News – Page 730 – The Mississippi Link

Events planned for 50th anniversary of Medgar Evers’ death

Myrlie Evers, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute (MMEI), has announced plans for a national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of her late husband Medgar Evers, Mississippi civil rights pioneer.

Events sponsored by the Institute will begin Wednesday, June 5, in Washington, D. C., and culminate with a community celebration, and tribute gala in Jackson, on Wednesday, June 12. Joining Mrs. Evers in the announcement were representatives of community organizations helping to sponsor the activities and hosting their own events.

Reena Evers-Everette, daughter of Medgar and Myrlie Evers and executive director of the MMEI, announced that a memorial service will be held at her father’s gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery on June 5 at noon.
[…]

Registration open for Mississippi Young Professionals Summit in Meridian

Kermit 0

On April 25 and 26, 2013, the Mississippi Young Professionals (MSYP) will host the MSYP 2013 Summit, Rethink Mississippi: No Suits, No PowerPoints, No Bull, at the Mississippi State University Riley Center, located at 2200 Fifth Street in downtown Meridian.

The event, coordinated by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), will launch the first year of MSYP, a non-profit organization designed to connect the state’s existing young professionals and YP organizations in order to create a network that will develop, empower and retain young professionals in Mississippi. MSYP’s 19-member board is comprised of business leaders in their 20s, 30s and 40s from each region of the state. […]

Myrlie Evers brings message of peace, justice and dialogue to Millsaps

Kermit 1

Civil rights icon Myrlie Evers filled the Robert and Dee Leggett Special Events Center in the A. Boyd Campbell College Center on Friday. April 5 for the 2013 Rabbi Perry Nussbaum Lecture Series, urging students to embrace and recognize the history of social justice at Millsaps College, while remembering her past in the capital city.

“Millsaps has stood tall since the very beginning of (civil rights) dialogue sessions in Mississippi,” she said. “For those of you that are students here, enjoy each and every moment and take in all the knowledge that is provided to you.”

The lecture series, which is dedicated to men and women who have stood against racial bigotry and religious prejudice, was endowed by Dr. John D. Bower, a renal pioneer, in 2008 in honor of Nussbaum, rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson from 1954 until 1974.
[…]

Former Mendenhall police chief arrested for witness tampering

Kermit 0

Donald “Bruce” Barlow, 50, who served as the Mendenhall, Mississippi chief of police until Oct. 2010, has been arrested by special agents of the FBI.

The arrest took place on March 7, around 12 p.m. at his residence in Mendenhall pursuant to an indictment filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.

While federal officials would not release the details of the allegations against Barlow, they said he is charged with extortion and witness tampering. The arrest follows an investigation by the FBI, with support from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office and the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office. […]

Reception set to honor Dr. Vivian Presley’s 38 years at CCC

Kermit 1

With the approaching retirement of Dr. Vivian Presley as president of Coahoma Community College (CCC), a number of activities celebrating her 38 years at CCC have been planned during the week of April 16 through April 20, according to Rosemary Lamb, vice president of institutional effectiveness.

Dr. Presley will retire at the end of June, and Dr. Valmadge Towner of Marks has been named CCC’s fifth president by the CCC Board of Trustees.

Dr. Towner, who is director of pupil services for the Desoto County School District, is an alumnus of Coahoma and a former trustee of the college.

“Dr. Towner is an outstanding administrator who has been closely associated with the college for many years; we look forward to welcoming him home as Coahoma’s new president,” commented McGlown. […]

Bolivar County nurse arrested for taking drugs from hospice patients

Kermit 0

A Bolivar County nurse has been arrested and charged with taking drugs from patients at the hospice center where she worked.

Linda T. Kittle, 56, of Cleveland, a registered nurse (RN) and formerly Director of Nursing at Grace Community Hospice in Hollandale, turned herself in to Bolivar County authorities on March 25.
[…]

Harper and Bounds to speak at JSU’s 2013 spring commencement activities

Kermit 0

Actor and author Hill Harper and IHL Commissioner Dr. Hank Bounds will be the speakers for Jackson State University’s spring commencement exercises May 3 and 4.

Harper will address undergraduates during the ceremony at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. Bounds will speak at the graduate exercises at 6 p.m. Friday, May 3, in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center on the university’s main campus.

More than 1,000 students will celebrate the completion of their undergraduate and graduate degrees during the exercises. […]

Starkville man killed in two-vehicle crash

Kermit 0

A Starkville man was killed Saturday morning after colliding with another vehicle on Highway 45 Alternate.

Walter Sykes, 77, was attempting to enter the northbound lane from a private drive when he was hit by a 2009 Toyota 4-Runner driven by 26-year-old Meredith McClure, WTVA reported.

The impact caused Sykes’ vehicle to overturn throwing him from his 2002 Ford Ranger truck. Sykes was not wearing a seatbelt. […]

Legal assistance offered April 16 in DeSoto County family law cases

Kermit 1

A legal clinic scheduled for April 16 in Hernando will assist low income people with irreconcilable differences divorces, child support or custody modifications, name changes and other similar cases in DeSoto County Chancery Court.

The 4 to 8 p.m. pro se clinic will be held at the DeSoto County Courthouse. People seeking assistance must contact the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project in advance to be screened for eligibility. The phone number is 601-960-9577.

Participation is limited to DeSoto County residents with an annual income of less than 125 percent of the federal poverty level. That would be annual income of less than $13,963 for an individual, or less than $28,813 a year for a family of four. […]

4th lawsuit filed against JSU athletics director

Kermit 0

The athletics director of Jackson State University is now facing four federal lawsuits related to allegations that she sexually harassed an assistant and fired other employees who supported the woman.

The first lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in August by Lolita Ward, who says Athletic Director Vivian Fuller subjected her to inappropriate comments, gestures and touching in 2011.

The lawsuit claims Ward was subjected to a hostile work environment and fired in October 2011 after rejecting the advances. […]