News

Jackson police officer hit by car on I-55

Police Chief Lindsey Horton has confirmed the death of a Jackson Police Officer, his first since being named to his new post earlier this month. Horton said 35-year Bruce Jacob was killed Saturday afternoon after being hit by a motorist in the southbound lanes of I-55 and Northside Drive.

Jacob, a Precinct Four officer, and a five year veteran of the police force, received a call about debris on the roadway of I-55 south about 1:30 p.m. He had reportedly retrieved a barbecue grill that had fallen off a truck and was putting it in the trunk of his cruiser when another vehicle came from behind and hit him.

Jacob was taken to UMC where he died of multiple blunt-force trauma, Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart said.
[…]

News

Louisiana man hits $2.1M slot jackpot

A Baton Rouge, La., man became a millionaire Friday after hitting a $2.1 million jackpot at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi.

The man, identified in a casino news release as Aaron K., works as a cook on a riverboat. He says he had been playing the Wheel of Fortune slot machine for less than five minutes when he hit the progressive jackpot. […]

News

Teen charged with killing stepmother to stay in jail

A now 17-year-old Vicksburg teen has been denied bond in the shooting death of her stepmother three years ago.

Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick said Friday that Tyla Denise Vega would remain behind bars even after attorney Marshal Sanders said the court ordered mental evaluation on the teen had been completed.

Vega has remained in custody at the Warren County jail since December 2011 when her $75,000 bail was revoked by her bonding agent. […]

Family Medicine

Humana to sell policies in unserved Miss. Counties

All Mississippians will have at least one insurance option on the new federal online marketplace when it starts enrolling customers in October.
Humana, based in Louisville, Ky., announced Friday that it would cover people in the 36 Mississippi counties where no insurer had agreed to write policies.

Coverage under those policies begins Jan. 1.

“This builds on Humana’s current presence,” the company said in a statement. “By working together with local health care providers, we believe we can enhance quality of care and improve health outcomes in the state.” […]

News

No fatalities in plane crash landing in Tupelo

The pilot of a Beechcraft Bonanza was slightly injured Saturday in a crash landing at the Tupelo Regional Airport Saturday afternoon.

Sarah Robinson, communications director for the City of Tupelo, says the plane came down just short of the runway. She says the pilot was the only one aboard.

Robinson says the plane had left Birmingham, Ala., headed to Tupelo.

The pilot suffered some lacerations and was taken to the North Mississippi Medical Center for treatment. […]

Local Sports

Hickerson’s bust presented to Ole Miss

The Pro Football Hall of Fame bust of the late Gene Hickerson has found a permanent home at University of Mississippi.

The Oxford Eagle reports that the bust was presented to Ole Miss by Hickerson’s family. Hickerson helped the Rebels to the 1955 SEC title and a 1956 Cotton Bowl win over TCU, plus a victory over Texas in the 1958 Sugar Bowl.

Hickerson went on to play 15 seasons for the Cleveland Browns as the lead blocker for three Hall of Famers – Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell. […]

Education

MSU raises more than $80 million for third consecutive year

For three consecutive years, Mississippi State University has raised more than $80 million in outright gifts and pledges of future support from individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts and estates, with the just-ended 2013 fiscal year exceeding $81.3 million

Previous record years included FY 2012, in which Mississippi State experienced its largest single giving year total in school history with over $86.4 million. More than $80.3 million was raised in FY 2011.

“We deeply appreciate the generosity of alumni and friends who are investing their personal resources to help Mississippi State University carry out its invaluable mission of teaching, research and service,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. […]

News

Lockheed-Martin remembers deadly shooting anniversary

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the July 8, 2003 workplace shooting at the Lockheed Martin plant in Meridian, where Douglas Williams, 48 shot 14 co-workers, killing six of them before committing suicide.

The memory of that event is still fresh for investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office who responded to the call.

“We were living the nightmare all law enforcement agencies have,” Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie said. “Every year I relive this event. I can see the fleet of TV trucks that showed up from all over the nation. I can see the faces of the relatives of those who died. It isn’t a good memory.” […]

Business

Sears store closing in Gautier

The Sears and Sears Auto Center in Gautier will be closed for good in mid-October.

Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications with Sears Corporation, said in a press release received by The Sun Herald the store will begin a liquidation sale July 26.

Riefs says the 71 employees will have an opportunity to apply at other Sears and Kmart stores in the area.

He says store closures are part of a series of actions the company is taking to reduce ongoing expenses. […]

Education

MSU wins grant to help students manage money

Mississippi State University is one of 15 schools nationwide to get a grant to help students with their finances.

The Council of Graduate Schools announced that it would give MSU $40,000 to pay for the program.

Associate Dean of the Graduate School Karen Coats says MSU will use the money to educate graduate students about financial literacy. Because students are borrowing more to pay for education, they may need help managing their personal finances and making decisions about saving, spending and borrowing. […]