Entertainment

Candice Glover wins 'American Idol' as Randy Jackson says goodbye

Longtime “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson bid farewell to the Fox talent competition during Thursday’s 12th season finale, a showdown between vocal powerhouse Candice Glover and country singer Kree Harrison.

Candice Glover was crowned the new “American Idol” after defeating country singer Kree Harrison.

The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist from St. Helena Island, S.C., looked stunned when “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced she bested soulful 22-year-old country singer Harrison from Woodville, Texas . The vote count was not announced. […]

Business

Don Pelts, founder of Corky's, dies in Memphis

Don Pelts, who founded the Memphis-based barbecue restaurant Corky’s Ribs and Bar-B-Q and helped increase the popularity of the savory food style with a shipping and supermarket sales business, has died, a relative said Thursday.

Pelts’ son, Barry Pelts, said his father died Wednesday night, May 15, of a heart attack at age 72.

Pelts opened the first Corky’s in Memphis in 1984, serving ribs and hand-pulled pork cooked over hickory wood and charcoal. According to the company’s website, Corky’s catering business started within a year of the first restaurant’s opening. […]

Events

New Kilmichael Clinic holds first heath fair this Saturday

Dr. Katrina Poe and the new Kilmichael Clinic in Montgomery County will hold their first health fair since they opened their doors in September 2012.

In conjunction with Kilmichael Hospital, the fair will be held on Saturday, May 18, in front of the hospital at 301 Lamar Avenue from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Eulandia Thompson, Office Manager for Kilmichael Clinic, said the health fair will feature several health-related vendors including Mid-Delta, Sta-Home and Legacy Hospice. […]

News

Purvis man facing murder and arson charges

A 36-year-old Purvis man has been charged with murder and first-degree arson following a fatal house fire on Monday, May 13.

Lamar County Sheriff Danny Rigel tells The Hattiesburg American Timothy Taylor was taken into custody for investigation on suspicion of arson. He says Taylor was picked up in Purvis late Monday night, charged with arson after his arrest, then with murder on Tuesday.

Emergency Management Director James Smith says after the fire was put out, they found human remains inside the home. […]

Business

Shamrock Plank Flooring locating to Hernando

Officials from Shamrock Plan Flooring, a division of J.T. Shannon Lumber, said the company is expanding its presence in north Mississippi by locating manufacturing operations in the 62,900-square-foot facility formerly occupied by Stylecraft Lamps in Hernando, Miss., in DeSoto County. The project represents a company investment of $1 million and will create approximately 25 new jobs.

Shamrock Plank Flooring, manufacturer of high-end hardwood flooring, also has operations in Horn Lake, Miss., where the company has 140 employees. […]

Education

Survey: Job seekers start search early

Chris Bell knew he couldn’t wait until his recently completed senior year at Millsaps College to start hunting for work or establish his credentials.

The job market was on the upswing but still swollen with scores of candidates scrambling to fill each new opening.

The graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public management did a research internship with a local lobbying firm. He spent six months studying abroad in Grenoble, France. He helped organize a rare meeting on campus of the Jackson City Council and, in turn, aided in putting together a city-sponsored talent-retention fair. […]

News

Man accused of sexual relationship with 15-year-old

A Tupelo man has been arrested on charges he had inappropriate contact with a minor. Tupelo police arrested Lawrence Taylor, 24, on Sunday, WTVA said.

He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old.

Taylor is formally charged with statutory rape and is being held in the Lee County Adult Detention Center on an $80,000 bond […]

News

Ridgeland teen arrested for bringing drugs into prison

A Ridgeland teenager was arrested earlier this month at the Rankin County prison for allegedly having marijuana while attempting to visit his sister.

Robert Meeks, 17, was arrested Saturday, May 7 at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) and charged with possession of marijuana.  Officers initially detained him for having tobacco after the contraband fell out of his walking shorts as he was about to enter the visitation center. 

A further examination revealed 54 grams of marijuana hidden in the contraband, investigators said.  […]

News

Rev. George Lee honored with Miss. Freedom Trail marker

On Friday, May 10, the Mississippi Freedom Trail honored Rev. George Lee with a marker in Belzoni. The event was at Green Grove M.B. Church at 603 Church Street in Belzoni. This is the 11th Mississippi Freedom Trail marker to be unveiled.

“The Mississippi Freedom Trail recognizes both the celebrated and lesser known heroes of the Civil Rights Movement,” said Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. “This marker helps to preserve Rev. Lee’s legacy and to educate Mississippians and visitors alike on his role in the fight for justice and equality.” […]

Education

Mother and daughter receive diplomas at Southern Miss

Beth Biagini always imagined that she would watch her youngest daughter graduate from college. But the mother of four never dreamed that she would be wearing a cap and gown on the same day herself.

On Friday, May 10 Beth Biagini and her daughter, Cally Biagini, strolled across the stage at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Reed Green Coliseum to receive their diplomas during the Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony.

“I think I am definitely more excited than she is,” said Beth. “When I enrolled in the Teacher Assistant Program, I realized Cally would be graduating approximately three years later. The idea of graduating with Cally has kept me on track during some very difficult times.” […]