THE CITY OF LELAND EXPECTING TO WIN BIG AS THE STATE WORKS TO CONSTRUCT A BYPASS THAT AS A RESULT WILL LEAD MORE TRAFFIC TO THE AREA. THE U-S 82 BYPASS WILL RUN FROM THE NEW MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE TO HIGHWAY 82 IN LELAND-- ULTIMATELY MAKING LELAND THE LAST STOP BEFORE REACHING ARKANSAS--CURRENTLY MOTORISTS TRAVEL THROUGH GREENVILLE BEFORE GOING ACROSS THE RIVER. LELAND MAYOR JAMES LOWE SAYS HE'S ANTICIPATING MORE INDUSTRY AND JOBS FOR THE CITY ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE. HE TELLS US HE'S ALREADY RECEIVED PHONE CALLS FROM COMPANIES INTERESTED IN RELOCATING TO THE AREA ONCE THE BYPASS IS IN TACT. AND WITH PLANS ALREADY UNDERWAY LOWE SAYS HE'S ENSURING HIS CITY IS NOTHING OTHER THAN READY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. WE CATCH UP WITH THE MAYOR AT SIX AND HE TELLS US HOW HE'S PREPARING.
STATE AUDITOR INVESTIGATION 2-22-12

THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE LAUNCHES AN INVESTIGATION INTO A GEORGIA EDUCATIONAL COMPANY THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH THE GREENVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
STATE AUDITOR STACEY PICKERING ANNOUNCING THEIR AGENTS SERVING A SUBPOENA ON EDNA GOBLE THIS MORNING. GOBLE OWNS THE COMPANY TEACH THEM TO READ LOCATED IN GEORGIA. ACCORDING TO THE STATE AUDITOR, TEACH THEM TO READ ODES BUSINESS WITH THE GREENVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE STATE AGENCY SAYS THE DISTRICT SPENT 1-POINT-4 MILLION WITH THE COMPANY ON TRAINING AND SUPPLIES RELATING TO A READING PROGRAM FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 3RD GRADE NAMED EDNA, EARLY DETECTION NECESSARY ACTION. PICKERING SAYS THEY HAVE INFORMATION THAT SHOWS SOME OF THESE SUPPLIES AND TRAINING WERE NEVER ACTUALLY DELIVERED TO GREENVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR WAS INADEQUATE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD FOUR TEAMS ON THE GROUND IN GREENVEILL INTERVIEWING SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR HARVEY FRANKLIN AND A HOST OF ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE RECEIVED EITHER TRAINING OR SUPPLIES. THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OIG ASSISTED THE STATE AUDITOR'S AGENTS TODAY IN ISSUING THE SUBPOENA AND INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED IN GEORGIA AND IN GREENVILLE. PICKERING THANKS THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR PROVIDING VALUABLE INFORMATION TO HIS OFFICE THAT LED TO TODAY'S ACTIONS.
 

E-D-C INTERM DIRECTOR 2-21-12

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF WASHINGTON COUNTY NAMES AN INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER'S EXECUTIVE BOARD VOTING TODAY TO NAME CARY KARLSON AS INTERIM DRECTOR, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. KARLSON IS A GREENVILLE NATIVE, AND HAS RUN SEVERAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS INCLUDING MONTAGE MARKET PLACE THAT HE AND HIS WIFE FOUNDED. KARLSON IS REPLACING FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LARRY JONES WHO WAS RELIEVED OF HIS
DUTIES ON FEBRUARY 10TH.
 

DUNCAN MURDER 2-21-12

AUTHORITIES ARREST A FIFTH SUSPECT IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXECUTION STYLE KILLING OF A TUNICA MAN. LADELL MAGGETT JUNIOR IS THE LATEST PERSON CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER IN THE DEATH OF QUENTON DEON MCKAY. THE 32 YEAR OLD TUNICA FATHER OF FUN WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES ON HOWDEN LAKE ROAD. THE GRAVEL ROAD IS ABOUT A MILE AND HALF OFF OF HIGHWAY 61 NEAR DUNCAN. BOLIVAR COUNTY SHERIFF KELVIN WILLIAMS SAYS MC-CAY DIED
AFTER BEING SHOT EXECUTION STYLE, TWICE IN THE HEAD, THREE TIMES IN THE CHEST AND HANDS WERE BOUND. THE US MARSHALS SERVICE ALONG WITH BOLIVAR COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES ARRESTING THE 36 YEAR OLD WITHOUT INCIDENT AT HIS JOB ON PAYNE STREET WHICH IS FIVE TO SIX MILES OUTSIDE OF CLARKSDALE.
 

LELAND D.U.I ARREST 2-20-12

A CLEVELAND WOMAN IS BEHIND BARS TONIGHT AFTER A DRUNKEN RAGE BEHIND THE WHEEL LEADS HER TO DRIVE SEVERAL VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD INCLUDING POLICE CARS.
31-YEAR OLD MARIE MILLER CHARGED WITH DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES INCLUDING TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER. POLICE SAY AROUND 8 O-CLOCK FRIDAY NIGHT THEY RECEIVED A CALL FROM HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICIALS ADVISING THAT A SILVER CHEVY IMPALA HAD RUN TWO MOTORISTS OFF OF THE ROAD. PATROLMEN SPOTTED THE VEHICLE SWIRLING THROUGH THE FOUR-WAY STOP IN LELAND SHORTLY AFTER. THE OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BUT AS THEY GOT OUT TO APPROACH MILLER SHE DROVE AWAY LEADING TO A CHASE. MILLER WAS CHASED BY TWO PATROL CARS. BOTH UNITS TRIED BLOCKING HER IN FROM BOTH SIDES--BUT MILLER SWIRLED KNOCKING ONE POLICE CAR INTO A MEDIAN WHILE ALSO SWIRLING INTO THE OTHER OFFICER CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. MILLER'S BREATH ALCOHOL CONTENT WAS POINT-24--SHE IS NOW IN CUSTODY AT THE LELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE SHE ALSO FACES THREE OTHER CHARGES--DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE...WRECK LESS DRIVING...AND FAILURE TO STOP.
 

GREENVILLE HOMICIDE 2-20-12

GREENVILLE AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING A HOMICIDE...WASHINGTON COUNTY CORONER METHEL JOHNSON TELLS WABG THAT A SHOOTING VICTIM THAT WAS SHOT ON AUGUST 27, OF LAST YEAR HAS DIED...56 YR OLD GLOSTER TURNER WAS SHOT in the stomach IN THE 300 BLOCK OF CATELY STREET. AUTHORITIES say TURNER SPENT AT LEAST 6-WEEKS IN THE JACKSON HOSPITAL BEFORE HE WAS PLACED IN A LOCAL NURSING HOME HERE IN GREENVILLE WHERE HE DIED...THE INVESTIGATION IS ON GOING.

MO MONEY TAX UPDATE 2-17-12

THE SHOCKING REVELATIONS INVOLVING MO MONEY TAX SERVICES SEEM TO CONTINUE POURING IN.
THE TAX PREPPING SERVICE CLAIMS IN SEVERAL NEWS ARTICLES AND EVEN DIRECTLY TO ABC-SIX THAT ITS "PARTNER" VALUE BANK OUT OF CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS IS THE REASON FOR THE MISSING CHECKS AND SHORTAGE OF FUNDS. HOWEVER...KELLY GONZALEZ...THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT OF VALUE BANK TELLS US NOT ONLY ARE THEY *NOT* A PARTNER WITH MO MONEY TAXES--BUT GONZALEZ SAYS MO MONEY HAS NEVER BEEN THEIR CUSTOMER. SHE EXPLAINS THE BANK'S ASSOCIATION WITH THE TAX PREP SERVICE IS ONLY THROUGH A THIRD PARTY RELATIONSHIP THROUGH AN ACTUAL VALUE BANK CLIENT WHO PROVIDES TAX RETURN SOFTWARE TO MO MONEY AND OTHER TAX PREP COMPANIES. GONZALEZ FURTHER EXPLAINS VALUE BANK ONLY SERVES AS AN INSTITUTION TO CLEAR ACCOUNTS FOR TAX REFUNDS--BUT SHE SAYS THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS. WE ALSO CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ABOUT A SUPPOSED INVESTIGATION IT PLANS TO CONDUCT--THE OFFICE REPLIED--PER OUR POLICY WE HAVE NEITHER CONFIRMED NOR DENIED THAT WE ARE LOOKING INTO THIS...WE HAVE HOWEVER ENCOURAGED CONSUMERS WITH CONCERNS TO CALL THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION...OR FILL OUT A COMPLAINT FORM ONLINE.

 

PILLOW STUDENT GUN INCIDENT 2-17-12

A PILLOW ACADEMY STUDENT IS ARRESTED FOR BRINGING A LOADED FIREARM ON CAMPUS.
HEADMASTER TERMIE LAND OF PILLOW ACADEMY SAYS THAT HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JAY WATTS AND HIMSELF PULLED AN EIGHTH GRADE STUDENT OUT OF P-E THIS MORNING FOR QUESTIONING ABOUT A GUN ON CAMPUS AFTER GETTING A TIP FROM A PARENT. AFTER JUST A FEW QUESTIONS, THE STUDENT ADMITTED OF HAVING A SMALL HANDGUN HIS BOOK-BAG IN HIS LOCKER IN THE GYM. ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT ISSUED BY LAND EARLIER TODAY...THE FIRE ARM WAS SECURED WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THE STUDENT WAS PLACED IN THE PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND LATER TURNED OVER TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES. AN ASSEMBLY WAS HELD TO LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND PARENTS WERE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE INCIDENT THROUGH E-MAIL. LAND SAYS EVERYTHING CARRIED ON AS NORMAL AND THE STUDENT IN QUESTION IS RESTRICTED TO RETURN TO CAMPUS ANYTIME IN THE FUTURE.  SOME COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WHO SPOKE WITH WABG OFF CAMERA SAY THAT DIDN'T WON'T TO GO ON CAMERA, BUT DID WANT TO  SAY THE STUDENT WAS BEING "BULLY".
 

SUNFLOWER COUNTY SCHOOL MERGER 2-16-12

THE COUNT-DOWN IS ON ....THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS MOVING FORWARD ON CONSOLIDATING THE DREW AND SUNFLOWER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.  THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING TODAY TO DISCUSS THE MERGER OF THE TWO DISTRICTS, THEN BOARD MEMBERS WILL VOTE ON THE MERGER FRIDAY. THE PROPOSED MERGER IS BEING DONE IN ANTICIPATION OF A LAW MANDATING THE CONSOLIDATION OF THOSE TWO DISTRICTS ALONG WITH INDIANOLA SCHOOLS, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE STATE. INDIANOLA WAS NOT ORIGINALLY INCLUDED IN THE DEPARTMENT'S MERGER PLAN BECAUSE THE DISTRICT HAS AN ELECTED SUPERINTENDENT. BUT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TATE REEVES CALLED FOR CONSOLIDATION OF DREW, INDIANOLA AND SUNFLOWER COUNTY SCHOOLS EARLIER THIS MONTH WHEN HE RELEASED HIS 2012 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. THE STATE SENATE SUPPORTED THAT IDEA WEDNESDAY, WITH THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 2330, WHICH WOULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COMBINE THE THREE DISTRICTS INTO ONE WITH AN APPOINTED SUPERINTENDENT. THE BILL WOULD ENSURE THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH RESOURCES AFTER CONSOLIDATION FOR ALL STUDENTS TO RECEIVE NECESSARY RESOURCES FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

INDIANOLA ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT 2-16-12

Plans for developing an entertainment district are moving forward in Indianola. The Indianola Board of Alderman has appointed members to serve on the Entertainment District Commission. The commission met last night for the first time where members discussed hotel development. While the project remains in its early stages, planners are focusing on 2 areas as the potential site for the district including the area near the intersection of Highways 49 and 82, and the 4 blocks surrounding the B.B. King Museum.
 

VFW MURDER INVESTIGATION 2-16-12

A MURDER INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AFTER A WOMAN IS GUNNED DOWN BY HER BOYFRIEND. ASSISTANT CHIEF BILLY BARBER TELL US LAST NIGHT 33-YEAR OLD TERESA KAY OSWALT WAS SHOT AT LEAST ONCE IN THE CHEST AT THIS RESIDENCE ON V-F-W ROAD IN GREENVILLE. INVESTIGATORS SAY IT WAS AN APPARENT DOMESTIC DISPUTE LEADING TO THE SHOOTING. WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED TO THE SCENE THEY FOUND THERESA'S BODY ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR--MARKING THE FIRST HOMICIDE OF THE YEAR FOR THE COUNTY....HER BODY WILL BE SENT OFF IN THE MORNING FOR AN AUTOSPY. NOW IN CUSTODY IS HER 53-YEAR OLD BOYFRIEND DAVID PEARSON. PEARSON IS NOW CHARGED WITH MURDER AND BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND AT THE WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL.

WASHINGTON AVE. REPAVING PROJECT 2-15-12

WORK HAS BEGUN ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE WASHINGTON AVENUE REPAVING PROJECT.
THE CONSTRUCTION WILL COVER WASHINGTON AVENUE FROM HIGHWAY 82 TO DELLESSEPS. APAC MISSISSIPPI, GREENVILLE'S ONLY ASPHALT CONSTRUCTION FIRM WON THE BID PROCESS, BIDDING NEARLY ONE-POINT-THREE MILLION DOLLARS. APAC MISSISSIPPI HAS WORKED ON PAST STREET PROJECTS FOR THE CITY OF GREENVILLE INCLUDING THE INTERSECTION OF REED ROAD AND MAIN STREET, TENNESSEE GAS LINE, AND MAIN STREET IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE. THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETE IN MAY.

LELAND CITY OF STATE 2-15-12

LELAND MAYOR, JAMES LOWE RELEASED A STATE OF THE CITY MESSAGE, OUTLINING AREAS OF CONCERN AND POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY. THE MAYOR PLANS TO UPGRADE TO NEW MODERN EQUIPMENT FOR CITY FUNCTIONS, THAT IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE THAN THE CURRENT OUTDATED EQUIPMENT. THE MAYOR IS CALLING ON CITY LEADERS TO CUT WASTEFUL SPENDING AND UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION OF SERVICES. LOWERING UTILITY RATES FOR RESIDENTS IS ALSO A TOP PRIORITY. THE HIGHWAY 82 BYPASS PROJECT IS HIGHLIGHTED AS A GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY, ATTRACTING BUSINESSES AND POTENTIAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES. OVERALL THE MAYOR SAYS THE STATE OF THE CITY IS SOUND.

TUTWILER UPDATE 2-15-12

THE ATTORNEY FOR A TUTWILER MENTALLY CHALLENGED TEEN RELEASES ONE OF THE VIDEOS TO ABC SIX LEADING TO TUESDAY'S NIGHT'S FIRING OF THE CITY'S POLICE CHIEF, TWO POLICE OFFICERS, THE TOWN CLERK AND THE COURT CLERK. WE WANT TO WARN OUR VIEWERS SOME OF THE VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING.  THIS IS THE VIDEO FROM LAST WEEK OF THE TOWN CLERK ANGELA CHANDLER POURING ALOT OF HOT CINNAMON SPICE INTO THE MOUTH OF DEMARIOUS CORTEZ MARTIN, FONDLY KNOWN TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS *TED*. ATTORNEY ELLIS PITTMAN SAYS HIS CLIENT, TED, IS AUTISTIC AND MENTALLY CHALLENGED. AS YOU CAN HEAR IN THIS VIDEO *TED* IS BEING CHEERED ON BY SEVERAL PEOPLE, IDENTIFIED AS POLICE CHIEF TERRY TYLER, CAPTAIN JIMMY JOHNSON, OFFICER BOBBY BANKS JUNIOR AND COURT CLERK LATOYA ELLIS TO HOLD THE CINNAMON SPICE IN HIS MOUTH AS LONG AS HE CAN BUT TED BEGINS CHOKING ON IT, THEN SPITS IT OUT A HUGE PLUME OF SMOKE, RUNNING INTO THE BATHROOM FOR WATER. ALL THE WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TOWN OFFICIALS LAUGHING WHILE VIDEOTAPING THE INCIDENT. ATTORNEY ELLIS PITTMAN SAYS THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER AND WE'LL HEAR FROM HIM TONIGHT AT SIX.
PITTMAN DID TELL US THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION MET WITH HIS CLIENTS ALSO INQUIRING ABOUT THE INCIDENT. ABC SIX NEWS DID CONTACT THE TUTWILER CITY ATTORNEY, RENEITHA FRIESON, WHO HAS NO COMMENT AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER THERE IS A SECOND VIDEO OF "TED" BEING BOXED IN A SECOND INCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED IN JANUARY WHERE "TED" WAS FORCED TO BOX A POLICE OFFICER, CAPTAIN JIMMY JOHNSON THAT WAS VIDEOTAPED BY OFFICER BOBBY BANKS JUNIOR.
 

EXCLUSIVE TUTWILER STORY 2-14-12

BREAKING NEWS, THE TUTWILER BOARD OF ALDERMEN FIRES THE POLICE CHIEF, TWO POLICE OFFICERS, TOWN CLERK AND COURT CLERK AT A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING TONIGHT.
OFFICIALS SAYING THE FIRINGS COMES ON THE HEELS OF TWO YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THE OFFICERS AND CITY PERSONNEL ABUSING A MENTALLY CHALLENGED MAN. IN JANUARY OFFICER BOBBY BANKS JUNIOR VIDEOTAPED CAPTAIN JIMMY JOHNSON BOXING AN 18 YEAR OLD MENTALLY CHALLENGED MAN THEN POSTED IT ON YOUTUBE. LAST WEEK, A YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWS TOWN CLERK ANGELA CHANDLER POURING CINNAMON SPICE INTO THE SAME MAN'S MOUTH TELLING HIM TO HOLD IT AND DON'T SWALLOW. THE VIDEO RECORDING SHOWS CHIEF TERRY TYLER, CAPTAIN JIMMY JOHNSON, PATROLMAN BOBBY BANKS JUNIOR AND COURT CLERK LATOYA ELLIS WERE PRESENT AT THE CITY HALL BOARD ROOM DURING THE INCIDENT. THE SHOCKING INCIDENTS BROUGHT TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION AFTER CONCERNED CITIZENS SAW BOTH INCIDENTS POSTED ON YOU TUBE. THE BOARD UNANMIOUSLY FIRING TONIGHT, TUTWILER POLICE CHIEF, TERRY TYLER, CAPTAIN JIMMY JOHNSON, PATROLMAN BOBBY BANKS JUNIOR, TOWN CLERK ANGELA CHANDLER, AND COURT CLERK LATOYA ELLIS. ASSISTANT CHIEF DEREK JACKSON HAS BEEN PUT IN CHARGE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ALL OF THE OTHERS HAVE UNTIL 5PM TOMORROW TO SURRENDER THEIR EQUIPMENT.

PAMELA PITTS UPDATE 2-13-12

DNA PROVES IDENTITY OF MISSING SUNFLOWER COUNTY WOMAN, PAMELA PITTS
SUNFLOWER COUNTY CORONER HEATHER BURTON RECEIVING VERBAL CONFIRMATION TODAY THAT THE REMAINS FOUND IN A WOODED AREA, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM PAMELA PITTS HOME SOUTH OF INVERNESS, AS THE REMAINS OF PAMELA PITTS. PITTS, 43 YEARS OLD, WENT MISSING ON DECEMBER 11TH. AUTHORITIES FOUND HER REMAINS A WEEK AFTER HER DISAPPEARANCE. HER COMMON LAW HUSBAND, BILLY SPIVEY HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH HER MURDER AND LOCKED UP ON A 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND. THE CORONER SAYS SHE WILL RECEIVE THE DNA DOCUMENT NEXT WEEK.
 

GREENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT VICTIM OF CRIME  2-10-2012

THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT FACILITY ON WALNUT STREET WAS BROKEN INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN A BACK WINDOW OF THE UNIT'S OFFICE AND STORAGE FACILITY WAS BROKEN OUT. THE PERSON OR PERSONS ENTERING DESPITE THE INSIDE OFFICE AREA HAVING DEADBOLTS AND AN ALARM AND CAMERA SYSTEMS. BUT SOMEONE FORGOT TO SET THE ALARM SYSTEM BEFORE THE BREAK IN. IN ALL UP TO 50 CASE FILES WERE STOLEN, WITH DRUGS AND GUNS AS PART OF THE FILE INFORMATION STOLEN, TOO. THE GREENVILLE MAYOR'S OFFICE CONFIRMED THE BREAK IN FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT BASICALLY HANDLES DRUG AND GUN CASES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AS OF THIS TIME, NO SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN THE CASE.
 

INMATE ESCAPES FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND IS LATER CAUGHT  2-10-2012

WASHINGTON COUNTY ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY BILLY BARBER TELLS ABC 6 CEDRIC CASTON ESCAPED FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AROUND 12-30 A.M. WEDNESDAY NIGHT. CASTON APPEARS TO HAVE USED SHEETS FROM HIS CELL TO CLIMB TO THE CELL CEILING, THEN BEAT THE CEILING OUT WITH AN UNKNOWN METAL OBJECT. CASTON WAS SPOTTED BY SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AFTER MAKING IT ONTO THE ROOF. HOWEVER, CASTON WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND THROUGH THE GATES, ASSAULTING AN OFFICER ON HIS WAY OUT. BUT HE WOULD BE LATER CAUGHT WITHIN TWO HOURS WHERE CASTON WAS SPOTTED BY AUTHORITIES ON STOKES KING ROAD, ABOUT A QUARTER MILE  FROM THE PRISON FACILITY.

MAN AFTER HE FIRES GUN SHOTS INTO A GAMING MACHINE   2-10-2012

AUTHORITIES REPORT THAT A PHONE CALL WAS RECEIVED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AROUND 1:30 REPORTING GUN SHOTS AT HARLOW'S CASINO RESORT FRIDAY  MORNING. DEPUTIES ARRIVED AT HARLOW'S AND ARRESTED ALBERT LEE CLARK OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. OFFICIALS SAY CLARK OPENED FIRE ON ONE OF THE SLOT MACHINES, TELLING DEPUTIES HE WAS UPSET BECAUSE THE MACHINE TOOK HIS MONEY. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE GUN FIRE BUT AUTHORITIES SAY CLARK WILL BE CHARGED FOR HIS ACTIONS.

GREENVILLE FEDERAL BUILDING WILL STAY OPEN   2-8-2012

WITH THE PASSING OF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE W. ALLEN PEPPER, THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI WILL ROTATE JUDGES TO KEEP THE GREENVILLE FACILITY OPERATING. U.S. CHIEF JUDGE MICHAEL MILLS TELLS WABG THAT BEGINNING MONDAY U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SHARION AYCOCK WILL BEGIN HEARING JUDGE PEPPER'S CASES. PEPPER PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH AT THE AGE OF 70. THE CHIEF JUDGE SAYS HE WANTS TO KEEP A STRONGER FEDERAL PRESENCE IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA WITH THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN GREENVILLE. CHIEF MILLS, WHO HAS BEEN A PROPONENT OF THE FEDERAL BUILDING STAYING IN GREENVILLE, SAYS HE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO KEEP IT GOING AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. BESIDES HANDLING TRIALS, CHIEF JUDGE MICHAEL MILLS WILL ALSO PLAY A VARIETY OF ADDITIONAL ROLES THAT REQUIRE THE SKILLS OF AN ADMINISTRATOR, A FINANCIAL MANAGER AND, OCCASIONALLY, THAT OF A DIPLOMAT. JUDGE MILLS SAYS THERE ARE 210 EMPLOYEES AT THE GREENVILLE FEDERAL BUILDING.

PEOPLE TURN UP AT DODGE STORE IN LELAND TO CASH MO MONEY TAX CHECKS          2-8-2012

WITH A POSSIBLE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY INTO BUSINESS PRACTICES OF THE MO MONEY TAX PREPARATION COMPANY OUT OF MEMPHIS, CHECKS ISSUED BY MO MONEY TO CLIENTS HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE EITHER FAKE OR BANKS HAVE REFUSED TO CASH THE CHECKS. MANAGEMENT AT THE DODGE STORE ON U.S. 82 JUST WEST OF LELAND SAID WEDNESDAY THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY WERE ABLE TO CASH CHECKS WITH OVER $200,000 IN CHECKS CASHED SINCE SATURDAY. BUT TODAY, PHONE LINES TO THE BANK IN TEXAS ISSUING THE CHECKS HAVE BEEN DOWN AND DODGE PERSONNEL HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. MO MONEY OFFICIALS WERE AT THE STORE LATE WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON BUT DIDN'T STAY LONG NOR OFFER ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH CUSTOMERS CASHING CHECKS ISSUED BY MO MONEY. ADDITIONALLY, DELTA OFFICES OF MO MONEY HAVE BEEN FLOODED WITH PEOPLE WANTING ANSWERS AS TO WHY THEIR CHECKS CAN'T BE CASHED

GREENVILLE NATIVE EDWARD DYCUS RETURNS HOME MONDAY AFTERNOON  2-7-2012

WITH HUNDREDS ON HAND TO SHOW RESPECT AND SUPPORT, EDWARD DYCUS' BODY IS TRANSPORTED BACK HOME. FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WERE THERE MONDAY AFTERNOON AS THE BODY OF MARINE LANCE CORPORAL EDWARD DYCUS OF GREENVILLE ARRIVES BY PRIVATE CHARTER AT THE GREENVILLE AERO SERVICES TERMINAL AT THE MID-DELTA REGIONAL AIRPORT. DYCUS WAS KILLED LAST WEEK BY AN AFGHANISTAN SOLDIER. A PRIVATE MILITARY FUNERAL SERVICE WAS HELD IN THE TERMINAL AFTER THE FLAG-DRAPED COFFIN WAS TAKEN FROM THE PLANE. A HEARSE, PRECEDED BY AN ESCORT OF BOTH GREENVILLE AND WASHINGTON COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS, THEN LEFT THE AIRPORT. THE FUNERAL ENTOURAGE TRAVELED DOWN HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH TO REED ROAD AND THEN ON TO SMITH FUNERAL HOME ON COLORADO AVENUE.  RESIDENTS ALONG THE WAY TURNED OUT WAVING AMERICAN FLAGS AS A SHOW OF SUPPORT AND RESPECT FOR DYCUS. A VISITATION AND FUNERAL SERVICE  WILL BE HELD THURSDAY AT RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL STARTING AT 1:30 P.M.

EARTHQUAKE DRILL HELD MONDAY ACROSS EIGHT STATES  2-7-2012

MISSISSIPPI AND ARKANSAS OFFICIALS JOINED A MULTI-STATE EARTHQUAKE DRILL ON TUESDAY CALLED THE GREAT CENTRAL UNITED STATES SHAKE OUT. THE EVENT MARKS THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1812 NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES, WITH AN ESTIMATED THREE MILLION RESIDENTS PARTICIPATING LAST YEAR. ORGANIZERS ASKED THAT PARTICIPANTS DROP, COVER AND HOLD AT EITHER THEIR HOMES OR AT WORK. THE STATES ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE WERE ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, KENTUCKY, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, AND TENNESSEE. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EARTHQUAKE PREPARATION VISIT SHAKE-OUT.ORG-/CENTRAL-US.

SEVERAL CLEVELAND AND BOLIVAR COUNTY OFFICIALS HEAD TO HOLLYWOOD  2-7-2012

REPRESENTATIVES ASSOCIATED WITH A FUTURE SATELLITE GRAMMY MUSEUM, ALONG WITH CLEVELAND AND BOLIVAR COUNTY OFFICIALS, ARE HEADING TO HOLLYWOOD. THE GROUP, CONSISTING OF NEARLY 30 PEOPLE, WILL TRAVEL TO LOS ANGELES WEDNESDAY TO VISIT LOS ANGELES-AREA RECORDING STUDIOS, AS WELL AS TO MEET WITH GRAMMY MUSEUM OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR THE SOON-TO-BE CONSTRUCTED GRAMMY SATELLITE MUSEUM IN CLEVELAND ON THE DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.  THE ANNUAL TRIP IS ALSO USED AS A RECRUITING TOOL TO HELP ATTRACT THE FILM INDUSTRY TO MISSISSIPPI.

A GREENVILLE PEDESTRIAN IS STRUCK AND KILLED SUNDAY NIGHT  2-6-2012

JESSE LEE LOWE, 42, OF GREENVILLE DIED AROUND 10 P.M. SUNDAY AFTER BEING STRUCK BY AN S.U.V. AUTHORITIES SAY ROBERT JENKINS, WHO WAS DRIVING A 2005 DARK BLUE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, STRUCK LOWE AS HE WAS WALKING ACROSS U.S. 82 ONTO CALIFORNIA STREET. WASHINGTON COUNTY CORONER METHEL JOHNSON SAYS LOWE DIED FROM MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE INJURIES. NO CITATIONS WERE ISSUED AT THE TIME. THE CASE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

A CONTROVERSIAL CHURCH IS EXPECTED TO PROTEST AT A GREENVILLE MARINE'S FUNERAL           2-6-2012

WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH WON A COURT FIGHT TO PROTEST AT MILITARY FUNERALS ACROSS THE NATION, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SOME OF ITS MEMBERS WILL HAVE PROTESTERS AT THE THURSDAY FUNERAL OF LANCE CORPORAL EDWARD J. DYCUS OF GREENVILLE. DYCUS WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY AN AFGHAN SOLIDER LAST WEEK WHILE THE TWO WERE GUARDING AN OPERATING BASE IN HELMAND PROVINCE IN AFGHANISTAN. WHILE DYCUS' DEATH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE PENTAGON, HIS BODYWILL ARRIVE AT MID-DELTA REGIONAL AIRPORT ON TUESDAY AT 2 P.M., WITH VISITATION AND FUNERAL SERVICES BEING HELD ON THURSDAY AT RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL IN AVON BEGINNING AT 1:30 P.M. FAMILY MEMBERS SAY IT WILL BE A CLOSED CASKET FUNERAL.

STATE FLAG TO FLY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AGAIN  2-6-2012

BY A 3-2 VOTE, THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED TO FLY THE STATE FLAG ON COUNTY GROUNDS AND IN THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE. THE PREVIOUS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED TO NOT FLY THE STATE FLAG DAYS AFTER THE STATE APPROVED, BY REFERENDUM, THE CURRENT STATE FLAG. SEVERAL SUPERVISORS WENT ABOUT TAKING DOWN THE FLAG THEN POSTED IN THE COURTHOUSE AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ROOM. FOUR LOCAL VETERANS BROUGHT THE DISCUSSION BEFORE THE BOARD ASKING THAT THE BOARD VOTE IN FAVOR OF BRINGING THE CONTROVERSIAL FLAG BACK TO THE COURTHOUSE, RAISING IT OUT FRONT AS WELL AS INSIDE THE BOARD'S MEETING ROOM. SOME EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AND DISAPPOINTMENT CLAIMING THE FLAG REPRESENTS RACISM AND DIVISION WHILE OTHERS WELCOMED THE CHANGE SAYING THE FLAG REPRESENTS EVERYONE IN AMERICA.

MID DELTA REGIONAL AIRPORT RECEIVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT  1-30-2012

AN AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING WAS HELD MONDAY MORNING BRINGING TOGETHER MORE THAN 40 LOCAL, STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL AIR SERVICE IN GREENVILLE. AS WE'VE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY REPORTING , DELTA AIRLINES ANNOUNCED PLANS TO DISCONTINUE AIR SERVICE TO 24 COMMUNITIES AND AIRPORTS, INCLUDING GREENVILLE. DELTA AIRLINES CANNOT OFFICIALLY STOP SERVICE UNTIL ANOTHER AIR CARRIER IS IN PLACE. THE CITY OF GREENVILLE HAS RECEIVED FOUR BIDS SO FAR FROM POTENTIAL CARRIERS OFFERING SERVICE THAT COULD INCREASE AIR SERVICE TO THE AIRPORT. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON WHICH AIRLINE TO CHOOSE, BUT COMMUNITY INPUT IS ALSO A MAJOR FACTOR IN THAT DECISION, WHICH WAS THE PURPOSE OF MONDAY'S MEETING. THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL PRESENT THE INFORMATION GATHERED AT THE MEETING AT A FUTURE GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
 

GREENWOOD FUGITIVE NOW IN POLICE CUSTODY IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE  1-30-2012 

GREENWOOD POLICE CHIEF HENRY PURNELL SAYS MARVELOUS WRIGHT, 23, WAS PICKED UP BY NASHVILLE AUTHORITIES FRIDAY AFTER ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE CAPTURE IN GREENWOOD. WRIGHT, WHO WAS PULLED OVER DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN NASHVILLE, IS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A DECEMBER 2011 SHOOTING ON CARROLLTON AND AVENUE G IN GREENWOOD. THE SHOOTING SENT A 16-YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE HIP. POLICE SAY WRIGHT ALREADY HAD TWO FELONY WARRANTS OUT FOR HIS ARREST. WRIGHT IS NOW AWAITING AN EXTRADITION HEARING SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY.

OHIO AUTHORITIES MUST PICK UP A WANTED FUGITIVE WITHIN 10 DAYS  1-30-2012 

U.S. MARSHALS CAPTURED LASHAUN REED LAST TUESDAY HIDING IN THE CLOSET OF A HOME ON INEZ STREET IN GREENVILLE. REED WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO AN EXTRADITION HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, CLEARING THE WAY FOR HIS RETURN TO THE BUCKEYE STATE. REED HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE THE DECEMBER 10 SHOOTING DEATH OF CLIFFORD JOHNSON IN OHIO. OHIO AUTHORITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN GREENVILLE WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS TO GET REED.

ANN JEFFERSON'S EMBEZZLEMENT TRIAL HOW HAS A FEBRUARY START DATE  1-27-2012

JEFFERSON'S ATTORNEYS FILED SEVERAL MOTIONS THIS WEEK TO HAVE THE TRIAL MOVED TO A LATER DATE. JEFFERSON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOUTH DELTA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, WAS SET TO GO ON TRIAL JANUARY 30 FOR EMBEZZLEMENT, INTIMIDATION OF WITNESSES AND DEFRAUDING THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. SENIOR JUDGE GLEN DAVIDSON GRANTED JEFFERSON'S ATTORNEY'S REQUEST TO ORDER A NEW TRIAL DATE OF WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29 IN ABERDEEN.
 

JURORS BEGIN DELIBERATIONS IN A WASHINGTON COUNTY CAPITAL MURDER CASE  1-27-2012

CLOSING ARGUMENTS WRAPPED UP LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN THE PERRY JACKSON CAPITAL MURDER TRIAL. JACKSON IS ON TRIAL FOR CAPITAL MURDER IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF CLARISSA AND KELLY KING. THE NEWLYWED COUPLE WAS SHOT TO DEATH INSIDE THEIR GREENVILLE HOME ON APRIL 13, 2010. PROSECUTORS RESTING THEIR CASE AFTER TWO DAYS OF TESTIMONY WITH THEIR FINAL WITNESS BEING GREENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT SERGEANT DELANDO WILSON. WILSON TOLD JURORS THAT JACKSON ADMITTED TO KILLING THE YOUNG COUPLE AND SHOOTING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND'S NEW BOYFRIEND BECAUSE HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS SUFFERING LIKE HE WAS AFTER THEIR BREAKUP. JACKSON'S DEFENSE TEAM IMMEDIATELY RESTING WITH THE DEFENDANT TELLING CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE ASHLEY HINES HE WOULD NOT TAKE THE STAND IN HIS OWN DEFENSE. JACKSON'S ATTORNEY DID ASK THAT THE JURORS CONSIDER THE LESSER CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER, WHICH THE JUDGE ALLOWED.
 

PRELIMINARY AUTOPSY REPORT IS IN FOR A MAN WHO DIED IN A GRAIN BIN ACCIDENT  1-27-2012

LEFLORE COUNTY DEPUTY CORONER BILL LORD SAYS THE PRELIMINARY AUTOPSY REPORT SHOWS THAT DEON ARMSTRONG, 33, OF SCHLATER DIED OF SUFFOCATION ASPHIXIATION LAST THURSDAY AROUND NOON AFTER ALLEGEDLY FALLING INTO A GRAIN BIN. SEVERAL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS FROM ITTA BENA AND LEFLORE COUNTY RACED TO THE SCENE ALONG U.S. 82 BETWEEN HEARTLAND CATFISH AND TACKETT FARMS IN HOPES OF SAVING ARMSTRONG. LORD BELIEVES ARMSTRONG WAS TRYING TO UNPLUG A GRAIN HOSE WHEN HE FELL INSIDE THE BIN CONTAINING 65,000 BUSHELS OF BEANS, CRUSHING HIM TO DEATH.

TWO INDIANOLA TEENS IN A JACKSON HOSPITAL AFTER A WRECK  1-27-2012

MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL SAY A TWO-CAR COLLISION OCCURRED THURSDAY AFTERNOON. WARRUS LARD, 49, OF INDIANOLA WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON U.S. 61 IN A DODGE RAM PICK UP TRUCK WHEN IT WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO HIGHWAY 450 AT CHOCTAW. AT THE SAME TIME, WALTER COOPER, 42, OF TENNESSEE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON U.S. 61 AND COLLIDED WITH THE PICK UP TRUCK. THIS IS THE SAME INTERSECTION WHERE A SHAW STUDENT DIED IN A SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT LAST YEAR. BEN WILLIAMS, STAFF SARGENT WITH THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS THE TWO TEENAGERS RIDING IN THE PICK UP TRUCK WERE BADLY INJURED AND AIRLIFTED TO THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES, THE TEENS, HOWEVER, WERE NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS.

THE MAYOR OF TCHULA IS NOW ALSO THE POLICE CHIEF  1-26-2012

AFTER THE FORMER POLICE RESIGNED, CURRENT MAYOR SHARKEY FORD HAS NOW TAKEN ON THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES, TOO. THE MAYOR/POLICE CHIEF SAYS HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE DRASTIC SPIKE IN CRIME. FORD SAYS THE PROBLEMS BEGAN BEFORE THE RESIGNATION OF THE MOST RECENT CHIEF OF POLICE, BUT STARTED WHEN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN DECIDED TO DISMISS LONG-TERM CHIEF CLINTON COBBINS IN LATE 2011. THE MAYOR SAYS SINCE COBBINS HAS BEEN OUT OF THE POST, CRIME HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED AND RESIDENTS ARE COMPLAIN ABOUT FEELING UNSAFE. HE ALSO SAYS GANG VIOLENCE HAS BECOME A GROWING PROBLEM WITH AN INCREASE IN KIDS HANGING OUT ON CITY STREET CORNERS.

A FILM CREW IS IN GREENWOOD THIS WEEK  1-26-2012

AN N.B.C DOCUMENTARY FILM CREW IS IN GREENWOOD TO LOOK AT HOW THE CITY HAS TRANSFORMED FROM PAST TO PRESENT. PRODUCER TIM BEACHUM AND HIS CREW HAVE BEEN FILMING ON THE STREETS OF GREENWOOD OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS MEETING WITH THE MAYOR AND OTHER RESIDENT. N.B.C. JOURNALIST LESTER HOLT ARRIVED THURSDAY AND IBEGAN NTERVIEWING SEVERAL PEOPLE FOR THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT RACE RELATIONS. N.B.C. FILMED AN HOUR LONG DOCUMENTARY  IN 1966 ABOUT MISSISSIPPI WHICH CENTERED ON GREENWOOD FEATURING BOOKER WRIGHT. NOW HIS GRANDDAUGHTER IS TRACING HIS STORY BACKWARDS AND A FILM CREW HAS PICKED UP ON THIS STORY. BOOKER WRIGHT WAS A BLACK WAITER AT LUSCO'S RESTAURANT BACK THEN. MEANWHILE, N.B.C. IS FILMING ANOTHER DOCUMENTARY TO SHOW HOW GREENWOOD WAS BACK THEN AND HOW IT HAS CHANGED.

LEFLORE COUNTY DEATH ROW INMATE FILES SEVERAL MOTIONS  1-26-2012

IN AN ATTEMPT TO STAY AN EXPECTED EXECUTION NEXT MONTH, EDWIN HART TURNER, MOTIONING THE COURT TO HAVE A MENTAL EVALUATION. TURNER IS SET TO DIE BY LETHAL INJECTION ON FEBRUARY 8 FOR THE 1995 DEATHS OF EDDIE BROOKS AND EVERETT CURRY IN CARROLL COUNTY. COURT PAPERS SHOW, TURNER IS ASKING THE MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT FOR ANOTHER MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION AND ASKING THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARRANGE AN M.R.I. AND PET SCAN TESTING FOR HIM. HOWEVER, THE HIGH COURT FINDS THAT FURTHER EVALUATION IS NOT WARRANTED, SINCE TURNER WAS EXAMINED BY PHYSICIANS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR THE STATE AND THE DEFENSE PRIOR TO HIS TRIAL. IN 2008, TURNER HAD ACCESS TO, AND WAS EVALUATED BY, HIS OWN CHOSEN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE W. ALLEN PEPPER DIES FROM FATAL HEART ATTACK   1-24-2012

PEPPER'S GREENVILLE OFFICE CONFIRMED HIS PASSING TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT SAINT DOMINIC'S MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON. JUDGE PEPPER, 70, WASN'T FEELING WELL TUESDAY MORNING WHILE AT HIS CLEVELAND HOME. HE THEN WENT TO A LOCAL DOCTOR'S OFFICE WITH HIS WIFE, GINGER, BEFORE THEN BEING RUSHED TO BOLIVAR MEDICAL CENTER, AND LATER AIRLIFTED TO SAINT DOMINIC'S WHERE HE PASSED AWAY AROUND 3:40 TUESDAY AFTERNOON. IN 1999, PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S NOMINATED WILLIAM ALLEN PEPPER, JR. TO THE FEDERAL BENCH. PEPPER, BORN IN GREENWOOD, WAS SWORN IN AS A FEDERAL JUDGE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI ON JULY 21 OF 1999 WHERE HE SERVED UNTIL HIS PASSING TODAY. PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT ON THE FEDERAL BENCH, PEPPER RECEIVED A B.A. FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI IN 1963 AND A LAW DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI LAW SCHOOL IN 1968. HE WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN CLEVELAND FROM 1968 TO 1999.

TWO WASHINGTON COUNTY BURGLARY SUSPECTS ARE IN CUSTODY TUESDAY  1-24-2012

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF ASSISTANT CHIEF BILLY BARBER SAYS WAYNE LEWIS SURRENDERED AROUND 11 A.M. TUESDAY WITH EMANUEL RICHARDSON BEING ARRESTED TWO HOURS LATER AT A GREENVILLE RESIDENCE. THE PAIR WERE WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A SUNDAY NIGHT BURGLARY ON V.F.W. ROAD. BOTH MEN ARE CHARGED WITH HOUSE BURGLARY AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.

U.S. MARSHALS CAPTURE WANTED SUSPECT  1-24-2012

LASHAUN REED, 20, WAS LED AWAY IN HANDCUFFS TODAY AFTER BEING CAUGHT HIDING IN THE PORT CITY. REED WAS WANTED FOR THE DECEMBER 10 SHOOTING DEATH OF CLIFFORD JOHNSON IN OHIO. REED HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE THE FATAL SHOOTING. HE HAS A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS. REED HAD BEEN HIDING OUT IN THE GREENVILLE HOME ON INEZ STREET TWO BLOCKS OVER FROM STRANGE PARK. REED WAS BOOKED INTO THE GREENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEN LATER MOVED TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. AN EXTRADITION HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE WEDNESDAY AT 2 P.M. BEFORE MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE MICHAEL PREWITT.

SUNDAY NIGHT TORNADO RIPS THROUGH ALLIGATOR IN BOLIVAR COUNTY  1-23-2012

AN F-2 TORNADO STRIKES THE TOWN OF ALLIGATOR SUNDAY NIGHT LEAVING MANY RESIDENTS DISPLACED. DUE TO THE DAMAGE. WHEN THE SUN AROSE MONDAY MORNING IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TOWN WAS TORN UP AFTER THE TORNADO EXTENSIVELY DAMAGES 14 HOMES AND SEVERAL VEHICLES. BOLIVAR COUNTY EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY THE HEAVY STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS HIT THE SMALL TOWN OF SEVERAL HUNDRED RESIDENTS AROUND 10:30 SUNDAY NIGHT. KEN McCOOL WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SAYS ASIDE FROM TRANSITIONING THE VICTIMS INTO NEW HOMES, PROVIDING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE IS THEIR FIRST GOAL
 

SEARCH FOR TWO BURGLARS CONTINUES FOLLOWING SUNDAY NIGHT BURGLARY  1-23-2012

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S ASSISTANT CHIEF BILLY BARBER SAYS WAYNE LEWIS AND EMANUEL RICHARDSON ARE WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH A SUNDAY NIGHT BURGLARY. THE PAIR, ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS, ARE ACCUSED OF ROBBING A V.F.W. ROAD RESIDENCE UNTIL THE HOMEOWNER SHOWED UP, LEADING TO AN EXCHANGE OF WORDS, GUNFIRE AND A VEHICLE PURSUIT. LEWIS AND RICHARDSON WERE ABLE TO ELUDE WASHINGTON COUNTY AUTHORITIES, BUT MYCHAL ROBERTS AND REGINALD STANFORD ARE BEHIND BARS ON BURGLARY CHARGES WITH THEIR INITIAL APPEARANCE EXPECTED THIS WEEK. AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR LEWIS AND RICHARDSON.
 

JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN CAPITAL MURDER TRIAL  1-23-2012.

PERRY JACKSON, 40, FACES CAPITAL MURDER CHARGES IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF CLARISSA AND KELLY KING, THE NEWLYWED COUPLE SHOT TO DEATH INSIDE THEIR GREENVILLE HOME ON APRIL 13, 2010. JACKSON ALSO FACES AN AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING. THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK'S OFFICE REPORTS MORE THAN 600 JURY SUMMONS WERE MAILED OUT, BUT ONLY 152 POTENTIAL JURORS SHOWING UP IN COURT THIS MORNING. BOTH SIDES CONTINUE TO WHITTLE DOWN THE JURY POOL IN HOPES OF HAVING A JURY SEATED TUESDAY MORNING. WASHINGTON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE ASHLEY HINES IS PRESIDING OVER THE TRIAL.

WASHINGTON AVENUE STREET PROJECT TO START IN JANUARY   1-17-2012

COUNCILMAN ERRICK SIMMONS HOSTS A CELEBRATION FOR PHASE TWO OF THE WASHINGTON AVENUE PROJECT SET TO BEGIN BY THE END OF JANUARY. THE PROJECT IS THE SECOND OF A TWO-PHASE PROGRAM TO REPAVE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STREETS IN GREENVILLE, WHICH LEADS VISITORS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE TO THE CITY'S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AREA. PHASE TWO OF CONSTRUCTION WILL COVER WASHINGTON AVENUE FROM HIGHWAY 82 TO DELLESSEPPS STREET, A PROJECT CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE GLAD TO SEE FINALLY COME TO REALITY.

GREENVILLE POLICE INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE RAPE AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL   1-17-2012

GREENVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IS THE TARGET BY POLICE OF AN ALLEGED RAPE INCIDENT.
GREENVILLE POLICE CHIEF FREDDIE CANNON CONFIRMS HIS DETECTIVES ARE INVESTIGATING AN ALLEGED INCIDENT AFTER A 13-YEAR-OLD GREENVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL STUDENT SAYS SHE WAS RAPED IN DECEMBER DURING A SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME. THE ALLEGED ATTACKER IS A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY. GREENVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OFFICIALS DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE ALLEGATIONS AFTER A WABG REPORTER WENT TO THE OFFICE AND ASKED FOR COMMENT. HOWEVER, THE ATTORNEY FOR THE ALLEGED VICTIM AND FAMILY, ERRICK D. SIMMONS, DID RELEASE A STATEMENT TO ABC SIX ACKNOWLEDGING HIS LEGAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE CASE.
 

KIDNAPPING AND SHOOTING FOLLOW A DICE GAME GONE BAD  1-17-2012

CLARKSDALE POLICE CAPTAIN ROBBIE LINLEY SAYS THE ALLEGED CRIMES HAPPENED IN THE 800 BLOCK OF MCKINLEY STREET SATURDAY NIGHT. THE VICTIM TELLS POLICE THAT HE WAS HELD BY TWO MEN AGAINST HIS WILL FOLLOWING A DICE GAME. AND AFTER HE WAS ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM THEM, THE TWO ALLEGEDLY SHOT AT HIM SEVERAL TIMES. THE VICTIM WAS NOT STRUCK, BUT SAYS HE WAS PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED DURING HIS ORDEAL. CLARKSDALE POLICE ARE NOW SEARCHING FOR THE SUSPECTS IN THIS CASE.
 

TRIAL DATE SET IN DEATH OF A GRENADA POLICE OFFICER  12-16-2012

ACCORDING TO THE GRENADA STAR KYLE WENDT, 20, OF COLORADO AND THOMAS LEE, 41, OF LOUISIANA WILL FACE A GRAND JURY ON JANUARY 30 FOR CAPITAL MURDER AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. ON OCTOBER 7, CAPTAIN JOHN WAYNE HADDOCK WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AS HE ATTEMPTED TO SET OUT SPIKE STRIPS TO ASSIST AUTHORITIES IN CAPTURING WENDT AND LEE IN A HIGH SPEED CHASE. HADDOCK WAS STRUCK BY THE BLACK TOYOTA REPORTEDLY DRIVEN BY WENDT. OFFICER HADDOCK DIED INSTANTLY. ACCORDING TO RECORDS BOTH MEN HAVE CRIMINAL RECORDS. WENDT WAS CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD IN COLORADO IN 2010 AND LEE HAS A LENGTHY HISTORY OF BURGLARY AND BREAKING AND ENTERING IN SEVERAL STATES.

GREENWOOD POLICE CARS HAVE NEW LOOK   1-6-2012

WITH FUNDING COMING FROM THE CITY'S AMNESTY PROGRAMS, HE GREENWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A NEW AND SNAZZY DESIGN ON DEPARTMENT CARS. AFTER GETTING BLAMED FOR THINGS SUCH AS SPEEDING AND BEING CONFUSED WITH OTHER CITY CARS, OFFICIALS DECIDED TO CHANGE UP THE DESIGN ON THE CARS SO IT'S UNLIKE ANYONE ELSE'S IN THE CITY. GREENWOOD POLICE CHIEF HENRY PURNELL SAYS HE ORIGINALLY WANTED TO START THIS PROJECT LAST YEAR BUT FUNDING PUT A DAMPER ON THE IDEA. TO REDESIGN EACH VEHICLE COST $500. SO FAR 10 CARS WITH THE NEW DESIGN HAVE BEEN PUT OUT ON THE STREET. THE FIRST CAR TO SHOW THE NEW DESIGN HIT THE STREETS A MONTH AGO. PURNELL HOPES TO HAVE THE NEW DESIGN ON ALL POLICE VEHICLES BY SEPTEMBER AS LONG AS FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE. 

BELZONI MAN ALLEGEDLY SHOOTS HIS GIRLFRIEND'S HUSBAND   1-6-2012

RONNIE MCDANIEL IS OUT ON A $7,500 FRIDAY AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. HUMPHREYS COUNTY SHERIFF'S INVESTIGATORS SAY MCDANIEL SHOT ADAM RAY OF SILVER CITY MONDAY IN THE PARKING LOT OF CHINN'S BAR AND GRILL. RAY TELLING AUTHORITIES THAT MCDANIEL FOLLOWED HIM FROM AN AREA NEAR HIS HOME TO THE PARKING LOT, THEN PULLED OUT A GUN, FIRING AT HIM TWICE AS HE SAT IN HIS CAR. RAY SUFFERED GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE RIGHT ARM AND RIGHT LEG. HE IS BEING TREATED FOR THE NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES AT THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON. THE CASE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BUT THE INCIDENT APPEARS TO HAVE SOME DOMESTIC IMPLICATIONS BY THE PARTIES INVOLVED.
 

BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT IN FEDERAL COURT   1-6-2012

GEORGE HOUSE ,JR., CHARGED WITH ROBBING A PLANTERS BANK AND TRUST BRANCH FACILITY IN GREENVILLE AT GUNPOINT, IS NOW IN THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM. HOUSE FACES A DETENTION AND PRELIMINARY HEARING ON A BANK ROBBERY AND BRANDISHING A FIREARM CHARGES MONDAY. ACCORDING TO AN FBI AGENT'S AFFIDAVIT, HOUSE HELD UP THE SOUTH MAIN STREET BRANCH ON DECEMBER 20. HOUSE APPROACHED A BANK TELLER AND MANAGER WITH A HANDGUN DRAWN, TAKING A BANK EMPLOYEE HOSTAGE AND THREATENING TO KILL BANK EMPLOYEES IF ANYONE CALLED POLICE AND IF HE DID NOT GET MONEY. AFTER RECEIVING SOME MONEY FROM A TELLER, HOUSE FLED THE BANK ON FOOT. AFTER FLEEING, HOUSE DROPPED THE BAG OF MONEY, WHICH CONTAINED $6,000 OF WHICH GREENVILLE POLICE RECOVERED $5,758. THE REST OF THE MONEY WAS DESTROYED WHEN A DYE PACK WENT OFF IN THE MONEY BAG. FEDERAL DOCUMENTS ALSO SHOW HOUSE HAS A LENGTHY CRIMINAL HISTORY DATING BACK TO 1968 INCLUDING NUMEROUS VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTS OF ARMED BANK ROBBERY AND ESCAPE. ALSO, HOUSE DOESN'T HAVE A PERMANENT RESIDENCE HAVING BEEN STAYING AT HOPE MINISTRIES HALFWAY HOUSE IN GREENVILLE.
 

SEVEN STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS TAKE OATH  1-5-2012

THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER WAS CORDIAL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS AND WELL-WISHERS AS THE OFFICIAL SWEARING-IN CEREMONY INCLUDED TWO WOMEN, AND ONE DEMOCRAT. JIM HOOD WILL SERVE HIS THIRD TERM IN OFFICE AS STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. TATE REEVES WAS THE LAST TO RAISE HIS RIGHT HAND AND TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. REEVES ISSUED CHALLENGES ON JOB DEVELOPMENT, BETTER PAY AND BETTER EDUCATION FOR MISSISSIPPIANS. THE NEW LT. GOVERNOR ALSO SAID EVERYONE NEEDS TO EXPECT TIGHT BUDGETS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. GOVERNOR- ELECT PHIL BRYANT'S INAUGURATION IS ON TAP FOR NEXT TUESDAY.
 

TUTWILER POLICE GET NEW OFFICE SPACE  1-5-2012 

THE TUTWILER POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A NEW SPACE NOW LOCATED IN THE OLD BANK AND CREDIT UNION BUILDING ON HANCOCK STREET. IDEAS FOR A NEW LOCATION BEGAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO AS THE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THEIR OWN SPACE FOR POLICE OPERATIONS. SPACE HAD BEEN SHARED WITH CITY HALL SERVICES. POLICE CHIEF TERRY TYLER SAYS IT WAS TOO CROWDED AND HARD TO HANDLE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. BUT NOW, AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF RENOVATIONS, OFFICERS HAVE THE NEEDED SPACE FOR PRIVACY AND MORE EFFICIENT OPERATIONS. AN OPEN HOUSE IS IN THE WORKS SOON TO DISPLAY THE NEW BUILDING TO THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AROUND THE AREA.
 

HOUSE FIRE CLAIMS LIFE IN SUNFLOWER COUNTY  1-5-2012

SONYA FOX, 83, RETIRED DIRECTOR OF THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 7 A.M. THURSDAY MORNING AFTER AUTHORITIES RECOVERED HER BODY FROM A FIRE AT HER SUNFLOWER HOME. OFFICIALS SAY THEY RECEIVED THE CALL AROUND 3 A.M. WHEN FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED THE HOUSE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE NEARLY 100 YEAR OLD STRUCTURE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE FOX-BEND PLANTATION, WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ACCORDING TO SUNFLOWER COUNTY CORONER HEATHER BURTON, FOX HAD BEEN SICK AND USED SEVERAL SPACE HEATERS TO WARM HER HOME. OFFICIALS ARE NOT SURE IF THE ELECTRIC HEATERS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. FOX LIVED ALONE IN THE HOME.  THE CORONER SAYS FOX'S BODY WILL BE SENT TO JACKSON FOR AN AUTOPSY. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

ONE SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER GREENWOOD ROBBERY  1-4-2012

GREENWOOD POLICE CHIEF HENRY PURNELL SAYS THE SHELL GAS STATION ON HIGHWAY 82 WEST WAS ROBBED TUESDAY AROUND 8 P.M. THE STORE CLERK WAS TOLD TO LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR BEFORE THE COUNTER WHILE THE SUSPECT WAS TAKING AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF MONEY. AFTER A CUSTOMER SAW THE ROBBER LEAVE IN A 300 GRAY CHRYSLER, THE WITNESS THEN PROCEEDED TO FOLLOW THE THIEF EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 82 WHILE ALSO CONTACTING GREENWOOD POLICE. THE SUSPECT WAS LATER DETAINED AND ARRESTED AT THE ELITE CONCEPTS APARTMENTS IN ITTA BENA. THE NAME OF THE SUSPECT HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED AT THIS TIME. THE INCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

AMNESTY TICKET PROGRAM IN GREENVILLE  1-2-2012

THE GREENVILLE MUNICIPAL COURT IS OFFERING A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF POSSIBLY HAVING A TRAFFIC WARRANT DISMISSED AND THE ACCOMPANYING FEES INCURRED IN GREENVILLE. THE AMNESTY PROGRAM ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES IN VIOLATION OF A COURT ORDERED OBLIGATION BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE REQUIRED FINE FOR THE INFRACTION. FINES CAN BE PAID AT GREENVILLE MUNICIPAL COURT LOCATED AT 302 MAIN STREET IN GREENVILLE.

BOLIVAR COUNTY SWEARS IN NEW SHERIFF AND SUPERVISOR  1-2-2012 

THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY AT THE BOLIVAR COUNTY COURT HOUSE, FOR NEWLY ELECTED SHERIFF, KELVIN WILLIAMS, SR. WILLIAMS IS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO SERVE AS SHERIFF IN MORE THAN 100 YEARS. WILLIAMS GREW UP IN BOLIVAR COUNTY, AND RETURNED HOME AROUND 10 YEARS AGO.  ALSO SWORN IN WAS A NEW SUPERVISOR IN DISTRICT 5,
LARRY KING. KING DEFEATED FORMER DISTRICT 5 SUPERVISOR, PETE RONCALI. KING IS ALSO A PASTOR
 

TWO HOUSE FIRES IN SHELBY STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION  1-2-2012

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AUTHORITIES WERE BUSY DEALING WITH TWO HOUSE FIRES, A WRECK BEFORE THE NEW YEAR AND A SMALL FIELD FIRE NORTH OF THE CITY. A FIRE AT 1414 SOUTH LAKE ROAD AROUND 12:13 P.M. DESTROYED A HOME WHERE THE OCCUPANTS HAD ALREADY MOVED OUT. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME BUT THE BACK OF STRUCTURE WAS DESTROYED AND THE ROOF CAVED IN. FIRE FIGHTERS HAD TO RETURN LATER AROUND 6:30 A.M. MONDAY MORNING TO REEXTINQUISH A FIRE. PART OF THE HOUSE WAS STILL SMOLDERING LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. A SECOND FIRE DESTROYED ANOTHER HOUSE AT 1607 ROBERT D. GRAY STREET. THIS HOUSE WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME AND THE OCCUPANTS ARE NOW WITHOUT A HOME. THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS THAT BOTH HOUSE FIRES ARE SUSPICIOUS IN NATURE AND THAT THE COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATOR WILL BE IN THE CITY TUESDAY TO FURTHER THE INVESTIGATION.

INVESTIGATION THE BODY OF AN INFANT  FOUND IN YAZOO COUNTY  12-30-11

THE TODDLER'S LIFELESS BODY WAS FOUND AT 26 OLD HIGHWAY 3 IN YAZOO COUNTY THURSDAY. CORONER RICKY SHIVERS CONFIRMED ONE-YEAR-OLD HUNTER JONES' BODY WAS DISCOVERED IN A BED AT THE HOME AT 11:45 A.M. SHIVERS WOULD NOT CONFIRM WHETHER THERE WERE SIGNS OF ABUSE, BUT HE DID SAY THE YAZOO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOTH ARE INVESTIGATING. SHIVERS SAYS AN AUTOPSY IS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY.
 

THE CLARKSDALE COMMUNITY HOLDING CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR A MURDERED BUSINESSWOMAN   12-30-2011

CLARKSDALE POLICE CHIEF GREG HOSKINS SAYS THE VIGIL WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE STORE YUK LEE, 73, OWNED FOR YEARS. ON MONDAY AS THE ELDERLY WOMAN WAS LEAVING HER STORE TO GO TO HER HOME NEXT DOOR, SOMEONE ROBBED AND ASSAULTED HER. LEE'S BODY WAS FOUND TUESDAY MORNING. THE DEATH OF LEE HAS SENT SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY. WHILE DETECTIVES CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE IN HOPES OF FINDING HER KILLER, THE COMMUNITY IS COMING TOGETHER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE AND DEDICATION TO CLARKSDALE.

MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL PREPARES FOR ANOTHER HOLIDAY WEEKEND  12-30-2011

THE HIGHWAY PATROL IS KICKING OFF ITS FINAL HIGHWAY BLITZ OF THE YEAR BEGINNING FRIDAY AT AT 6 P.M. THE STATE'S HIGHWAY PATROL UNIT IS BEEFING UP ITS "STREET TEAM" TO ENSURE A SAFE DRIVE FOR ALL MOTORISTS OVER THE NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION PERIOD, CONDUCTING ROUTINE PATROLS AND AGGRESSIVELY ENFORCING TRAFFIC LAWS. OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL ALSO MONITOR FOR ANY DISTRACTED DRIVING, INCLUDING TEXTING AND TALKING WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL. STATE TROOPERS ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON, BUT BUCKLE UP AND OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS WHILE DOING SO.

PRIVATE PRISON IN GREENWOOD MAY BE TAKEN OVER BY LEFLORE COUNTY  12-29-2011

LEFLORE COUNTY CHANCERY CLERK SAM ABRAHAM SAYS THE COUNTY NEEDS TO BE READY TO GET BACK IN THE JAIL BUSINESS COME FEBRUARY 1. JANUARY 15 MARKS THE CLOSURE DATE FOR THE CORRECTIONS CORPORATION OF AMERICA'S PRIVATE PRISON IN GREENWOOD FOR STATE INMATES AND JANUARY 31 FOR COUNTY INMATES. BUT NOW OFFICIALS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH C.C.A. OFFICIALS TO COME UP PLANS TO CONVERT THE LEFLORE COUNTY PRIVATE PRISON INTO A REGIONAL JAIL WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR HOLDING STATE INMATES IN THE FACILITY. THIS ACTION WILL NOT ENSURE JOBS FOR THE 200 PEOPLE WHO LOST JOBS BECAUSE OF THE C.C.A. CLOSURE. WHILE A REGIONAL JAIL MEANS IT COULD SECURE SOME 50 OR SO JOBS IT COULD ALSO COST THE COUNTY MORE MONEY. ANGELA CURRY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION ,SAYS SHE'S PLANNING TO HOLD A CAREER FAIR ON JANUARY 19.
 

BOND REVOKED IN SHAW MURDER CASE  12-29-2011

A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE AND PROSECUTORS, ALONG WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, LOCKED HORNS OVER BOND FOR DONTARIUS WARE. WARE WAS LED AWAY IN HANDCUFFS THURSDAY FOLLOWING THE COURT HEARING ON HIS BOND. WARE IS ACCUSED OF GUNNING DOWN ROY LEE WASHINGTON ON CHRISTMAS DAY. HE WAS INITIALLY GIVEN A $15,000 BOND DURING HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE WEDNESDAY BY NEWLY-ELECTED CIRCUIT JUDGE JOHNNIE WALLS. NEWS OF WARE'S LOW BOND AND THEN HIM BEING BACK ON THE STREETS AFTER POSTING A $1,500 BOND LED TO A PUBLIC OUTCRY IN THE CITY. THAT PUBLIC CONCERN LED TO THE EMERGENCY COURT HEARING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IN CHAMBERS WITH PROSECUTORS AND WARE'S DEFENSE ATTORNEY THOMAS MORRIS, JUDGE WALLS CHANGED HIS MIND ON THE ACCUSED KILLER'S BOND.
WARE WILL REMAIN LOCKED UP UNTIL HIS NEXT COURT DATE.

HOLLANDALE SELECTS NEW POLICE CHIEF   12-29-2011

CITY OFFICIALS HAVE SELECTED A NEW POLICE CHIEF FOLLOWING A LENGTHY MEETING TUESDAY AND THEN ONE HELD ON THURSDAY. THE BOARD SELECTED JAMES HAMER FROM NORTH MISSISSIPPI TO LEAD THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SIX CANDIDATES HAD BEEN INTERVIEWED BUT HAMER WAS THE FINAL CHOICE. HE WILL START HIS NEW POSITION ON JANUARY 15.

THE GREENVILLE MALL IS EXPANDING ITS RETAIL OFFERINGS IN 2012  12-28-2011

THE GREENVILLE MALL IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE ITS NEWEST RETAIL STORE. A CONTRACT IS IN THE WORKS TO BRING IN A NEW WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORE WHICH WILL BE A NAME BRAND STORE. THE STORE WILL BE A DESTINATION SHOPPING STORE. BRINGING IN THIS NEW RETAILER TO THE DELTA MEANS ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE PORT CITY SUCH AS MORE JOBS AND SALES TAX REVENUE. MEANWHILE, GREENVILLE MALL PROPERTY MANAGER PETE CASAVECHIA SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PROJECTS IN THE WORKS ONCE THIS DEAL IS CONCLUDED.

GREENVILLE BANK ROBBER HAS BEEN CAPTURED    12-28-2011

GEORGE HOUSE, 59, OF GREENVILLE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY GREENVILLE POLICE AS THE SUSPECT IN PLANTERS BANK AND TRUST ARMED ROBBERY. HE IS NOW IN POLICE CUSTODY THANKS TO A TIP FROM THE PUBLIC AND PASSED ALONG TO POLICE. HOUSE WAS ARRESTED AROUND 11 P.M. TUESDAY WHILE WALKING AROUND IN DOWNTOWN INDIANOLA . HOUSE IS REPORTED TO HAVE ENTERED THE BANK ON SOUTH MAIN STREET AROUND NOON A WEEK AGO TUESDAY BRANDISHING A GUN AND DEMANDING MONEY. HE THEN MADE OFF WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH THAT WAS LATER RECOVERED. HOUSE IS BEING HELD IN THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AWAITING HIS INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE. NO WORD YET IF HE WILL FACE FEDERAL CHARGES. INDIANOLA POLICE HAVE ALSO CHARGED HOUSE WITH CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON AFTER CONVICTION OF A FELONY.
 

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO KILLING OF A CLARKSDALE BUSINESS WOMAN  12-27-2011I

CLARKSDALE POLICE AND THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS ARE LOOKING INTO WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF YUK LEE, 73, OWNER OF LEE'S QUIC-PIC AND CHINESE RESTAURANT. OWNER YUK LEE WAS FOUND MURDERED TUESDAY MORNING IN WHAT POLICE BELIEVE WAS A ROBBERY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 7:30 MONDAY NIGHT AT 1537 CHEYENNE STREET, WHERE LEE LIVED BESIDE HER BUSINESS. POLICE BELIEVE THE ROBBER WAITED ON HER TO CLOSE THE STORE THEN ATTACKED HER AT THE DOOR OF HER HOME. POLICE NOT YET SURE IF LEE DIED DUE TO INJURIES SUSTAINED FROM THE ATTACK OR EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO THE COLD LAST NIGHT. POLICE ARE WORKING ON SOME GENERATED LEADS BUT NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME.

MANY KMART STORES TO CLOSE BUT NOT IN GREENVILLE  12-27-2011

ONE GREENVILLE BUSINESS MANAGED TO DODGE A BULLET RECENTLY. AFTER ITS NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS FAILED TO GENERATE THE QUARTERLY RESULTS THEY WERE SEEKING DURING ITS BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR. SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION WILL BE CLOSING BETWEEN 100 TO 120 OF ITS 4,000 K-MART AND SEARS LOCATIONS ACROSS THE U.S. AND CANADA. THE COMPANY'S REVENUE FELL 5.2% AT BOTH STORES IN THE MOST RECENT QUARTER. RISING EXPENSES ONLY MADE THE DECISION THAT MUCH MORE INEVITABLE. BUT IF YOU'RE A K-MART SHOPPER HERE IN THE DELTA, YOU CAN BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF. THE GREENVILLE STORE RECEIVED WORD TODAY THAT IT WILL NOT BE FORCED TO CLOSE ITS DOORS BECAUSE OF ITS COMPANY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION. SEARS HOLDINGS HAS YET TO RELEASE A LIST OF WHICH STORES WILL BE CLOSED, BUT DID REPORT THAT ONLY ONE MISSISSIPPI STORE IS ON THE TARGET LIST.

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CHRISTMAS DAY MURDER IN SHOW   12-26-2011

DONTORIUS WARE, 22, OF SHAW IS NOW IN CUSTODY AS A SUSPECT IN THE FATAL SHOOTING OF ROY LEE WASHINGTON, 32, ALSO OF SHAW. HOWEVER, NO OFFICIAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AT THIS TIME. SHAW POLICE CHIEF LEVY FORD IS UPSET OVER THE FIRST HOMICIDE IN THE CITY THIS YEAR OCCURRING ON CHRISTMAS. CHIEF FORD SAYS OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A 9-1-1 CALL REPORTING SHOTS FIRED IN THE 100-BLOCK OF JEREMY STREET SUNDAY NIGHT AROUND 10:30 P.M. WHEN THEY ARRIVED THEY FOUND WASHINGTON LYING ON THE FRONT PORCH OF THEHOUSE WITH TWO GUN SHOT WOUNDS: ONE TO THE CHEST AND THE OTHER IN HIS ABDOMEN.

AUTOZONE STORE IN GRENADA ROBBER SUNDAY NIGHT  12-26-2011

GRENADA POLICE CAPTAIN RUSSELL CARVER, CHIEF OF DETECTIVES, SAYS POLICE RESPONDED TO A CALL AT THE STORE ON HIGHWAY 8 AROUND 7:45 SUNDAY NIGHT. THE TWO SUSPECTS DESCRIBED AS BLACK MALES, ENTERED THE BUSINESS WITH A WEAPON. POLICE ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW THE ROBBERS ARRIVED AT THE STORE. WITNESSES REPORT THE TWO SUSPECTS HAD THEIR FACES COVERED AND WERE WEARING DARK CLOTHING. A WITNESS DESCRIBES ONE MALE AS WEARING A ‘JASON’ OLD HOCKEY GOALIE'S MASK, AND THE OTHER MAN WITH HIS SHIRT PULLED UP OVER HIS NOSE AND MOUTH WEARING SOME TYPE OF CAP. CAPTAIN CARVER SAYS THE TWO MEN GOT AWAY WITH OVER $5,000 IN CASH.

BOLIVAR COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICE RIDES 12-26-2011

BOLIVAR COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ARE RIDING IN STYLE AS NEW MERCEDES BENZ AMBULANCES HIT THE ROAD. PAFFORD E-M-S, A PRIVATE COMPANY SERVING BOLIVAR COUNTY, HAS ADDED THREE NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART AMBULANCES TO ENSURE QUALITY EMERGENCY TRANSPORT SERVICE FOR RESIDENTS. THE NEW VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE VIEW CAMERAS AND HYDROLIC STRETCHERS, WHICH HOPE TO DECREASE BACK INJURIES FOR E-M-S RESPONDERS. AND PAFFORD MANAGER JOHN PAUL GATES SAYS ULTIMATELY, LIKE ANY MACHINE, THERE COMES A TIME WHEN AN UPGRADE IS INEVITABLE AND NECESSARY. FOUR AMBULANCE VEHICLES ARE ALWAYS ON THE ROAD, AND NOW THREE OF THOSE ARE BRAND NEW.

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS 12-23-2011

ABC-6 WANTS YOU TO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS WITH SOME HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS THAT MAY SAVE YOU SOME GRIEF AND ANGUISH. YOU ARE ADVISED TO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN PLAIN SIGHT IN YOUR VEHICLE, AS A CRIMINAL IS MORE LIKELY TO PASS UP YOUR CAR IF THERE IS AN EASIER, MORE VISABLE TARGET. ALSO, NEVER LEAVE KEYS IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE. THIS IS AN OPEN INVITATION TO TAKE YOUR RIDE FOR AN UNAUTHORIZED SPIN. AND IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE WHO CAN'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR PURSE, THEN NEVER PLACE IT INSIDE THE SHOPPING CART. INSTEAD KEEP IT ON YOUR SHOULDER OR ALWAYS NEARBY. AND FOR MORE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

 

BOLIVAR COUNTY HOMELESS FUNDING 12-22-2011

Congressman BENNIE Thompson ANNOUNCES HUD Grants TOTALING CLOSE TO 650-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE BOLIVAR COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY.
the Care grants will provide permanent and transitional housing to THE HOMELESS, as well as services including job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and child care.
The grants ALSO fund a wide variety of programs from street outreach and assessment programs to transitional and permanent housing.

LIFE SENTENCE HANDED DOWN IN A CLEVELAND MURDER CASE  12-21-2011

PRENTISS EARL SMITH, 61, WILL SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE BEHIND BARS, SENTENCED BY CIRCUIT JUDGE JOHNNIE WALLS FOR THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS BROTHER ALBERT SMITH, JR, PLUS A CONCURRENT 20-YEAR SENTENCE FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT IN THE WOUNDING OF HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, DEBRA SMITH. THE DOUBLE-SHOOTING OCCURRED CHRISTMAS EVE OF LAST YEAR, WITH SMITH FOUND GUILTY BY A BOLIVAR COUNTY JURY LAST WEEK.

HOLLANDALE WOMAN SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT  12-21-2011

MARY WESLEY, 48, SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON BY UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE W. ALLEN PEPPER, JR., FOLLOWING HER CONVICTION IN JANUARY 2010 ON FOUR COUNTS OF PREPARING AND TRANSMITTING FALSE AND FRAUDULENT TAX RETURNS, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL COUNT OF CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE BY OBTAINING THE PAYMENT OF FALSE AND FRAUDULENT CLAIMS. WESLEY WAS USING THE NAMES OF DEPENDENT CHILDREN AND SELLING THOSE NAMES FOR $4,500, ADDING THEM TO TAX RETURNS SHE KNEW WERE FALSE. WESLEY WAS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON ON EACH OF THE 5 COUNTS AND ORDERED TO PAY RESTITUTION OF $5 MILLION TO THE IRS.

INDIANOLA MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT WITH A MINOR   12-21-2011

GREENWOOD POLICE ARRESTED LUCUS EDWARDS, 23, IN CONNECTION WITH A AN INCIDENT MONDAY LINKING HIM TO A 13-YEAR OLD GIRL. POLICE REPORTS STATE EDWARDS WAS INVOLVED SEXUALLY WITH THE MINOR. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO REVEALED HE MADE A VISIT TO HER HOME AROUND 1 A.M. THAT NIGHT TAKING WITH HIM SEVERAL VALUABLE ITEMS INCLUDING A PLAYSTATION 3, TWO JEWELRY BOXES CONTAINING CASH AND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF JEWELRY INSIDE, AND TWO JACKETS VALUED AT $200 EACH. POLICE SAY EDWARDS ALSO BEAT THE MINOR WITH HIS FIST. HE IS NOW CHARGED WITH STATUTORY RAPE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, AND GRAND LARCENY, WITH BOND SET AT $75,000 FOR THE STATUTORY RAPE CHARGE AND $15,000  ON THE GRAND LARCENY CHARGES.
 

SUSPECT SOUGHT IN PLANTERS BANK ARMED ROBBERY   12-20-2011

GEORGE HOUSE, 59, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY GREENVILLE POLICE AS THE SUSPECT IN TUESDAY'S PLANTERS BANK AND TRUST ARMED ROBBERY. HOUSE IS REPORTED TO HAVE ENTERED THE BANK ON SOUTH MAIN STREET AROUND NOON TUESDAY BRANDISHING A GUN AND DEMANDING MONEY. HE THEN MADE OFF WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH THAT WAS LATER RECOVERED. HOUSE IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS, AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ARE ASKED TO PLEASE CALL THE GREENVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (662)378-1515 OR CRIMESTOPPERS AT (662)378-TIPS.
 

BOLIVAR MURDER CONVICTION 12-16-2011

THE VERDICT COMING DOWN AT 3-12 THIS AFTERNOON. PRENTISS SMITH HAD BEEN ON TRIAL ON MURDER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES FOR KILLING HIS OWN BROTHER AND SHOOTING HIS SISTER IN LAW ON CHRISTMAS EVE LAST YEAR. CHIEF BUSTER BINGHAM SAYS AN ARGUMENT OVER PROPERTY LED TO THE GUNFIRE. SMITH TAKING THE STAND IN HIS OWN DEFENSE
THURSDAY AFTERNOON TELLING JURORS THERE WAS A STRUGGLE OVER THE GUN WHEN IT WENT OFF TWICE. BOLIVAR COUNTY JUDGE JOHNNIE WALLS SENTENCED PRENTISS SMITH TO LIFE IN PRISON PLUS TWENTY YEARS.


BOTH SIDES REST IN A BOLIVAR COUNTY MURDER CASE  12-15-2011

THE PRENTISS SMITH MURDER, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT TRIAL STARTED TUESDAY. AFTER TWO DAYS OF TESTIMONY FROM 12 WITNESSES, PROSECUTORS WRAPPED UP PRESENTING THEIR CASE TO JURORS THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE DEFENSE ALSO PRESENTED TWO WITNESSES THURSDAY AS WELL AS THE DEFENDANT PRENTISS SMITH WHO TOOK THE STAND. PRENTISS SMITH IS ON TRIAL FOR FATALLY SHOOTING HIS BROTHER, ALBERT SMITH, JR., AND SHOOTING HIS SISTER-IN-LAW, DEBRA, ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2010. CLEVELAND POLICE CHIEF BUSTER BINGHAM SAYS PRENTISS GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH HIS BROTHER OVER SOME PROPERTY WHICH LED TO THE GUNFIRE. ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2010, PRENTISS SURRENDERED TO CLEVELAND POLICE. IF CONVICTED, SMITH FACES LIFE IN PRISON.

A SHOOTING SUSPECT IS CAPTURED   12-15-2011

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES AND CLEVELAND POLICE CAPTURE ZACHARY WALKER WHO NOW IS IN CUSTODY AT THE BOLIVAR COUNTY REGIONAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. HIS BOND HAS BEEN SET AT $300,000. THE BOYLE MAN HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE MONDAY AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING CORNELIUS BRANCH TWICE IN THE HEAD ON GLASSCO STREET IN CLEVELAND. CLEVELAND POLICE CHIEF BUSTER BINGHAM SAYS WALKER FACES TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND A VARIETY OF MISDEMEANOR CHARGES. AS FOR BRANCH, HE REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AT THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON WHERE HIS CONDITION IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

GREENVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG DISTRIBUTION CHARGES   12-15-2011

CLIFTON GALES ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA THURSDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE W. ALLEN PEPPER IN GREENVILLE'S FEDERAL COURT. GALES, AND SIX OTHERS WERE ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN AN ONGOING DRUG DISTRIBUTION CONSPIRACY FROM 1999 TO APRIL 2010, WHEN GALES WAS CHARGED, FOR POSSESSING IN EXCESS OF FIVE KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT. DAMION ANTHONY REID, OF GREENVILLE, IS ALSO SCHEDULED FOR A CHANGE OF PLEA HEARING ON DECEMBER 29. BESIDES THE DRUG AND CONSPIRACY CHARGES, REID ALSO IS ACCUSED OF TRYING TO BRIBE A WITNESS IN GALES DRUG CASE. GALES AND REID BOTH FACE NO MORE THAN 20 YEARS IN PRISON AND A FINE OF NO MORE THAN $4 MILLION OR BOTH.

PITTS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES 12-14-2011

WHILE AUTHORITIES AWAIT DNA RESULTS TO GET A POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION, BILLY SPIVEY IS BEING HELD ON A $5 MILLION BOND IN WHAT AUTHORITIES ARE NOW CALLING A MURDER CASE. SUNFLOWER COUNTY SHERIFF JAMES HAYWOOD SAYS SEVERAL ITEMS FOUND IN A WOODED RURAL AREA EAST OF INVERNESS NOT FAR FROM PITTS HOME HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE CRIME LAB. HAYWOOD SAYS SPIVEY IS THE COMMON LAW HUSBAND OF PITTS, AND THEY HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE PROBABLE CAUSE AGAINST HIM. A POSSIBLE MOTIVE IN THE CASE STEMS FROM A POSSIBLE LOVE TRIANGLE. SPIVEY HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY CHARGED WITH MURDER.

FIRE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY IN GREENWOOD   12-14-2011

AN EARLY MORNING FIRE WEDNESDAY MORNING LEFT THREE STRUCTURES DAMAGED IN GREENWOOD.  GREENWOOD FIRE CHIEF MARCUS BANKS SAYS THEY RECEIVED THE FIRE CALL JUST AFTER 4 A.M. WEDNESDAY ABOUT A FIRE IN THE 1600 BLOCK OF CARROLLTON AVENUE. WHEN FIRE CREWS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE THE BUILDING WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CHIEF BANKS SAYS THE BLAZE STARTED IN A VACANT STRUCTURE WHICH WAS A FORMER NIGHT CLUB. THE FIRE THEN SPREAD TO AN ADJACENT SHED WHERE LAWN EQUIPMENT WAS STORED INCLUDING A 300 GALLON
GAS TANK. FIRE CREWS WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE IN ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE IT REACHED THE GAS TANK. ANOTHER OFFICE NEXT TO THE FIRE, WHICH HELD RECORDS FOR THE ODD FELLOWS CEMETERY, SUSTAINED NO DAMAGE.  THE FIRE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
 

TRAIN ACCIDENT 12-13-2011

A CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILROAD CRASHES INTO A TRUCK NEAR CHARLESTON.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT EXCLUSIVE PICTURES TAKEN BY OUR VERY OWN ABC SIX NEWS REPORTER JOEL YOUNG OF THIS MORNING'S COLLISION AT THE MIKOMA RAILROAD CROSSING ON HIGHWAY 32 BETWEEN WEBB AND CHARLESTON. MISSISSIPPI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL JOEY MILLER SAYS THE TRAIN SLAMMED INTO THE RITZ-OREO TRUCK BECAUSE IT WAS A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO THE TRACKS. TRAIN CREWS WERE TRYING TO REMOVE THE TRUCK FROM THE TRACK TO GET TRAFFIC MOVING AGAIN. MILLER REPORTS NO INJURIES IN TODAY'S COLLISION, WHICH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION TONIGHT.
 

SUNFLOWER CO. MISSING WOMAN UPDATE 12-12-2011

HERE'S THE LATEST ON THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A SUNFLOWER COUNTY WOMAN. 44-YEAR OLD PAMELA PITTS OF INVERNESS WAS LAST SEEN FRIDAY DECEMBER SECOND--WE'VE LEARNED PITTS HAD PLANS OF MEETING UP WITH A FRIEND--BUT SHE NEVER SHOWED. SHORTLY AFTER--A MISSING PERSON'S REPORT WAS FILED ON PITTS--NOW SUNFLOWER COUNTY OFFICIALS WITH HELP FROM THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR LEADS GIVING A CLUE INTO THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE WOMAN. OFFICIALS SAY, "Saturday her vehicle was located, which was a 2006 Dodge Charger, and we got more information concerning her disappearance at that time, we started looking in the area around the town of Inverness trying to find any signs of Miss Pitts; uh we're going to continue an investigation into her disappearance and hopefully with the help of the community we will find Miss Pitts."
 

PORT OF GREENVILLE EXPANSION PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION   12-9-2011

THE PORT BEGAN A $2 MILLION EXPANSION PROJECT LAST SUMMER. WHEN COMPLETE, THE PORT WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE DAILY OUTPUT CAPACITY TO MORE THAN FOUR TIMES WHAT IS HANDLED NOW. THE PORT'S TERMINAL CURRENT CAPACITY ALLOWS FOR A MAXIMUM OF ONE GRAIN BARGE TO BE FILLED PER DAY. BUT ONCE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE, CAPACITY WILL INCREASE TO NEARLY FIVE BARGES LOADED PER DAY.
"THE TERMINAL IS NEARING COMPLETION WITH THE GRAIN HANDLING FACILITY," SAYS PORT DIRECTOR TOMMY HART.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JANUARY.

SUNFLOWER COUNTY WOMAN REPORTED MISSING  12-9-2011 

A MISSING PERSONS REPORT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR PAMELA PITTS, 40, OF INVERNESS. FAMILY MEMBERS REPORT LAST SEEING THE BLACK FEMALE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 AROUND 11A.M. PITTS WAS DRIVING A WHITE, 2006 DODGE CHARGER WITH MISSISSIPPI TAG NUMBER 380-N42 WHEN LAST SEEN. THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON PITTS' WHEREABOUTS TO PLEASE CALL THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT 662-887-2121.

DOLLAR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN NOW HIRING  12-7-2011

DISCOUNT RETAILER DOLLAR GENERAL IS ADDING ANOTHER 100 NEW JOBS AT IT'S INDIANOLA FACILITY ON U.S. 82. DOLLAR GENERAL, A FORTUNE 200 COMPANY AND ONE OF THE NATION'S FASTEST GROWING RETAILERS, IS EXPANDING ITS EMPLOYMENT COMMITMENT TO INDIANOLA AND SUNFLOWER COUNTY WITH THE ADDITION OF THE NEW POSITIONS. THIS EMPLOYMENT SPURT IS IN ADDITION TO THE MORE THAN 6,000 JOBS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED BY DOLLAR GENERAL OFFICIALS IN 2011.
DOLLAR GENERAL OFFERS COMPETITIVE WAGES AND BENEFITS, INCLUDING MEDICAL COVERAGE AND PAID VACATION TIME. THE AVAILABLE GENERAL WAREHOUSE POSITIONS HAVE AN HOURLY RATE STARTING AT $1.25 AN HOUR AND ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PAY INCREASES UP TO $11.75 AFTER ONE YEAR OF SERVICE.
JOBSEEKERS MAY APPLY IN-PERSON AT THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER OFFICE ON U.S. 82 WEST IN INDIANOLA. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. IN THE DISTRIBUTION CENTER OFFICE.
 

COMMISSIONER EPPS NATIONAL AWARD 12-6-2011

COMMISSIONER EPPS IS BEING RECOGNIZED AND HONORED FOR Outstanding Corrections Commissioner in the Nation.... COMMISSIONER CHRISTOPHER EPPS WAS PRESENTED THIS HONOR BY THE Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA). The award is presented annually to recognize the outstanding ASCA member, and that member's dedication and achievements. Governor HALEY BARBOUR nominated HIM FOR THIS AWARD IN A letter indicated that EPPS has worked closely with Commissioner Epps on many major issues - including the challenging fiscal issues that every agency has been facing - and called him an "intelligent, honest decision-maker and problem-solver.

BOLIVAR MEDICAL NEW CEO 12-6-2011

Bolivar Medical Center recently announced that Scott Smith has been appointed as its new CEO. Smith comes to Bolivar Medical Center from Central Mississippi Medical Center, a 429-bed facility located in Jackson, Miss., where he also served as CEO. Smith offers expertise in strategic planning, physician recruiting, and patient and physician satisfaction. He will assume the leadership role in mid-December, which has been held by Interim CEO Tim Flusche since July.

FLU SEASON 12-5-2011

Health Officials Report First Confirmed Flu Case in Mississippi

The Mississippi State Department of Health reports the first laboratory-confirmed influenza case of the 2011-2012 season in a sample from a patient in the Tate County area. THIS ON National Influenza Vaccination Week. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY The flu shot takes one to two weeks to produce immunity, and although flu season usually peaks in January through March, it sometimes reaches high levels as early as December.
While the flu shot is the best protection, basic infection control measures can also reduce the spread of flu. These measures include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick, and washing your hands frequently.
 

HEALTHY CHURCH 12-4-2011

A HEALTHY CHURCH MEANS A HEALTHY HOME--THAT'S THE MOTTO OF A MEDIA COMPANY
LOOKING TO RESTORE GOOD HEALTH TO SOME CHURCH YOUTH MEMBERS. REEL TALK--A JACKSON-BASED PRODUCTION COMPANY HAS ITS EYE ON THE DELTA. AS PART OF A PILOT PROJECT THE GROUP IS LAUNCHING A HEALTH INITIATIVE THAT TARGETS TWENTY-FOUR YOUTH MINISTRIES IN TWELVE DELTA COUNTIES. HERE'S HOW IT WORKS--PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE VIDEO CAMERAS AND PROPS TO CREATE A FIVE MINUTE P-S-A ON OBESITY...HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE...OR IMMUNIZATION. YOUTH GROUPS ARE GIVEN A ONE WEEK DEADLINE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AND A CHANCE TO RECEIVE A COMMERCIAL SPOT. THE PERKS DON'T STOP THERE--SIX WINNERS CAN
TAKE HOME A ONE-THOUSAND DOLLAR PRIZE FOR THEIR YOUTH MINISTRY. THE PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY STRATEGIC SYSTEMS INCORPORATED.
 

WINONA BUS ACCIDENT 12-3-2011

A SCHOOL BUS COLLIDES WITH A LOG TRUCK IN WINONA SENDING SEVERAL STUDENTS TO THE HOSPITAL. JUST AFTER 7 A.M. FRIDAY MORNING, A MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL BUS, BUS 23, AND AN EMPTY LOGGING TRUCK COLLIDED AT HIGHWAY 82 AND LODI ROAD. IN THE ACCIDENT, THE SCHOOL BUS WAS TURNED AND FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE. ACCORDING TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SAMMIE MCCASKILL, APPROXIMATELY 20 STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL WERE BEING TRANSPORTED TO SCHOOL IN KILMICHAEL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. MCCASKILL SAID THE BUS HAD ONLY PICKED UP HALF ITS USUAL STUDENTS. MEDSTAT AIR AIRLIFTED ONE FEMALE STUDENT TO UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON FROM THE SCENE, AND TWO OTHERS WERE TRANSPORTED BY AIR OR AMBULANCE TO JACKSON FROM TYLER HOLMES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN WINONA. AT APPROXIMATELY 10:45 A.M., ANOTHER FEMALE STUDENT WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. BETWEEN 13 AND 16 STUDENTS ARE CURRENTLY BEING TREATED AT TYLER HOLMES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
 

MACE FOUNDER DIES 12-3-2011

ED BROWN, FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MISSISSIPPI ACTION FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION (M.A.C.E) HAS DIED. "EDDIE" CHARLES BROWN, JR., WAS 70 AND WORKED AS A CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST. HE WAS COMMITTED TO FIGHTING THE OPPRESSION OF ALL PEOPLE FROM MISSISSIPPI TO SOUTH AFRICA. HE DIED AT HIS HOME IN ATLANTA THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING. IN 1967, BROWN SERVED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF M.A.C.E. AND THE DELTA FOUNDATION IN GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HE DEVELOPED COMMUNITY-BASED ENTERPRISES SUCH AS ONE THAT PRODUCED BLUE JEANS AND CATFISH FARMS. BROWN WAS RESPECTED FOR HIS ENDURING COMMITMENT TO BLACK AND POOR PEOPLE. HE HAS BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR BEING AN ACTIVIST LEADER OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
 

FAKE INCOME CHECK ARREST 12-2-2011

AUTHORITIES ARREST A MOORHEAD MAN FOR CASHING A FAKE INCOME TAX CHECK.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE CHECK SUNFLOWER COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY LA-VOLIVAR MOORE MADE OUT TO HIMSELF IN THE AMOUNT OF 14-THOUSAND-500 AND 75 CENTS, THEN CASHED AT THE FOUR LANE LIQUOR STORE ON HIGHWAY 82 WEST IN INDIANOLA. ONCE THE STORE OWNER SENT IT TO THE BANK, HE WAS NOTIFIED BY BANK OFFICIALS THAT THE CHECK WAS FAKE AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. INVESTIGATOR MARVIN FLOWERS SAYS THE 27-YEAR-OLD FACES FORGERY CHARGES AND REMAINS ON LOCKED UP A 10-THOUSAND DOLLAR BOND.
 

DELTA BLUES LEGEND DIES 12-1-2011

SOME SAD NEWS FOR YOU BLUES LOVERS....We Regret To Report That We have received News That Soul Man J Blackfoot has Lost His Battle with cancer.
John Colbert was born in Greenville, Mississippi, moving to Memphis, Tennessee with his family as a child. Generally known as "J." or "Jay", he acquired the nickname "Blackfoot" as a child, for his habit of walking barefoot on the tarred sidewalks....Blackfoot worked with bands in the Memphis area, and recorded solo for the local Prime Cut label. J BLACKFOOT IS WELL-KNOWN FOR HIS SONG CALLED "TAXI" WHICH WAS RECORDED IN 1983...NO WORD YET ON FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS....

COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS 11-30-2011

HERE ARE A FEW STEPS PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF STARTING A FIRE IN THE HOME. FIRST USE ALTERNATIVE HEATERS SAFELY.....NEVER USE YOUR STOVE OR OVEN TO HEAT YOUR HOME. NEVER LEAVE ALTERNATIVE HEATERS UNATTENDED. TURN OFF SPACE HEATERS OR EXTINGUISH THE FIREPLACE BEFORE GOING TO BED OR LEAVING HOME. KEEP ALL FLAMMABLE MATERIALS AND POTENTIAL FUEL SOURCES AT LEAST THREE FEET AWAY FROM HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS SPACE HEATERS, FIREPLACES AND STOVES. PLACE YOUR SPACE HEATER ON A HARD, LEVEL, NONFLAMMABLE SURFACE. DO NOT PUT SPACE HEATERS ON RUGS OR CARPETS, NEAR BEDDING OR DRAPES, AND KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY. LOOK FOR A SPACE HEATER MODEL THAT SHUTS OFF AUTOMATICALLY IF THE HEATER FALLS OVER. KEEP THE FIRE IN YOUR FIREPLACE BY USING A GLASS OR METAL SCREEN LARGE ENOUGH TO CATCH SPARKS AND ROLLING LOGS. NEVER LEAVE FIREPLACES UNATTENDED. BE SURE TO HAVE WOOD AND COAL STOVES, FIREPLACES, CHIMNEYS AND FURNACES PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED ONCE A YEAR. BE PREPARED INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS ON EVERY FLOOR OF YOUR HOME. CHECK THEM ONCE A MONTH BY PRESSING THE TEST BUTTON, AND REPLACE BATTERIES AS NECESSARY.

 

GREENVILLE'S 380TH RETURNS HOME FRIDAY  11-29-2011

SOLDIERS FROM THE ARMY RESERVE'S 380TH ENGINEER SUPPORT COMPANY, ARRIVING AT CAMP SHELBY MONDAY MORNING, WILL BE BACK IN GREENVILLE FRIDAY. THE 380TH WAS DEPLOYED TO IRAQ FOR NINE MONTHS. THE 79-MEMBER UNIT'S MISSION WAS TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT THE IRAQI TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS PROVIDE HORIZONTAL ENGINEER SUPPORT TO COALITION OUT BASES. AND THE LARGE AMOUNT OF IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES FOUND RECENTLY IN IRAQ IS GREATLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE EFFORTS OF THE 380TH, WHO'S GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: RETURNING ALL THE SOLDIERS THAT LEFT OVER NINE MONTHS AGO.

MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL COMES TO INDIANOLA  11-29-2011

THE COUNCIL HELD ONE OF 12 STATEWIDE MEETINGS TODAY IN INDIANOLA AS IT PREPARES TO LOBBY OFFICIALS TO IMPLEMENT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE STATE. THE GROUP IS TRYING TO RANK THE PRIORITIES THAT WERE LISTED IN OCTOBER WHEN THEY RELEASED THE RESULTS OF A $1.25 MILLION RESEARCH PROJECT. BLAKE WILSON, PRESIDENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC COUNCIL, SPEARHEADED THE INDIANOLA MEETING. THE BUSINESS LOBBY AIMS TO PRESENT ITS PLAN IN JANUARY TO THE NEW GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND STATE LEGISLATURE.

NATURAL GAS COMING BACK TO WINSTONVILLE  11-29-2011

CONGRESSMAN BENNIE G. THOMPSON ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT THE RESTORATION OF NATURAL GAS SERVICE TO THE TOWN OF WINSTONVILLE IN BOLIVAR COUNTY IS BEING WORKED. ATMOS ENERGY IS THE OFFICIAL AND SOLE NATURAL GAS PROVIDER FOR THE TOWN. MAYOR HENRY PERKINS SAYS SERVICE TRUCKS AND NEARLY 30 SERVICE CREWMEN ARE WORKING ON RE-ESTABLISHING SERVICE TO THE TOWN. AS FOR THE TOWN'S GAS DEBT, REPORTEDLY OVER $600,000 TO FORMER GAS SUPPLIER TEXAS GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION, THE SLATE APPEARS TO BE WIPED CLEAN. PERKINS SAYS THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S OFFICE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONGRESSMAN'S NEGOTIATED WITH THE GAS COMPANY TO FORGIVE THE DEBT OWED BY THE TOWN OF WINSTONVILLE ACCUMULATED OVER THE COURSE OF SIX YEARS.

GRENADA COUNTY MAN LOSES COURT APPEAL ON SENTENCE  11-24-2011

RICHARD K. DICKERSON HAS LOST ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO HAVE HIS PRISON SENTENCE THROWN OUT. HE IS SERVING 19 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND ARMED ROBBERY. DICKERSON WAS ORIGINALLY INDICTED AS A HABITUAL OFFENDER. AFTER HIS TRIAL ENDED IN A HUNG JURY, HE PLEADED GUILTY IN 2007 AND PROSECUTORS DROPPED THE HABITUAL OFFENDER ISSUE. DICKERSON WAS ORDERED TO SERVE ONE YEAR IN PRISON AND 19 YEARS PROBATION AFTER HIS RELEASE. DICKERSON LATER TESTED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE AND A JUDGE ORDERED HIM BACK TO PRISON TO SERVE THE REMAINING 19 YEARS. HE FILED ONE MOTION FOR POST-CONVICTION RELIEF WHICH WAS DENIED BY THE TRIAL JUDGE AND NOW HAS BEEN DENIED ON APPEAL. THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS THIS WEEK THREW OUT DICKERSON'S RENEWED MOTION.

MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WAIT ON REDISTRICTING PLAN    11-24-2011

MISSISSIPPI'S FOUR U.S. HOUSE MEMBERS ARE CONFIDENT THAT A FEDERAL COURT WILL PRODUCE A REDISTRICTING PLAN THEY CAN ACCEPT. THE THREE REPUBLICANS AND ONE DEMOCRAT SAID WEDNESDAY THAT THEY DID NOT OBJECT TO A THREE-JUDGE PANEL TAKING OVER THE JOB OF DRAWING NEW MAPS, AS THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD REQUESTED. THE JUDGES SAID THEY WOULD STEP IN ASSUMING THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T MEET A DECEMBER 4 DEADLINE SET BY STATE LAW TO PRODUCE A NEW MAP. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BENNIE THOMPSON, THE STATE'S LONE DEMOCRAT, HAS REPEATED HIS OBJECTION TO HIS 2ND DISTRICT BEING EXTENDED SOUTH INTO ADAMS AND WILKINSON COUNTIES, AS U.S. REP GREGG HARPER, A BRANDON REPUBLICAN, HAD PROPOSED. TO AVOID DELAYS TO THE JANUARY 13 QUALIFYING DEADLINE OR THE MARCH 13 PRIMARIES, THE COURT MUST ACT QUICKLY.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT ALIVE AND WELL IN GREENWOOD   11-24-2011.

THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WAS IN THE AIR AT A GREENWOOD BUSINESS THURSDAY AS LOCAL FAMILIES WERE GIVEN A THANKSGIVING MEAL AND A CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE SAME TIME. DIXIELAND CHRISTMAS TREES AND THE SALVATION ARMY OF GREENWOOD TEAMED UP ONCE AGAIN TO HELP NEEDY FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THE EVENT'S BEEN FUNDED FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS THROUGH DONATIONS. AND WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL SPONSORS, MORE THAN 100 GREENWOOD RESIDENTS WERE GIVEN A TURKEY DINNER FOR THANKSGIVING WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS, WHILE ALSO PICKING UP A CHRISTMAS TREE. AND LITTLE DID THEY KNOW, THEY WERE ALSO GIVEN DECORATIONS FOR THE TREE AS WELL. ORGANIZERS SAY IT WAS ALSO A RECORD YEAR DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES HELPED THANKS TO ALL THE SPONSORSHIPS.

GREENVILLE POLICE MEET RESISTANCE WHEN ENFORCING CITY ORDINANCE  11-23-2011

WHILE IN THE  PROCESS OF ENFORCING THE CITY'S  2 A.M. NIGHTCLUB CLOSING TIME ORDINANCE, POLICE OFFICERS WERE MET WITH RESISTANCE AT ONE NELSON STREET CLUB.  CITY OFFICIALS SAY AROUND 2 A.M. TUESDAY MORNING, THREE POLICE OFFICERS WENT TO NELSON STREET ESTABLISHMENTS TO ENFORCE THE MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE REQUIRING NIGHTCLUBS TO CLOSE AT THAT TIME. BUT OFFICERS WERE NOT ONLY OUT NUMBERED WHEN ENTERING SOME OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS, BUT WERE ALSO MET WITH RESISTANCE WITH SOME PATRONS SPITTING ON THE OFFICERS. ONE OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS ALSO CALLED A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ASKING THE ORDINANCE NOT BE ENFORCED. CITY OFFICIALS ARE JUST NOW LEARNING OF THE INCIDENT AND ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY THE BUSINESSES DIDN'T COMPLY WITH THE OFFICER'S REQUESTS ENFORCING AN MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS, AND IF THERE ARE ANY LOOPHOLES ALLOWING BUSINESSES UNFORSEEN OPTIONS TO IGNORING THE ORDINANCE. GREENVILLE VICE MAYOR CARL MCGEE SAYS THE ISSUE WILL BE ADDRESSED AT THE NEXT GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 6.

AUTHORITIES CAPTURE A DREW MURDER SUSPECT  11-23-2011

LONNIE BUTLER WAS ARRESTED AROUND 3:30 P.M. THURSDAY AT A RELATIVE'S HOME IN THE SMALL COAHOMA COUNTY TOWN OF LYON. BUTLER ALLEGEDLY SHOT DEMETRIUS WEBB AND COLTON LAKES AROUND 9 P.M. MONDAY IN DREW, WITH WEBB DYING TUESDAY MORNING AT THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON. LAKES WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. AUTHORITIES SAY THE SHOOTING MAY HAVE BEEN GANG RELATED. BUTLER WAS ON PAROLE AT THE TIME OF THE FATAL SHOOTING. HE IS NOW IN THE COAHOMA COUNTY JAIL AWAITING A HEARING. THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE, COAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES, AND CLARKSDALE POLICE ASSISTED IN BUTLER'S CAPTURE.

ARRESTS MADE IN LEFLORE COUNTY STOLEN LAPTOPS CASE  11-23-2011

AUTHORITIES HAVE MADE ONE ARREST IN THE THEFT OF 20 LAPTOPS FROM LEFLORE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AND ARE LOOKING FOR AT LEAST THREE OTHER SUSPECTS. REPORTS INDICATE THAT 10 LAPTOPS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FROM OUT OF 20 THAT WERE STOLEN NOVEMBER 14 FROM LEFLORE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. ITTA BENA POLICE REPORT THAT DYLAN DUNLAP, 19, WAS ARRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND AND WAS BEING CHARGED WITH COMMERCIAL BURGLARY. AT LEAST THREE OTHER SUSPECTS ARE BEING SOUGHT AT THIS TIME. THE SUSPECTS WERE CAUGHT ON A SCHOOL SECURITY CAMERA TAKING THE LAPTOPS OUT OF THE SCHOOL IN ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT BAGS AFTER THE SUSPECTS BROKE WINDOWS TO ENTER THE SCHOOL BUILDING.

CLARKSDALE MAN WANTED IN A MANHUNT   11-22-2011

THE TOWN OF DREW IS DEALING WITH ITS FIRST HOMICIDE OF 2011. FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A LONNIE BUTLER, 23, OF CLARKSDALE WHO IS ACCUSED OF KILLING OF KILLING DEMETRIUS WEBB AND THEN SHOOTING ANOTHER MAN.  GUNFIRE RANG OUT IN THE WILSON AND UNION AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND 9 P.M. MONDAY WITH EYEWITNESSES TELLING POLICE WEBB GOT SHOT TWICE ALONG WITH COLTON LAKES, 22, ALSO OF CLARKSDALE. OFFICERS FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH WEBB AND LAKES AT THE NORTH SUNFLOWER MEDICAL CENTER AFTER THE PAIR WERE TRANSPORTED IN A PRIVATE VEHICLE. WEBB WAS IMMEDIATELY WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON. HOWEVER, AFTER THREE SURGERIES WEBB DIED FROM INJURIES TUESDAY MORNING. MEANWHILE, LAKES HAS BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL.

PIPELINE EXPLOSION ROCKS PANOLA COUNTY   11-22-2011
AUTHORITIES ARE NOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW A TENNESSEE GAS PIPELINE BLAST HAPPENED IN THE AREA OF HIGHWAY 6 NEAR BATESVILLE AROUND 9 P.M. MONDAY NIGHT. PEOPLE SAY THEY FELT THE BLAST FROM OVER A MILE AWAY. FLAMES WERE SEEN AS FAR AWAY AS OXFORD. PEOPLE LIVING IN A ONE-MILE RADIUS FROM THE EXPLOSION WERE EVACUATED. ALL RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO RETURN HOME LATER MONDAY NIGHT. PIPELINE OFFICIALS LET THE FUEL BURN OVERNIGHT. THIS MORNING, UTILITY OFFICIALS FOUND A HUGE CRATER AT THE SITE OF THE PIPELINE RUPTURE THAT SENT FLAMES BILLOWING INTO MONDAY NIGHT'S SKY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED FOLLOWING THE EXPLOSION . 
 

INDIANOLA  SEEKS $9 MILLION BOND DEAL  11-22-2011

IN ORDER TO TACKLE MUCH-NEEDED WATER AND SEWER PROJECTS, CITY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING AT SECURING A $9 MILLION BOND DEAL TO FINANCE THE PROJECTS. A BOND HEARING IS SET FOR 9 A.M. ON DECEMBER 1 TO DISCUSS VALIDATION OF TWO BONDS: ONE NOT TO EXCEED $3 MILLION AND THE OTHER NOT TO EXCEED $6 MILLION. BOTH BONDS ARE COMBINED WATER AND SEWER REFUNDING BONDS SERIES FOR 2011, AND THE VALIDATION COULD SAVE INDIANOLA BETWEEN $200 AND $250,000 OVER THE NEXT 15 YEARS. THE HEARING WILL BE HELD N THE SUNFLOWER COUNTY CHANCERY COURT ROOM, WITH ALL INTERESTED FOR OR AGAINST THE PROJECT INVITED TO ADDRESS THE HEARING.

A NEW ELECTION IS CALLED IN LEFLORE COUNTY   11-21-2011

AFTER MONTHS OF COURT HEARINGS, FILINGS, AND ACCUSATIONS OF ELECTION FRAUD BETWEEN CANDIDATES, A SPECIAL JUDGE CALLS FOR A NEW ELECTION IN LEFLORE COUNTY.
SPECIAL JUDGE M. JAMES CHANEY, JR., ISSUED A RULING FRIDAY DECLARING THE AUGUST 2 LEFLORE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION INVALID AS WELL AS THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT THREE SUPERVISOR. THIS RULING AFFECTS BOTH CANDIDATES - INCUMBENT PRESTON RATLIFF AND CHALLENGER ANJUAN BROWN, WHO WERE BOTH DECLARED THE WINNER AT VARIOUS TIMES BY COMPETING ELEMENTS OF THE LEFLORE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY. AFTER HEARING ARGUMENTS IN THE CASE, JUDGE CHANEY FOUND THERE WAS WILLFUL VIOLATIONS OF THE STATE'S ABSENTEE BALLOT LAWS, FURTHER ORDERING A SPECIAL ELECTION BE CALLED BY GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. BARBOUR HAS SOLE AUTHORITY TO CALL SUCH ELECTIONS.

BANNED DRUGS SEIZED FROM A DELTA SMOKE SHOP   11-21-2011

AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED  51 SMOKE SHOP STORE CLERKS RICHARD BLACKSTOCK AND SALLY UMPHERS, BOTH OF SALLIS, WITH EACH CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF THE SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE FROM THE DURANT STORE. AMONG THE DRUGS SEIZED BY NARCOTICS AGENTS WAS THE BANNED DRUG "SPICE" AND OTHER ILLEGAL DRUG PARAPHENALIA.
AGENTS ALSO SEIZED 200 PACKETS OF UNUSED SPICE, A SUBSTANCE MIRRORING THE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA. SPACE WAS MADE ILLEGAL THIS SUMMER BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. NORTH CENTRAL NARCOTICS TASK FORCE AGENTS, ALONG WITH HOLMES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, SEIZED THE SYNTHETIC DRUGS FROM THE 51 SMOKE SHOP ON SOUTH JACKSON IN DURANT AFTER RECEIVING A TIP STORE CLERKS HAVE BEEN SELLING IT TO HOLMES COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS. BESIDES THE SPICE, DRUG AGENTS ALSO SEIZED A VARIETY OF BONGS, MARIJUANA GRINDERS, AND SCALES. THE TOTAL ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE PACKETS SEIZED IS AROUND $9,000.
BOTH STORE CLERKS ARE OUT ON A $5,000 BONDS EACH. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SALE OF THE ILLEGAL DRUG AT THE SMOKE SHOP CONTINUES WITH MORE ARRESTS EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE.

A TCHULA WOMAN STABS HER BABYSITTER    11-21-2011

QUYNESHA PRAYER, 22, HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR HER PART IN STABBING HER BABYSITTER. SHE REMAINS INSIDE THE HOLMES-HUMPHREYS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY WITH A $10,00 BOND. POLICE SAY SHE STABBED HER BABYSITTER, WHO IS ALSO HER COUSIN, AFTER HE TRIED TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR KEEPING HER DAUGHTER. POLICE SAY THE SITTER VISITED PRAYER THREE TIMES SEEKING THE MONEY BUT EACH TIME THE WOMAN CLAIMED SHE COULDN'T PAY. POLICE SAY THE THIRD TIME PRAYER SIMPLY TOLD HER COUSIN SHE HAD NO PLANS OF PAYING HIM AT ALL, THEN STABBED HIM IN THE CHEST AND FOREARM. THE VICTIM WAS FLOWN TO THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON WHERE HE'S SINCE BEEN TREATED AND RELEASED, WHILE PRAYER FACES CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
 

WARFIELD POINT PARK GET  UPGRADES  11-21-2011

A PLAN FOR A NEW BOAT LANDING AT THE PARK WAS PRESENTED TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON MONDAY. THE PROJECT WILL BE PARTIALLY FUNDED THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS. THE BOAT LANDING WOULD BE LOCATED ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BUT WITHIN THE PARK AREA. IT WOULD PROVIDE ACCESS FOR COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN, AND FOR EMERGENCY ACCESS BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. THE PARK IS ALSO LOCATED AT A CRITICAL ACCESS POINT DUE TO ITS LOCATION WHERE LAKE FERGUSON MEETS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. PLANNING IS STILL IN ITS EARLY STAGES, BUT IF APPROVED, THE PROJECT COULD BE COMPLETED BY FALL OF 2012. IN THE MEANTIME PARK AND COUNTY PERSONNEL CONTINUE A CLEAN-UP PROGRAM FOLLOWING THIS PAST SPRING'S FLOODING. THE PARK RECEIVED HEAVY DAMAGE DURING THE HISTORIC FLOOD OF 2011, AND THE CLEAN UP AND REPAIR PROCESS CONTINUES. FENCING AROUND THE PARK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ALSO ACCEPTED BIDS FROM ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS  FOR A PROJECT TO RESTORE POWER TO THE PARK.

A FATAL HIT AND RUN IN GREENVILLE  11-18-2011

JERMAINE SUMMAGE, 26, IS BEHIND BARS FOR HIS PART IN A FATAL HIT AND RUN FRIDAY NIGHT. HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE AND NO PROOF OF INSURANCE. EYEWITNESSES TELL POLICE SUMMAGE STRUCK RALPH GEORGE FRANKLIN, 55,WHO WAS A  PEDESTRIAN HIT AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALEXANDER AND HYMAN STREETS BEFORE 6 P.M. FRIDAY. WASHINGTON COUNTY CORONER METHEL JOHNSON SAYS FRANKLIN DIED FROM MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY SUMMAGE. THE ACCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

A MANHUNT MONDAY FUGITIVE IS CAUGHT  11-18-2011

THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE CAPTURED MARIO PIERRE HARRIS AROUND 5:15 IN MEMPHIS FRIDAY EVENING. THE FEDERAL AGENTS FOUND THE GREENWOOD MAN INSIDE AN APARTMENT ALONG WITH A HANDGUN. HARRIS WAS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MURDER OF CORNELIUS BANKS ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8. SHOTS WERE FIRED IN THE McLAURIN AND ROOSEVELT STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD, LEAVING BANKS DEAD AND TWO OTHERS WOUNDED. HARRIS FACES ONE COUNT OF MURDER, FIVE COUNTS OF DRIVE BY SHOOTING AND ONE COUNT OF POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON. HARRIS IS THE LAST OF FOUR SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE. DESPITE HARRIS' CAPTURE, GREENWOOD POLICE CHIEF HENRY PURNELL SAYS A POLICE PRESENCE WILL REMAIN HIGH IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

MULTI-AGENCY SWAT TRAINING IS HELD IN COAHOMA COUNTY      11-18-2011

MEMBERS OF THE COAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE CLARKSDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT TOOK PART IN A FIRST-EVER SWAT-CRISIS NEGOTIATION EXERCISE. THE TRAINING OFFERS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR AGENCIES IN INTENSE LAW ENFORCEMENT SCENARIOS. COAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF CHARLES JONES SAYS THE EXPERIENCE SHOULD ENHANCE TACTICAL RESPONSE ABILITY FOR ALL INVOLVED. THE TOTAL CONTROL TRAINING INSTITUTE COMPANY IN BENTON CONDUCTED THE WEEK-LONG TRAINING WHICH WRAPPED UP FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

SEARS HOMETOWN STORE OPENS AT GREENVILLE MALL   11-18-2011

A GRAND OPENING EVENT WAS HELD FRIDAY AT THE GREENVILLE MALL LOCATION. THE SEARS HOMETOWN STORE IS LOCATED IN PART OF THE SAME AREA PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY THE SEARS DEPARTMENT STORE. THIS HOMETOWN STORE IS SMALLER THAN THE SEARS DEPARTMENT STORE, BUT OFFERS MANY OF THE SAME PRODUCTS SUCH AS APPLIANCES, TOOLS AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT. STORE HOURS ARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 9 A.M.  UNTIL 6:30 P.M.; SATURDAYS FROM 9 A.M. UNTIL 6 P.M., AND 1 P.M. UNTIL 6 O'CLOCK ON SUNDAYS.
 

LEFLORE COUNTY PARK GETS A NEW ATTRACTION   11-17-2011

WITH HELP FROM A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND LEFLORE COUNTY, THE LITTLE ROUND PARK IN SIDON NOW FEATURES A NEW BOAT RAMP TO ACCOMMODATE FISHERMEN. THE PROJECT WAS STARTED SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS. THE RAMP WAS PLACED A WEEK AGO, AND FINALLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC LAST MONDAY. THE BOAT RAMP IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN NEEDED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE PARK. OTHER ADDED FEATURES COMING ARE ADDITIONAL PICNIC TABLES AND A WELL. THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 2012.
 

LELAND'S FORMER POLICE CHIEF APPEALS HIS FIRING  11-17- 2011

FORMER LELAND POLICE CHIEF RANDY MINIX IS APPEALING HIS TERMINATION BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN. WASHINGTON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE MARGARET CAREY-MCCRAY IS EXPECTED TO HEAR ARGUMENTS THIS WEEK. MINIX CLAIMS HE WAS SUSPENDED BY MAYOR JAMES LOWE ON MARCH 2 FOR EIGHT DAYS WITHOUT A WRITTEN NOTICE. HE ALSO CLAIMS HE NEVER RECEIVED A WRITTEN NOTICE OF A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING HELD ON MARCH 10 WHERE MAYOR LOWE CALLED FOR MINIX'S FIRING. A RULING HAS YET TO BE ISSUED IN THE CASE.

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER RE-OPENS TO TRAFFIC   11-17-2011

GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY HAS BEEN DISMANTLING THE NOW CLOSED U.S. 82 GREENVILLE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE WHICH INVOLVES PLACING BARGES ALONGSIDE THE CEMENT SUPPORTS OF THE BRIDGE. THE WORK IS SO THAT  WORKERS CAN DRILL INTO THE CEMENT PILONS, AND THEN BLAST THE CONCRETE STRUCTURE TO AT LEAST 40 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER. THE U.S. COAST GUARD CONFIRMS BARGES HAVE BEEN BACKED UP ON THE RIVER WHILE CHARGES WERE DRILLED AND PLACED IN THE PILON, BUT THE SAFETY OF GRANITE EMPLOYEES AND BOATERS IS THE MAIN CONCERN. GRANITE CONSTRUCTION IS ANTICIPATING BLASTING THE FINAL SECTION OF THE BRIDGE BETWEEN DECEMBER 5 AND 10 IN WHICH RIVER TRAFFIC WILL BE SHUT DOWN ONCE AGAIN. THE PILON ON THE ARKANSAS SIDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS THE FOCUS NOW WHILE WORK HAS YET TO START ON THE PILON ON THE MISSISSIPPI SIDE.

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