Statewide News – Page 14 – The Mississippi Link

New certificate in Veteran service available at MSU

Consistently ranked as a top U.S. military-friendly university, Mississippi State continues its longstanding tradition of serving members of the armed forces by offering a new certificate program.

The university recently developed the Veterans’ Certificate Program to train individuals to help former military service members successfully transition to civilian life. The program establishes an opportunity for professionals, graduates and undergraduates to improve their knowledge of veterans’ benefits while honing their leadership skills.

A recent grant from the Walmart Foundation for $80,000 funded the new program, which is the only one of its kind in the nation. Courses to earn the Veterans’ Certificate may be applied as a concentration for the Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies, or as electives in a graduate-level program, said Kenneth D. “Ken” McRae, director of MSU’s Center for America’s Veterans. […]

Jazz legend Jones to be honored with concert

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One of Vicksburg’s music legends will be honored Aug. 4 with a concert, discussion panel and art exhibit.

The Vicksburg Blues Society and Vicksburg Heritage League are hosting the Fourth Annual Hank Jones Memorial Concert and Festival from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Vicksburg City Auditorium, said event organizer Shirley Waring.

Jones was a jazz pianist and composer whose 70-year career included a stint as Ella Fitzgerald’s pianist and Marilyn Monroe’s accompanist when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. […]

10 indicted in deadly prison riot

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Ten additional individuals have been indicted in connection with the riot that occurred at the Adams County Correctional Center (ACCC) in Natchez, Mississippi on May 20, 2012, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney announced this week.

The ACCC houses approximately 2,500 non-resident aliens who have been convicted of federal charges in the United States. During the riot, several correctional officers were assaulted.

Correctional Officer (CO) Catlin Carithers died as a result of injuries he received during these assaults. […]

Duck Dynasty stars raise $280K for children’s home

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The head of a Hattiesburg children’s home says five “Duck Dynasty” stars helped raise $280,000 to $300,000 for Homes of Hope for Children.

Michael Garrett says officials are still tallying proceeds from the fundraiser Saturday night at the Forrest County Multi Purpose Center.

People and companies paid $30 to $1,000 per ticket to see members of the big clan from Monroe, La., featured on the A&E reality show. […]

Female inmate who died in police car bled out

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A female inmate who died in the back of a police car while being transported to a hospital had fractured ribs causing her to bleed out, the Copiah County coroner said.

Coroner Ellis Stewart said 40-year-old Stephanie Fay Howell fell about a week before she was taken into custody around July 9 or 10, WLBT reported. Howell suffered fractured ribs and one of her ribs went into her spleen, which caused a slow bleed, according to the coroner.

Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones says Howell died in a police car outside a doctor’s office on July 12. […]

Itta Bena in serious trouble, mayor says

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) Thelma Collins become mayor of the town of Itta Bena on July 1. Along with the job, she inherited a $500,000 debt.

“The city of Itta Bena is in serious trouble,” Collins told the Greenwood Commonwealth.

If the issues are not resolved, she said, “all of us will be shut down.” […]

Union rep: Producers replacing film crew in Miss.

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A union representative said the production of “Artists Die Best in Black” will replace the crew filming in south Mississippi because they may seek union representation.

The Sun Herald reported that shooting, which began in mid-June, was set to run about five weeks.

Scott Harbinson, who is with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, told the The Sun Herald that producer that Billy Badalato and film financier Paul Bongé announced to crew members they were flying in replacements from Los Angeles in late June […]

Miss. insurer could cut ties to 2 hospital systems

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Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi has told the state’s second-largest hospital owner that it will end its contract with the company’s 10 Mississippi hospitals at the end of August.

The insurer sent the termination notice to Health Management Associates hospitals statewide on June 25. Naples, Fla.-based HMA had sued Blue Cross for $13 million a week earlier, claiming the Flowood, Miss., insurer is breaking contract terms by underpaying for a number of procedures. […]

DSU president LaForge returning to work this week

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Delta State University President Bill LaForge says his doctors have given him a clean bill of health, and he will be back at work this week.

DSU spokeswoman Michelle Roberts said Friday that LaForge will attend a Delta State alumni meeting Thursday in Jackson, then will return to campus in Cleveland.

During the July 4 weekend, LaForge suffered a subdural hematoma – a gathering of blood on the brain’s surface – while at a South Carolina beach with family. Roberts says while LaForge’s injury was not major, he went to a local hospital when he continued to suffer headaches and pain. […]

Jackson police officer hit by car on I-55

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Police Chief Lindsey Horton has confirmed the death of a Jackson Police Officer, his first since being named to his new post earlier this month. Horton said 35-year Bruce Jacob was killed Saturday afternoon after being hit by a motorist in the southbound lanes of I-55 and Northside Drive.

Jacob, a Precinct Four officer, and a five year veteran of the police force, received a call about debris on the roadway of I-55 south about 1:30 p.m. He had reportedly retrieved a barbecue grill that had fallen off a truck and was putting it in the trunk of his cruiser when another vehicle came from behind and hit him.

Jacob was taken to UMC where he died of multiple blunt-force trauma, Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart said.
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