Statewide News – Page 8 – The Mississippi Link

How Mississippi and Emmett Till shaped the March on Washington

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As many across the nation remain in shock and disbelief at the recent verdict in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, his case has become hauntingly reminiscent of another black teenager gunned down nearly 60 years ago, where his accusers also went forth free.

The murder of Emmett Till is just as relevant today as it was in 1955 when his death not only sparked an avalanche of public outrage and fear across the south. But it also gave courage and determination to the weary and downtrodden – now wiling to die for equal rights. […]

Indianola police officer fired for choking man

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The City Council has voted to fire a police officer amid allegations that he acted inappropriately in the line of duty.

WXVT reports the council took the action on Tuesday, Aug. 13, against Officer Scott Hagerman. He had been on the force for 2 years.

City officials say the firing was tied to allegations that Hagerman choked a man who arrived at an accident scene to check on his grandmother and that he pushed the woman into a car.
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Greene County surveyor arrested

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A Greene County surveyor has been arrested for posing as another surveyor while working in Perry County, Attorney General Jim Hood said.

Billy Eugene Brewer, 69, was arrested at his home in Leakesville by investigators with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. Brewer is facing four counts of false pretense and four counts fraudulent use of identity […]

Leader of road study group proposes $700M in taxes

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The leader of a Senate transportation study committee proposes the state should levy $700 million in new taxes to support road maintenance as well as some other non-transportation related projects.

Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said the proposal, which would be the largest state tax increase in more than 20 years, is only a starting point for discussion, and invited alternate proposals.

But some members of his committee quickly indicated they aren’t interested in that much spending, and may oppose any new taxes, especially the $150 million a year that Simmons proposed for university, community college, state agency and local water and sewer construction. Simmons admitted those extra items were “stretching it.” […]

Suspect charged with hacking his neighbor to death

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Authorities said a man in the country illegally is being held without bond for allegedly hacking his neighbor to death over a land dispute.

Nolasco Idisro Eugenio, 40, remains in custody in a Madison County jail after he reportedly used a machete in an attack on Alphonozo Rosas in a trailer park near Canton. […]

Enerfab announces an expansion in Natchez

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Enerfab officials announced the company will expand its operations at their Natchez location, which is known as Enersteel. The expansion will support an increase in production and comes just three months after announcing an expansion in May.

This project represents an investment of $10 million and will create at least 45 new jobs.
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Woman's body, drugs found at Jackson home

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Police said they found a woman’s body and drugs valued at more than $54,000 at a Jackson home on Monday, Aug. 12.

WLBT reported officers found the body of Kenya Johnson at a home on Elraine Boulevard around 11 p.m.

Investigators seized more than 48 pounds of marijuana and a kilogram of cocaine as well as two handguns. […]

Stun gun death case before federal appeals court

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A Mississippi family is asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their multimillion dollar wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Cleveland and two police officers.

The lawsuit was filed by the family of Jermaine Williams, who died in 2010 after being jolted twice by police stun guns. The family sought $25 million in damages.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has scheduled the case for oral arguments on Sept. 4.

Williams, 30, died July 23, 2010, in a confrontation with two officers responding to a call about loiterers. […]

Woman jumps from speeding car; driver charged

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Long Beach police said an 18-year-old woman was seriously injured after jumping out of a moving car on Highway 90 Tuesday, Aug. 13, around 6:30 p.m.

According to Long Beach Police Chief Wayne McDowell, the victim told police she did it because the driver 22-year-old Chasity Murphy of Gulfport was driving too fast and she was afraid.

Police learned of the incident after a witness told police a vehicle opened and a woman fell out on Highway 90 and Lange Avenue in Long Beach. The driver reportedly continued driving west bound on Highway 90 without stopping, McDowell added. […]

Miss. Power paying ex-president $150,000 a year

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Even though Ed Day retired abruptly as Mississippi Power’s president earlier this year, he’s still getting paid.

Day is being paid $150,000 a year for three years as a consultant, according to a stock filing by the Southern Co., the Atlanta-based parent of Mississippi Power. That’s in addition to his company retirement.

The agreement began May 20, when Day retired, according to the stock filing. It requires Day to be available up to four days each month to help Mississippi Power address lawsuits, government investigations or regulatory filings. […]