100 years ago
March 9, 1918
EL DORADO -- An enthusiastic meeting of the business men was held here Wednesday and plans were laid to put on a big campaign in this county to increase food and feed crops. A meeting will be held at the courthouse Sunday, when plans will be made. Dr. C.P. Weigart, district agent Extension Department, spoke on the food situation. J.S. Speed, member of the State Council of Defense, told of the activities of the organization.
50 years ago
March 9, 1968
STAR CITY -- The Lincoln County Grand Jury returned no true bills Friday in its investigation into matters at Cummins Prison Farm, particularly the unearthing of three skeletons in unmarked graves there January 29. It did deliver a scorching criticism of Thomas O. Murton, the controversial prison superintendent who took over at Cummins January 14 and was fired Thursday night by the prison Board that had hired him. The report also called for the return of the strap as prescribed punishment in the prison system and reinstallment of the electric chair.
25 years ago
March 9, 1993
• A judge refused Monday to temporarily halt collection of the new state soft-drink tax, saying the law authorizing the tax is not unconstitutionally vague. "In fact, this is one of the better acts that I've read," Pulaski County Chancellor Robin Mays said at the conclusion of a hearing continued from Friday. The law taxes syrups used to make soft drinks. Allen W. Bird II, lead attorney for the bottlers challenging the tax, said he would appeal Mays' decision to the state Supreme Court. Mays said those seeking the temporary injunction proved they might sustain irreparable harm if they couldn't get a refund of the tax revenues.
10 years ago
March 9, 2008
• The capital-murder conviction of Martinous Moore in the 2006 slaying of Brady Alexander stands, affirmed Thursday by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Moore had challenged Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's ruling to allow hearsay testimony by Moore's roommate regarding a conversation between Moore and an alleged co-conspirator. The conviction resulted in a life sentence plus 40 years. Moore was found guilty of capital murder and aggravated robbery for the April 19, 2006, abduction and slaying of the 18-year-old Alexander.
Metro on 03/09/2018