Latest Mississippi news, sports, business and entertainment

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EPA-SMOG ENFORCEMENT

Appeals court sides with EPA on air pollution limits

WASHINGTON (AP) – A federal appeals court says the Environmental Protection Agency complied with the law in deciding which areas of the country failed to meet federal limits on smog-forming pollution.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday rejected challenges from states, industry and environmental groups that claimed the agency was being either too strict or too lenient in determining which areas satisfied federal ozone restrictions.

States including Mississippi, Indiana and Texas had challenged the EPA’s finding that certain areas within their borders were violating the standard. A finding of noncompliance means states have to spend money to reduce ozone levels.

The Obama administration recently proposed even stricter emission limits on ozone than the standard that President George W. Bush put in place in 2008.

Photo: www.greenwichtime.com
Photo: www.greenwichtime.com

CONGRESS-MISSISSIPPI

Clerks: Mixed turnout for US House runoff in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Turnout for a vacant congressional seat in north Mississippi is sparse in some counties, but strong in others, including that of the longshot Democratic candidate.

Polls close at 7 p.m. CDT Tuesday in the contest between Republican Trent Kelly and Democrat Walter Zinn, who would be only the third African-American congressman in Mississippi since Reconstruction.

The winner will finish a term started by Republican Rep. Alan Nunnelee, who died in February.

The 1st District includes all of or part of 22 counties. Republicans have held the seat most of the past 20 years.

Officials in some Republican-leaning counties say turnout is light. In Zinn’s home county, the circuit clerk says it’s stronger than expected.

Kelly is a district attorney. Zinn is an attorney and political consultant.

LAKE MONROE

MDWFP working to restock Lake Monroe

ABERDEEN, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is restocking fish in Lake Monroe in north Mississippi.

The lake, located near Aberdeen, was closed in February of 2014 and drained to allow for repairs to fishing piers, the boat ramp and the water level control structure.

About 2,500 Florida-strain largemouth bass were recently released into the lake.

Wildlife biologists say bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappie and grass carp will also be stocked in the lake.

Lake Monroe remains closed to the public.

Lake Monroe was built in 1954, making it one of the oldest state lakes managed by the wildlife agency.

STARKVILLE SCHOOLS-EMCC

Starkville, EMCC agree on Maben school campus

 

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) – The Starkville School District and East Mississippi Community College have agreed on a plan that will allow the junior college to offer courses and college-level classes at West Oktibbeha County High School.

The Maben campus is scheduled to close after July 1 when the Starkville and Oktibbeha County school systems merge.

Starkville Superintendent Lewis Holloway tells The Commercial Dispatch that EMCC officials will pay for utilities and insurance while also providing upkeep and security.

The lease is expected to run for five years, but an overall price is not yet known.

Both governing boards for EMCC and Starkville schools must approve the deal.

EMCC is expected to offer general education testing and college-level classes at Maben campus and expand its course offerings to the western portion of the county.

NO CALL FINES-MISSISSIPPI

Firm cited for violating no-call rules, fined $85,000

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi regulators have ordered a Florida company named L&J Bay Area Holding and its leader to pay $85,000 for violating the state’s ban on unwanted telemarketing.

The Public Service Commission voted 3-0 Tuesday to penalize L&J and Edward Dement. The company is based in Temple Terrace, Florida.

It’s the latest fine the Public Service Commission has issued against a company for violating Mississippi’s prohibition on calling people who have registered their phone numbers to block telemarketers. The order alleges L&J failed to register as a telemarketer, failed to buy the state’s no-call list and made 10 unauthorized calls to Mississippi phone numbers in 2014 and 2015.

The commission’s penalty comes after L&J didn’t respond to complaints. It’s a civil fine, not a criminal action.

ASSAULT DEATH-ARRESTS

2 charged in beating that killed MEMA worker

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Jackson police have arrested two men in the beating death and robbery of a Jackson man outside a local restaurant.

Eric Hambrick died Saturday at the University of Mississippi Medical Center from injuries suffered in the incident. Police say Hambrick was assaulted Thursday night at a Waffle House. He was found in the parking lot about 9:30 p.m.

Police Department spokeswoman Colendula Green says in a news release that 19-year-old Arkel Coleman and 18-year-old Shrederrick Anderson are charged with one count each of murder and strong armed robbery. A judge denied bond Tuesday on the charges.

Green says police are seeking a third suspect.

Hambrick worked with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for about three years and was a 20-year employee of the state.

Police say surveillance video was recovered from the restaurant.

GEORGIA-RICHT-TRANSFER RULE

Richt hopes for ‘discretion’ in new SEC transfer rule

MACON, Ga. (AP) – Georgia coach Mark Richt says he hopes there is room for “discretion” in the SEC’s new rule which blocks schools from accepting transfers who have had “serious misconduct” problems.

The SEC is the first conference to prohibit transfers of student-athletes who have a history of such offenses as sexual assault, domestic violence or other forms of sexual violence.

Richt said Tuesday there is “certainly wisdom” in the rule passed at the Southeastern Conference’s spring meetings on Friday in Destin, Florida. Still, he says he hopes a hard rule won’t prevent schools from considering those who “deserve a chance.”

Georgia proposed the legislation, which was passed by SEC presidents. Richt, speaking at the annual Pigskin Preview meeting of the state’s college football coaches, says coaches didn’t vote on the proposal.

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI-KENTUCKY SERIES

Southern Miss, Kentucky announce two-game football series

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) – Southern Mississippi and Kentucky have announced a two-game football series that begins in 2016 with a game in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Wildcats will make the return trip to Southern Miss in 2017. The series was announced by Southern Miss on Tuesday afternoon.

It will be the first time Southern Miss has hosted a Southeastern Conference program besides Mississippi or Mississippi State.

Southern Miss athletic director Bill McGillis said the school had been discussing the series with Kentucky for a few months and he’s “excited for our team and certainly excited for our fans.”

Kentucky has won the only two meetings in series history, with the last coming in 1986. Both games were played in Lexington.