February 2013 – The Mississippi Link

First Lady Michelle Obama uses first stop on Let’s Move anniversary to visit Clinton, Miss.

February 28, 2013 admin 1

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Editor

With the theme “Change is Happening,” First Lady Michelle Obama came to Clinton Wednesday, Feb. 27, as the first stop on her anniversary tour with Let’s Move. She spent much of the day at Northside and Eastside Elementary School with students and teachers and addressed the select public gathered at 2 p.m.

The First Lady was joined by TV personality and child nutrition advocate Rachael Ray to highlight the new healthy school lunches that are now being served across the nation….. […]

Meyers gives JSU “State of the Union” Spring update

February 28, 2013 admin 0

By Lonnie Ross

Online Editor

Jackson State University (JSU) President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers highlighted University accomplishments and shared information about campus expansion plans during her “Spring Update.” Speaking to a large audience February 27 at the Rose Embly McCoy Auditorium on the JSU campus, she talked about expansion, enrollment, academic achievements, research, athletics, staff development, technology, advancements, and student initiatives….. […]

Delta Sigma Sorority spotlights success stories

February 28, 2013 admin 0

Fourteen black Jackson achievers earn awards

By Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob

Special to The Mississippi Link

Like celebrities, fourteen black men majestically strolled on a red carpet amidst booming praise, and received shinny white plaques for leadership and community service at the glitzy Delta Sigma Sorority Beacons and Blaze Honors and Black Gala, Saturday, February 23…. […]

First Lady Michelle Obama visits Clinton Middle School

February 28, 2013 Kermit 1

First lady Michelle Obama and Food Network star Rachael Ray visited about 400 students at Northside and Eastside Elementary Schools in Clinton Wednesday in celebration of the third anniversary of Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign.

As part of the celebration, Mrs. Obama highlighted change happening across the country to keep children healthy – from new school lunches nationwide to localities where the childhood obesity rate is declining.

Mrs. Obama praised these changes, and called on leaders from across the nation to keep working to improve our children’s health. […]

Homicide suspected in mayoral candidate's death

February 28, 2013 Kermit 0

Authorities said a mayoral candidate in the Mississippi Delta has been found dead and the case is being investigated as a homicide.

Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith said the body of 34-year-old Marco McMillian was found on the Mississippi River levee Wednesday about 10 a.m.

McMillian was running for mayor of Clarksdale, a Blues music hub and home to actor Morgan Freeman.

Meredith said the body was found between Sherard and Rena Lara. He said it was sent to Jackson for an autopsy and declined to provide further details. […]

13-year-old killed in farming accident

February 28, 2013 Kermit 0

A 13-year-old boy was killed in a farming accident in Lauderdale County while trying to help his grandfather, WTOK reported.

Authorities said on Feb. 19, Ben Hammond was helping his grandfather attach a front-loader to a tractor when the equipment fell on him. Emergency responders and Lauderdale County sheriff’s officials arrived, but Hammond was pronounced dead at the scene by county coroner Ward Calhoun.

The sherriff’s department called the incident a “terrible” situation and said there was no suspicion of foul play. […]

Ex-boyfriend: Mindy McCready left rehab too soon

February 28, 2013 Kermit 0

Mindy McCready threatened to kill herself after losing custody of her sons earlier this month, yet she was allowed to leave a court-ordered drug rehabilitation program days before she apparently killed herself, her ex-boyfriend said.

Billy McKnight, who was in a long, rocky relationship with McCready and who is the father of her oldest child, Zander, said the 37-year-old mother of two stayed in the in-patient substance abuse treatment center for about 18 hours before being allowed to walk free.

Authorities say McCready died in an apparent suicide Sunday, Feb. 17, at her home in Heber Springs, a vacation community north of Little Rock. Sheriff Marty Moss said McCready was found dead on the front porch where her boyfriend, musician David Wilson, died last month of a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators are investigating his death as a suicide, but haven’t yet determined his cause of death. […]

Bond $1 million for man who shot wife while she was driving

February 27, 2013 Kermit 1

An Alabama man is being held on a $1 million bond after allegedly shooting his wife to death as she drove down the highway in Mississippi last Thursday.

Twenty-five-year-old Anthony Pace appeared before a Wayne County, Miss. judge Saturday on charges he killed his wife, 22-year-old Amber Andrews. Pace was arrested at his mother’s house in Choctaw County, Alabama.

Authorities said on Feb. 21, Andrews was driving alone on U.S. 84 outside Waynesboro, Miss. around 3 p.m. when she was shot at least once. Andrews ran off the road and crashed her vehicle. […]

Ex-Meridian softball coach indicted on sex crimes

February 27, 2013 Kermit 1

A former Meridian high school softball coach has been indicted on eight charges alleging inappropriate contact with students under the age of 18.

The indictment filed Feb. 11 in Lauderdale County Circuit Court, charges former Clarkdale High School coach Ricky Roberson with three counts of exploiting a child and five touching a child lustfully. […]

Former USM professor dead at 69

February 27, 2013 Kermit 0

– In the past two weeks, the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has suffered great losses. The tornado that ripped through the front of the campus on Feb. 10 uprooted trees, destroyed buildings and altered many lives.

“But our beloved University has incurred an equally devastating loss with the passing of Dr. Gene Wiggins,” said Van Arnold, of USM Office of Communications.

Wiggins, who was director of the USM’s School of Communication for 20 years, died Thursday, Feb. 21, at his home in Hattiesburg.

Wiggins was 69. […]