City leaders in Cleveland have decided to pursue ways to get federal funding for numerous projects in the community.

Alderman Kirkham Povall says other cities like Tupelo and Southaven have already received large numbers of funding from federal grants. He says Cleveland could use those grants to help with infrastructure projects.

Potential funds could be used for waste, water sewage projects and the fire station. Officials agreed that gathering information for the grants may be time consuming but is necessary.

Mound Bayou police hope an increase in reward money will motivate people to talk.

Former alderman Shedrick Stout was found brutally murdered in his home on New Year’s Eve.

The 49-year-old man was able to all 9-1-1 before he was stabbed multiple times.

Authorities have interviewed more than ten people in connection with his death. As of now, a $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

Four men have been arrested for their involvement in a string of Indianola auto burglaries.

Rodriecus Lord, Derrick Clark, Tyredius Howard, and Fershon Weeks were arrested on auto theft charges. 

Authorities say the four men were involved in a rash of burglaries that began New Year’s Eve, the latest on New Year’s Day. Two of the men have been released on bond.

Two people are dead after an early morning fire at an apartment building in Clarksdale.

Around 1 am Thursday, authorities were called to the complex on Seventh St. and found the building already engulfed in flames.
39-year old Yolanda Harris and her grandson, two-year-old Alonzo Hayes were killed in the blaze.

The fire department is still investigating the fire and the two bodies have been sent to the state crime lab in Jackson for autopsies.

Police in Greenwood have three suspects in custody for their involvement in the weekend shooting of a popular disc jockey. A warrant has been issued for the alleged shooter.

49-year old Melvin Bacon remains in critical condition at a Jackson hospital. Bacon was shot in the leg by a shotgun in close range during an attempted robbery.

Mississippi legislators won't meet today because of concerns about winter weather.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant said Thursday that House and Senate leaders had agreed to let members return home in case there is snow or sleet.

The three-month legislative session started Tuesday. While members had a busy opening day, there have been few committee meetings this week.

A Hinds County judge has said he will not sequester the jury selected for the Feb. 8 trial of a Greenville man accused in the death of Jackson State University student Latasha Norman.

Defense attorneys argued that Stanley Cole's case has drawn a lot of media coverage.

Cole is charged with murder in the death of Norman, his 20-year-old ex-girlfriend, after the two left Jackson State's campus in November 2007.

Norman's decomposed body was discovered in a wooded area in Jackson days after she had been reported missing.

One lawmaker says Mississippi needs to make a bigger effort to let some people who are elderly, disabled or mentally challenged receive care in their own homes or in assisted living facilities rather than in nursing homes.

House Public Health Chairman Steve Holland said Wednesday that the care would be less expensive and some of the people would be happier.

He also said he expects some resistance from nursing home operators.

MEMA and state agencies continue to monitor the progress of the winter weather moving through the state.

Wednesday Gov. Haley Barbour issued a state of emergency in advance of this wintery blast.

Department of Transportation crews are reporting ice roads and bridges in several Delta counties including Bolivar, Coahoma, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, and Tunica.

State officials have also setup a hotline for emergency. Residents are encouraged to dial 211 should they need assistance. For more information visit www.msema.org

Ice accumulated on some north Mississippi roads this morning and officials warned the hazardous conditions could push further south.

Weather experts say there probably won’t be much in the central part of the state.

A hard freeze warning was issued from tonight through Sunday with temperatures predicted to be in the teens Friday night.

Numerous public schools and colleges were closed today.

Cleveland residents are encouraged to protect their pipes now that a heavy cold front is sweeping across the state.

ST Environmental project manager Keith Christopher says they are expecting a lot of problems with frozen water lines, but ensures his men will be on call.

He suggests residents wrap their pipes and outside faucets with insulation and cover all open vents or exposed openings that allow cold air in underneath the house. Anyone with concerns should call city hall at 846-1471.

Political officials in Drew are pleased now that the city has received a new backhoe.

The announcement came at Tuesday’s board meeting. The equipment was purchased through a USDA grant that covered 75 percent of the total cost. The city only had to pay around $20,000.

Mayor Jeffery Kilpatrick said the machine has already been put to work with numerous projects scheduled.

A Memphis based civil rights group is planning a rally in Clarksdale later this month.

Operation Help president Wendol Lee plans to hold the rally in front of the Coahoma County Courthouse January 25.

Lee says the purpose of the rally is to “wake up registered voters”. The group says they received complaints against the Clarksdale Police Department and several Clarksdale city judges.

Police chief Gregory Hoskins says he has not been contacted by Lee or his group about the complaints.

Several members of the production crew of a Mississippi based blues documentary will be in Jackson to promote the film.

“M for Mississippi” is an entertaining, week-long road-trip that visits a dozen veteran bluesmen throughout the Magnolia State.

Co-producer and Clarksdale businessman Roger Stolle say they tried to capture the essence of an amazing living history and the personalities behind it.

The expo will be held at the Jackson Convention Complex tonight and all day Friday.

http://www.mformississippi.com/index.html

Delta hospitals will soon be able to take advantage of the services from larger hospitals with the help of video-enabled intensive care units.

The Delta Health Alliance is planning to fund the implementation of these units, which will connect doctors in rural areas to other hospitals.
The new technology would reduce the need to transport patients to out-of-town sites.

Officials say the program would also lower patients’ medical bills by reducing stay length and cutting transportation costs.

Greenwood Police Chief Henry Purnell says he has strong uncertainties about requests by some nightclub owners to roll back their closing time to 2 a.m.

Current laws, created in 1993 say alcohol cannot be served after 1 a.m., and all patrons must leave the club or bar by 1:30 a.m.

club owners claimed their customers simply leave their establishments and go to other locations in Leflore County, where the last call is 2 a.m.

Officials say those restrictions directly contributed to a reduction in shootings and other types of alcohol-related violence.

A Mississippi soldier stationed in Japan faces criminal charges after a fatal hit and run in November.

Japanese prosecutors charged 27-year old staff sergeant Clyde Gunn in connection with the accident on the southern island of Okinawa. The Oxford native had been charged with negligence resulting in the death on Nov. 7 of a 66-year-old man.

Japanese authorities grew suspicious when Gunn took his military-registered car, which had dents and blood stains, to a repair shop.

Mississippi Treasurer Tate Reeves says the state's latest tobacco settlement collection was more than $8 million below expectations.

Several tobacco companies transfer money to Mississippi each year as payment for the massive lawsuit the state filed against cigarette makers in the 1990s.

Annual payments are based on national tobacco usage and other factors.

The Southaven Board of Aldermen has approved a resolution asking lawmakers for a 1 percent tourism tax on restaurant bills which could bring in $1 million annually.

Proceeds would be used for upgrades and maintenance at two parks, which are used for several major youth baseball and softball tournaments each year.

DeSoto County also levies a 2 percent tax on hotel and restaurant bills, with the funding used to pay off debt on the DeSoto County Civic Center.

Indianola- Indianola School District, Strider Academy in Charleston,  Restoration Ministries Christian School in Indianola

Sunflower County School District

North Sunflower Academy

Clarksdale Public Schools and Coahoma County Schools

We will continue to update the closings as they become available.

Gov. Haley Barbour has declared a state of emergency due to dangerously cold weather expected in the next few days.

Barbour's announcement came the same day authorities confirmed that a man in Lauderdale County died of hypothermia, Mississippi's first death linked to the weather.

Barbour said "extreme and prolonged subfreezing temperatures" could lead to shortages for heating fuels and increase fire risks as people try to stay warm.

MS Dept. of Education: The Mississippi Department of Education has asked district superintendents to report school closings to the department and closings will be listed on  www.mde.k12.ms.us.

MS Dept. of Transportation: MDOT will have crews monitoring the roadways at all times out in each district, especially the bridges and overpasses since they tend to ice first.  As roads begin to slush and ice over, each district is responsible for sending out a MS Traffic Alert on the iced road condition.  MDOT maintenance crews will be out on the roads with trucks to salt/gravel those icy roadways.

MS State Dept. of Health: MSDH Emergency Response Coordinators across the state are continually checking on healthcare facilities licensed by MSDH to ensure they are prepared for impending winter weather and that they are able to continue all standard operations. The MSDH Bureau of Emergency Medical Services continues to remind State EMS of the immediate response necessary to residents exposed to extreme weather. More information on staying safe and healthy during severe winter weather is available on www.healthyms.com.

MS Dept. of Public Safety: MDPS has an 800 number the public can call to get updated with the latest road and weather conditions for their area. That number is 800-843-5352.  Mississippians can also go to, www.dps.state.ms.us look under road conditions to find district by district information.

MS Attorney General:  “Consumer Tips for Storm Victims” guide can be found at www.agjimhood.com .  Many of these tips are applicable in winter/ice storms.  Consumers with concerns or any fraud related complaints can call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-281-4418.

MS State Fire Marshal: Fire safety information and tips are available in the special Holiday and Heating Fire Safety Web page on www.mid.state.ms.us.

MS Department of Human Services:  The announcement of DHS office closings will be disseminated through MS Public Broadcasting and other local media sources as available. Currently, all offices are scheduled to be open statewide.

MS National Guard: The Mississippi National Guard is fully prepared to support state and local

authorities with manpower and equipment statewide during and after this winter weather threat.

MS 211:  Hotline can be accessed from any phone around the state by simply dialing 211 just as you would 911 for an emergency.  Our call specialists can connect callers to the help they need--from shelter information to financial assistance with heating bills.

MS Public Broadcasting: Mississippians can stay informed of the latest weather updates, road conditions and shelter information across the state by tuning to Mississippi Public Broadcasting.  Starting today, MPB will increase its weather and emergency information reports.  Follow MPB weather updates on Twitter.

MS Forestry Commission: The Forestry Commission is prepared to provide wildfire protection in the event of any wildfire activity occurring during this period of severely cold weather. Also, the Forestry Commission stands ready to provide assistance to county emergency coordinators in response to damages caused by an ice storm event.

City leaders in Shaw are busy trying to build a park for local residents.

Mayor Willie Mae Johnson said the city is waiting on a decision from the Shaw School District if they will donate a portion of the16th Section Land. The new park would be equipped for recreational and physical activities.

Officials say they are focusing on making the city better to attract new residents and business.

Brenda Mitchell has been appointed interim district attorney for Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Tunica counties.

Mitchell, who served as an assistant DA in the 11th District, succeeds her former boss, Laurence Mellen, who retired in December.

Gov. Haley Barbour has scheduled a special election for Nov. 2, 2010, to fill the post.

Barbour's office said the governor will appoint a successor to serve until the special election.

A well known Greenwood DJ remains in a Jackson hospital after being shot.

Melvin Bacon was headed to a friend’s house at an apartment complex Sunday night. Bacon says a man armed with a shotgun demanded his money then shot him in the leg when he refused.

Family members said it’s likely the leg will be amputated. Police have no suspects.

A Leflore County teenager was jailed Saturday after a stabbing.

Itta Bena police say the incident happened outside a home on Lamar St.

Authorities arrested 17-year old Kachelle Sanders and charged her with aggravated assault.

The report says Sanders stabbed a 16-year-old girl in the neck after an argument between the two.

Authorities in Grenada say the man found dead on the side of a road last month is being treated as a homicide.

The body of 52-year old Michael Spencer was found on Shelby Chapel Road December 24. Police say he was shot once in the head.

No suspects have been identified in the city’s sixth homicide since August.

Mississippi legislators have made a change in the state's unemployment trust fund so community colleges can continue receiving millions of dollars for work force training.

Leaders say the change also prevents a potential increase in the unemployment tax paid by businesses.

Lawmakers voted Tuesday to set the new minimum balance at $366 million. The 15 colleges collectively receive about $22 million for worker training.

Mississippi lawmakers have quickly approved incentives for a German company that intends to build a high-tech pipe manufacturing plant in the northwestern corner of the state.

Both chambers passed a bill Tuesday providing $15 million in bonds to help build the plant in Tunica County.

The plant, which is set to open in 2011, will make stainless steel pipes to be used in the oil and gas industry.

State Highway Patrol officials say that icy conditions in the Delta on Monday were to blame for two accidents, one with fatalities.

Officials said the first call came in around 8 am when a vehicle swerved off Hwy 1 just outside Rosedale and crashed into an embankment.

24-year old Kenyata Cross along with her unborn child and one year old son were killed in the crash. The driver, 29-year old Larry Tuggle was sent to a Memphis hospital in critical condition.

Another crash occurred a few hours later just outside Pace. Two vehicles traveling west on Hwy 8 collided with one another causing one to flip over. All parties involved were taken to Bolivar County Medical Center and treated for injuries.

More than a slight chance of miserable weather is expected to his the state in the next few days.

Forecasters say residents should brace for subfreezing temperatures and the potential for nasty driving conditions including a 90 percent chance of snow in north Mississippi Wednesday night.

Central Mississippi could see a mixture of snow and rain heading into Thursday as temperatures fall into single digits and teens Friday night.

Officials in Sunflower and Bolivar Counties were sworn in Monday.

Steve Rosenthal became the mayor of Indianola. He defeated Arthur Marble and two other candidates in the Democratic primary before beating independent Mario Strong in the general election. 

In Bolivar County, Brenda Mitchell was sworn in as interim district attorney for the 11^th district. Mitchell succeeds Lawrence Mellon, who recently retired. Mitchell will serve until a special election is held. The next general election for the position will be in November 2011.

Cleveland police are investigating an attempted armed robbery.

Authorities say a businesswoman pulled into Guaranty Bank Sunday night to make her nightly deposit when she was approached by an armed gunman.

Before the suspect could do anything, the woman sped off and called police. Chief Buster Bingham says they do have a person of interest.

A Leflore County organization is trying to get the homeless off the streets.

Greenwood Interfaith Ministries, which runs the city's community kitchen, has been lobbying for a homeless shelter since 2001. Now that dream may become a reality.

Details are being worked out between local government officials and investors.

Organizers hope to have the shelter operating by the end of the year.

A $5,000 award is being offered by a Greenwood doctor over a series of fires that he believes were set intentionally.

Dr. Arnold Smith put up the money in the hopes of arresting those responsible for setting fires to various buildings including the AG Center.

During the Christmas weekend, the AG was set on fire twice and has been a target for fires in the past.

Congressman Collin Peterson of Minnesota is touring the Delta region with Bennie Thompson to see firsthand the devastation farmers like endured last year.

The chairman of the agriculture committee says the disaster rules were finally approved on Christmas Eve but farmers will have to wait until the end of the crop year to recoup any losses.

U.S. Representative Travis Childers led the charge and pushed other lawmakers to make a push for much needed assistance.

Entergy Mississippi says the average bill will drop 11 percent between January and March after approval of the company's quarterly fuel adjustment.

Entergy announced Monday that the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved the move.

Company officials say the rate adjustment means typical homes using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will pay about $79.50 for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $89 for the first quarter in 2009.

The U.S Census Bureau is currently recruiting part-time census takers for the 2010 census.

These short-term jobs offer good pay, flexible hours, paid training and reimbursement work-related expenses; best of all, they work in their own communities.

For more information, visit their website at www.2010.census.gov.

Nearly six months after his death, Walter Cronkite's voice is leaving the "CBS Evening News."

The CBS News legend recorded a voiceover introducing current anchor Katie Couric when she started in 2006. CBS kept the voice on the broadcast even after he died in July.

Monday CBS replaced Cronkite's voice with that of actor Morgan Freeman.

CBS officials said that Cronkite's voice was comforting but that it's time to move forward.

Gov. Haley Barbour said Monday that a German company will build a $300 million plant to manufacture stainless steel pipes in northwestern Mississippi.

Barbour is asking Mississippi lawmakers to approve $15 million in bonds for the project later this week.

Construction in Tunica County can begin in the next few months and the plant could be opened by early 2011.

Residents in Shaw will be paying a little more money for water and sewer services after the city council approved a 15 percent rate increase.

The city will assess a $12 late fee for individual, residential and commercial customers. The 10 percent late fee for multi-family units will remain the same.

City officials said they were forced to make changes because of the bad economy after operating on low funds for quite some time. Water and sewer rates had not increased since 1985.

Rosedale is still without a police chief, but city officials don’t appear to be in a big hurry.

Mayor Carey Estes is leaving the position open with the chance of receiving more applicants for the head officer. So far the city has received three applications for the position.

Officer Elijah Johnson was named interim police chief after Isaac Morris resigned in October to accept a job at Mississippi Valley State.

Several families that remain at the Cleveland Mobile Park continue struggle after two months without water.

Many were forced to haul water to their homes daily just to complete simple tasks.

Residents filed an embezzlement lawsuit against park owner Michael Ko and is expected to be in court February 23.

City officials said tenants were not allowed to purchase water meters, instead the landlord must file an application.

After winning a special election last January, Charles Jones, the youngest sheriff to ever serve in Coahoma County has made good on his campaign promises.

After nine months on the job, Jones made some huge changes by increasing the number of deputies from 10 to 22, adding a night shift and promoting shift supervisors from within.

Those changes saved the department $420,000.

Police in Greenville are investigating a New Years shooting at a night club.

Authorities 20 year old Amanda Mack and 26-year old Michael Hudson suffered minor injuries after several shots were fired into a crowd early Friday morning.

Police have no suspects and are trying to locate witnesses.

Southaven Mayor Greg Davis will ask the city council to levy a one percent tourism tax on local eateries.

Currently, Southaven levies a one percent tourism tax on motel and hotels only.

Davis says the city wants the tax extended to restaurants to raise about $1 million for expansion and maintenance of its two largest parks.

Dozens of cities and counties across Mississippi have local sales taxes on hotels and restaurants. Proceeds go for tourism and economic development projects.

Bobby DeLaughter, who as a prosecutor and judge put thousands of people behind bars, is expected to report to prison today.

DeLaughter attracted worldwide attention as he pursued and won a case in the 1963 assassination of Medgar Evers. Byron De La Beckwith was sentenced to life in prison and died in 2001.

Last July DeLaughter stepped down as a Hinds County circuit judge after his involvement in a corruption case involving Dickie Scruggs.

The Mississippi River will once again reach within two feet of flood stage this week at Natchez, but is projected to start falling by Friday.

The National Weather Service in Jackson estimates the river will rise to 46 feet on Wednesday and Thursday, falling just below its 48-feet flood stage marker.

The river is likely to remain at the 46-foot marker for two days.

Tobacco users in the state who want to quit, will soon have the resources starting this week.

The Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center announced a new tobacco cessation program along with the Mississippi Act Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research (act2quit).

The program will be funded by the state and will be free of charge to state residents.

For more information call 662-621-5117.

Police are still searching for the person responsible for killing a former Mound Bayou alderman.

Sheriffs say 49-year old Shedrick Stout was found dead in his home on New Year's Eve. Stout called 911 around 8:45 Thursday and told authorities he was stabbed.

Stout was previously employed by Burger King Corp. in Clarksdale where he has worked as an assistant manager, store manager and district manager.

Anyone with any information about the murder to contact the Mound Bayou Police Department at 662-741-2191 or the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Department at 662-843-5378