Former Ruleville alderman Mario Robinson filed perjury charges this week against Rodney Frothingham.

Robinson filed the charge after Frothingham initially filed embezzlement charges against Robinson in September.

Robinson allegedly used $800 of public funds to attend the MLA conference on the coast during the elections.

Robinson’s attorney Daniel Morris said the money was spent before he lost the election although there was never any official request for the money.

The former police officer and probation officer indicted for his involvement in setting fire to three vehicles belonging to Shelby Alderman was released on bond.

37-year old Barry Smith was charged in October with providing gasoline to Michael Guyton, Corey Jones and Ketwon Bovan knowing they would use it burn vehicles owned by Alderman Dan Harris and Alderman Harold Billings in late July.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the charges and will make his first court appearance in December. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

A murder trial in Clarksdale is expected to conclude today against Fred Lenard Jr. for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Katrina Dumas, and the kidnapping and child abuse of their three-year-old son.

April 2008, the body of 27-year-old Dumas was found in a grassy area surrounding a cemetery. She died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.

His son had been found the night before in a wooded area with his hands and feet tied together by wire.

A Greenwood man was convicted this week on five sex charges.

David Hawkins was convicted on four counts of child molestation and one count of sexual battery after having sex with a 14-year-old girl in March 2007.

Police said the 47-year old Hawkins fled to Louisiana after he was initially charged. Since his indictment, authorities said he has fired three attorneys as a stall tactic to avoid going to jail. He will be sentenced at a later and faces 90 years in prison. 

Benefit concerts will be held in the coming weeks to help out a local blues icon who was the victim of a recent attack.

Roosevelt “Mickey” Rogers spent four days in Greenville hospital after he was beaten, stabbed and then robbed at his home.

Three clubs where Rogers is a regular performer, will host benefits to help cover medical expenses and other costs.

The first will be Monday at May's Cafe in Greenville. The second will be at Club Ebony in Indianola on Nov. 21. The third will be at Walnut Street Blues Bar and Grill in Greenville Nov. 24.

An 18-year-old girl died after being hit by a car on Highway 82.

Authorities in Greenwood said that Brandy Grisby stepped out in front of a car Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the driver, 52-year-old Samuel Childress, tried to swerve and miss her but could not. No charges will be pressed against Childress.

Leflore County Coroner Debra Sanders said Grisby was taken to the hospital, where she later died late Wednesday night from head trauma.

The federal trial for a lawsuit filed by 15 church members who became sick after eating at the Greenwood Pizza Hut in January will begin Aug. 2, 2010 in Greenville.

Members of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church are seeking $75,000 each from NPC International, the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee.

In all 19 people became ill and were taken to Greenwood Leflore Hospital.

Health Department laboratory tests revealed little about why the patrons become ill.

A popular Delta blues artist is recovering from a weekend attack.

Roosevelt “Mickey” Rogers spent four days in Greenville hospital after he was beaten, stabbed and then robbed at his home. The two suspects stole $350 from Rogers and his vehicle.

Rodgers has played throughout the Delta and is a regular performer at the annual Mississippi Delta Blues and Heritage Festival.

Residents at the Cleveland Mobile Park can rest a little easier after the water was turned back on at the site Thursday morning.

On Monday, landowner Michael Ko asked the city to turn the water off without any notification to the tenants. Officials told tenants that the check to pay the $7,000 bill had bounced.

John Roberson and his wife have lived at the site since 1992 and have spearheaded the effort to file embezzlement charges against Ko.

Now residents will wait for his plea in December.

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Billy Marlow will have to wait until next year for a judge to hear his election case. The trial involving Marlow and the Ruleville Democratic Executive Committee will be heard January 11.

Marlow lost a run-off election to R.L Brand May 19, and filed a petition contesting the results, which the committee denied. He alleges that the committee knowingly allowed wrong-doing to occur during the election

City leaders in Ruleville are looking at other options for locals charged with crimes.

Police Chief Ben Grant says instead of the city having to house and provide for the individual while they’re locked up, they will be billed not the city. This would give the judge an option of house arrest.

Several aldermen say they are concerned about piling up city ordinances.

Indianola will have a new mayor following the results of Tuesday’s primaries.

Challenger Steve Rosenthal nearly doubled the combined votes of the other candidates.

In unofficial results, Rosenthal received over 1,500 votes in the four-man race, over 1,000 more votes than John Matthews Jr. Rosenthal will face independent candidate Mario Strong in the December 6 general elections.

Two incumbents retained their respective seats; Gary Fratisi in Ward 1, and Michelle Jenkins in Ward 4. Incumbent Ward 5 Alderman Charles Scott lost his seat to Carver Randle Jr.

The Ward 3 race was too close to call as challenger Otis Anthony II received 218 votes to 209 votes for Alderman Riley Rice.

A World War II veteran received the French government’s highest honor Wednesday for his efforts at the Battle of the Bulge.

James Robertson received the French Legion of Honor at the Veterans Day program held at Indianola Academy.

The National Order of the Legion of Honor was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

Recipients are designated by the French president for eminent service to the French Republic.

The state Department of Health has reported another death from the West Nile virus in Mississippi.

A Rankin County resident is the fifth person to die from the virus.

Officials say there have been 53 human cases of the virus in several Mississippi counties so far this year.

In 2008, there were 65 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne illness in the state with three fatalities.

The Delta Council has endorsed a proposal to add catfish to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food safety inspection program.

Officials say that the USDA should treat catfish just like it does beef, pork and poultry.

The Catfish Farmers of America has asked to ensure that domestic and imported catfish meet health and safety standards. The USDA currently regulates all meat products, but does not inspect seafood.

The escaped inmate and his accomplice accused of the attempted murder of a Nashville police officer pleaded not guilty.

Twenty-nine-year-old Joseph Jackson and 25-year-old Cortney Logan were arraigned Tuesday.

The men were indicted after police said Jackson shot Sgt. Mark Chesnut several times after the officer pulled them over in Nashville.

Jackson escaped with the help of Logan June 25 during a visit to an eye doctor in Greenwood.

Coahoma County honored their veterans on Saturday at the Coahoma County Convention Center.

Maj. Gen. James Gaston from the Army National Guard spoke at the Veteran’s Day celebration.

Ceremonies began with a moment of silence for the victims and families of the Fort Hood massacre.

He spoke of his pride in recognizing how Southern heritage has contributed to service to the United States.

Since the war, only one Mississippi solider has received the Silver Star, and another 540 were awarded the bronze star for their efforts.

Four state legislatures made a visit to local schools to see the progress students are making with the Save the Children Literacy Program.

Rep. Linda Coleman, Rep. David Norquist, Rep. Chuck Espy and Sen. Willie Simmons toured the halls at Brooks Elementary School in Duncan and I.T. Montgomery Elementary School in Mound Bayou earlier this week to see how the children like program.

The program is funded through the state Department of Education to help promote early literacy skills for children, physical activity and nutritional programs.

Six Shelby residents were honored last week for having outstanding and good moral character.

The Shelby Chamber of Commerce wanted to host and event for the citizens and a vigil for those who passed away since 2007.

Those chosen for community awards included Mattie Bland, Willie Blocker, Max Bramuchi, Russell Dorsey, Bertha Marion and George Sisson.

Each were chosen on a specific criteria set fourth my by members of the commerce which included, no criminal history, a resident for 10 or more years and has affected the community in a positive manner.

Clarksdale police say they identified the man responsible for the beating of elderly woman.

Authorities believe 39-year old Frank Riley, in state prison for parole violation, was on parole when he broke into the home of Eloise Starks August 26 and tried to rob her.

Police said once he is done serving time, they will formally charge him with murder.

University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones is asking the band to stop playing "From Dixie With Love" after some Ole Miss fans continued chanting "the South will rise again" at the end of the medley.

Jones said last week he would ask the band to stop playing the song if the chant continued during the football game this past Saturday. Jones said he is following through with what he promised.

Jones did not specify how long the song will be off limits.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour says the budget proposal he releases next Monday will include plans to restructure parts of state government.

Barbour spoke Tuesday from Baghdad, where he and three other governors are visiting troops on a trip sponsored by the U.S. Defense Department.

The governor's budget presentation is 1 of several steps in preparing a state spending plan. Lawmakers release their recommendations Dec. 2, and then wait for the House and Senate to vote on the budget for next year.

The Mississippi Economic Council held the first of 12 road shows Monday in greenwood.

Community leaders joined MEC officials at a local hotel for lunch to discuss present day economic issues.

The council says they are planning to build the Delta region with many different projects. Sen. David Jordan says he’s trying to get part of a $ 4 billion government internet grant to serve 11 Delta counties.

Several fans were injured at the Greenville Speedway after a car flipped over the rails at the Gumbo Nationals.

In all, authorities said 10 people were injured, with one having surgery because of burns on his leg.

Fans were watching the race on a trailer of a truck along the front straightway when a car swerved out of control, hit a fence post and went airborne.

Officials said the accident could have been much worse and called the race after that.

Former Mississippi governor Ray Mabus will be appearing on a new episode of “NCIS”.

CBS officials say the Secretary of the Navy will try a different role when he plays an NCIS investigator on a Thanksgiving themed episode airing November 24.

The network says he was in Los Angeles two weeks ago to film his scenes.

A Sunday morning accident has left a Cleveland man in the hospital.

Josh Abide remains at the Med in Memphis after a one vehicle accident on Pemble Road in Merigold. Authorities believe the vehicle hit some loose gravel and flipped several times.

Family members said he suffered broken vertebra in his neck, a collapsed lung and head trauma.

For the latest on Josh’s condition, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshabide.

An 18-year old Bolivar County man entered a guilty plea before his murder trial was set to get under way.

Timothy Porter entered the plea before a Circuit Court judge Monday morning. Porter was arrested in March for the shooting death of a Cleveland man; 30-year Zenkendrick Johnson was gunned down at a residence on the corner of White and Johnson streets.

Johnson was alive when he arrived at the Bolivar County Medical Center, by later died of his injuries. 

Residents of a mobile home park in Bolivar County say they are being forced out by their landlord.
Things have gone downhill since Michael Ko took over ownership of Cleveland Mobile Park.

Residents say they know the park will close, but haven’t received a 30-day notice, which would be a violation of their contract.

Lynn Farmer, who has lived in the park over 12 years, says that the lack of cooperation from the new owner leaves him and his neighbors wondering where to go.

Indianola primaries will be held today. On the ballot are the seats for mayor and members of the board of aldermen. Polls will be open until 7 p.m.

Mayor Arthur Marble has three challengers: Clanton Beamon, John Matthews Jr. and Steve Rosenthal.

Ward 1 Alderman Gary Fratesi will face Jim Brownlee. In Ward 3, Alderman Riley Rice is challenged by Otis Anthony II. Ward 4 Alderwoman Michelle Jenkins defends her seat against Bobbie Hayes Flemming. Charles Scott and Carver Randle Jr. are looking to be the winner in Ward 5. Ward 2 Alderman Larry Brown does not have a Democratic challenger.

The general election will be on Dec. 8.

Attorneys for a Greenville woman convicted of murder last month say the jury may have held it against the former teacher for not testifying in her own defense.

Carla Hughes was convicted last month on two counts of capital murder in the Nov. 29, 2006, killings of 27-year-old Avis Banks and her unborn child.

In an appeals motion filed this week, the defense claims if the jury considered her decision not to take the stand, the panel's actions were a violation of jury instructions and the client's constitutional rights.

The inauguration of Mississippi Valley State University President Donna Oliver raised more than $30,000 for student scholarships.

The 4-day event in September featured several musical performances, community events and a golf tournament in addition to the inauguration Sept. 12.

Officials say the university has received over $125,000 with some donations still pending. It cost over $93,000 , which left over $31,000 for scholarships.

No public money was used.

A Mississippi lawmaker says a federal broadband Internet grant should come to the Delta.

Sen. David Jordan of Greenwood says he has asked the U.S. Department of Commerce to consider a plan submitted by Gov. Haley Barbour to spend the grant in 11 northeast Mississippi counties.

The government plans to release $4 billion in loans and grants in a program to expand broadband access in unserved and underserved areas.

Uninsured and underinsured residents can now receive free swine flu medication.

The state Department of Health announced Monday it had reached agreements with some pharmacies to help distribute Tamiflu and Relenza, two medications used to treat H1N1 flu symptoms.

The medications will come from state and federal stockpiles, and will be used for patients who cannot otherwise afford them.

Patients must bring a doctor's prescription to selected pharmacies to receive the medicine, along with documents stating they belong in a high-risk category.

For a complete list of pharmacies, visit www.msdh.ms.gov

Delta State University received a grant from the Farmers Market Promotion Program.

86 grants totaling more than $4.5 million were awarded to encourage and support the viability of farmers markets and direct marketing projects nationwide.

Officials say a little over $31,000 was awarded to the Center for Community and Economic Development. Funds will be used promote the market, educate local residents on the benefits of local produce, and provide equipment and supplies for local farmers among others.

A Washington County jury returned a split verdict for Torta Corbin.

Corbin, on trial for murder and felony gun possession was convicted last week on possession charges by a convicted felon. After two hours, the jury could not agree on a murder conviction.

The 44-year old was accused of shooting Thomas Mobley outside his home in 2008.

A Benoit elementary student was sent to a Jackson hospital after being struck by a car.

Authorities say the child was hit by a car when she was getting off the bus in front of her home on Hwy 1 Friday afternoon. As she crossed in front of the bus, a vehicle going southbound struck the eight year old.

The driver was cited for failure to stop at a school bus and careless driving.

A Clarksdale police officer has resigned after facing federal charges.

William Gerald was indicted by a grand jury for illegal use of a control substance and knowingly possessing a firearm in July.

Gerald worked as a K-9 handler for the department. He was arrested in October and faces more than 10 years in prison if convicted.

Local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will observe Veteran’s Day on Wednesday by retiring flags.

Scout Master Candy Davis says they have so many; a lot have been stripped ahead of time and ready to burn.

Traditionally a short history of the flag, such as where it flew, is recorded and is read when it is retired into a fire.

Once the flag is burned, the ashes are buried. The ceremony starts at 5:30 around the flagpole on the Cleveland Greenstrip.

One of the Indianola candidates vying to keep her seat in Tuesday’s primary says she had her campaign signs vandalized.

Alderwoman Michelle Jenkins says on one, her face was covered with black spray paint while others were sprayed with the letters “KKK”.

Jenkins doesn't believe it’s a racial issue, but a personal one because none of the other black candidates' signs have been targeted. Jenkins is running against Bobby Hayes Flemmings.

A Metcalf man had his bond set for an alleged rape. A $100,000 bond was set last week for 21-year old Johnny Green, accused of statutory rape of a 14-year old girl.

Police say he had raped the girl for the past two and half years.

Neighbors said Green fled out the back window of the second floor apartment when the victim’s mother came home. He was arrested a short time later. He faces up to thirty years in prison if convicted.

The Coahoma County supervisor whose solicitation charges were dropped last week says he'll continue to work as a cardiologist and elected official to help people.

A federal judge dismissed all charges against Dr. Roger Weiner, saying the court didn't have jurisdiction in the case.

In a statement Weiner said he has worked hard to help the impoverished Mississippi Delta since moving here from Pennsylvania 10 years ago and will continue to do so.

Weiner said he'd also like to know why he was singled out by the federal government.

A former University of Mississippi student was sentenced last week for possession of child pornography.

23-year old John Rippy Jr. was sentenced to seven years in prison by a federal judge for knowingly possessing a computer with images of child pornography.

He plead guilty of the indictment in March 30. After his prison term he is required to register as a sex offender.

Delta State University senior Tara Dunn (at right), an interdisciplinary studies major from Picayune, was crowned Delta State Homecoming Queen during halftime ceremonies at the Saturday home football game.

Pictured with Dunn is her father, Donald Dunn, who served as her escort. Dunn was elected by the Delta State student body in elections sponsored by the Student Government Association.

(photo courtesy of Delta State)

A Boyle man drowned in a Cleveland pool on Saturday.

Authorities say Andre Thorne was doing some yard work around a pool at a home on Shumate Circle when he apparently fell in the pool. The homeowner George McCain says he returned from getting food and found Thorne in the pool.

Police don’t believe foul play was involved. Thorne had worked for the McCain’s before.

Authorities in the town of Sunflower are creating a new program to help seniors stay safe in communities.

Friday, the police department announced "Senior Calls" program. Those who sign up for the program will receive a daily call from the police, making sure the seniors are all right.

He says there about 100 seniors in the town of 1,100 residents. Those interested can call 662-569-3987.

A Delta State University student was injured Saturday during the homecoming parade.

Andrea Pittman was transported to a Memphis hospital after falling off a float during the parade. Pittman said her foot got caught in a tire. She was reportedly dragged 150feet before the driver was alerted.

She suffered injuries to her arm and severe road rash.

Members of the Delta Council sat down for their 75^th biannual meeting on Friday.

One of the biggest concerns was farming due to the struggles by many Delta farmers. Heavy rains plagued the region for months forcing delays in harvest.

Another concern was the struggles facing education across the state. Money has been slashed across the board leaving state universities to deal with financial issues such as numerous programs and employment.