GULF OIL SPILL-MEXICAN STATES
5th Circuit: 3 Mexican states cannot sue BP over 2010 spill
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit against BP and other companies by three Mexican states over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal upheld a 2013 district court ruling.
The courts held that, because Mexico’s federal government owns the affected property, the states – Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo – don’t have standing to file the suit.
The opinion, dated May 1, notes that that the Mexican federal government filed a similar lawsuit, which is progressing through the court system.
The ruling said the 2010 suit sought alleged damages or future damages including oil spill response costs and harm to sealife and shorelines.
A BP spokesman said the company was pleased with the ruling.
TUPELO REVITALIZATION
Tupelo revitalization project waiting for contract approval
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – An item on this week’s Tupelo City Council agenda could be a major step in revitalizing parts of West Jackson Street.
WTVA TV reports the council will vote Tuesday whether to approve an engineering contract with Cook Coggins.
Neighborhood Development Corporation President Duke Loden said it will be a step forward in the West Jackson Street Project.
Once approved, crews will begin building new sidewalks, turning lanes and a new street that will soon have newly built homes.
The West Jackson Street Projects hopes to turn old, rundown properties into new and affordable housing for middle class families.
The city began buying dilapidated properties a few years ago and turned them over to the NDC for development.
So far, it has purchased 28 homes and demolished more than 20 of them.
TUPELO POLICE-MOTORCYCLES
Trading out old, saving money: Police get 2 new motorcycles
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – The Tupelo Police Department got such a great deal, it added two new bikes to its motorcycle unit.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports the department was able to trade in two older bikes for two newer ones.
Police Sgt. Brett Moyer says trading in a pair of 2009 Road Kings saved the city money. In the past, the city got about $4,000 apiece for older bikes at auction.
Moyer says this time they were given $8,400 for each trade.
With the total trade-in value, the department was able to evenly swap for a new 2015 Electra Glide and purchase another new one. The new motorcycles arrived last month.
The department has five motorcycles used to work accidents, run radar, and provide escorts for parades, funerals, and dignitaries.
WILDLIFE RESCUE GROUPS
Wildlife rescue group: Increasing number of animals need aid
GAUTIER, Miss. (AP) – The Wildlife Care and Rescue Center in Jackson County says a growing number of wildlife is in need of help.
The Sun Herald reports center director Alison Sharpe says most of the animals have lost vital resources, so they’re learning to become urban dwellers and living in closer proximity to people.
On Sunday, the center held training for new and experienced volunteers who were taught the best ways to hold, feed, medicate, and house wildlife. For the first time, a newer wildlife organization, Gulf Coast Wild Rehab, asked to sit in on the training with its own volunteers.
The Wildlife Care and Rescue Center takes in 400-500 birds, owls, squirrels, deer and skunks each year.
LOWNDES CO SCHOOLS
Lowndes Co. voters consider $44M school district bond issue
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) – Lowndes County citizens will go to the polls May 12 to vote on a proposed bond issue for the school district worth $44 million.
If passed, the bond will include: $11 million for a centralized career-technical center; $26 million for a new high school on the New Hope campus; $3 million for upgrades and additions at the Caledonia campus; $1.9 million for a new field house at Caledonia; and $2 million for renovations on the West Lowndes campus.
The Commercial Dispatch reports the bond issue is the second phase of a total $75 million worth of improvements.
Every registered voter who lives in an area of Lowndes County served by the county school district can vote on the bond issue. Sixty percent approval is needed for it to pass.
NEW SCHOOL
New elementary school will be expanded to hold more students
LONG BEACH, Miss. (AP) – The newest school in Long Beach already needs more room due to an influx of students.
WLOX-TV reports Harper McCaughan Elementary has plans to start a $2.2 million expansion project for the school due to the amount of students. Principal Russ Badeaux says the building for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders is near capacity and expects to see 270 fourth-graders arrive in two years, about 40 more than the school normally gets.
The district is adding 11 new classrooms, three just for fourth-graders. Badeaux says there will be a multi-purpose room for the band and four classrooms for the academically gifted children and their teachers.
The school opened five years ago to replace the campus destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
SAINTS-MOVES
Saints sign 13 undrafted free agents, release 3 players
METAIRIE, La. (AP) – The New Orleans Saints signed 13 undrafted free agents and released three defensive reserves Monday.
The new players are: defensive linemen Tavaris Barnes of Clemson, Kaleb Eulls of Mississippi State, Ashaad Mabry of Texas-San Antonio and Bobby Richardson of Indiana; guards Doniel Gambrell of Notre Dame (Ohio) College and Cyril Lemon of North Texas; wide receivers R.J. Harris of New Hampshire and Malcolme Kennedy of Texas A&M; tackle Sean Hickey of Syracuse; linebackers Marcus Pierce-Brewster of West Texas A&M and Stephon Sanders of SMU; and tight ends Harold Spears of New Hampshire and Jack Tabb of North Carolina.
Released were safeties Marcus Ball and Ty Zimmerman, and inside linebacker Kyle Knox.
