News

Woman charged with embezzlement

A 42-year-old woman has been charged with felony embezzlement after being accused of stealing money from a business in Columbus.

WTVA reports Columbus police arrested Amy Watts of West Point. Her bond was set at $2,500.

Police say Watts allegedly took cash from Title Cash on Highway 45 North. The case remains under investigation,
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Education

Meridian area rail history available in new book

Without railroads Meridian wouldn’t have a history, and these two men, and many more like them over the years, might have found themselves in completely different lines of work.

One of those is Charles “Skeeter” Lang, who turned 92 years old earlier this month. […]

Entertainment

Foxx, Wonder among stars honoring Eddie Murphy

However riotous the Eddie Murphy stories from Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler and Russell Brand, the highlight of Spike TV’s tribute to Eddie Murphy was the comedian’s duet with Stevie Wonder.

Murphy joined the subject of one of his most classic impressions for a rousing rendition of Wonder’s 1973 hit “Higher Ground” during the taping of the Spike TV special “Eddie Murphy: One Night Only,” which is set to air Nov. 14. The Roots served as the house band. […]

News

Weaver sentenced to 25 years for sex with boys

A former Boy Scouts of America volunteer has been sentenced to serve 25 years in prison on two counts of having sex with boys.

Donnie Weaver of Okolona pleaded guilty on Nov. 7 in Lee County Circuit Court to two counts of sexual battery.

Authorities say the incidents occurred during camping trip during the summer of 2010.
[…]

Obituaries

1 of first black graduates of AF Academy dies

One of the first African-American graduates of the Air Force Academy has died.

The academy says Charles Vernon Bush of the class of 1963 died Monday, Nov. 5, at his home in Lolo, Mont. His wife says he died at age 72 after suffering from colon cancer.
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Entertainment

Hudson, Spears, LL Cool J honor Whitney Houston

Jennifer Hudson embodied the look of one of her idols, Whitney Houston, during a tribute to the late singer put on by Grammy organizers.

Rocking a pompadour and glittery jacket reminiscent of Houston’s stage costumes from the 1980s, Hudson belted out a medley of Houston’s hits at the Nokia Theatre for “We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute to Whitney Houston,” which will air as a TV special tomorrow, Nov. 13.
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News

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice William Joel Blass dies

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice William Joel Blass of Pass Christian has died. Blass died Oct. 23, four days after his 95th birthday.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. of Jackson said, “He was a great legal scholar and outstanding leader of the bar for many years. He lived professionalism by example and was an inspiration to attorneys and judges.”
[…]

Local Sports

Hatten resigns as PRCC coach

Pearl River Community College head football coach Tim Hatten has resigned after 11 years at the school.

His resignation was announced Oct. 30. […]

News

Some familiar faces are no more

Changes made in local races

By Othor Cain
Contributing Writer

Voters across the metro Tuesday, Nov. 6, were determined to make their voices heard adding to the fuel of what Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann billed as a “record voter turnout.’

Faced with options on The Mississippi Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and the Board of Election Commissioners, some voters sounded the alarm for change, while others voted to keep the status quo…. […]

Editorials

Obama was God’s choice for president

By Lonnie Ross
Online Editor

Tuesday night, Nov. 6, was historic. Barack Obama was re-elected to the office of the presidency.

With tears flowing, I watched on my television as the president of the United States of America entered the auditorium with his wife and two daughters to the roaring applause of more than 10,000 approving supporters to offer his acceptance speech after his victory over challenger Mitt Romney.

He won the election with the help of African Americans, Latinos, women, poor, rich, moderates and young Americans…. […]