Heroin, thousands in cash seized in Laurel bust

News Briefs From Across The State

By Monica Land

Suspect arrested during high speed chase ensues

Laurel police chief Tyrone Stewart said three people have been arrested in a drug bust that also resulted in the confiscation of a large amount of heroin and several thousand dollars in cash.

Stewart told WDAM that two suspects were caught at the scene of an alleged Friday, June 21 drug deal in south Laurel. Another suspect was arrested a short time later after a high speed chase. No injuries were reported. The suspects were awaiting a weekend court appearance.

Lee Co. Solid Waste releases holiday schedule

The Lee County Solid Waste will run garbage routes scheduled for Thursday, July 4 on Monday, July 8, WTVA reported.

Crews would like for customers to have garbage cans at the road by 7 a.m. on Monday, July 8.

The normal Thursday route will resume on July 11, 2013.

Oxford-Lafayette library named 'literary landmark'

The Oxford-Lafayette County Library has been named a “literary landmark'' by United for Libraries in honor of the late writer Larry Brown.

Laura Beth Walker, head librarian, tells the Oxford Eagle that a bronze plaque will soon be sent to the library that will briefly tell of Brown's life as an author and his connection to the local library.

The Literary Landmarks Association was founded in 1986 to encourage the dedication of historic literary sites. More than 120 Literary Landmarks have been dedicated across the country – including the home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner, Rowan Oak, in 1993.

Brown's notable works include “Dirty Work,'' “Father and Son,'' “Joe'' and “Big Bad Love.''

Brown died in 2004 at the age of 53.

City runs out of money to mow vacant lots

Greenville has run out of money to pay to mow the more than 600 vacant properties it owns.

Carlon Williams, the city's planning and zoning director, tells the Delta Democrat Times that of the $90,000 allocated for mowing this year only $79 remained this week.

Williams says she has asked the city's finance committee for more money. The fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

Councilman Tommy Benson, who is on the finance committee, says the city is working on finding ways to fund mowing.

While the city can't give residents permission to go onto private property, Williams says residents can help by cleaning up vacant properties.

Several council members have raised concerns about the planning departments finances after having received numerous phone calls from constituents about uncut lawns.