2013 – Page 37 – The Mississippi Link

Miss. insurer could cut ties to 2 hospital systems

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi has told the state’s second-largest hospital owner that it will end its contract with the company’s 10 Mississippi hospitals at the end of August.

The insurer sent the termination notice to Health Management Associates hospitals statewide on June 25. Naples, Fla.-based HMA had sued Blue Cross for $13 million a week earlier, claiming the Flowood, Miss., insurer is breaking contract terms by underpaying for a number of procedures. […]

DSU president LaForge returning to work this week

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Delta State University President Bill LaForge says his doctors have given him a clean bill of health, and he will be back at work this week.

DSU spokeswoman Michelle Roberts said Friday that LaForge will attend a Delta State alumni meeting Thursday in Jackson, then will return to campus in Cleveland.

During the July 4 weekend, LaForge suffered a subdural hematoma – a gathering of blood on the brain’s surface – while at a South Carolina beach with family. Roberts says while LaForge’s injury was not major, he went to a local hospital when he continued to suffer headaches and pain. […]

Jackson police officer hit by car on I-55

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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.
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Louisiana man hits $2.1M slot jackpot

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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. […]

Teen charged with killing stepmother to stay in jail

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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. […]

Humana to sell policies in unserved Miss. Counties

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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.” […]

No fatalities in plane crash landing in Tupelo

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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. […]

Hickerson’s bust presented to Ole Miss

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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. […]

MSU raises more than $80 million for third consecutive year

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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. […]

Lockheed-Martin remembers deadly shooting anniversary

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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.” […]