News Briefs From Across The State
By Monica Land
Winner will take Alice Harden’s seat
Nine candidates are running for a state Senate seat in part of Hinds County. They’re competing to succeed Democrat Alice Harden, who died in December.
The special election is Feb. 5, with a runoff Feb. 26.
The candidates are Cindy Ayers-Elliot, Tamarra Grace Butler, Marshand Crisler, Sollie B. Norwood, Antonio Porter, James “Jimmy” Stewart, Kathy L. Sykes, Tommy L. Wallace II and Cassandra Welchlin.
Candidates in special elections run without party labels.
Harden was a former educator. In 1987, she became the first black woman elected to the Mississippi Senate. She served until her death at age 64.
Pedestrian struck, killed by train in Tupelo
Authorities say one person was killed after being struck by a train in downtown Tupelo.
Lee County Coroner Carolyn Green identified the victim as 16-year-old Ron Woods, a student at Tupelo High School.
Tupelo police tell WTVA TV the accident that killed Woods happened on the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe track around 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10.
Counselors were on hand at Woods’ school Friday to help students and staff deal with the loss.
Forrest Co. garbage bills to drop
Forrest County residents using the county solid waste service will see their monthly bill lowered by $5.35 for garbage pickup, beginning Feb. 1.
The Hattiesburg American reports Waste Pro will take over as the county’s contractor providing solid waste pickup, after being awarded the five-year contract in December.
The Forrest County Board of Supervisors received bids from Waste Pro and Enviro Inc., which currently is contracted as the solid waste pickup provider.
Board President David Hogan said Waste Pro’s bid for the contract was about $1 lower than the Enviro Inc. bid. The bid amounts were based on cost-per-user.
County solid waste customers’ monthly rate for service will decrease from $17 per month to $11.65.
Petal man faces arson charge
Petal Fire Department investigators have arrested a 29-year-old man on an arson of a dwelling charge.
The Hattiesburg American reports Aquialius Antwane Dixon of Petal was booked into the Forrest County Jail on Thursday. He is held on a $50,000 bond.
Fire Investigator Marion Sims says the Nov. 10 fire damaged a home that Dixon was renting.
Sims said the investigation surrounding the fire is still ongoing.
He says his accelerant-detecting K9, Dazzy, assisted with the investigation leading to Dixon’s arrest.
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