Kermit – Page 37 – The Mississippi Link

MEMA: Weather causes damage in numerous counties

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says severe weather caused damage in at least 10 counties as storms moved through parts of the state Monday afternoon.

MEMA said damage was reported to homes in Grenada, Itawamba, Lowndes, Tallahatchie and Union counties. There were reports of downed trees in several other counties.

There were also reports of high winds lifting at least two semi-tractor trailers into the air, with one left dangling over a highway in Lee County. […]

Freeze, Mississippi trying to keep momentum

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Most of the recent news about Mississippi’s football program relates to the surprising and star-studded recruiting class Hugh Freeze landed in February.

The second-year coach is excited about bringing in that new talent. But for the next month, he’s focused on improving what he already has on the roster as the Rebels go through spring practice. […]

Senate passes latest plan for education changes

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In their latest plan to improve Mississippi public schools, state senators are offering a compromise on requirements to become a teacher and doing away with a proposal to make it easier for the state to take over troubled schools.

The Senate voted 28-23 last Tuesday to approve its version of House Bill 890.

It includes the latest Senate version of charter schools, an increase in standards to enter teacher preparation and a call to flunk third graders who can’t read. […]

Woman convicted of killing her son dies in prison

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A woman who plead guilty to manslaughter for the starvation death of her 2-year-old son in 2010 died of lupus, the medical examiner has said.

Kimberly Yvonne Hood, 30, died on Feb. 27 at a prison in Rankin County.

Tara Booth, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), said Hood had been taken to the prison’s infirmary and died while in the medical clinic.

An autopsy report issued by the state medical examiner said the primary cause of Hood’s death was “complications of systematic lupus.” […]

Woman gets 5 years in prison for sex with 2 teens

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A Lowndes woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for having sex with two teenagers.

A jury found 35-year-old Christy McGough guilty of two counts of sexual battery. Circuit Judge Lee Howard sentenced her to concurrent 10-year sentences but suspended five years of each term which means she’ll serve five years.

She also will be on post-release supervision for five years. […]

MVSU likely to continue without permanent leader

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It appears Mississippi Valley State University is likely to lack a permanent leader for the foreseeable future, even though the College Board has recently named new presidents for two other state universities.

The College Board decided not to renew Donna Oliver’s contract at the Itta Bena institution in October, four years after she was named to head the smallest of Mississippi’s eight public universities.

But while the board moved quickly on openings at Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, it has been slower in replacing Oliver. […]

Emmett Till director speaks out against offensive Lil Wayne lyric

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It’s been weeks since the backlash began over a vulgar lyric used by rap superstar Lil Wayne in one of his songs referencing murdered Chicago teen Emmett Till. And while many have spoken out against the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist, Wayne himself, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., remains mum on the subject.

In fact, Wayne is said to be “resting comfortably” two days after suffering a seizure that sent him to a Los Angeles hospital this weekend and falsely triggered media reports that he was near death.

But many remain unnerved that Wayne, a 30-year-old black man, could be so callous when it comes to the still emotionally charged story of Emmett Till. […]

Inmate charged with homicide after punching another inmate

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A 19-year-old Jackson County jail inmate faces up to 20 years in prison after punching another inmate in the face resulting in his death.

Dionte R. Jones has been charged with homicide while in the commission of a misdemeanor assault for a physical assault on 46-year-old Anthony Eugene Moore.

Sheriff Mike Byrd said on Sunday, March 3, Jones was in the day room of the Jackson County jail arguing with a family member on the telephone. Just as the call ended, Moore walked by and Jones allegedly knocked Moore unconscious with a punch to the jaw. […]

Woman who stole from the elderly returned to Miss.

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A woman who fled to Texas to avoid prosecution has been returned to Mississippi and now faces charges of exploitation for stealing from the elderly and the vulnerable.

Janice Mohorn-Caines, 52, previously of Brandon, arrived at the Rankin County Jail on March 12 after waiving extradition and being transported from Round Rock, Tex. She had been picked up there on outstanding Mississippi warrants on Monday, March 11. […]

Man gets 40 years for woman’s death in car chase

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Authorities said a man has been sentenced to 40 years for causing a fatal accident while fleeing from police after stealing groceries.

Madison and Rankin counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest said Robert Williams, also known as Robert Gene Byrd, was convicted of felony evasion causing the death of another.

Williams must serve that sentence day-for-day and without the possibility of parole because he was convicted as a habitual offender. […]