Top Stories – Page 108 – The Mississippi Link

State auditor recovers $19k for Vicksburg

State Auditor Stacey Pickering presented a check for $19,416.10 to officials with the City of Vicksburg. This recovery follows an investigation into embezzlement of public funds by former Assistant City Clerk, Katrina McCloud. The amount recovered includes $18,842.53 in total funds embezzled and $573.57 in interest expense.

“In light of the recent headlines in Warren County, I am pleased that the Office of the State Auditor can provide some positive news to the City of Vicksburg,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “The money returned…should restore funds that the City can use for the betterment of its future.” […]

Video shows suspect killing police detective

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Details continue to emerge into the shooting death of a Jackson police detective and the suspect he was questioning. Detective Eric Smith, 40, was killed in the line of duty early Thursday evening while questioning 23-year-old Jeremy Powell. Powell was being charged with April 1 murder of Christopher Alexander.

Alexander was found dead on Greenwood Avenue near Daniel Lake Boulevard early April 1. He had been stabbed to death.

The Associated Press (AP) said authorities have a video from the police interrogation room that shows Powell shot Smith to death before killing himself with the officer’s gun. […]

Miss. lawmakers OK partially state-funded pre-K

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Mississippi government would directly fund a limited preschool program for the first time under a bill on its way to Gov. Phil Bryant.

The House and Senate on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 2395, which would send money to regional groups of preschool providers. The House favored the measure 97-17, while the Senate voted for it 37-11.

The state would create a preschool program that could serve 1,325 4-year-olds in its first year, using a $3 million appropriation. Groups of preschool providers would have to apply for grants and would use private donations, federal money or other funds to match the state money. […]

Murder suspect shoots cop dead inside police station

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A murder suspect being interviewed at the Jackson police headquarters shot a detective Thursday and those who came to investigate the gunfire found both men dead, authorities said.

The suspect, who was not identified, was being questioned on the third floor of the building when the shooting happened, Police Chief Rebecca Coleman said.

Police did not release any details on the sequence of what happened but scheduled a news conference for later Thursday night.

The officer was identified as Eric Smith, a homicide detective. […]

Concerted effort to reduce crime in central Mississippi

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Operation Bunny Hop a major success

By Othor Cain

Special to The Mississippi Link

Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis described ‘Operation Bunny Hop’ as a major success as the operation wrapped up a fourth year over the past Easter weekend…. […]

Reed moves to Mississippi SBA district office in Jackson

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The Mississippi Link Newswire

Gary K. Reed, branch manager in the Small Business Administration (SBA) Gulfport office since 2011 has been selected as the new deputy district director for the U.S. SBA in Mississippi. As deputy district director, Reed will be second in command and responsible for supervising the activities of 12 employees in the Mississippi District located in Jackson and Gulfport branch offices…. […]

Healthcare CEOs join volunteers at Habitat Build

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By Peggy Hampton

Special to The Mississippi Link

Healthy homes build healthy communities. That’s why four major health care institutions in the Metro Jackson area are joining together to build a healthy home for a local family.

This is the first time health care institutions in the area have collaborated to build a Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson home…. […]

Woman pleads guilty in husband's cooking oil death

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A Mississippi woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday in the death of her husband, who died in 2006 after being doused with hot cooking oil.

Hancock County Circuit Court Clerk Karen Ruhr said Edna Mae Sanders, 52, is set for sentencing April 15 in the county’s Circuit Court. Manslaughter in Mississippi carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, though judges have discretion in sentencing and she’s likely to get credit for time served.

Prosecutors said Sanders poured the oil on Sherman Sanders, 53, while he was asleep at their house in Diamondhead in south Mississippi on July 27, 2006. He died several days later. […]

Man charged with shooting girlfriend in the face after breakup

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A 25-year-old Corinth man is being held on a $350,000 bond after authorities said he allegedly shot his girlfriend in the face after they broke up. Demarlen O’Bryan Davis is being charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and homicide in the death of 22-year-old Karson Stewart.

Captain Ralph Dance, an investigator with the Corinth Police Department, said Davis was taken into custody shortly after the incident on March 26.

Dance said several 911 calls brought police to an unoccupied residence in the 600 block of Martin Luther King Drive. […]

Man gets 40 years for raping and robbing disabled woman

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A Vicksburg man may spend the next 60 years behind bars for raping a woman who suffers from multiple sclerosis and then stealing her television.

The Vicksburg Post reported that Eddie Lee Harris was sentenced by Warren County Circuit Judge M. James Chaney to 40 years in prison for rape and 20 years for burglary. The sentences are to run concurrently. Under Mississippi law, Harris must serve every day of his 40-year rape sentence before he is eligible for release.

Harris was convicted Feb. 27. […]