Saturday, October 28, 2017

SPORTS STORY >> Panthers rout Grizzlies

By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor

The Cabot Panthers snapped a three-game conference-losing streak on Friday, going on the road to earn a dominant 40-14 victory over Fort Smith Northside in Fort Smith.

The host Grizzlies got the ball to start the game, but after a couple of first downs, failed to convert a fourth down near midfield and gave Cabot the ball. The Panthers moved down field meticulously before junior halfback T.J. Rogers bust through for 7 yards and the first touchdown of the game. The extra point failed, leaving Cabot with a 6-0 lead with four minutes to go in the first quarter.

The Panther defense forced another quick turnover, and the offense took advantage of the short field. Quarterback Tommy Oaks kept on the option for a 23-yard touchdown run. Another failed extra point attempt, this time for two, left the Panthers holding a 12-0 lead.

The Grizzlies then put together their best drive of the game, scoring with seven minutes left in the first half and making the extra point to cut Cabot’s lead to five, but the Panthers answered before halftime.

Cabot kept the ball for nearly the entire rest of the half, plodding down the field before Rogers scored his second touchdown of the game. This time it was from just 6 yards out with less than a minute to go. This time the extra point attempt was good, sending the Panthers into halftime with a 19-7 lead.

The Grizzlies made it interesting briefly in the second half. They stopped Cabot’s opening possession and then scored with five minutes to go in the third quarter, cutting Cabot’s lead to 19-14.

The Panthers then answered. Big runs by Rogers and Oaks set up an 8-yard touchdown run by fullback Adam Flores as time wound down in the third period. Ben McCullough made the extra point, giving Cabot a 26-14 lead with seconds remaining in the third.

A run of more than 30 yards got the Grizzlies across midfield, but they didn’t get much farther, and turned the ball over on downs at the Cabot 45-yard line.

The Panthers only needed 55 yards, but the patented Cabot drive took more than six minutes before they went up 33-14 with less than five minutes left in the game. Halfback Bradley Morales scored on an 8-yard run to cap the drive.

In desperation, Northside (2-7, 1-5) was forced to go to the air, but a Cabot interception by Cody Skinner set up a short field and another touchdown with less than a minute remaining to set the final margin. This time it was halfback Graham Turner who scored from 1-yard out.

The Grizzlies managed just 207 total yards to 386 for Cabot. All of Cabot’s came on the ground while Northside had 158 on the ground and 49 through the air. Rogers led the Panthers with 22 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

The Panthers (5-4, 3-3) finish the regular season at home next Thursday against the state’s No. 1 ranked team, North Little Rock. The Charging Wildcats (9-0, 6-0) beat No. 2 ranked Bryant (8-1, 5-1) 25-14 on Friday.

SPORTS STORY >> Bears’ defense powers way to huge victory over Parkview

By RAY BENTON 
Leader sports editor

Beating by two touchdowns the team that had just taken the No. 1 ranked 5A team to the last second seemed like a tall order, but the Sylvan Hills football team pulled it off. The Bears went to Little Rock on Thursday and beat Parkview High 47-21 at War Memorial Stadium.

Sylvan Hills had to win the game to still have a chance to make the playoffs, and needed to win by at least 13 points in order to maximize its tiebreaker total in case of a three-way tie for fourth place, which could still happen.

“It was big,” said Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow. I’m proud of our defense. That’s what did it for us. Cole miller, Omari Hervey, Brenann Shelton and those guys, they played huge. We played (Garrett) Gilbert on defense tonight. We put (Anthony) Chairez at defensive end a little bit and that all really helped us. We just got to the point tonight where we decided we got to go all the way in because if we lose, we’re out.”

The Sylvan Hills defense forced five Parkview turnovers, blocked a punt and gave the offense a short field numerous times. Only one of Sylvan Hills’ seven touchdowns came on a drive that started on its own end of the field. The other six touchdowns came on drives of 11, 15, 49, 47, 6 and 32 yards.

The first big play came when Hervey blocked a punt after the defense forced a three-and-out. Payton Terry covered it at the Patriot 11-yard line. Deon Youngblood got all that in one play, taking the jet sweep left in for the score with 9:50 to play in the first quarter.

After the kickoff, Parkview coughed it up again when Gilbert got to quarterback Geary Allmon III and knocked the ball loose on the first play of the drive. Linebacker Deviontae Muldrow covered that loose ball on the 15-yard line.

Two Youngblood carries set up first and goal at the 4, and Ty Compton did the rest. A bobbled snap caused the extra point get blocked, leaving the score 13-0 with 9:10 still left in the opening frame.

The Patriots got two first downs on its next drive, but a sack by Gilbert on third and long forced a punt from midfield. There was also a holding penalty that Sylvan Hills declined, but the officials spotted the ball back at the original line of scrimmage instead of where the sack took place. That 6-yard error by the officials was big on Sylvan Hills’ next play.

The Bears started on own 5-yard line, instead of the 11, and Lumpkin was nearly sacked in the end zone. Instead, he tried to throw the ball as he was being tackled to avoid a safety. Parkview linebacker Cameron Cowan came down with it and danced into the end zone. The extra point made it 13-7 with 4:34 left in the first.

The Bears went three and out on their next possession, but Allmon fumbled it away again after a 9-yard gain up the middle. Safety Darius Waddell covered it at the 49, setting up another scoring drive for Sylvan Hills.

The key play came on second and 7. Youngblood took the wildcat snap and headed forward. He stopped, leaped and threw to Alex Curry, who had sneaked downfield for a 26-yard gain. Two Youngblood carries later the Bears led 20-7 with 1:37 still to go in the first quarter, and the scoring still wasn’t done.

Parkview’s Zachery Smith took the kickoff near the sideline at the 15-yard line. Cut straight across the field and faked a handoff to Tyrell Hadley. The whole Sylvan Hills kicking team went for the fake, and Smith ran untouched down the east sideline for the score with 1:20 left in the first period.

The Bears answered with their longest drive of the game, starting at their own 23 and using seven plays to go that distance for the score. More than half of it came on the first play, when Compton went around the left end for 45 yards. Youngblood got the last 8 yards on first and goal, and his third touchdown of the game gave Sylvan Hills a 27-14 lead.

Sylvan Hills stopped Parkview on the next drive, but gave it back with a very short field four plays later. The Bears went for it on fourth and 5 from the 20-yard line, but Lumpkin and Youngblood fumbled the handoff exchange and the play gained just three yards.

Parkview started from there and needed five plays for the score. Allmon sneaked in from the 1 to make it 27-21 with 2:37 left in the first half.

Youngblood put the Bears in a good spot with a 40-yard kickoff return to the Parkview 47, and Lumpkin hit Terry for 25 more on first down to the 22. Youngblood ran for 19 to set up first and goal at the 3. He got one more on first down and Compton got the rest. Tito Mendoza made his fourth extra point to send the game to 34-21 at halftime.

Sylvan Hills got it first in the third quarter and got two first downs before another fumble on fourth down gave Parkview a short field.

The Patriots drove from their own 43 to the Bear 14, but missed a 31-yard field goal with 5:20 on the clock.

The two teams continued to trade possessions until Sylvan Hills’ Ellion Dison snuffed out a screen pass for an interception and returned it to the 6-yard line. Youngblood got that on one carry with 21 seconds to go in the third quarter. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the score 40-21.

Two plays into Parkview’s next drive, Waddell came up with his second turnover when he picked off a deep pass. He returned it deep into Parkview territory as well, but the return was called back for an illegal block and the Bears failed to score on the drive.

It was no matter. Waddell got his third turnover and his second interception on the very next drive, setting the offense up at the Parkview 32. This time two Youngblood carries and one Youngblood pass combined for the final touchdown of the game. On third and 9 from the 19-yard line, Youngblood took the pitch from Lumpkin, stopped and threw to Terry who was along in the end zone for the score with 5:20 to go in the game.

Waddell credited the coaches’ halftime adjustments with his two interceptions.

“My coach told me to stay back to cover the deep ball and just come up and help with the run if I had to,” said Waddell. “We always have the mindset throughout the week to do what it takes, and that’s what we did.”

Sylvan Hills (5-4, 3-3) finished with 301 total yards. Youngblood had 29 carries for 143 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 2 for 2 passing for 45 yards and one touchdown.

Parkview (4-5, 3-3) had just 209 total yards, and just 60 in the second half.

SPORTS STORY >> Patriots outlasts Titans

By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor

The Jacksonville defense held the Marion Patriots to a season low 20 points in Friday’s matchup at Jan Crow Stadium, but the Titan offense also scored less than any Marion opponent has all season in a 20-6 loss.

The matchup was, for all intents and purposes, to decide who would get the No. 5 seed and who would settle for the No. 6 seed from the 6A-East in the Class 6A playoffs that begin in two weeks. The five seed will almost certainly belong to Marion after Jacksonville’s performance on Friday against a defense that has given up an average of 29.4 points per game this season.

The Titans started strong, if not smart. Marion got the ball first and failed to get a first down. The Patriots went for it on fourth down and 5 from their own 22. Quarterback Jacob Green threw downfield where Jacksonville’s Deboious Cobbs was there for the interception. He would’ve been wiser to knock the ball to the ground. The interception gave Jacksonville the ball at the 44-yard line, while knocking the ball to the ground would have put it on Marion 22, but it didn’t matter. The Titans went right down the field.

Running back Shawn Ellis took a handoff for 9 yards on first down, and then rambled 33 yards on second down to the Marion 2-yard line. An illegal procedure penalty made it first and goal at the 7. Ellis then ran 2 yards, and on second down, caught a 6-yard pass from Shavarris Curley to give the Titans a 6-0 lead with 7:55 to play in the first quarter.

The extra point was flubbed, and that play was more indicative of the rest of Jacksonville’s night.

Marion started its next drive on its own 33, and running back Anthony Price went 57 yards on first down, setting up first and goal at the 10. He then had runs of 3 and 6 yards, and then a 1-yard run for the score that tied the game.

Marion also missed its PAT, and the score was tied with 6:33 left in the opening frame.

Jacksonville had four more possessions and Marion had three, but neither team managed another point the rest of the half. The Titans turned the ball over on the very first play after Marion’s touchdown with a fumble by Xavier Scott.

The Patriots ran six plays and got to the Titan 19-yard line before Harderrious Martin intercepted a Green pass at the goal line and ran it back to the 18-yard line.

Jacksonville got one first down on a 21-yard run by Ellis, but then punted. Marion started on its own 16, and a sack by Kalon McCoy pushed the Patriots back to the 9-yard line.

They got the first down on a scramble by Green, and Price broke loose for a 38-yard run before Martin came through again on defense. At the end of Price’s run, Martin caught up to the running back and knocked the ball loose. Jacksonville covered it at the Titan 20-yard line.

The Titans got all the way to the Marion 25-yard line, but an incomplete pass as time expired ended the half.

Jacksonville got it to start the second half but went three and out and punted. The Titans managed just 72 yards the entire second half.

The Patriots took over on their own 18 after the punt and put together a 15-play drive to take their first lead of the game. Marion converted third downs of 3 and 10 yards, and one fourth and 2 to keep the drive alive. Price ran 12 yards on the final play of the drive, and another missed extra point left it 12-6 with 4:35 to go in the third quarter.

Jacksonville ran just two plays before fumbling the ball away on the ensuing drive. Marion needed just two more plays to score again and set the final margin.

Price ran 5 yards on first down, and a 29-yard run on second down went for the score. The player ball carrier, as well as many other Marion players, could not be identified because of the Patriots white jerseys with white or silver numbers.

An unknown and unidentifiable Patriot converted the two points as well, setting the final margin with 3:08 to play in the third quarter.

The Titans had four more possessions and ran 27 plays the rest of the game, while Marion had three possessions and ran just 10 plays. But Jacksonville turned it over on downs its next two possessions, and the final two ended with interceptions.

Jacksonville finished with 210 total yards while Marion had 326. Ellis had 22 carries for 119 yards to lead the Titans (3-6, 2-4). Jacksonville will host league-leading Pine Bluff next week to end the regular season. The Zebras (8-1, 6-0) hammered West Memphis 33-7 on Friday to take over sole possession of first place in the 6A-East Conference.

Friday, October 27, 2017

EDITORIAL >> Hot-check resolution

Sherwood and the American Civil Liberties Union have reached an agreement on the city’s hot-check court, which handles all hot-check prosecutions for Pulaski County.

The deal requires few if any concessions from Judge Milas “Butch” Hale III, and the ACLU has agreed to drop its federal lawsuit alleging the court improperly treated defendants.

The ACLU claimed in August 2016 the city was profiting from the court’s defendants, mostly poor people, by trapping them in a cycle of court fines and fees.

The ACLU believed, incorrectly, that 12 percent of Sherwood’s operating budget was generated by the hot-check court. Not so.

Mayor Virginia Young explained that the revenue from court fines helps pay for the court staff and nothing more.

The judge said he had nothing to hide and his court was not a pauper’s prison. The ACLU’s lawsuit was dismissed by a federal magistrate, who said the defendants did not have standing to sue a court while their cases were pending in that very court.

The ACLU argued a bad check for $15 could be “leveraged” into thousands in fines and court fees. True, if the defendant repeatedly skips court or does not stick to a payment plan. The cost can be reasonable if one shows up in court and pays what’s owed.

Judge Hale has pledged to improve the way his court handles contempt procedures for people who ignore their court dates. That will help lower fines and reduce arrest warrants.

He has already begun videotaping court hearings so there’s a clear record for defendants and their attorneys to review if needed.

It’s good to see a resolution to this drawn-out case that doesn’t compromise, or throw into question, the integrity of the court.

EDITORIAL >> JHS ROTC among best

For the first time ever, Jacksonville High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program last week received an “Exceeds Standards” rating in its unit evaluation.

The community should take pride in the achievement and know that there are lots of bright, disciplined students being produced by the new Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District.

The perfect rating for AFJROTC never happened under the Pulaski County Special School District, which the new Jacksonville school district broke away from two years ago.

The success of Jacksonville High School’s AFJROTC shows things are moving in the right direction for the new district, for the city and, of course, for the high school military program.

The inspection, done every three years, is a rigorous all-day process. It was judged by Air Force JROTC regional commander Maj. Mike Allen, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, and 19th Airlift Wing Col. Gerald Donohue of Little Rock Air Force Base.

During the inspection the unit of 118 students performed a 30-count drill sequence in their class-A uniforms. They were evaluated on cadet operations, instruction management, school administration, school compliance, drill and uniform wear.

Leader photographer David Scolli, whose photos were published in Wednesday’s paper, attended a portion of the inspection. The young students, many of whom will join the Air Force after high school or college, looked like professional Airmen in their service dress and patent-leather shoes. It was inspiring and should motivate everyone to strive for excellence.

These young people should be saluted for a job well done. Be assured the next generation of the Jacksonville community is capable and ready for the challenges ahead.

As great of an honor as this is, the high school group doesn’t plan to rest on its laurels.

Jacksonville High School’s AFJROTC instructors — retired Maj. Jeff Cathey and retired Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Hancock — are hoping for the distinguished unit with merit award, which would put the school in the top 5 percent of the approximately 900 AFJROTC units in the United States and overseas.

To receive that prestigious honor, the unit must receive the “Exceeds Standards” evaluation rating and have 12 hours of community service per cadet enrolled in the JROTC program. According to Cathey and Hancock, the JHS AFJROTC is well on the way to completing the required community service hours.

We have no doubt this dedicated group will nab that honor, too.

To the Jacksonville High School AFJROTC unit, we salute you.

TOP STORY >> Halloween celebrations planned

The Bridge Church at 1800 S. Pine St. in Cabot will hold a Trunk or Treat event from 6 till 8 p.m. Tuesday. Everyone is welcome at the free, family-fun celebration.

Jacksonville First United Methodist Church will hold a Trunk or Treat event from 4 till 6 p.m. Sunday in its parking lot. The event is free and will include carnival games, a bounce house, candy and food.

Children can trick or treat from decorated vehicles, and a costume parade will start at 6.

The church is at 308 W. Main St.

The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Trunk or Treat from 6 till 9 p.m. Tuesday at Dupree Park.

There will be games, bounce houses, baggo for adults, a dunking booth and more. “Bring your car to the parking lot, decorate it, and bring candy to hand out to the little ones. If handing out candy isn’t your thing, volunteers are needed for the games and activities,” the announcement said.

The Jacksonville Police Department and the Jacksonville Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association will hold a free Halloween Trunk or Treat event from 6 till 9 p.m. Tuesday in the police department’s parking lot, 1400 Marshall Road.

“Halloween Trunk or Treat provides a safe environment for families to enjoy Halloween fun. Costumed children trick or treat outdoors by going from car trunk to car trunk to get their bag filled with goodies,” according to the announcement.

Children should wear costumes. Entrance and exit will be the south end of the parking lot. Vehicles must be parked in a parking spot. Parking on the street or drive will not be allowed. Overflow parking will be at the recycling center.

Zion Hill Baptist Church will hold a fall festival from 6 till 8 p.m. Tuesday in its fellowship hall.

There will be games and activities for children, including bounce houses. Free corndogs, popcorn and pink lemonade.

“Pastor Terry Fortner invites the community to Zion Hill for a safe alternative this Halloween. Children may come in costume. We ask there be no costumes with occult themes,” the announcement said.

The church is near Hwys. 89 and 107 west of Cabot.

The Sherwood Parks and Recreation Department will hold its Halloween carnival from 6:30 till 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sherwood Forest, 1111 W. Maryland Ave.

The event is free and open to everyone. There will be games, candy and prizes and a costume contest for kids up to 12 years old.

Businesses and people who would like to volunteer for the safe and family-friendly event are asked to call event coordinator Misty Brown at 501-833-0476 or emailing her at mistyh@sherwoodparks.net.

Booth spaces are free but cannot be used to sell anything. Instead they are to be used for informational displays.

The Sherwood Mayor’s Youth Council and Sherwood Day Camp counselors are holding their annual haunted house in Sherwood Forest’s Sherwood Room from 6:30 till 10:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $3 and proceeds will fund the youth council’s educational trips and activities.

The Austin fire and police departments will co-host a trunk or treat Tuesday at Austin City Hall, Police Chief Bill Duerson told the city council Monday night. The trunk or treat will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Candy donations can be dropped off at city hall.

TOP STORY >> Primary attracts another hopeful

Brian Evans, a Cabot School Board member who is president of L&L Freight Services, said Friday that he will run in the Republican primary in May against state Rep. Tim Lemons (R-Cabot) and Darlene Byrd. The winner in the Dist. 43 primary is likely to run unopposed in November 2018.

The district includes Cabot and parts of northwest Lonoke County.

Lemons, a Cabot engineer, is seeking re-election for a third term. Byrd is an advanced-practice nurse who lost to Lemons in 2014. He ran unopposed last year.

“I am honored and pleased to announce my candidacy for the Dist. 43 seat in the Arkansas State House of Representatives,” Evans said.

“I believe anyone who achieves some degree of success in life has a responsibility to share their time, experience and resources for the greater good. In this case, I see this as an opportunity to share my business and life experiences in support of our district that so greatly benefits the state of Arkansas,” Evans said.

He and his wife, Melissa, have lived in Cabot since 2001. They have two children who attend Cabot schools.

“It is important for Dist. 43 to have representation for all stakeholder groups. We must ensure that all constituent voices are heard and all options are considered when government decisions are made thathave a direct effect on Lonoke County,” Evans said.

“I am an earnest believer in transparency. I have years of experience on the local, state and national level of bringing parties together to get underneath assumptions, perceptions and biases. Every citizen of our district should have a voice and our legislators should have an open ear to that voice when it comes to Dist. 43 decision making,” he said.

Evans is a past honorary commander at Little Rock Air Force Base and past executive board member of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.

He and his family are active members of Faith Baptist Church in Cabot, where Evans most recently served as chairman of its finance committee.

Evans is in his second term on the Cabot Public Schools Board and serves on the executive board as vice chairman of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, a Virginia-based group of transportation professionals who represent the third-party logistics sector.

Evans was born and raised in McCrory (Woodruff County).

“Coming from a small community in northeast Arkansas, I was raised to understand what grassroots representation means. As a conservative Christian, I believe it is time we bring government back to the people, that we begin our focus for the future on what successfully led us from our past and to humble ourselves as a district, state and nation,” he said.

“I humbly and respectfully ask for the support and vote of Dist. 43. I will serve with honesty, integrity and will make decisions based upon the principles of our heritage, not the political influence of those seeking self-gain,” Evans said.

TOP STORY >> Williams sets agenda in new post

By JEFFREY SMITH 
Leader staff writer

State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R- Cabot) is leaving the Senate to accept a presidential appointment to the Southern States Energy Board as a full-time representative of the Trump administration to work on energy issues, including coal and restoring power in areas hit hard by recent storms.

When Williams is sworn in next month, he will step down as state senator from Dist. 29, with three years left on his term. His departure has piqued the interest of potential candidates.

By joining the Southern States Energy Board, an interstate compact composed of governors and legislators, Williams will continue working on energy policy, which has been a legislative priority since he was elected to the Senate in 2010. He co-sponsored legislation to regulate carbon dioxide emissions and electricity-generating plants powered by fossil fuels.

The governor will notify the Democratic and Republican parties of the vacancy, and they will decide when to hold a special election or have the governor appoint someone.

Dist. 29 includes Cabot, parts of northwest Lonoke County, Vilonia and parts of Faulkner County, parts of north Pulaski County adjacent the air base and parts of White County.

On Thursday, Cabot resident James Coy, a Republican, said he will run for Williams’ Senate seat instead of running against state Rep. Tim Lemons (R-Cabot). Coy recently announced he would challenge Lemons for the state House Dist. 43 seat.

“I’m still committed to the people in our district. Based on the recent vacancy in Eddie Joe’s appointment, I feel it is a great fit to represent the people in the district,” Coy said.

Former Lonoke County Justice of the Peace R.D. Hopper may also enter the race. Williams defeated him in the Republican primary last year. “I will be definitely considering running,” Hopper said.

Williams will be working with 16 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands using federal funding on energy infrastructure and energy polices.

The Southern States Energy Board, which is headquartered at Peachtree Corners, Ga., near Atlanta, meets quarterly in cities of member states. The board was established in 1960 to enhance economic development and the quality of life in the South through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs and technologies.

The board has not requested an increase in state appropriations since 1987.

“At the Southern States Energy Board, I’ll have the opportunity to serve the people of 16 states, including Arkansas, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,” Williams said.

“In fact, I can assume that one of my first responsibilities will be to help restore the energy grids on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which were damaged so badly by Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” Williams said.

“This was six months in the works. I will be spending time in every state working on sound energy policies,” Williams said.

He said he will be dealing with coal issues, among other priorities.

“Renewable energy sources are good, but they need a solid base to provide energy to people 24/7,” Williams said.

“I spent 40 years in the railroad helping manage coal train operations for the eastern U.S.,” Williams explained.

“Energy policy affects the economy in many areas, but it’s not merely an abstract issue to be debated in a committee room. Energy prices affect people’s lives, especially low-income families for whom a flawed energy policy can create tremendous hardship,” Williams said.

“You have to fill your tank with gas, and you have to pay the light bill, so when energy prices go up, their quality of life goes down,” Williams said.

“I have mixed feelings about this new chapter in my life,” Williams said. “While I’m excited about making a difference in national energy policy, I’m truly going to miss the personal interactions with people I represent in the Senate. It has been a privilege, on a daily basis, to discuss issues with constituents and interact with them.”

“Serving in the Senate has been a blessing in many ways. I’ve been able to influence public policy, and at the same time I get to meet people on a daily basis, make new friends and stay caught up with old ones,” Williams said.

“The people have always made me feel so at home. When I go to the Capitol I feel like I’m representing family,” Williams said.

He is completing his seventh year in the Senate. As chairman of the Senate Com-mittee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, he said his agenda included making government smaller and more efficient across the state.

He serves on the governor’s Transformation Team, whose duty is to reduce the size of state agencies. Williams was the lead sponsor of legislation that initiates cost savings in state agencies and plans for restructuring government departments to make them more efficient.

One of his legislative goals is to construct a memorial to Gold Star families on the lawn of the state Capitol. Gold Star families have a family member who has died while in military service. Williams is a veteran of the Army and the Air Force who lost a cousin in the Vietnam War, Sammy Ray Harrison of Star City.

Williams served as Cabot’s mayor from 2007 to 2010. He was elected to three terms on the Cabot City Council.

Williams worked for Union Pacific Railroad for almost 40 years, working his way from laborer to the regional director of transportation, managing daily operations for the eastern division covering Illinois to Louisiana. Born in Sheridan, he and his wife, DeLona, have four daughters and 11 grandchildren.

Coy, who hopes to win Williams’ Senate seat, said, “It is a better opportunity to support legislation on taxation, to lower taxes and reduce the size of government. The focus on a local level is paramount. Funding and supporting education is important.” Coy said.

He is a 23-year resident of Cabot and served on the Cabot School Board for eight years from 2001 to 2009.

He has a degree in business administration from Des Moines Area Community College.

Coy has over 30 years in leadership roles with experience in startups, Fortune 500 and small businesses.

He is a vice president of Infutor Data Solutions. He and his wife, Toni, have been married 34 years. They have three children, Andrew, Megan and Zach.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

SPORTS STORY >> Titans prepare to host Marion

By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor

The Jacksonville Titans are coming off an impressive outing, if not a win, as it prepares to host the pass-happy Marion Patriots this Friday with a better playoff seed on the line for both teams.

Both teams are in the playoffs, and the winner will give itself at least a five seed in the upcoming Class 6A playoffs. The loser is the likely six seed.

Jacksonville lost 24-14 last week to the undefeated and No. 2 ranked West Memphis Blue Devils, and that was after trailing 24-7 at halftime.

“I’m proud of them for the effort they gave,” said Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham. I’m proud of the defense. That’s a team averaging 40 points a game. We held them scoreless in the second half. I think maybe we didn’t start the game believing we could beat that team. If we had started the way we finished, if we have one less fumble, fewer penalties, I’m not saying we beat them, but it’s a different game. We had a couple calls we thought went their way. Hopefully they’re startingto believe what I’ve been telling them; that they’re a good football team, capable of competing on a high level. And hopefully we can carry that same attitude and effort into this one.”

While the second-half defensive performance last week was impressive, Marion presents an entirely different kind of challenge. West Memphis likes the power run game while Marion will throw it 30 to 40, or more, times per game.

Only one other team besides Jacksonville has played WMHS within 10 points this season, and that team was Marion. West Memphis beat the Patriots 37-27. Marion quarterback Jacob Green completed 24 of 34 pass attempts for 343 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

“He ain’t afraid,” Hicking-botham said of Green. “He’ll go for the big one and he’ll fire it into traffic to try to make something happen. It’s going to be a tremendous challenge for our secondary, but at the same time I think there will be opportunities for them. We’re going to have to be ready because they’re going to challenge us.”

Green also has several receivers he’ll target, making defenses unable to focus on one or two primary players. Against West Memphis, six different receivers caught at least three passes. Junior Joyrion Chase led the way with eight receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He has 39 receptions for 670 yards this season, both lead the team.

Last week’s game also featured a change at quarterback for Jacksonville. Senior Harderrious Martin was replaced by junior Shavarris Curley, not because of an issue with Martin’s play, but for more strategic purposes.

“The main thing was to try to get HD (Martin) out in space,” Hickingbotham said. “He’s also a little banged up and we wanted to limit his touches somewhat, keep him from being the target on every play. And I’ll tell you what, Curley did an outstanding job.

“For his first full-time start to be against that monster defense, the guy played great. He’s not as much of a run threat as HD, but he ran the offense. He completed 16 of 21 passes and he moved us down the field. We’re probably going to see a lot more of him this week.”

Martin did take a few snaps last week, and took one of them 70 yards for a touchdown. He’s also one of the best defensive backs on the team, and with Marion’s potent passing attack, he’ll likely see more time on defense.

“He’s a guy we need out there against a team like this,” Hickingbotham said.­

SPORTS STORY >> Postseason on the line in Patriots, Bears game

By RAY BENTONLeader sports editor

The Sylvan Hills Bears are in a must-win situation as they prepare for their Thursday night game at War Memorial Stadium against Little Rock Parkview. The matchup is even more drama-filled than that, however, as it is also nearly a must-win game for Parkview.

Sylvan Hills is 2-3 in conference play with two to go. Parkview is 3-2 and needs the win to guarantee a spot in the playoffs. Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian and McClellan have already locked up playoff spots. Parkview could lose this week and then beat McClellan to still have a chance to get in.

If Sylvan Hills loses tomorrow, its playoff hopes are dashed.

“It’s big,” said Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow. “We know what we have to do to give ourselves a chance. We need to win; really we need to win by 13. We don’t want to get into the triangle situation with McClellan because our score with them unless we have those 13 points over Parkview. It’s all still up in the air. I think even Beebe might have an outside shot if we win and they beat us and some other things happen. So right now we’re focusing on whatwe need to do on Thursday.”

The Bears have been focusing on this Thursday for a couple of weeks. They had the good fortune of playing 0-8 J.A. Fair last week, which afforded the Bears the opportunity to spend much of last week’s preparation on this week’s game.

“You could say we might’ve practiced a few things with Parkview in mind last week,” Withrow said. “We knew going in that we needed to get a jump on preparing for them, number one because it’s such an important game, and number two because we knew it would be a short week. It’s one we know we have to win just to give us a chance (at the playoffs).”

The game was moved to Thursday because Parkview shares War Memorial Stadium as its home field with Catholic High, and both teams had home games scheduled this week.

Sylvan Hills took care of Fair last week, using a five-touchdown blitz over the last nine minutes of the second quarter to invoke the mercy rule by halftime.

Parkview’s performance, while a loss, was perhaps more impressive. The Patriots lost 43-40 to PA on a last-second field goal after two fourth-down penalties against Parkview made it a chip shot attempt.

PA beat Sylvan Hills 49-21, but Withrow isn’t concerned with the disparate margins of common opponents.

“These matchups are interesting in this conference,” Withrow said. “Christian was a bad matchup for Parkview because they play so fast. PA doesn’t play as fast and Parkview has the kind of team that can give them problems. They have the defensive line and linebackers to get pressure, and that’s what you have to do to PA. You can’t let them sit back. I don’t care how many defensive backs you use. If you let them have time they’re going to pick you apart. And then they have those running backs and that power running game that can keep the ball away from them. It was a good matchup.

“I’m looking at our game with Christian compared to theirs. If we don’t fumble in overtime, we win that game and this league is in a race for the ages. You’d have PA out front and all the rest of us 3-2. But we let that one get away, so we’re in this one we have to pull out.”

LRCA beat Parkview 55-26. Sylvan Hills fumbled before crossing the goal line for what would have been the game-tying touchdown in overtime against the Warriors. The extra point, which SH has not missed all year, would have been the game-winner in that matchup.

With different matchups creating wildly different results among teams that are all comparable, assessing the matchup of tomorrow’s game isn’t easy, even for the head Bear.

“It’ll be interesting,” Withrow said. “I think one thing for sure, if we can contain their running game, we’re good. “Offensively we can’t put ourselves in bad situations. We can’t go second and 12. We need second and 6. And we have to hold onto the ball. The fumbles have killed us. In every game we’ve lost, we’ve turned the ball over multiple times. So that can’t be a factor in this game. We have to eliminate the turnovers.”

Parkview features five new players that transferred to from North Little Rock after former NLRHS coach Brad Bolding took the head job for the Patriots. A lot of their scheme centers around senior Trevon Hadley, who plays the entire game.

Hadley, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, plays linebacker on offense and fullback on defense. He also plays special teams.

“That guy never leaves the field,” Withrow said. “He is impressive. He’s not the big playmaker on offense, but he’s the guy that paves the way. And he is a force on defense.”

Sylvan Hills has about 100 players and will have an advantage in depth, but that hasn’t been a big detriment for Parkview this year.

“You have to give them credit,” Withrow said. “Watching film, I counted about seven going both ways. You have seven going both ways and you’re still in the hunt in week 9, you’re doing something right. My hats off to coach Bolding for having those guys in shape and ready, because this is tough, tough conference.”

SPORTS STORY >> Beebe falters at state

By RAY BENTON 
Leader sports editor

The Beebe Lady Badgers grabbed a one seed by winning its conference, but couldn’t parlay that into a win at the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday. Beebe lost an extremely close game one, and it got worse from there as the 5A-East No. 4 seed Nettleton beat the Lady Badgers 3-0 on Lendel Thomas Court in Harrison.

Scores of the match were 28-26, 25-17 and 25-16 for the Lady Raiders.

The 5A-East Conference is the toughest in the state at any level, but that was no consolation for Beebe coach Audra Higgins, whose Lady Badgers had already beaten the East three seed Batesville in the final match of the regular season.

“This was a tough one for me because I know how this team is capable of playing,” said Higgins. “What I saw out there today was not it. They beat us mentally. I lost one mentally early, and then it spread. It was a case where I couldn’t coach the match because I was trying to get them back mentally. We’ve got to learn that in volleyball you’re going to make mistakes. You have to get past it. Hopefully experience in more of these types of matches will help that.”

Beebe got out of the gate slowly when senior Reaven Seymore’s opening kill attempt hit the net, and Nettleton’s Emily Davis aced the Lady Badgers for a 2-0. Beebe climbed back in it and took its first lead at 8-7 on an ace by Bailey May.

The Lady Badgers led by as much as 16-13 and 19-16, but Nettleton scored four straight and took the lead when a serve rolled off Seymore’s fingertips and backwards for an ace. Beebe fought off three set points from down 24-21, but went up25-24 on a huge kill middle block by Seymore.

Nettleton’s Kayla Copeland then got a tip kill to tie it, and Madeliene Volner made it back-to-back tips for 26-25 lead.

Beebe freshman Layla Wilson got a kill to tie it and then took serve, but Volner broke with another kill and Seymore miss-timed her jump and hit into the net for a 28-26 Nettleton win.

Beebe led game two 4-2 early, but Nettleton went on a run midway through that turned an 8-7 deficit into a 14-9 lead.

The Lady Raiders only scored 24 in game two because a scorekeeper error gave them two points when Autumn O’Rourke’s tip attempt floated into the net. At that point, the score went from 17-13 to 19-13, but Beebe never got back in it anyway.

Game three went south from the very start. Nettleton rolled out to a 7-1 lead. Every point the result of Beebe unforced errors.

Beebe senior Lani Wolfe was a bright spot for Beebe. She finished with a match-high 14 kills.

The Lady Badgers end the season with a record of 17-11 and as 5A-Central Conference champions.

Nettleton improves to 17-11-1 and advances to today’s quarterfinal round against last night’s late game winner between Magnolia and Alma.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

EDITORIAL >> Future I-57 needed soon

The state Transportation Department will soon designate Hwy. 67/167 as the future Interstate 57 to the Missouri state line, reported here first, which will not only ease traffic congestion but create an economic boom here and in north Arkansas.

There’s no telling how long it would take before this ambitious project is completed, but the interstate designation is a good start. Widening 41 miles from Walnut Ridge to Missouri and 11 miles from the state line to Sikeston, Mo., would be the next phase if congressional leaders from both states work together to arrange funding.

Sara Lasure, a spokesperson for Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) told us last week the new interstate “would complete the trade corridor from Dallas to Chicago. Importantly, the new section in Arkansas would relieve traffic on I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis and improve access to a vastly under-utilized crossing over the Mississippi River in Missouri.”

“In Arkansas, hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to construct 121 miles of U.S. 67 to interstate standards from Little Rock to Walnut Ridge. About 83 percent of the route in Missouri is interstate or near-interstate grade,” Lasure said.

Local officials also hailed the latest development. State Rep. Bob Johnson (R-Jacksonville), who made the announcement about the highway upgrade Thursday, said “Future I-57” signs will be placed along Hwy. 67/167 soon. He said highway director Scott Bennett told him the Department of Transportation is drawing up plans to complete the interstate.

Johnson said more hotels and restaurants will be interested in opening locations in Jacksonville if the state highway is converted to an interstate. He also said the Jacksonville Industrial Park on Redmond Road could better attract manufacturers once the I-57 plan is completed.

Johnson, who is running for Jacksonville mayor next year, emphasized the economic benefits of the I-57 project.

“Future interstate means it’s eventually going to be an interstate, which will help industries and businesses decide to locate here,” he said.

Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher said, “This elevates the status of Jacksonville when it comes to recruiting businesses. When the project is completed, it will funnel more people and traffic that in the past have bypassed this area will now make it more attractive to locate businesses as they are driven by numbers and now we will be on new businesses’ radar.”

“There are certain businesses that normally will not even talk to you unless you are on an interstate, we have discovered over the past eight years I have been involved in economic development. This will help us reopen dialogue we’ve had in the past where this was an issue, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as we are in the process of redevelopment of our commercial plans for main street and other downtown property,” Fletcher said.

Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert is pleased too with the I-57 designation. “This is a very good thing...terrific news. This will help everyone along the corridor. Becoming an interstate will spur much more economic growth and development,” he said.

The interstate designation is the logical next step as the decade-long Hwy. 67/167 widening project continues from I-40 to Cabot at a cost of some $265 million, including a $25.5 million north interchange between Austin and Cabot.

The first portion of the interstate-grade project from I-40 to Kiehl Avenue in Sherwood included 8.6-miles at a cost of $57.5 million with a flyover at Brookswood. The Transportation Department is also spending $79 million to six-lane and resurface Hwy. 67/167 from Exit 11 (the Air Force Base exit) to Exit 16 (the Heber Springs/Cabot interchange). Weaver-Bailey Contractors, Inc., of El Paso was awarded the contract. Parts of the highway were recently repaved for $2.69 million.
The widening and resurfacing will continue from Main Street to Vandenberg Boulevard for $61 million. The James Construction Group of Baton Rouge, La., is replacing the Main Street and Redmond Road overpasses in Jacksonville for $42 million. They will be wider, with three lanes of traffic north and south. The company is also building new approaches and ramps for the Main Street and Redmond Road overpasses as well as a new stretch of highway between them.

All this work has taken more than a decade, and the I-57 project will probably take even longer, but thank you, Sen. Boozman, for helping to take it to the next level.

TOP STORY >> QC passes budget

By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer

The Lonoke County Quorum Court last week ap-proved an $8.5 million budget for 2018, an increase of $300,000 from last year’s budget of $8.2 million.

“I’m pleased with the quorum court’s work on the budget. The county is able to maintain its services without any tax increases,” County Judge Doug Erwin told The Leader.

The quorum court ap-proved a contract with Waters Welding of Ward for a courthouse railing installed in 2016 for $1,000 and to use Waters Welding in the future for work on a bridge being replaced in Humnoke.

JPs also approved an ordinance for a contract with county employee Clayton Fisk for $4,828 for courthouse maintenance in 2016.

Both were required by state legislative audits.

JPs approved an ordinance to appropriate $28,000 in insurance money to the sheriff’s office for two vehicles that were totaled in wrecks.

The quorum court approved an ordinance to accept a $2,265 grant from the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District for the Lonoke County Fair and Livestock Association.

TOP STORY >> Halloween, fall carnivals slated

Jacksonville First United Methodist Church will hold a Trunk or Treat event from 4 till 6 p.m. Sunday in its parking lot. The event is free and will include carnival games, a bounce house, candy and food.

Children can trick or treat from decorated vehicles, and a costume parade will start at 6.

The church is at 308 W. Main St. in Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department will hold a Trunk or Treat from 6 till 9 p.m. Tuesday at Dupree Park.

There will be games, bounce houses, baggo for adults, a dunking booth and more. “Bring your car to the parking lot, decorate it, and bring candy to hand out to the little ones. If handing out candy isn’t your thing, volunteers are needed for the games and activities,” the announcement said.

The Jacksonville Police Department and the Jacksonville Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association will hold a free Halloween Trunk or Treat event from 6 till 9 p.m. Tuesday in the police department’s parking lot, 1400 Marshall Road.

“Halloween Trunk or Treat provides a safe environment for families to enjoy Halloween fun. Costumed children trick or treat outdoors by going from car trunk to car trunk to get their bag filled with goodies,” according to the announcement.

Adults must accompany children — no drop-offs.

Children should wear costumes. Entrance and exit will be the south end of the parking lot. Vehicles must be parked in a parking spot. Parking on the street or drive will not be allowed. Overflow parking will be located at the recycling center next door.

Zion Hill Baptist Church will hold a fall festival from 6 till 8 p.m. Tuesday in its fellowship hall.

There will be games and activities for children, including bounce houses. Free corndogs, popcorn and pink lemonade will be free.

“Pastor Terry Fortner invites the community to Zion Hill for a safe alternative this Halloween. Children may come in costume. We ask there be no costumes with occult themes,” the announcement said.

The church is near Hwys. 89 and 107 west of Cabot.

The Sherwood Parks and Recreation Department will hold its Halloween carnival from 6:30 till 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sherwood Forest, 1111 W. Maryland Ave.

The event is free and open to everyone. There will be games, candy and prizes and a costume contest for kids up to 12 years old.

Businesses and people who would like to volunteer for the safe and family-friendly event are asked to call event coordinator Misty Brown today at 501-833-0476 or emailing her at mistyh@sherwoodparks.net.

Booth spaces are free but cannot be used to sell anything. Instead they are to be used for informational displays.

The Sherwood Mayor’s Youth Council and Sherwood Day Camp counselors are holding their annual haunted house in Sherwood Forest’s Sherwood Room from 6:30 till 10:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $3 and proceeds will fund the youth council’s educational trips and activities.

TOP STORY >> JNPSD appoints board member

By JONATHAN FELDMAN 
Leader editor

The Jacksonville-North Pulaski School Board on Mon-day appointed Ava Coleman to fill the remainder of the term for Carol Miles, who resigned from the Zone 2 seat earlier this month for health reasons.

Coleman, a 1996 graduate of Jacksonville High, is a student recruiter for the UAMS College of Nursing. She previously worked as a school secretary in the new Jacksonville school district and for Lighthouse Academies of Arkansas as a family-community coordinator.

She has three children who attend Jacksonville schools — a senior, a fifth-grader and a third-grader.

The board considered four others for the appointment, who were given time to speak about their professional experience and why they want to join the school board.

The other nominees were Vivian Brittenum, a software support analyst at the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services; Ryan Maxwell, who is internet manager at Gwatney Buick GMC in Sherwood; Jasmine Wakefield, a regional coordinator for the AR Kids Read program, and Phillip Carlisle, a financial adviser and partner at Carlisle and Guthrie Wealth Management, which he said manages $106 million. Carlisle also co-owns 12 Subway sandwich stores.

The board went into executive session for about an hour before announcing Coleman would be given the vacant seat.

Coleman said she wants to run for the seat in the next school board election, which has not been set yet and could be held in May or November.

She said her children attended Lighthouse Charter School until the new JNSPD was formed.

“As soon as the new district rolled out, my kids rolled in. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I believe in transformation. I want to be a part of it,” she said.

Coleman has a bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Arkansas Technical University. Next month she will receive a master’s degree in human and social services from Walden University.

She is treasurer of the Arkansas Fatherhood and Family Initiative, which en-courages parents to become more involved in their children’s lives.

She was also on the state’s Early Childhood Commission, a gubernatorial appointment.

“I believe every student in the district deserves a fair chance. I believe we can give them a chance to produce productive citizens.

“I want our graduation rate to be 100 percent,” she said.

She told board member Jim Moore the No. 1 priority of the school board is “to bring quality education to our scholars.”

Moore invited Coleman to join the board’s site selection committee, which he leads. The committee will initiate plans to build a new middle school and elementary at the site of the current Jacksonville High School.

JNSPD has begun school construction projects worth $123 million. A new high school and elementary school are already underway with a new middle school and another elementary school planned.