2013 – Page 55 – The Mississippi Link

10-year-old boy shot in the head while playing video game; brother charged

Police said a 10-year-old boy was shot in the head last Monday night while playing a video game and his older brother has been charged in his death. Captain Bobby Stewart said Jerald Tucker Jr. died at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, two days after being shot at his residence in the 2900 block of Park Avenue in Vicksburg.

Stewart said several other people were in the house when Jerald was shot just before 10 p.m., including his older brother, 20-year-old Willie Willis and another man, 21-year-old Joshua Ryan Coffee.

“Jerald was sitting on a coffee table playing a video game,“ Stewart said. [And] according to statements by witnesses, Coffee and Willis were handling a small caliber weapon in the living room where Jerald was…and the weapon discharged striking the child in the back of the head.” […]

Senate confirms McGrath as MDOT executive director

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The Mississippi Senate has approved the appointment of Melinda McGrath, P.E. to remain executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). The Senate approved McGrath’s appointment began April 1 and will end April 1, 2017, unless it is further extended.

Senate Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons said, “I recommend her. She has done a good job.” […]

FBI: Traces of Ricin found at Tupelo busines

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During the FBI’s ongoing investigation into letters containing ricin addressed to President Barack Obama, Senator Roger Wicker, and a Mississippi judicial official – Sadie Holland – evidence collected by the FBI from the former business, Tupelo Taekwondo Plus, located on Rankin Boulevard Ext. in Tupelo, Mississippi, tested positive for trace levels of ricin.

Because public safety is always the FBI’s first priority in any investigation, that location was immediately sealed off and appropriate public health authorities were notified. The FBI is now conducting further forensic examination for the purpose of identifying trace evidence, residues, and signatures of production that could provide evidence to support the investigation.

Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans. Ricin poisoning can occur when the substance enters the body through ingestion, inhalation, or injection. To date, the FBI is not aware of any illness as a result of exposure to these letters. […]

UMMC liver transplant program revived

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As cameras and microphones edged in and the room grew quiet, University of Mississippi Medical Center transplant surgeon Christopher Anderson turned to face Karen Battle and her new liver.

“All right,” he said. “It’s your show.”

It was a spotlight moment 22 years in the making. When Battle, a lifelong south Jackson resident, got a new liver in March, it signaled new life not just for the 36-year-old mom, but for UMMC’s long-dormant liver transplant program.

In late February, Battle and two members of her transplant team – Anderson, associate professor of surgery and division chief of transplant and hepatobiliary surgery, and associate professor of medicine and hepatologist Dr. Brian Borg – shared their stories before Battle got to go home, just 10 days after surgery.

“I feel like I’ve won the lottery,” said Battle, sitting in a wheelchair, her hands folded and a soft smile on her face. “I feel like my life is a new adventure.” […]

Rentech asking $8.5M for 478 acres

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Adams County officials are continuing talks on buying the former International Paper site from Rentech.

The Natchez Democrat reports that supervisors met Monday and board attorney Scott Slover said no decision has been made.

The IP mill was once home to the area’s biggest employer but was shuttered in 2003.

Rentech purchased the property in 2008 with plans to build a coal-to-liquids fuel plant on the site. Rentech announced late last year that it had scrapped its plans and put the site up for sale in mid-March. […]

MDOT schedules safety demos

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The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will show Mississippians at several events an up-close look at the tragic consequences that can occur when persons choose to drive or travel while impaired, distracted, or without buckling up.

‘Rover,’ one of MDOT’s safety-demonstration vehicles, simulates what can happen to unrestrained drivers and passengers when rollover crashes occur at a speed of 35 mph. The dramatic, controlled rollovers resonate with students in ways that verbal presentations simply cannot. […]

Smithsonian Magazine names Cleveland one of ‘best small towns to visit’

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Smithsonian Magazine has named Cleveland, Miss., one of America’s 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013. Ranked No. 2, Cleveland joins municipalities like Gettysburg, Pa. (No. 1), St. Augustine, Fla. (No. 3), Baraboo, Wis. (No. 4) and Astoria, Ore. (No. 5).

“More than 21.3 million annual visitors to the state can attest to the artistic spirit, rich history and cultural uniqueness of small towns like Cleveland,” said Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. “What an honor for Cleveland to be recognized at the national level. From blues to fine arts, Cleveland showcases some of the best of our state’s heritage and talent.”

“We are very excited about this designation and appreciate the attention it is bringing to Cleveland and the surrounding area,” said Cheryl Line, Cleveland-Bolivar County Tourism Director. “We hope this recognition will bring more visitors to learn about the mystique of the Mississippi Delta.” […]

Group says it will defend new Miss. prayer law

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A nonprofit conservative group says it will provide free legal representation to Mississippi schools or districts if a new school prayer law is challenged in court.

Liberty Counsel attorney Steve Crampton told The Associated Press that the group believes the law is “perfectly within the bounds of the First Amendment.”

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed the law in late March, and it takes effect July 1. It says all Mississippi school districts must adopt a policy to allow a “limited public forum” at school events such as football games or morning announcements, to let students express religious beliefs. […]

MDOC to close 4 community work centers

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The Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) is planning to close four of its 17 community work centers effective July 15.

Speaking to MDOC staff, MDOC Commissioner Epps said, “Tough times make you make tough decisions.” A budget shortfall and fewer non-violent inmates eligible to be housed at community work centers are the reasons for the decision, Epps said.

Inmates at the work centers will be transferred to other MDOC facilities. Community work centers staff will be offered positions at other MDOC facilities.
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MVSU football player killed in accident, 3 others injured

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A Mississippi Valley State football player was killed late Thursday night and three of his fellow athletes injured in a single vehicle accident in Leflore County.

Nineteen-year-old Kevin Monzon of Crystal Springs was pronounced dead at the scene, said Sgt. Ben Williams of the highway patrol. Monzon was reportedly driving on U.S. Highway 82 just east of Itta Bena around 8 p.m. April 25, when he ran off the roadway and rolled over.

A second passenger, Marcus Thompson, a junior from Houston, Texas was air-lifted to University Medical Center (UMC) in Jackson. […]