2013 – Page 61 – The Mississippi Link

Saturday mail cutback still being debated

The new spending bill passed by Congress in March appears to continue the requirement for six-day mail delivery, but some lawmakers and postal officials say plans to cut Saturday service should proceed.

The financially troubled Postal Service announced that it would switch in August to five-day service for first-class mail and continue six-day package delivery. The government at the time was running on a temporary spending measure and postal officials invited lawmakers to spell out the way ahead in the 2013 spending bill. That sweeping funding bill was approved Thursday without new language.

Some lawmakers say a long-standing provision in the bill mandates six-day delivery. Postal authorities argue they still will have delivery over six days, just that not all mail will be delivered all six days. […]

George Co. site for new wood pellet plant

Kermit 0

Gulf Coast Renewable Energy will locate a $25 million wood pellet plant in the industrial park in George County.

Company officials met with the board of supervisors to request help with construction of an access road to the site on 40 acres just outside the Lucedale city limits.

The project will create about 30 new jobs, said company vice president for engineering Gary Ogle.

It will produce about 160,000 metric tons of pellets per year, Ogle said, and the company also plans to double production within the next 3 years. […]

Video shows suspect killing police detective

Kermit 1

Details continue to emerge into the shooting death of a Jackson police detective and the suspect he was questioning. Detective Eric Smith, 40, was killed in the line of duty early Thursday evening while questioning 23-year-old Jeremy Powell. Powell was being charged with April 1 murder of Christopher Alexander.

Alexander was found dead on Greenwood Avenue near Daniel Lake Boulevard early April 1. He had been stabbed to death.

The Associated Press (AP) said authorities have a video from the police interrogation room that shows Powell shot Smith to death before killing himself with the officer’s gun. […]

Former police officer gets 5 years for sex with 15-year-old

Kermit 0

A former Rolling Fork police officer who confessed to having sex with a 15-year-old South Delta High School student in 2011 will spend five years in prison.

Brian Richards of Anguilla was sentenced by Circuit Judge M. James Chaney to five years in prison followed by five years’ probation after pleading guilty to statutory rape.

Richards, 30, must register as a sex offender upon release.

Richards was assigned to provide security each morning at South Delta High School, where he met the girl, according to court records. […]

Miss. lawmakers OK partially state-funded pre-K

Kermit 0

Mississippi government would directly fund a limited preschool program for the first time under a bill on its way to Gov. Phil Bryant.

The House and Senate on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 2395, which would send money to regional groups of preschool providers. The House favored the measure 97-17, while the Senate voted for it 37-11.

The state would create a preschool program that could serve 1,325 4-year-olds in its first year, using a $3 million appropriation. Groups of preschool providers would have to apply for grants and would use private donations, federal money or other funds to match the state money. […]

Murder suspect shoots cop dead inside police station

Kermit 1

A murder suspect being interviewed at the Jackson police headquarters shot a detective Thursday and those who came to investigate the gunfire found both men dead, authorities said.

The suspect, who was not identified, was being questioned on the third floor of the building when the shooting happened, Police Chief Rebecca Coleman said.

Police did not release any details on the sequence of what happened but scheduled a news conference for later Thursday night.

The officer was identified as Eric Smith, a homicide detective. […]

The restoration of the historic Immanuel Church in Winona

Kermit 2

Although many of its original members are long gone, the bells of the Immanuel Church in Montgomery County still ring at least once a month. Situated on the corner of Fairground and Summit Streets in the heart of Winona, Immanuel stands as a monument to a rich and prominent past.

And with the acquisition of grant funds totaling more than $300,000, supporters of the historical structure are determined to keep it that way.

Erected in 1909, Immanuel Church – formerly Immanuel Episcopal Church – replaced an earlier wood frame structure that was built in 1876 by Major and Mrs. Frank Hawkins. The original church was located on Summit Street nearer to the downtown area and had a large chancel window depicting the ascension of Jesus into heaven. That same stained glass window now adorns the center of the rear wall of the present building which was constructed and donated to the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi by Captain and Mrs. James C. Purnell. […]

Governor withdraws Board of Health nomination

Kermit 0

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said he’s withdrawing his nomination of anti-abortion activist Terri Herring to the state Board of Health.

Bryant’s decision came Monday after The Associated Press questioned whether Bryant was fulfilling requirements of a state law that specifies the board’s 11 members must come from certain parts of the state.

Bryant spokesman Mick Bullock says the law is unclear, but the governor is withdrawing Herring’s nomination to “avoid any legal uncertainty.”
[…]

Concerted effort to reduce crime in central Mississippi

admin 0

Operation Bunny Hop a major success

By Othor Cain

Special to The Mississippi Link

Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis described ‘Operation Bunny Hop’ as a major success as the operation wrapped up a fourth year over the past Easter weekend…. […]

Reed moves to Mississippi SBA district office in Jackson

admin 0

The Mississippi Link Newswire

Gary K. Reed, branch manager in the Small Business Administration (SBA) Gulfport office since 2011 has been selected as the new deputy district director for the U.S. SBA in Mississippi. As deputy district director, Reed will be second in command and responsible for supervising the activities of 12 employees in the Mississippi District located in Jackson and Gulfport branch offices…. […]