Around Mississippi: Lafayette County repeals gun ban on armed civilians in courthouses

The city of Meridian, Miss., is draining Long Creek Reservoir in Southeast Lauderdale County. City officials said they are draining the lake because they do not have the money needed to repair a leak in the dam. As a result, Long Creek Reservoir will be closing indefinitely or until other sources of funding become available. (AP Photo/The Meridan Star, Michael Stewart)

The Associated Press

The city of Meridian, Miss., is draining Long Creek Reservoir in Southeast Lauderdale County. City officials said they are draining the lake because they do not have the money needed to repair a leak in the dam. As a result, Long Creek Reservoir will be closing indefinitely or until other sources of funding become available. (AP Photo/The Meridan Star, Michael Stewart)
The city of Meridian, Miss., is draining Long Creek Reservoir in Southeast Lauderdale County. City officials said they are draining the lake because they do not have the money needed to repair a leak in the dam. As a result, Long Creek Reservoir will be closing indefinitely or until other sources of funding become available. (AP Photo/The Meridan Star, Michael Stewart)

Here are some news and notes around Mississippi this morning:

— In Oxford, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors has repealed a local ban on armed civilians in courthouses.

Board Attorney David O’Donnell tells the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (http://bit.ly/1wW5xFm ) the ordinance conflicted with two state laws and could have left supervisors individually liable for damages.

A 2012 state law allows people with enhanced firearms permits, which require eight hours of state-certified training, to carry a concealed handgun in a number of places off limits to those with regular permits. A 2013 law established the legality of open carry in Mississippi.

Several municipalities and counties, citing public safety concerns, enacted local bans on carrying firearms in various public spaces.

The 2014 Legislature provided that citizens can now sue local officials personally who enact or enforce gun bans that conflict with state law.

— In Vicksburg, the body of an unidentified man has been found inside an 18-wheeler, parked at a weigh station on Interstate 20 westbound in Warren County.

WLBT-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1rqF3wd ) Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call Tuesday.

Authorities say foul play is not suspected but has not been ruled out.

The victim’s identity will not be released until next of kin has been notified. The body was taken to the state crime lab for an autopsy.

— In Brandon, an 85-year-old man charged with manslaughter in the hit-and-run death of a 10-year-old Richland student has died.

Leake County Coroner Earl Adams tells The Clarion-Ledger (http://on.thec-l.com/1rASTxv ) that Raymond Watts died in Carthage on July 15. Adams says Watts had been under hospice care for end-stage heart disease and bladder cancer. His funeral was last Thursday.

Authorities say 10-year-old Allen Lutrick was struck Nov. 1, 2011, as he was boarding a school bus. Lutrick died the next day.

Watts also was charged with felonious fleeing the scene of an accident.

— In Oktibbeha County, new bars, restaurants and entertainment venues in will have to obtain annual operating permits and follow minimum life-safety standards.

The changes were approved Tuesday by the county board of supervisors and takes effect in 30 days.

The Commercial Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/UpV5JG ) county officials began drafting a new ordinance after a March shooting injured five people at Club Rock.

The new ordinance sets operating hours of noon to 1 a.m. Patrons must leave 30 minutes later.

The ordinance also lists minimum safety standards including a minimum of two points of egress from the facility’s assembly area. Proper emergency lighting and signs are also required.

Ordinance violations are considered a misdemeanor and carry a mandatory $500 minimum fine, 90 days in jail or both.