WKXY/WROX News

Ruleville Parents to Protest

2010-03-11T09:51:00.000-05:00

Parents in Ruleville gathered this week to protest regarding decisions they believe the Sunflower County School District's board has gotten wrong. Leaders of the demonstration say the problems have been long term ones and their concerns have been neglected, pointing to accusations of inactivity on claims of violence made by Bianca Keys prior to her death last year. Another point of contention was said to be the scheduled board meetings which they argued weren't accessible to working parents, and organizers say they may look into organizing a petition drive that would allow Governor Barbour to remove current Superintendent Pierce McIntosh.

82 Bypass Causes Revitalization Talks

2010-03-11T09:41:00.000-05:00

With the construction of the Hwy 82 bypass, Leonard Williams, planning director for Washington County, said his office and the Greenville Planning Commission are working together on a project to revitalize the look of Hwy 82. The project will be similar to Jackson’s revitalization project for the Hwy 80 area, which suffered losses in patronage due to Interstate bypasses. Williams plans on seeing if the Jackson model works, then adding some of the commission’s own ideas to find a niche. With the U.S. 82 bypass expected to be completed sometime in the summer, Williams said they want to give people a reason to drive down U.S. 82 instead of taking the bypass.

United States Post Office to Make Changes

2010-03-11T09:39:00.001-05:00

Postmaster General John E. Potter outlined a number of measures that could save around $123 billion for the Postal Service. This comes as response to the expectations of a snowballing loss of $238 billion by 2020, but an estimated $115 billion shortfall will still remain despite these efforts. Potter concluded, "If given the flexibility to respond to an evolving marketplace, the postal service will continue to be an integral part of the fabric of American life."

Voter ID Legislation Officially to be on Ballot

2010-03-11T09:38:00.001-05:00

Plans for voters to decide the fate of Voter ID legislation during next year's elections are apparently official, as Secretary of State Delber Hoseman says his office received well over the necessary amount of signatures collected during a petition drive. Over 131-thousand signatures were confirmed by the office, above the required 89-thousand, and the verification process reportedly took several weeks to complete. The vote centers on a possible change to the state constitution that would require the presentation of a photo-ID, like a drivers license or similar card, at a polling place, prior to receiving a ballot.

Parents Concerns about Lack of Buses in Shaws

2010-03-09T09:59:00.003-05:00

School officials in Shaw are reportedly fielding complaints from some parents who contend the district is not supplying enough buses and aren't equipping their children with the proper schoolbooks. Reports suggest that the superintendent's office expects school bus service to back on line soon, they are asking parents who may have concerns to contact the Shaw School District Office.

Sewage Facility Plans in the Works

2010-03-09T09:57:00.000-05:00

Plans to begin construction on the planned Lamont Sewage Treatment Facility are moving closer to happening after a nearly year-long delay. The facility was previously put on hold due to planning and property considerations regarding the location of the site, but now, Bolivar County Engineer Bob Eley has expressed optimism for the project, stating that he is ready to start advertising construction bids to contractors. Eley expects to discuss the bids received during an April meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Ko Possibly Faces 10 Years in Prison

2010-03-09T09:53:00.001-05:00

Cleveland mobile home park owner Michael ko could face up to 10 years in prison and over 20 thousand dollars in fines if convicted on charges stemming from an incident last November, when tenants claim the landlord shut the water off to nearly 20 local families. reports also suggest that ko, a radiologist from greenwood, is scheduled to appear in a Bolivar county justice court room in mid may.

Delta State Child Development Center Honored

2010-03-09T09:52:00.001-05:00

On February 8, 2010, The Delta State University Hamilton-White Child Development received 4 out of 5 stars from the Mississippi Child Care Quality Step System, a rating system for licensed child care providers in Mississippi. The DSU Child Development Center is among three other licensed centers with a rating of 4 out of 5 to date. There are 1,730 licensed child care centers in Mississippi.

Benefit Bake Sale for Humane Society

2010-03-09T09:51:00.001-05:00

Man's best friend is the center of attention as the Bolivar County Humane Society teams up with In Defense of Animals to begin a major fundraising push targeted at easing capacity locally, by sending some of the animals out of state. So far, the two groups have raised just under a third of the 18-hundred dollars they need to make the effort happen, and say they're already planning small events like an April bake sale to help increase funding. If you'd like to learn more about the fundraiser and relocation process, contact the Humane Society's Sherry Norquist at 662-719-8199.

Senate Approves Millions for Tax Commission Upgrades in Technology

2010-03-08T11:03:00.002-05:00

Out-dated technology at the State Tax Commission has caused the state to lose nearly $100 million in collections. The Senate has allotted $17 million dollars for the much needed upgrade in their computer systems. Along with the $17 million in state bonds, the $18.5 million from Attorney General Jim Hood's Eli Lilly settlement bring the amount for the Tax Commission to $35.5 million. "I believe the new system will end-up paying for itself with unreported collections owed to the State," said Lt. Governor Phil Bryant. On Monday,the approved bill will go to the House of Representatives.

Drainage Issues Finally Subsiding

2010-03-08T11:02:00.002-05:00

After weeks of putting up with drainage issues around the city of Cleveland, members of public works crews say they're finally able to catch their breaths. While many of the problems were said to be small and easily solved, some required additional attention, including excessive backup at the city hospital and at a local nursing home. Both were given 90 days to solve their issues, and a larger component of the overall system is now operating normally. Workers cleared a large buildup of sludge at an important pumping station, that was said to have lowered the processing capacity as well as the water pressure.

Crystal Meth takes on More Appealing Form

2010-03-08T11:01:00.000-05:00

Local Law enforcement officials say that the presence of Meth is starting to increase as dealers and suppliers try to find different ways of concealing it. Authorities report that cases in which narcotics were found in food items like candies as well as in soft drinks have gone up around the region. To that end, officials say that the danger of a child coming into contact with those substances has also increased, and they recommend that parents and teachers be more vigilant about what products come into their homes and classrooms and that anything they suspect to be suspicious should be reported immediately.

It's called strawberry quick, candy laced with crystal meth. DEA agents say it's a dangerous new drug that's appearing on school grounds across the nation. Local officials are warning parents and children to be cautious. In an apparent attempt to make ingestion more palatable for kids, and create a sweet tasting meth, the drug is mixed with a flavored drink mix. Despite the new candy coating, police say anyone caught with strawberry quick should expect simiar meth posseision charges, and face the same criminal penalties.

Former Landlord faces Embezzlement Charges

2010-03-08T10:59:00.002-05:00

Former landlord Michael Ko is to answer to charges he had the water cut off this past November to over 2 dozen residents living in the Cleveland Mobile Home Park, when he appears in court this May. Despite no running water or sewer service as a result of his alleged actions, not all of his tenants left the park. Ko now faces 22 separate counts of embezzlement under contract charges.

The Creation of Resolutions in Talks

2010-03-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

On Monday, the Board of Supervisors made motions for the creation of resolutions to find and grant funding for the programs that have received budget cuts by the Mississippi Government.

Supervisor James McBride said, “For the perception or the concept that we don’t need stimulus money to be put out there initially and now we see where we are, any dollar we can get from stimulus, I think we need it.”

“I hate to say it but state agencies are lacking and the government is at a stand still in the state because of politics,” said Supervisor Donny Whitten.

Especially with cuts in Education and in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, compromise is needed in the Capital.

Continued Correctional Facility Troubles

2010-03-05T10:59:00.001-05:00

With talks of the Bolivar County Female Correctional Facility being closed due to budget cuts, the county is forced to deal with continued troubles. The Correctional Facility has already lost 59 state prisoners, totaling a loss of $645,000 for the year. Not only will the possibility of the Facility closing affect the cities of Cleveland and Boyle, Delta State University, road clean up crews etc., County Administrator Will Hooker explains that the possibly loss of jobs by the actual employees of the Correctional Facility is another issue that begs attention from the State government.

Mississippi Writers Roundtable hosted at Delta State University

2010-03-05T10:55:00.000-05:00

The Mississippi Writers Roundtable will assemble writers Saturday, March 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Delta Music Institute (Whitfield Building) to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the discipline. Mississippi Arts Comission Arts Industry Director Diane Williams states, "This event will be different from other writer’s workshops and conferences, because input and ideas will come from audience and writer alike. The Roundtable registration is $10 and includes lunch, with reservations required before March 2.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Diane Williams, Arts Industry Director at (601) 359-6529 or (601) 359-6030, dwilliams@arts.state.ms.us.

John Grisham Addresses Oxford

2010-03-05T10:52:00.000-05:00

Former Delta State student and best selling author, John Grisham, addressed an opening day gathering for the Oxford Conference of the book Thursday afternoon. The 17th annual event has been dedicated in memory of fellow Oxford resident, and critically acclaimed writer, Barry Hannah who passed away this week at the age of 67. Few people realize Grisham attended Delta State in the mid 70's. DSU head baseball coach, Mike Kinnison, says Grisham tried out for the 1974 squad but came up a little short.

Help for Haiti

2010-03-05T10:37:00.001-05:00

Efforts continue to help rebuild Haiti and save it's people just over a month after the major earthquake rocked their country, and a local hospital is joining the relief efforts. Bolivar Medical Center along with corporate parent LifePoint are taking part in a company wide fundraising drive that continues on through the beginning of March, with LifePoint promising to match all donations up to a quarter of a million dollars. The proceeds from the financial push will be directed to organizations that have established themselves with Haitians over the years including Heart to Heart International and Samaritan's Purse. For more information, contact the hospital at 846-0061.

Senate Gives Schools Opportunity to Reduce Days

2010-03-04T13:30:00.000-05:00

The Mississippi Senate has voted to give school districts the option of keeping children in class five fewer days for each of the next two years. That would take the academic year from 180 days to 175. Districts also could remove five non-instructional days. Senate Education Committee Chairman Videt Carmichael of Meridian says shortening the school year would not harm the overall educational outcomes of the state in the long run, but would save school districts money. Sen. David Blount of Jackson says the last thing the nation needs to hear is Mississippi is going to have less education for its children. The bill must go back to the House for a vote.

Crystal Meth surpasses Cocaine in Mississippi Arrest

2010-03-04T12:48:00.000-05:00

In February, Mississippi lawmakers voted to make pseudoephedrine products, one of the major ingredients in meth, available only by prescription. The law is effective July 1, and this comes at a time when Mississippi is seeing a rise in the use of this drug. Meth had been running a close second for a long time to cocaine until officials noticed that in 2009, for the first time in Mississippi, there was more meth arrests than crack cocaine and cocaine powder combined. "I believe it's an epidemic," said Marshall Fisher, director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. "It's such a problem, we couldn't avoid it if we wanted to."

District President Makes Tough Decisions

2010-03-04T12:47:00.001-05:00

Greenville Public School District President, Harvey Franklin, says he's been forced to make a series of tough decisions to help reconcile the school's budget for the rest of the school year as well as trim expenses for the next one. Plans are already being enacted to furlough selected "atwill" employees for the remainder of the year, while not paying for holidays to help recoup just over a half million dollars by the end of June. Franklin also suggested that additional contracts not be signed until the District had a better handle on the situation and that paychecks will go out monthly instead of bi-weekly.

DSU Student to Provide Leflore County Firefighters with GPS

2010-03-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

The Leflore County Board of Supervisors approved Delta State University student, Brice Fulgham’s Capstone Project for providing Firefighters with global positioning system technology. This GPS will be used to mark the locations and flow ability of county fire hydrants. Fulgham said the data would be available to access on a laptop computer that could locate the closest and most convenient hydrants in the county. The Capstone project is the final project for DSU students who are Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies majors.

Italian Festival of Mississippi

2010-03-04T12:45:00.001-05:00

The Fourth Annual Italian Festival of Mississippi will be held on March 12-13, 2010, at the Bolivar County Expo Building. Events such as wine tasting, bocce, Italian cooking lessons and Italian speaking lessons are provide to insure a truly Italian experience. Concessions, Italian- inspired goods and Commemorative t-shirts will also be available for sale at the Festival, as well as live entertainment. For more information, contact Anne Dilworth @ 662-843-2712.

North Mississippi Soldier Killed Over Seas

2010-03-03T10:24:00.002-05:00

Defense Department officials have confirmed that a soldier from north Mississippi was killed Saturday in Afghanistan during a battle with insurgents. He was 27-year-old Staff Sergeant William Rickets of Glen. Family members say Rickets, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, enlisted in the Army the day following the 911 terrorist attacks. He was on his fifth tour of duty.

New Prescription Cards are Unveiled

2010-03-03T10:15:00.000-05:00

At yesterday's Board of Supervisor's meeting, County Administrator Will Hooker unveiled the actual Bolivar County prescription discount card to the Board. Hooker states that the discount card will be available at many local pharmacies in the county. The CVS Caremark Card allows uninsured or under-insured residents as well as their family members a chance to get their prescription drugs at a discounted rate that can represent a 20 percent savings. company officials explain that participating pharmacies agree to pay the contracted rate in return for your business. Any needed information can be located on the attached brochure, or by calling Caremark toll free 1-877-321-2652 or by logging on to naco.org