News Briefs From Across The State
By Monica Land
At least 20 counties threatened
WTVA is reporting that the Calhoun County Courthouse was closed Wednesday afternoon after someone allegedly
called in a bomb threat.
Sheriff Greg Pollan said nothing was found following during an initial search of the building, but the courthouse will not reopen until 8 a.m. Thursday morning.
Officials also confirmed that the Lowndes County, Lee County, Itawamba County, and Clay County courthouses were evacuated after threats were made there as well.
Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson said the circuit clerk’s office received a recorded message stating explosives were in the building.
Dickinson said the courthouse and the court square were closed while deputies searched the building.
Officials with MEMA said there were threats made in at least 20 counties.
The Mississippi Department of Homeland Security and FBI are investigating the incidents.
Woman identified in deadly accident
Authorities have identified a woman killed in a traffic accident earlier this month that also injured four children.
Baldwyn Police said Ashley Scott, of Baldwyn, was apparently trying to cross Highway 45 when she was hit by a car traveling southbound.
The accident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5 near the Get & Go convenience store on Highway 45 and County Road 2878.
It was unclear which vehicle the four children were passengers in, but they were transferred to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The accident remains under investigation.
2 hurt in blast at trailer near Yazoo City
An explosion believed caused by a leaky propane tank at a trailer injured two people near Yazoo City on Wednesday.
Robert Flannigan, 53, told Yazoo County Chief Deputy Joseph Head he smelled gas around 9 a.m. and the explosion occurred as Flannigan was lighting a cigarette, WLBT reported.
Flannigan was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson where he was reportedly listed in critical condition.
Another person, Kimberly Martin, was transported to the hospital reportedly in serious condition. A spokesman said both probably will be transferred to burn centers.
The explosion took place on Washington Street, just outside the city limits of Yazoo City.
Man sentenced for killing bear in Mississippi
Authorities said a local man has been sentenced to three of years of supervised probation and a $3,000 fine for killing a black bear in Amite County.
Federal officials said in a news release that 38-year-old Joseph Wayne Baxter, of Gloster, was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court.
Baxter was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the Appalachian Bear Rescue fund and $10,000 to the state of Mississippi for the value of the bear.
Baxter had to relinquish his 2005 GMC truck and $500 for the value of the rifle he used to kill the bear.
Authorities say the bear was killed in December 2011.
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