News – Page 471 – The Mississippi Link

MVSU likely to continue without permanent leader

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. […]

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. […]

14-year-old held in restaurant robbery

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Police in Gulfport say a 14-year-old boy is being charged as an adult after he allegedly robbed a Mexican restaurant at gunpoint.

The robbery happened last week. Investigators say the teen had dinner at Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant, but before he left, he pulled out a handgun and demanded money. […]

Man sentenced to house arrest in arson case

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A federal court judge has ordered house arrest for a man charged with arson in a fire at a Yalobusha County business.

James Flemons was sentenced during a hearing in U. S. District Court in Oxford.

A federal indictment accused Flemons and another man of using pump sprayers to spay gas and kerosene inside Lindley’s Antique Mall in Oakland and then setting fire to the business on March 1, 2011. […]

Helen of Troy to bring 300 new jobs to Olive Branch

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Officials from Helen of Troy said they would be constructing a 1.3 million-square-foot distribution facility in Olive Branch in DeSoto County. The project represents a company investment of $37 million and will create more than 300 new jobs.

Helen of Troy is a designer, developer and worldwide marketer of brand-name household, personal care and healthcare/home environment consumer products. A leader in global consumer products, the company offers creative solutions for its customers through a strong portfolio of well-recognized and widely-trusted brands. […]

Aurora Flight Sciences to create 250 new jobs in Columbus

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Aurora Flight Sciences Chief Executive Officer John Langford, Senator Roger Wicker and Representative Alan Nunnelee attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the company’s new 30,000-square-foot facility at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus.

The new facility, which will allow the company to increase its commercial composites manufacturing operations, represents a corporate investment of $17 million and is creating 250 new jobs. […]

Free community shred days set for Friday and Saturday

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The office of the Mississippi Attorney General is announcing two free community shred days in cooperation with ShredIt and a host of other partners.

Consumers only, no businesses, may bring up to five large garbage bags or boxes to be shredded at the following locations: […]

Prof translates bio on would-be Hitler killer

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A University of Southern Mississippi faculty member has translated from German to English a book about a failed attempt to kill Adolf Hitler.

William Odom, a Southern Mississippi professor of German, translated the biography of Georg Elser, titled “Bombing Hitler.” The Hattiesburg American reports that the translation is available online.

Odom, who joined the Southern Mississippi faculty in 1974, is the author of “German for Singers,” which has been used for more than 30 years at leading conservatories and universities as a guide for singers in learning German opera and art songs. He also translated “Jazz: A Photo History” and “Tomorrow We’ll Be in Switzerland,” a play that tells the story of a group of Jewish children who were hidden from the Nazis in France during World War II. […]

Evans wins new trial for murder in father’s death

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Dante Lamar Evans claims a Harrison County judge wouldn’t let him tell a jury that he feared for his life at the hands of an abusive parent when at the age of 14 he shot and killed his father.

Now he’ll get his chance.

The Mississippi Supreme Court has thrown out his murder conviction and ordered a new trial. At the same time, the Supreme Court ordered the trial judge to let Evans hire an expert to make that argument for him. […]