Court of Appeals judges take oath of office

News Briefs From Across The State

Oath administered by longest serving judge Leslie D. King

Five members of the Mississippi Court of Appeals took the oath of office this month to begin their new terms. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Leslie D. King, of Greenville, administered the oath of office to Judge Jimmy Maxwell, of Oxford, Presiding Judge William H. Myers, of Ocean Springs, Presiding Judge Joe Lee, of Jackson and Judge Donna M. Barnes of Tupelo.

Court of Appeals Judge Tyree Irving, of Greenwood, took the oath of office for the new term earlier in the day.

Court of Appeals judges are elected to eight-year terms and the terms of the 10 members of the court are staggered.

Judge King took the oath on Jan. 4 to begin his new term as chief judge. He has served as Chief Judge since April 30, 2004. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court chooses one member of the Court of Appeals to act as administrative head of the Court of Appeals for a four-year term. Chief Judge King’s eight-year elective term of office runs through January 2017.

Robbery suspect flees scene and crashes

A man suspected in an armed robbery was injured in an accident Friday night when authorities said he fled the scene and later crashed into a tree. Gary Dale Presley, 26, was arrested on Jan. 21 after he allegedly tried to rob Zach’s Texaco in Shannon.

Police said Presley reportedly entered the gas station, pulled a knife on the cashier and demanded cash. When another Texaco employee came in, Presley allegedly dropped the knife and fled in his vehicle.

Police later found the wrecked vehicle with Presley still inside. Presley suffered minor head injuries from the accident and he was taken into custody.

Bond for Presley, who was already on parole for a prior drug charge, was to be set this week.

Tupelo school board approves make-up days

WTVA is reporting that the Tupelo School Board has approved a plan for students to make up the four days of classes missed this month due to snow. The approved plan calls for students to attend school on four days they initially would have had off: February 18, February 21, April 25 and May 23.

WTVA said February 18 was supposed to be Industry and Education Day, February 21 is Presidents Day, April 25 is the Monday after Easter and May 23 is an extra day added to the school year calendar.

Teachers will be required to attend school on February 21, April 25, May 23 and May 24. Teacher staff days will be May 25, 26 and 27.