible to determine what their choice was. A full trial that tried to ascertain the validity of disputed ballots and for whom they were cast might have settled that issue, but the courts punted to the Senate, which for the first time in the modern era took up the matter of whether one of its members was validly elected to office.
Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, voted to oust Crumbly because he believes the election was stolen. The Senate did not have the means to decide that with absolute certainty, although the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, which did a lengthy inquiry into the election, concluded that there was fraud on a large scale and that it may have influenced the outcome.
Sen. Steve Faris, chairman of the committee, said the election was “the saddest and most disgusting chapter in the history of the Senate.” That would indeed be very disgusting.
The evidence was clear that the St. Francis County Election Commission was campaigning very hard for the local boy, Jack Crumbly, who seems to be a decent fellow. Most of the senators seem to have concluded that whatever wrongs were committed, Crumbly himself was not responsible.
They seemed to conclude that Crumbly was an innocent but deserving beneficiary of skullduggery, and that might or might not have been enough to elect him in a close race. Crumbly, who recused himself from voting on his own status, acknowledged that good election procedures were flouted, but he believed motives were pure.
Willis was first declared the winner by 28 votes in the spring of 2006, but a recount gave it to Crumbly by 68 votes. A second recount confirmed Crumbly as the winner, although questions were raised about the handling of a number of ballots.
Election fraud has been a part of the Arkansas culture since 1837 and it continues, although in increasingly rare instances, because we rarely get to the root of it and no one is ever punished.
The attitude is that good men get caught up in the democratic fever of political advocacy and get carried away. You don’t want to send good men to jail for excessive ardor for their friends or sully their reputations in the community by charging them with crimes. So the message always is that a little vote theft is tolerable, but you have to be careful.
To its credit, the Senate wanted to get to the bottom of it.
The State Agencies Committee referred the matter to federal and state authorities. The local prosecutor in the east Arkansas district did not want to investigate his county’s election, so a special prosecutor from outside the district has been appointed.
Faris said he had met with the United States attorney for the eastern district of Arkansas and supplied him with the evidence that the committee had amassed.
Do not expect too much of the investigation. At some point, election officials may be rebuked for their carelessness, but the wrongs of another election will not be rectified.
Some hereabouts remember a similar election dispute nearly 50 years ago when election officials in Lonoke and Prairie counties went about stealing votes in about equal proportions trying to put a local boy in the state Senate. Lonoke County wanted its favorite son in the position and Prairie County wanted its own.
The counties had an old gentleman’s agreement that Lonoke County would get the senator for four years and then Prairie County for four years. But the Prairie County man, Sen. Jerry Screeton of Hazen, did not want to surrender it when it became Lonoke County’s turn. Prairie County had the better vote bandits and kept the seat.
The people, after all, should be the objective and not which of the two men, Crumbly or former state Rep. Arnall Willis, is most deserving.
The people chose one or the other to represent them in the Senate for four years in the Democratic primary in 2006, and owing to substantial fraud in the election mechanics it now seems impossible to determine what their choice was. A full trial that tried to ascertain the validity of disputed ballots and for whom they were cast might have settled that issue, but the courts punted to the Senate, which for the first time in the modern era took up the matter of whether one of its members was validly elected to office.
Sen. Bobby Glover, D-Carlisle, voted to oust Crumbly because he believes the election was stolen. The Senate did not have the means to decide that with absolute certainty, although the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, which did a lengthy inquiry into the election, concluded that there was fraud on a large scale and that it may have influenced the outcome.
Sen. Steve Faris, chairman of the committee, said the election was “the saddest and most disgusting chapter in the history of the Senate.” That would indeed be very disgusting.
The evidence was clear that the St. Francis County Election Commission was campaigning very hard for the local boy, Jack Crumbly, who seems to be a decent fellow. Most of the senators seem to have concluded that whatever wrongs were committed, Crumbly himself was not responsible.
They seemed to conclude that Crumbly was an innocent but deserving beneficiary of skullduggery, and that might or might not have been enough to elect him in a close race. Crumbly, who recused himself from voting on his own status, acknowledged that good election procedures were flouted, but he believed motives were pure.
Willis was first declared the winner by 28 votes in the spring of 2006, but a recount gave it to Crumbly by 68 votes. A second recount confirmed Crumbly as the winner, although questions were raised about the handling of a number of ballots.
Election fraud has been a part of the Arkansas culture since 1837 and it continues, although in increasingly rare instances, because we rarely get to the root of it and no one is ever punished.
The attitude is that good men get caught up in the democratic fever of political advocacy and get carried away. You don’t want to send good men to jail for excessive ardor for their friends or sully their reputations in the community by charging them with crimes. So the message always is that a little vote theft is tolerable, but you have to be careful.
To its credit, the Senate wanted to get to the bottom of it.
The State Agencies Committee referred the matter to federal and state authorities. The local prosecutor in the east Arkansas district did not want to investigate his county’s election, so a special prosecutor from outside the district has been appointed.
Faris said he had met with the United States attorney for the eastern district of Arkansas and supplied him with the evidence that the committee had amassed.
Do not expect too much of the investigation. At some point, election officials may be rebuked for their carelessness, but the wrongs of another election will not be rectified.
Some hereabouts remember a similar election dispute nearly 50 years ago when election officials in Lonoke and Prairie counties went about stealing votes in about equal proportions trying to put a local boy in the state Senate. Lonoke County wanted its favorite son in the position and Prairie County wanted its own.
The counties had an old gentleman’s agreement that Lonoke County would get the senator for four years and then Prairie County for four years. But the Prairie County man, Sen. Jerry Screeton of Hazen, did not want to surrender it when it became Lonoke County’s turn. Prairie County had the better vote bandits and kept the seat.
SPORTS>> Gwatney juniors rally to beat Greenbrier
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Terrell Brown saved the best for last on Thursday night.
The Gwatney Chevrolet shortstop belted a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Chevy boys beat Greenbrier 11-6 at Dupree Park.
Brown’s smack over the left-center wall allowed the junior Chevy boys to erase a 6-5 deficit to Greenbrier, which did all of its offensive damage in the first two frames.
Greenbrier took a 6-3 lead through two, and the game from there was a stalemate until the bottom of the fifth, when Gwatney made up two runs to pull within one.
Starting Greenbrier pitcher Chase Lear walked Kenny Cummins to start the bottom of the sixth, and an error on a grounder by Jared Toney brought on a pitching change.
Reliever Austin Anderson walked Jordan Gardner to load the bases. He did get a strikeout, but that brought Brown to the plate.
Brown’s shot cleared the wall by a few feet as Cummins, Toney and Gardner all rounded the bases in front of him. It was a dramatic play, but far from the end of Jacksonville’s assault in the sixth.
Matt McAnally then walked, and another infield error by Greenbrier allowed Patrick Castleberry to reach as McAnallycame around to make it 10-6.
Tommy Sanders kept the party going with a single, and Cummins brought in Castleberry with a base hit for the final score of the night.
The game was finally called for the hour-and-50 minute time limit.
McAnally took the win for Gwatney, going the six-inning distance. He struggled through his first two innings, as he gave up six runs on seven hits. But he was solid from the third inning on, recording four strikeouts while allowing only two hits.
Greenbrier struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but Gwatney responded. Brown doubled and scored on a single by McAnally, who was driven in by Castleberry. Castleberry’s single set up the final run of the frame, with a double by Sanders plating him for a 3-2 advantage after one.
The Panthers did their biggest damage in the second inning. They came away with four runs and four hits off McAnally, while taking advantage of one of three Gwatney errors on the night.
Sanders was 3 of 4 with a RBI. Brown was 2 of 3 with a home run and 4 RBI. McAnally was 2 of 3 with 2 RBI. For Greenbrier, Anderson was 2 of 4 with a RBI.
Leader sportswriter
Terrell Brown saved the best for last on Thursday night.
The Gwatney Chevrolet shortstop belted a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Chevy boys beat Greenbrier 11-6 at Dupree Park.
Brown’s smack over the left-center wall allowed the junior Chevy boys to erase a 6-5 deficit to Greenbrier, which did all of its offensive damage in the first two frames.
Greenbrier took a 6-3 lead through two, and the game from there was a stalemate until the bottom of the fifth, when Gwatney made up two runs to pull within one.
Starting Greenbrier pitcher Chase Lear walked Kenny Cummins to start the bottom of the sixth, and an error on a grounder by Jared Toney brought on a pitching change.
Reliever Austin Anderson walked Jordan Gardner to load the bases. He did get a strikeout, but that brought Brown to the plate.
Brown’s shot cleared the wall by a few feet as Cummins, Toney and Gardner all rounded the bases in front of him. It was a dramatic play, but far from the end of Jacksonville’s assault in the sixth.
Matt McAnally then walked, and another infield error by Greenbrier allowed Patrick Castleberry to reach as McAnallycame around to make it 10-6.
Tommy Sanders kept the party going with a single, and Cummins brought in Castleberry with a base hit for the final score of the night.
The game was finally called for the hour-and-50 minute time limit.
McAnally took the win for Gwatney, going the six-inning distance. He struggled through his first two innings, as he gave up six runs on seven hits. But he was solid from the third inning on, recording four strikeouts while allowing only two hits.
Greenbrier struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but Gwatney responded. Brown doubled and scored on a single by McAnally, who was driven in by Castleberry. Castleberry’s single set up the final run of the frame, with a double by Sanders plating him for a 3-2 advantage after one.
The Panthers did their biggest damage in the second inning. They came away with four runs and four hits off McAnally, while taking advantage of one of three Gwatney errors on the night.
Sanders was 3 of 4 with a RBI. Brown was 2 of 3 with a home run and 4 RBI. McAnally was 2 of 3 with 2 RBI. For Greenbrier, Anderson was 2 of 4 with a RBI.
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