News – Page 737 – The Mississippi Link

Olen Burrage, suspect in 1964 Klan slayings, dies

Olen Burrage, who was acquitted in the case of three civil rights workers killed by Ku Klux Klansmen in Mississippi in the 1960s, has died. He was 82.

Burrage died Friday March 8 at a hospital, the McClain-Hays Funeral Home Chapel said. The funeral home did not release a cause of death.

Burrage owned land in Neshoba County in central Mississippi where the three civil rights workers were buried under an earthen dam after members of the white supremacist KKK killed them in 1964. He said he knew nothing about the killings and was acquitted of conspiracy in 1967. […]

MEMA: Weather causes damage in numerous counties

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The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says severe weather caused damage in at least 10 counties as storms moved through parts of the state Monday afternoon.

MEMA said damage was reported to homes in Grenada, Itawamba, Lowndes, Tallahatchie and Union counties. There were reports of downed trees in several other counties.

There were also reports of high winds lifting at least two semi-tractor trailers into the air, with one left dangling over a highway in Lee County. […]

Freeze, Mississippi trying to keep momentum

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Most of the recent news about Mississippi’s football program relates to the surprising and star-studded recruiting class Hugh Freeze landed in February.

The second-year coach is excited about bringing in that new talent. But for the next month, he’s focused on improving what he already has on the roster as the Rebels go through spring practice. […]

Senate passes latest plan for education changes

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In their latest plan to improve Mississippi public schools, state senators are offering a compromise on requirements to become a teacher and doing away with a proposal to make it easier for the state to take over troubled schools.

The Senate voted 28-23 last Tuesday to approve its version of House Bill 890.

It includes the latest Senate version of charter schools, an increase in standards to enter teacher preparation and a call to flunk third graders who can’t read. […]

Woman convicted of killing her son dies in prison

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A woman who plead guilty to manslaughter for the starvation death of her 2-year-old son in 2010 died of lupus, the medical examiner has said.

Kimberly Yvonne Hood, 30, died on Feb. 27 at a prison in Rankin County.

Tara Booth, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), said Hood had been taken to the prison’s infirmary and died while in the medical clinic.

An autopsy report issued by the state medical examiner said the primary cause of Hood’s death was “complications of systematic lupus.” […]

Woman gets 5 years in prison for sex with 2 teens

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A Lowndes woman has been sentenced to five years in prison for having sex with two teenagers.

A jury found 35-year-old Christy McGough guilty of two counts of sexual battery. Circuit Judge Lee Howard sentenced her to concurrent 10-year sentences but suspended five years of each term which means she’ll serve five years.

She also will be on post-release supervision for five years. […]

MVSU likely to continue without permanent leader

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It appears Mississippi Valley State University is likely to lack a permanent leader for the foreseeable future, even though the College Board has recently named new presidents for two other state universities.

The College Board decided not to renew Donna Oliver’s contract at the Itta Bena institution in October, four years after she was named to head the smallest of Mississippi’s eight public universities.

But while the board moved quickly on openings at Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, it has been slower in replacing Oliver. […]

Lockheed Martin conducts fifth annual Information Technology Day

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Company to host educational talks, hands-on expo, STEM bowl and local job fair

The Mississippi Link Newswire
JACKSON, Miss – Lockheed Martin is hosting the fifth annual Information Technology (IT) Day on Friday, March 22 at the Jackson Convention Complex to increase IT education and awareness, as well as to encourage networking and collaboration in industry, academia and the community. The day-long event is free of charge and is open to the public. Lockheed Martin will also be on-site recruiting for jobs in the Mississippi area at the event…. […]

Emmett Till director speaks out against offensive Lil Wayne lyric

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It’s been weeks since the backlash began over a vulgar lyric used by rap superstar Lil Wayne in one of his songs referencing murdered Chicago teen Emmett Till. And while many have spoken out against the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist, Wayne himself, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., remains mum on the subject.

In fact, Wayne is said to be “resting comfortably” two days after suffering a seizure that sent him to a Los Angeles hospital this weekend and falsely triggered media reports that he was near death.

But many remain unnerved that Wayne, a 30-year-old black man, could be so callous when it comes to the still emotionally charged story of Emmett Till. […]

Inmate charged with homicide after punching another inmate

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A 19-year-old Jackson County jail inmate faces up to 20 years in prison after punching another inmate in the face resulting in his death.

Dionte R. Jones has been charged with homicide while in the commission of a misdemeanor assault for a physical assault on 46-year-old Anthony Eugene Moore.

Sheriff Mike Byrd said on Sunday, March 3, Jones was in the day room of the Jackson County jail arguing with a family member on the telephone. Just as the call ended, Moore walked by and Jones allegedly knocked Moore unconscious with a punch to the jaw. […]