Aberdeen man gets time for threat to kill Obama

An Aberdeen man has been sentenced in federal prison for threatening to kill President Barack Obama. Federal officials said the man threatened to kill the president and blow up a hospital after his wife was denied surgery.

By Monica Land

News Briefs From Across The State

Threatened to kill the president after wife denied surgery

An Aberdeen man will spend the next 10 months in prison for an anger fueled rant that included killing the president and blowing up a hospital. David Williams of Attala County was arrested in July 2011 after University of Mississippi Medical Center officials reported the threat. He pleaded guilty Aug. 31.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office said the 45-year-old Williams was also sentenced to three years supervised release and alcohol and anger management classes. He will get credit for the five months he's been in jail.

Williams made the threats after UMC refused to operate on his wife. Her medical condition is unknown.

The Secret Service said Williams called the hospital to schedule surgery for his wife and when he was told the hospital would not do the surgery he threatened to blow up it up and kill President Barack Obama using a racial slur.

Toddler killed by car in Wiggins

A 3-year-old boy was killed Thursday, March 1, after he was hit by a car in Wiggins. Stone County Coroner Wayne Flurry said Jamarion Dayshaun Young was with a group of people when he ran ahead of them into the street and was struck by a car.

The accident occurred just before 7 p.m.

Young was airlifted to Forrest General Hospital, where he died. Authorities said an investigation into the accident is continuing.

Road work planned in Moss Point

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will provide funds to install modern traffic light signals at six of Moss Point's busiest traffic intersections.

The Mississippi Press reports that the city has received $500,000 from MDOT for the work.

Public Works director Woody Stieffel says the city will also have more control over adjusting the traffic signals, including lengthening or shortening the light cycles.

Stieffel says bids will be opened this month and a contract should be awarded in April. He hopes work can be completed by summer.

Holmes County supervisor gets jail time

A federal judge has sentenced former Holmes County Supervisory Larry Dennis to 30 months in prison. Dennis pleaded guilty in September in a bribery case related to cleanup from the April 2010 tornadoes that swept through Mississippi.

The U.S. attorney's office said that on two occasions in 2010, 59-year-old Dennis demanded payments of $3,500 from a company that had a contract to clean up tornado debris.

Dennis apologized in court and claimed he was trying to get money to help a local Boys and Girls Club.

U.S. District Judge William Barbour told Dennis that the charitable purpose was no excuse for extorting money.

“I never meant to hurt anyone,” Dennis said.

Dennis' attorney, Ed Blackmon Jr., said Dennis was guilty of a misguided effort to help constituents. “He did cross the line,” Blackmon said.

Grant awarded to improve water quality

Mississippi State University is among 17 universities nationwide to receive a grant to study how to improve the water quality in rural areas. Mississippi State will get $445,000.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $9 million for a study of groundwater and surface water quality in the nation's watershed.

The USDA says information gathered from the studies will be shared with farmers, ranchers and community leaders.

Pizza delivery man robbed; suspects still at large

Columbus police are searching for two men that allegedly robbed a pizza delivery man on the city's north side in January, WCBI reported.

The victim told investigators two black men pulled a handgun on him while he was making a delivery in the 2200 block of 26th Street North shortly after 11 p.m. on Jan. 11. The victim’s cash, cell phone and the pizza were stolen.

One suspect was described as a heavy set man with dread locks wearing a blue pullover and dark pants. The other suspect is said to be about 6 feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a dark pullover and black pants.

Anyone with information can contact the Columbus Police Department or Golden Triangle Crimestoppers.