100 years ago
April 27, 1915
• Oscar Wilhelm of Argenta won his case from Herman Kahn of Little Rock, which was appealed from the Pulaski County Circuit Court. Kahn leased to Wilhelm a building in Argenta to be used as a saloon and hotel and "for no other purpose." It was stipulated that if prohibition should carry, the lease should terminate December 31, 1916. The Argenta City Council passed an ordinance restricting the district in which saloons might be operated and this building was outside that district. Wilhelm contended that this action canceled the lease and the Supreme Court sustained that contention.
50 years ago
April 27, 1965
• For the first time in six years, the Little Rock Zoo will get a new building, Julius Breckling Jr., parks and recreation director, said Monday. The building will be used to house bears and small animals. The city will begin taking bids on the shelter May 10, he said. Preliminary work on excavation and preparation of the construction site on the west side of the zoo is being done by city crews to save money, Breckling said.
25 years ago
April 27, 1990
• Oaklawn Park's latest plans for the money raised through a tax break include two large relief sculptures in bronze for the front of the track grandstand. Altogether, Oaklawn has asked the state Racing Commission to approve financing about $1.5 million in 1990 improvements with the tax break money, which is designated by law for racing purses and work at the track. The proposals that Oaklawn owner Charles Cella has submitted include using $177,000 for exterior design and "signage."
10 years ago
April 27, 2005
PINE BLUFF -- Offered no physical evidence, accusations of two incarcerated former drug addicts and testimony from the defendant, a Jefferson County jury deliberated 30 minutes Tuesday evening before finding Cleveland Johnson Jr. innocent of the Dec. 28, 1996, shooting death of 22-year-old Danny Smith. Johnson, 29, of Pine Bluff faced up to life in prison on a charge of first-degree murder in a case that had been cold for years but turned hot in 2003 when two convicts told prosecutors that Johnson had killed Smith. Early on, Johnson was a suspect in the case. But in March 1997, key witness Lavender Williams died in a house fire, so charges were never filed and the case stagnated.
Metro on 04/27/2015