News – Page 707 – The Mississippi Link

NAACP names Opera Singer Jessye Norman as 98th Spingarn Medalist

The NAACP Board of Directors awarded opera singer and honorary UN Ambassador Jessye Norman the 98th Spingarn Medal, the Association’s highest honor. Norman became the 98th recipient of the award, and she was honored during the NAACP National Convention in Orlando July 17 at the annual Spingarn Dinner.

“Jessye Norman is a true inspiration,” stated Chairman Roslyn M. Brock. “Her work embodies the power of music and its ability to serve as the soundtrack to our movement for social justice.”

The Spingarn Medal, first instituted in 1914 by then NAACP Chairman Joel E. Spingarn, is awarded to an American of African descent who has demonstrated outstanding and noble achievement during the preceding years. […]

New certificate in Veteran service available at MSU

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Consistently ranked as a top U.S. military-friendly university, Mississippi State continues its longstanding tradition of serving members of the armed forces by offering a new certificate program.

The university recently developed the Veterans’ Certificate Program to train individuals to help former military service members successfully transition to civilian life. The program establishes an opportunity for professionals, graduates and undergraduates to improve their knowledge of veterans’ benefits while honing their leadership skills.

A recent grant from the Walmart Foundation for $80,000 funded the new program, which is the only one of its kind in the nation. Courses to earn the Veterans’ Certificate may be applied as a concentration for the Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies, or as electives in a graduate-level program, said Kenneth D. “Ken” McRae, director of MSU’s Center for America’s Veterans. […]

Jazz legend Jones to be honored with concert

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One of Vicksburg’s music legends will be honored Aug. 4 with a concert, discussion panel and art exhibit.

The Vicksburg Blues Society and Vicksburg Heritage League are hosting the Fourth Annual Hank Jones Memorial Concert and Festival from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Vicksburg City Auditorium, said event organizer Shirley Waring.

Jones was a jazz pianist and composer whose 70-year career included a stint as Ella Fitzgerald’s pianist and Marilyn Monroe’s accompanist when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. […]

Emile Griffith, elegant boxing champ, dies at 75

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Inside the smaller theater at Madison Square Garden about five years ago, shortly before a world title fight, Emile Griffith was introduced one more time to the crowd. He rose shakily from his seat, waved ever so briefly and then sat down.

The applause kept going.

Revered in retirement perhaps more than during his fighting days, Griffith died Tuesday, July 23, at 75 after a long battle with pugilistic dementia. The first fighter to be crowned world champion from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Griffith required full-time care late in life and died at an extended care facility in Hempstead, N.Y. […]

10 indicted in deadly prison riot

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Ten additional individuals have been indicted in connection with the riot that occurred at the Adams County Correctional Center (ACCC) in Natchez, Mississippi on May 20, 2012, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney announced this week.

The ACCC houses approximately 2,500 non-resident aliens who have been convicted of federal charges in the United States. During the riot, several correctional officers were assaulted.

Correctional Officer (CO) Catlin Carithers died as a result of injuries he received during these assaults. […]

Doctor: Dennis Farina was being treated for cancer

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Dennis Farina’s doctor says the actor died while being treated for lung cancer.

Farina, who died Monday after suffering a blood clot in his lung, had been under treatment for the cancer for several months, according to his cardiologist, Dr. Marc A. Kates.

Thirteen years ago Farina had been diagnosed with “a small cancer that was treated and cured with surgery,” Kates said in a statement on Tuesday. […]

Memorial honors ‘Enter the Dragon’ actor Jim Kelly

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A memorial service was held in Lexington, Kentucky on July 13 for Millersburg native Jim Kelly. A 1970s black action hero, Kelly starred in at least 12 films including “Melinda“, “Three the Hard Way” and “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee.

Kelly died of cancer at his San Diego home on June 30 at the age of 67.

Sporting an Afro hairstyle and sideburns, Kelly and his lanky 6-foot-2 frame made a splash with his one-liners and fight scenes in the 1973 martial arts classic “Enter the Dragon.” […]

Jackson-Hinds Library System’s new-hire continues to draw sparks

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By Othor Cain

Contributing writer
At her first board meeting as Executive Director of the Jackson-Hinds Library System, Patty Furr was met with a strong out-cry of opposition from some library employees and community members. “Mrs. Furr, this isn’t personal and I feel as though you’re a very nice lady. But for some of us here, Charlotte will always be our leader,” said Celeste Ramirez, an employee of the Library. “We feel as if this process was flawed and Charlotte was over-looked.”

Ramirez was referring to Charlotte Moman, assistant director for Public Service at the Jackson-Hinds Library System. Several employees felt that Moman, who after 23 years of service should have been named executive director…. […]

Duck Dynasty stars raise $280K for children’s home

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The head of a Hattiesburg children’s home says five “Duck Dynasty” stars helped raise $280,000 to $300,000 for Homes of Hope for Children.

Michael Garrett says officials are still tallying proceeds from the fundraiser Saturday night at the Forrest County Multi Purpose Center.

People and companies paid $30 to $1,000 per ticket to see members of the big clan from Monroe, La., featured on the A&E reality show. […]

Female inmate who died in police car bled out

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A female inmate who died in the back of a police car while being transported to a hospital had fractured ribs causing her to bleed out, the Copiah County coroner said.

Coroner Ellis Stewart said 40-year-old Stephanie Fay Howell fell about a week before she was taken into custody around July 9 or 10, WLBT reported. Howell suffered fractured ribs and one of her ribs went into her spleen, which caused a slow bleed, according to the coroner.

Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones says Howell died in a police car outside a doctor’s office on July 12. […]