Business

Mississippi bakery attempts world record to raise money for veterans, active duty

The Blue Feather bakery and coffee shop in Pearl is attempting to break a world record and make an impact on American soldiers’ lives through their love of baking. Starting Tuesday, the bakery will be selling tickets to make the largest American flag cake to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Community members and business owners are invited to purchase tickets to help meet the goal of donating at least $125,000 to the nonprofit before the cake’s reveal on July 4. Two ticket options are available for those wishing to join in on helping the Blue Feather accomplish its goal: Corporate Sponsorship: A $200 ticket that will display the company’s logo on a 12” by 12” cake. An additional $100 will allow the sponsor to display a sign in the City of Pearl Community Room during the week of the world record. In Honor/Memory Tickets: A $50 ticket that will allow up to five names and a personal message on a 12”x12” cake. At the end of the event, each ticket holder will be able to bring home a box of their contributed piece of the 26-foot by 50-foot cake. For more details or to purchase a ticket, call The Blue Feather bakery at (601) 966-3939. […]

Business

Former Rankin County Deputy Tax Collector pleads guilty to embezzlement

Loftin was taking cash paid for garbage services while working as a Rankin County Deputy Tax Collector.
According to State Auditor Shad White, Tiffany Loftin, a former Rankin County Deputy Tax Collector, has plead guilty to embezzlement in Rankin County Circuit Court.
Special Agents from the Auditor’s office arrested Loftin in November of 2021. She was charged with embezzling nearly $6,000 from Rankin County residents who paid in cash for county trash collection fees.
The case was turned over to the Auditor’s office by Rankin County Tax Collector Caroline Gilbert. The case was prosecuted by District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett’s office in Judge Brad Mills’s courtroom. The guilty plea and sentencing were recorded on March 7th.

“The theft of taxpayer’s money is unacceptable, and we want it to be known that there are serious consequences for embezzlement in Mississippi,” said Auditor White. “I am thankful to the investigators and prosecutors for their hard work.”
Tiffany Loftin is now convicted of a felony offense and will not be able to handle public money again. Judge Mills’s sentencing order has been filed with the Rankin County Circuit Clerk’s office for public inspection. […]