News Briefs From Across The State
Victim was killed in head-on collision last year
Thirty-one-year-old Wesley Brandon, of Belden, is scheduled to stand trial today during the May term of Lee County Circuit Court on charges in the 2011 vehicular death of John E. Bell.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that Brandon was indicted on a DUI-death charge, accusing him of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
The accident occurred in Tupelo on West Jackson Street Extended and Coley Road about 8 p.m. on May 14. Thirty-year-old Bell, of Tupelo, died in the head-on crash.
Brandon is free on bond.
The circuit court’s May term begins today, May 1, and lasts throughout the month.
2 men arrested in attempted pharmacy burglary
Authorities say two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempting to burglarize a Baldwyn pharmacy.
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Marshall Fisher said in a news release that both men are already on probation and are now facing new felony charges. They were arrested on April 24 near Medical Arts Pharmacy after the alarm went off.
The suspects are 30-year-old Lenardo R. Heard and 27-year-old Christopher L. Freeman.
Lee County Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland set bond for each man at $50,000.
Moss Point starts school superintendent search
The Moss Point School District is looking for a new superintendent. The Mississippi Press reports the school board is seeking community input as part of the process and it hosted two public forums on Friday.
The school board will use the input to formulate a leadership profile, which will be used to screen candidates.
Superintendent Greg Ladner, whose contract expires June 30, said that he accepted an interim position at Moss Point to give the district time to search for a permanent superintendent.
The school board hired Ladner to serve as interim superintendent on July 1, 2011. The board had previously voted to not renew former Superintendent Kim Staley’s contract.
Two men in custody after store burglary
Two men are in custody on suspicion they burglarized a Fulton convenience store Friday morning, WTVA reported. Donnell Garrett, 24, and R. D. Boggans, 54, both of Jackson, are believed to have broken into the Murphy Oil Gas Station in the Walmart parking lot.
Authorities say they took a large amount of cigarettes from the business.
The men were arrested in West Point following the investigation of an automobile accident around 3 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 25 and Highway 45 Alternate in Monroe County, on Friday, April 27.
MHP officials say Boggans is charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and no proof of insurance. He is currently in the Monroe County Jail. Garrett is being held in the Itawamba County Jail.
Fulton Police Chief Reggie Johnson said the investigation continues, but he believes the pair may be responsible for similar burglaries in the area.
Pearlington gets loan and grant for water improvements
Mississippi’s USDA Rural Development Director Trina George said the town of Pearlington in Hancock County has received a $611,000 loan and a $363,961 grant for their water and sewer district.
The funds will be used to construct a storage building and buy supplies, tools, office equipment and for training. The project will start-up the Pearlington Water and Sewer District which will be serving 600 customers who will purchase water from the Hancock County Utility Authority, which will also provide sewer service.
The prior servicing area was totally destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and no longer allows septic systems. George said, “the project will provide for healthier growth.”
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