Highway Patrol investigates 2 fatalities over holiday weekend

 

The Mississippi Highway Patrol concluded its 2016 Memorial Day enforcement period which began at 6 p.m. May 27, and ended at midnight May 30.

Throughout the period, MHP issued 8893 citations with 164 DUI arrests. A total of 132 crashes were investigated including two fatalities and 49 injuries on state, federal highways and interstate systems. In conjunction with the Click it or Ticket campaign, 1,779 seatbelt citations were issued along with 99 child restraint violations. All available troopers were utilized statewide during the period conducting saturation patrols and safety checkpoints.

At about 10:41 p.m. May 27, MHP responded to a fatal head-on traffic crash on US 98 in Lamar County. A 2008 Chevrolet Impala driven by Bianca Brister, 29, from Foxworth and occupied by passengers Travis Brister, 3, and Kirsten Brister, 5, was traveling westbound on US 98. A 2001 Ford pickup truck driven by Larry Terrel, 75, from Franklinton, La., was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane on US 98. The Ford pickup truck collided head-on with the Chevrolet Impala. Bianca Brister and Travis Brister were pronounced dead at the scene. Kirsten Brister was transported to Forrest General hospital with life threatening injuries. Larry Terrel was transported to Forrest General with moderate injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

 

Immigrants Rights Alliance receives $200K grant funding

 

The Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance has received a two-year grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich.

The general support grant of $200,000 will allow the organization to strengthen immigrant families by securing access to health care, education, employment, housing and business opportunities. Families will remain together and join their communities in creating a prosperous future for all of Mississippi.

“This grant will make it possible for MIRA to expand its work improving the lives of migrant and immigrant families,” said Executive Director Bill Chandler.

During the next two years, MIRA will mobilize immigrants, volunteers and allies to work toward a safe and prosperous environment for the nation’s newest Americans. Organizers will meet with local leaders and constituents, organize public events, conduct “Know-Your-Rights” trainings and naturalization workshops in collaboration with MIRA’s legal team and accept invitations to speak about MIRA’s work and immigrants’ contributions and rights. MIRA will address labor rights violations, detention matters, racial profiling, discrimination, language barriers, access to the legal system, health care and education.

Learn more about MIRA by visiting www.yourmira.org.

 

Hinds County Human Resource meeting, June 15, public invited

 

Hinds County Human Resource Agency will host its next monthly Board of Directors meeting at 7 p.m. June 15, at its Central Office located at 258 Maddox Road in Jackson.

Dates for future board meetings are July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct.19, Nov.16 and Dec. 21.

The public is invited to attend. For more information, call (601) 923-1838.

 

Delta Blues Museum to host first guitar, drum camp for youth

 

The Delta Blues Museum will host its first annual Guitar and Drum Camp from 9 a.m. to noon June 20 – 24.

Students from ages 9-18 will focus on lead guitar, bass guitar and drums – interested students should already have a basic knowledge of their instrument of choice.

Instructors include Walt Busby, John Holmes, Lee Williams and other special guests.

Museum director Shelley Ritter says the purpose of the camp is to allow music students to gain more knowledge, expand their repertoire, build musicianship and receive professional advice from the expert teachers of the museum’s award-winning Arts and Education program. “We have clear learning objectives for this camp, to help students recognize ways that music and musicians are encountered in everyday life,” Ritter said. “We want these young people to know various ways that people make music and be able to analyze the presence, use and effect of music in everyday life.” The goal is for guitar and drum students to be able to demonstrate beginning knowledge of a variety of music styles and also compare and contrast the qualifications for various musical careers.

Enrollment is limited. Students will be admitted on a first-come first-serve basis, and each student will choose his primary ensemble class. The cost is $65 per student, which includes a T-shirt, breakfast, light snack and workshop materials. Students should bring their own guitars and drumsticks. If a drummer doesn’t have their own sticks, they are available for purchase in the DBM gift shop.

Call the Delta Blues Museum (662) 627- 6820 or visit http://www.deltabluesmuseum.org for more information and an enrollment form.

 

Jackson Heart Study plans ‘State of the Study’ community

 

The Jackson Heart Study will hold its 14th annual community monitoring board meeting “State of the Study” at 9 a.m. June 4 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Conference Center at the Jackson Medical Mall, 350 West Woodrow Wilson Ave.

Attendees should enter the mall from Livingston Road. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Darcel Odom at (601) 979-8709 or Marty Fortenberry at (601) 979-8736.