Severe weather preparedness week coming

News Briefs From Across The State

By Monica Land

Tornado drill set for Wednesday

In the wake of all the storm and tornado damage Mississippi has incurred in recent years, “You have to have a plan.” That’s what state and local officials are saying as they ready themselves for Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

A statewide tornado drill will be conducted at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Schools, businesses and other agencies are encouraged to participate.

Chickasaw County Emergency Management Agency Director Linda Griffin said area industries need to take severe weather more seriously.

“Families, businesses, industry and daycares need to have a plan in place and know what to do and be familiar with it instead of waiting until the time a disaster strikes or a tornado warning is issued for our county and then take action,” Griffin said.

Redden gets suspended sentence

A Columbus man was given a five-year suspended sentence for aggravated domestic assault.

Alan Redden, 50, faced up to 20 years in prison for the September 2011 assault on his estranged wife. He pleaded guilty to the charge in December and was sentenced Tuesday in Lowndes County Circuit Court.

Redden’s record as a Columbus businessman played a role in him getting the suspended sentence.

Man commits suicide at hospital

Police are still investigating the case of a man who committed suicide in the lobby of Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Southaven in December 2012.

Southaven Police Chief Tom Long told The Commercial Appeal a man walked up to the security desk, produced a weapon and shot himself in the head.

Long said officials are not releasing the man’s name and the case is being investigated as a suicide.

No one else was injured.

Mayor: Water dept. will be asset to Greenville

Despite some complaints during transition to new meters and a smaller staff, Greenville’s mayor said the water department can be an asset to the city.

The Delta Democrat Times reports that over the past few months, the department has undergone several transitions – new meters, a temporary department head and smaller staff.

That has caused some Greenville residents to complain about their dissatisfaction with limited availability of employees and increased bills.

Despite the internal changes, Mayor John Cox III says the water department could provide increased revenue in the future and that money can be used to improve its aging systems.