Statewide News – Page 28 – The Mississippi Link

Survey: Job seekers start search early

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Chris Bell knew he couldn’t wait until his recently completed senior year at Millsaps College to start hunting for work or establish his credentials.

The job market was on the upswing but still swollen with scores of candidates scrambling to fill each new opening.

The graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public management did a research internship with a local lobbying firm. He spent six months studying abroad in Grenoble, France. He helped organize a rare meeting on campus of the Jackson City Council and, in turn, aided in putting together a city-sponsored talent-retention fair. […]

Man accused of sexual relationship with 15-year-old

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A Tupelo man has been arrested on charges he had inappropriate contact with a minor. Tupelo police arrested Lawrence Taylor, 24, on Sunday, WTVA said.

He is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old.

Taylor is formally charged with statutory rape and is being held in the Lee County Adult Detention Center on an $80,000 bond […]

Ridgeland teen arrested for bringing drugs into prison

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A Ridgeland teenager was arrested earlier this month at the Rankin County prison for allegedly having marijuana while attempting to visit his sister.

Robert Meeks, 17, was arrested Saturday, May 7 at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) and charged with possession of marijuana. Officers initially detained him for having tobacco after the contraband fell out of his walking shorts as he was about to enter the visitation center.

A further examination revealed 54 grams of marijuana hidden in the contraband, investigators said. […]

Rev. George Lee honored with Miss. Freedom Trail marker

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On Friday, May 10, the Mississippi Freedom Trail honored Rev. George Lee with a marker in Belzoni. The event was at Green Grove M.B. Church at 603 Church Street in Belzoni. This is the 11th Mississippi Freedom Trail marker to be unveiled.

“The Mississippi Freedom Trail recognizes both the celebrated and lesser known heroes of the Civil Rights Movement,” said Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. “This marker helps to preserve Rev. Lee’s legacy and to educate Mississippians and visitors alike on his role in the fight for justice and equality.” […]

Mother and daughter receive diplomas at Southern Miss

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Beth Biagini always imagined that she would watch her youngest daughter graduate from college. But the mother of four never dreamed that she would be wearing a cap and gown on the same day herself.

On Friday, May 10 Beth Biagini and her daughter, Cally Biagini, strolled across the stage at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Reed Green Coliseum to receive their diplomas during the Spring 2013 Commencement ceremony.

“I think I am definitely more excited than she is,” said Beth. “When I enrolled in the Teacher Assistant Program, I realized Cally would be graduating approximately three years later. The idea of graduating with Cally has kept me on track during some very difficult times.” […]

Ex-Jacksonville WR Jimmy Smith serving prison term

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Former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith has begun serving a six-year prison term in Mississippi for drug possession and weapons charges, online state corrections records show.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections’ website says the 44-year-old Smith entered the prison system in late March and was recently moved to a facility in Yazoo City. He was sentenced by a Madison County court to two years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and four years for possession of cocaine, records show.

WJXX-TV in Jacksonville, Fla., first reported Smith’s sentence. His tentative release date is listed as Nov. 8, 2018. […]

Former Tenn. cop indicted for crash that killed mom and daughter

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A former Memphis, Tenn., police officer who was involved in a fatal crash that killed two Mississippi residents – a mother and daughter – has been indicted.

The former officer, 24-year-old Alex Beard, is charged with vehicular manslaughter in the Aug. 26 crash that killed 54-year-old Delores Epps and her daughter, 13-year-old Mackala Epps.

Beard was responding to a call in his marked police car on Aug. 26 when he struck the passenger side of a 1996 Mercury Mystique that was trying to turn left. He did not have his lights or sirens activated when the crash occurred. […]

Harrison grand jury to consider fatal beating case

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A south Mississippi judge has declined to reduce the $1 million bond for each of the three people charged in the fatal assault of a Harrison County man.

A grand jury will consider the cases against Stevie Creon Ambrose, 27; his brother Abdur “Rahim” Ambrose, 28; and Orlander P. Dedeaux II, 19.

The three are charged with murder. But, Harrison County prosecutor Herman Cox said grand jurors might upgrade that to capital murder with an underlying charge of kidnapping.

Authorities said Robert Norbert Trosclair, 31, died April 10, several days after being kicked, punched, hog-tied, stabbed, strangled and hit on the head with a garden-hose reel and a tire and rim. The attack occurred in Pass Christian. […]

Miss Alcorn awarded scholarship from the Mississippi Professional Educators

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Airnecia Mills, a graduating senior who majored in elementary education, and Miss Alcorn 2012-13, was recently selected to receive a $500 scholarship from the Mississippi Professional Educators (MPE). Upon graduation from Alcorn, she said she is planning to teach first grade students at Weddington Elementary School, Greenville Public School District, and pursue her master’s degree in elementary education.

“I was honored to receive the scholarship, especially because I was the only undergraduate African-American student awarded this year,” Mills said. “I am planning to use the scholarship towards graduate school.” […]

Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation to get new site

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A cancer center named for noted civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, has secured a site for its new headquarters and they have launched a campaign to raise the $5.5 million needed for the new state-of-the-art facility.

“We’re looking at about $3.5 million to actually build the building, and the other money would be used to equip and furnish the building,” said Freddie White-Johnson, founder and president of the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation.
She hopes to raise quite a bit of money in 2013.

“It’s a national fundraising campaign,” said White-Johnson. “We’re trying to reach out to anybody and everybody across the country and outside the country for support.” […]