WKXY/WROX News

Bolivar County Citizens Doing the Right Thing

2010-04-30T17:17:00.001-04:00

Natural Disasters seem to have an amazing way of bringing out the best in people; a great example of this is how the citizens of Bolivar County are helping in the Yazoo City relief efforts.

In yesterday’s report, Delta Radio News gave account on how the Bayou Academy Community Service Club was taking donations of canned goods, clothes, etc. that will be delivered by flat-bed truck to the victims of the tornado several times before May 14th.

The Cleveland Knights of Columbus have also stepped up to the challenge of joining in the relief efforts and 'doing the right thing'.

Grand Knight Will Bradham explained that the Cleveland Knights of Columbus are in process of clearing debris from and around several houses.

Though the response has been great, more donations are needed and can be sent to MEMA and FEMA headquarters, located at the old car dealership off Hwy 49 in Yazoo City.

Delta Radio News will keep you updated on further developments in the tornado relief efforts.

Entergy Named Tree Line USA Award Winner

2010-04-30T17:16:00.003-04:00

Tree-trimming crews are a familiar sight in Mississippi, but what is not usually thought about to most people is the training and care that goes into pruning branches and vegetation away from power lines.

Entergy trains its vegetation workers and provides them pocket guides that address pruning near utility lines and also trenching and tunneling near trees for daily assistance in their work.

These efforts to do the job right have earned Entergy its fifth Tree Line USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation.

The award, sponsored in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes utilities that demonstrate a commitment to public education, tree planting and quality tree care.

Three Local School Districts Awarded Grant Money

2010-04-30T17:16:00.001-04:00

The Mississippi Department of Education recently met in Jackson and awarded grant money to several local school districts.

The Mound Bayou School District and West Bolivar School District was awarded $91,327 each and the Coahoma County School District was awarded $273,981.

These awards will be used by the school districts to fund permissible costs of the Reading First Program.

According to Director of Communications Pete Smith, the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Programs of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 fund this grant.

Amber Alert Cancelled

2010-04-30T17:15:00.002-04:00

Xavier Deshun Martin, the two year old boy who was recently kidnapped, is now out of harms way.

According to sources, the Amber Alert that was issued for the boy was cancelled yesterday afternoon after Cedric Martin, the man accused of kidnapping the boy, surrendered himself and the child to authorities at the Federal Building in Jackson.

Mississippi Highway reported that Martin is now facing kidnapping charges along with rape and aggravated assault charges.

According to the Amber Alert website, the program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry, to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases.

The goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and the safe recovery of the child.

Bean Counter Makes a Move

2010-04-29T09:31:00.000-04:00

As some folks no doubt will be pretty upset this morning as they have a little difficulty getting their hands on that cup of coffee they count on to start their day, owners of the Bean Counter say they're closed today in order to pack up shop in preparation for this weekend's move to their new digs in the old Airport Grocery building off Highway 8 West. Patrons of the popular local coffeehouse are being told it should be worth their brief wait. Plans for the Cleveland eatery call for a new and expanded menu that in addition to the usual fare, will now offer authentic Italian cuisine from a larger kitchen and new hours that are to include Thursday Friday and Saturday evenings. That's the bean counter in Cleveland...on the move!

Crops Recieved Little to No Damage Amid Severe Storms

2010-04-29T09:29:00.000-04:00

While pelting hailstorms were said to shred some corn leaves, the recent severe weather reportedly did not damage area crops, including soybeans. While they don't believe the high winds that accompanied this past weekend's storms will affect this year's population or yield, agriculture experts say all the rain that fell on the delta was actually beneficial to newly planted fields. Many farmers are now playing the waiting game, as they need things to dry a bit more, before planting the rest of their soybean and cotton fields. The general consensus was that related crop damage here could have been a lot worse.

Donations for Yazoo City

2010-04-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

In the aftermath of the Tornado that devastated Yazoo City, the Bayou Community Service Club is asking for donations of toys, clothes, bottled water and canned goods to be sent to Yazoo City.

The donations will be transported via flat-bed truck to and will leave sometime after noon on Friday.

Please bring or send any of these much needed items to Claire Marquis at the Bayou Academy Elementary office.

For further information call Claire Marquis at (662) 843-8823.

DSU Student Presented with Award by Mississippi Dietetic Association

2010-04-29T09:23:00.002-04:00

Through academic excellence, senior Delta State nutrition/dietetics student Cary A. Moore of Cleveland was recently honored with the "Outstanding Dietetic Student in a Coordinated Program Award," by the Mississippi Dietetic Association at their annual meeting.

Moore received the Mary Stansel Harvey Professionalism Scholarship in 2008 and the Eldon N. Davis Student Dietetic Association Award this past year.

She currently maintains a 3.75 GPA and is a member of Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society.

Sewage Facility Bid Accepted

2010-04-29T09:22:00.000-04:00

County Engineer Bob Eley was accompanied by Don Spark, a representative from D & E Construction in Arlington, TN at this week’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting. D & E Construction had the lowest bid of $718, 011.78 for the Lamont Sewage Project, but Eley explained that D & E additionally provided three deductive options, which were designed to keep the price within the funding available.

This price was still $4,000 over the original funding by the Environmental Protect Agency out of Atlanta and the South Delta Planning and Development District, but County Engineer Will Hooker elucidated that the last time he communicated with the EPA, they felt good about the alternate bid Eley acquired.

The motion to accept the lowest bid carried, and construction is anticipated to begin in late May.

IHL’s Neely to Keynote Delta State’s Spring Commencement

2010-04-28T11:21:00.000-04:00

Dr. Bettye Neely, vice president of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, will deliver the keynote address at Delta State University’s 2010 Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m. inside the Walter Sillers Coliseum on campus.

Neely is an administrative assistant in the Grenada School District where she is federal programs coordinator, curriculum coordinator (6-12), district test coordinator, substitute teacher coordinator, and district reading specialist.

She holds four degrees from Mississippi's Institutions of Higher Learning including a Bachelor of Science in English from Mississippi Valley State University, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Jackson State University, an Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision from Delta State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from Mississippi State University.

Professionally, Neely is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Mississippi Association of School Administrators, Mississippi Association of Federal Program Directors and Mississippi Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mississippi Valley State Alumni Association, Delta State Alumni Association, and Mississippi State Alumni Association.

Delta State is expected to graduate an estimated 450 students during its spring commencement. Each graduate will receive six tickets for family and friends. Tickets are required for entry.

For information on Delta State’s spring commencement, please contact the Office of Communications and Marketing at (662) 846-4675.

MEMA Warns Residents to Watch for Scams

2010-04-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

State consumer protection officials are teaming up with MEMA to get the word out to residents that n the wake of a disaster, officials say it is common to see the generous side of human nature. Unfortunately, the sinister side also shows its presence. That’s why they say the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is informing residents to be aware of possible scams from insurance companies and contractors who often target victims during this stressful time. To find Consumer Tips for Storm Victims visit http://www.msmema.org or http://www.agjimhood.com.

Possible Upgrade in Bolivar County Sheriff's Office Radios

2010-04-28T10:56:00.000-04:00

In yesterdays Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Chief Deputy Charles Gilmer explained that the Mississippi Wireless Information Network or (MSWIN) funds, which Bolivar County is getting ready to receive, should be utilized for buying seven new radios for the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Gilmer also asked the Board to amend the budget to see where the remaining $7,910 for the radios could come from, but since the time frame to purchase the radios was extended to September, the Board came to a consensus to take the motion under further advisory.

In the meantime, Bolivar county sheriff Mack Grimmett brought up several potential cost cutting measures for supervisors to consider. Grimmett included one that he believes could save the county money by hiring part time dispatchers, instead of paying current staffers overtime. Much more on this during an upcoming broadcast.

No, That is NOT Your Governer Emailing You

2010-04-28T10:53:00.000-04:00

The state attorney general's office says it's not a new scam, but one that's back after initially surfacing here last summer. Consumer protection investigators say E-mail scammers are "hijacking" email addresses of well known public officials and using it to con consumers. As Jan Shaefer in the attorney general's office explains, these con artists continually tweak their techniques in order to fool even the most astute consumer.

In the recent reports, the spam email claims that the public official is overseas and is in need of money because the official has lost his wallet through some sort of accident. The recipient is then instructed to immediately send money to Western Union in London.

"Everyone should look with suspicion at any unsolicited emails that
seek to play on your emotions and your pocketbook," said Attorney
General Hood. "Always protect your personal information and keep your
anti-virus software up-to-date."

Some key tips to remember:
-Do not respond to any unsolicited e-mails of this nature.
-Do not click on any attachments associated with such emails, as they
may contain viruses or malware.
-Educate yourself and your family on how the scam works.
-Be suspicious of anyone who is vague in identifying themselves on the
phone.
-Be suspicious of anyone who calls unexpectedly and wants you to wire
money--especially out of the country.
-Typically, the scammer will tell you to keep the conversation a
secret. Know that the right thing to do is to call someone else in the
family to verify the situation.
-Consider creating a "code word" or a "password" for your family to use
in emergency situations as verification of identity and do not tell it
to anyone outside of the family.
-Always protect your PII (Personally Identifiable Information).
Giving it out could cause you to become a victim of identity theft.

More information on this scam, and others like it, can be found online
at www.agjimhood.com.

Day of Prayer for Tornado Victims

2010-04-27T10:09:00.001-04:00

In the aftermath of this weekend’s tornadoes, Governor Barbour is declaring Tuesday, April 27, a Day of Prayer.

This 'Day of Prayer' is in remembrance of the Mississippians who died and suffered losses in Saturday's severe weather.

Federal and state emergency officials began yesterday surveying damage in the counties hit hardest.

According to sources, there are hopes to have the state and federal preliminary damage assessments by today so Governor Barbour can submit them to President Obama tomorrow.

Stimulus Money for Lake Perry Martin

2010-04-27T10:08:00.002-04:00

For years, the residents of Rosedale have been catching fish at Lake Perry Martin, but several years ago, a flood damaged a stone weir that served as a dam for the lake. Now, according to the sources, Rosedale is scheduled to benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will provide stimulus money to repair the weir and restore water levels in the lake. This project is anticipated to begin sometime this summer.

It's Test Time in Mississippi

2010-04-27T10:07:00.001-04:00

Across the state, Mississippi public school students are participating in standardized testing. The round of tests will begin with the Subject Area Testing Program (SATP) from Monday until Thursday of this week. Students in various grades will be taking examinations on Biology I, U.S. history, Algebra I and English II.
According to the Mississippi Department of Education website, "since the 2001-2002 school year, students have been required to pass the subject area test(s) as a requirement for graduation, and is one of the tests that determine a school’s accountability rating".

Yet Another Scam Hits the Delta

2010-04-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

Reports state that local residents have been receiving automated phone calls asking then would-be victims to enter their debit card numbers. Several local banks are warning their customers not to fall prey to the latest phishing scam, but rather to ignore requests made during the suspicious calls, most of which apparently are coming to people's cell phones. Officials say people should never enter or give out their personal information and that a reputable institution would never ask for social security, credit card or account numbers via email or telephone.

New Sportsplex to the Delta Area

2010-04-27T10:03:00.000-04:00

A master plan for a new Sportsplex was recently given to the Delta Sportsplex Foundation. According to sources, the proposal and diagrams for the over 90 acre complex will possibly be located beside the Washington County Convention Center and could consist of an excess of 12 soccer and baseball fields, concessions and other functional amenities. The Foundation Board is unsure of when it will make public the finished design or start its publicity and funding raising operations, but the projected cost will be around the $11 million range.

Weekend Tornado Leaves Mississippi in Shock

2010-04-26T10:23:00.000-04:00

State emergency management officials offered a summary of the storm damage related to Saturday's severe weather outbreak that left 10 people dead, dozens injured and impacted more than a dozen Mississippi counties. Hundreds of homes and businesses sustained serious damage as a result of a deadly tornado that formed in Louisiana, before working its way through several cities and into Yazoo County. Storm surveyors were still working to determine the actual path of the storm and when and where the twister actually touched down. In the meantime, as relief efforts continue, volunteers and would-be donors are being asked to phone toll free 1-800-SAL-ARMY. You can also log on to http://www.salvationarmy.org.

Some Parents For Cleveland School Consolidation

2010-04-26T10:17:00.000-04:00

Cleveland High School and Eastside High School have been operated seperately for deacades, but treated equally in various ways. Now a group of Cleveland parents believe it's time for changes at the two local high schools. Concerned residents are also calling for a unified school district, and believe consolidation would be the best way to produce the most financially and academically sound educational system for Cleveland students.

Mississippi Man Faces Sentencing For Accident

2010-04-26T10:15:00.000-04:00

A Mississippi man is to appear again before a federal judge for sentencing, having been convicted of causing a fatal accident while driving under the influence of drugs. Prosecutors say 58 year old Wendell Blount was high on morphine when he got behind the wheel last April. Police said the SUV Blount was operating struck a bicycle on the Natchez Trace. Dutch journalist, Esther Hagemen, who had been on vacation at the time of the accident, later died from wounds she suffered from the collision. The driver now faces up to 33 years behind bars.

Consolidation Considerations

2010-04-26T10:04:00.000-04:00

As consultants released their list of which districts might consolidate to produce more efficient results by merging with neighboring, which were generally higher performing districts here in the Delta, administrators in one local community say they now understand why they were left off the list. Mound Bayou school officials say the 18 separate districts targeted for consolidation have higher than acceptable cost-per-pupil administrative costs and are located in low income areas. The criteria for consideration was based on having a student body less than two thousand, lower ratings based on test scores known as the QDI or Quality Distribution Index when meeting individual student growth goals set by the state, and finally average cost per pupil administrative costs.

National Infant Immunization Week

2010-04-26T09:52:00.000-04:00

Local public health officials are encouraging parents to get their youngest ones the required vaccinations they need at statewide clinics during National Infant Immunization Week. Residents may visit any county health department during regular business hours this week to receive vaccinations, which the CDC says is the best way to ensure a healthy start to life. Officials say the successful implementation of the immunization program over the years has helped many parents across the country realize the need for the vaccinations. To find out more about what your infant needs and what state public health officials say are recommended vaccines, log on to http://www.healthyms.com or phone toll free (866) 576-7667.

2010 Crossroads Blues Festival

2010-04-26T09:48:00.000-04:00

Organizers are gearing up for the 2nd annual benefit dinner for the 2010 Crossroads Blues Festival. Rosedale's River Resort is set to host next Friday's event presented by The Rosedale Crossroads Blues Society, which is to include a gourmet five-course dinner. Tuesday marks the reservation deadline, so to learn more about the benefit dinner and/or to purchase tickets phone (662) 759-3520.

WEATHER FORCES CHANGES TO WEEKEND BASEBALL SCHEDULE AT DELTA STATE; FERRISS RECOGNITION MOVED TO SUNDAY

2010-04-23T16:08:00.002-04:00

With the threat of impending weather this weekend, Delta State University head baseball coach Mike Kinnison announced that the planned 50th anniversary recognition for coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss has been moved to Sunday, April 25 at 1:45 p.m.

“We’re taking a wait and see approach to the schedule,” Kinnison stated. “We felt it necessary to move coach Ferriss’ recognition to Sunday for those making plans to come up for the event.”

Any changes to the game schedule will be announced as soon as possible. Updates will be posted to www.GoStatesmen.com when they become available.