Fire set at Warren County jail; 18 inmates moved

News Briefs From Across The State

By Monica Land

Firefighters called to the scene

A fire at the Warren County Jail was deliberately set, according to Sheriff Martin Pace.

Pace tells the Vicksburg Post that Monday night’s fire caused a cell block to be evacuated. Eighteen inmates were moved to Rankin County.

Pace says when officers noticed smoke inmates were moved to a safe area while firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Pace says it appears inmates set fire to a couple of bed sheets and some writing paper.

The cell block where the fire occurred was closed Tuesday.

Pace says once the investigation is complete, the cell block where the fire occurred will be cleaned and used again to house inmates. Pace said.

The Warren County Jail has 128 beds but 141 inmates were in the jail at the time of the fire.

La. man sentenced in DUI death case

A Louisiana man has been sentenced to serve 16 years in prison on felony DUI charges in a 2010 accident that killed a 53-year-old woman and injured several others.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Kathy King Jackson on Tuesday sentenced Christopher Salvatore Harper of Tickfaw, La., to 25 years in prison with 16 years to serve and nine years of post-release supervision. The 25-year-old Harper pleaded guilty to DUI causing death.

Authorities say Angelia Laster died from her injuries after being trapped in her burning vehicle on U.S. Highway 90 between the Pascagoula high-rise bridge and the Gautier city limits.

Authorities arrested Harper shortly after his vehicle slammed into the back of Angelia F. Laster’s Chevrolet Tracker.

Prosecutors say Harper’s blood alcohol content was over the 0.08 percent legal limit.

Ark. man dies in motorcycle wreck

An Arkansas man is dead after his motorcycle struck a car at an intersection in Benton County, Miss.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol tells WTVA 68-year-old Richard Miller of Conway, Ark., died at the scene of Monday’s accident.

Trooper Ray Hall says a car pulled from Highway 7 into the path of Miller’s motorcycle, which was heading west on Highway 72.

The car’s driver, 21-year-old Joseph Cocke of Holly Springs, Miss., was not hurt.

The accident remains under investigation.

Biloxi city clerk retiring

Brenda Johnston says it’s been a great 30 years working for the city of Biloxi, but she is ready to retire from her job as municipal clerk on Nov. 30.

The Sun Herald reports this is the second major change coming to City Hall.

David Staehling, director of administration, announced last month that he will retire at the end of the year.

Johnston was hired by Mayor Gerald Blessey in 1982 as his executive secretary and has worked under three administrations.

She was municipal tax collector and treasurer during the Pete Halat administration. Mayor A.J. Holloway named Johnston municipal clerk when he took office in 1993.

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