Business

Entergy completes $206M purchase of power plant

Entergy Mississippi says it has completed its $206 million purchase of a Jackson power plant.

The unit of New Orleans-based Entergy Corp. bought the plant from KGen Power Corp. of Houston Friday. It also completed the $253 million purchase of another KGen plant in Malvern, Ark. […]

Education

Memorials planned for civil rights activist Lawrence Guyot

Lawrence Guyot didn’t have to read about the civil rights movement.

He lived it.

In fact, his memories of the trials and tribulations of the civil rights struggle were so vivid, he constantly shared them with others – including children – so they could understand what the fight was really about.
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Education

Former teacher gets 5 years for sex with student

A 42-year-old former educator will spend the next five years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual battery in a Jackson County courtroom.

Robert Frank Griffin plead guilty before Judge Kathy King in circuit court on Friday, Nov. 30. Griffin, who is a former St. Martin teacher, admitted to having sex with a student back in 2010. […]

Education

McComb High School renovating track

McComb School District officials predict the renovated track at C.C. Moore Stadium will rival any in the state.

Work on the $750,000 project began in October and is expected to be completed by mid-February. The renovation is being done by JBHM Architects of Jackson. The improved track will have eight running lanes. […]

Business

Paper mill near Vicksburg fined $38k for air pollution

) International Paper Co. is paying a $38,250 civil fine for failing to label used oil tanks and exceeding air pollution limits from a lime kiln.

The company, based in Memphis, Tenn., agreed in September to pay the fine to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).
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News

Two men plead guilty to hate crimes against blacks

William Kirk Montgomery, 23, from Puckett and Jonathan K. Gaskamp, 20, from Brandon, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Jackson to conspiracy and federal hate crime charges in connection with their roles in the assault of African-Americans.

The Justice Department said defendants Deryl Paul Dedmon, 20; John Aaron Rice, 19; and Dylan Wade Butler, 21, all from Brandon have previously entered guilty pleas in connection with their roles in these offenses. […]

News

Ex-coach charged with sex with student

Authorities said a former assistant coach at two Rankin County schools has been charged with gratification of lust and of sexual battery. They said the charges are related to allegedly inappropriate contact with a student.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said that 27-year-old Matthew Wilder had worked at McLaurin Attendance Center and Florence Middle School. […]

Education

AP: Exchange student sponsor out over abuse claims

An organization has lost its government designation to bring foreign exchange students to the United States after facing allegations of mismanagement and lax oversight that included students being placed in homes where they were sexually abused.

State Department spokeswoman Susan Pittman told The Associated Press that Pacific Intercultural Exchange, or PIE, was removed from the department’s list of official sponsors. […]

News

Wide load to move across the state today

JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) would like to inform motorists of a wide load that will move through the state today.

Today, Dec. 5, a wide load will depart Holly Springs and travel south on Highway 7 to U.S. Highway 78 to Olive Branch. […]

News

Scruggs to be released from prison Dec. 12

Federal prison officials say Richard “Dickie” Scruggs will be released Dec. 12.

Scruggs will be granted a release on $2 million bond while he appeals a 2009 guilty plea that he improperly influenced then Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter. […]