News Briefs From Across The State
Has “TEX” on the back of his left hand
A Forrest County Community Work Center inmate serving a two-year sentence for possession of precursors and credit card fraud has escaped from his work detail.
State corrections officials say 32-year-old Shawn Jeffery Watkins walked away Tuesday afternoon from a detail in Hattiesburg. Watkins, convicted in Harrison and Stone counties, was last seen wearing Mississippi Department of Corrections-issued green-and-white striped pans with a white MDOC shirt.
Watkins is described as white, with blonde hair and blue eyes, about 6 feet tall and weighing 175 pounds. He has multiple tattoos. On his right arm is an image of a tiger and the name “Jeffery.” On the back of his left hand is the name “TEX.”
Anyone with any information on Watkins whereabouts should contact local law enforcement or MDOC at 662-745-6611.
Lucedale man charged with 50 counts of child porn
A George County man has been charged with 50 counts of possession of child pornography. Marvin Calvin Lee Jr., who lives in the 100 block of Howard Road in Lucedale, was taken into custody following an investigation by George County officials and investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Attorney General Jim Hood said Lee faces up to 250 years behind bars if he is convicted on all charges.
“I appreciate the partnership with Sheriff Keel and Sheriff Byrd in our war against child pornography,” said Attorney General Hood. “We are united in this fight against those who choose to prey on our children.”
Lafayette County restore arts funding
Reversing an earlier vote, the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors has restored $15,000 in funding for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.
Last month, the board voted 3-2 to deny funding to the Arts Council after a controversial art show was planned. The Oxford Eagle reports that the show was moved to private property after a few community members – including Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson – expressed concerns that it was too racy.
Wayne Andrews, executive director of YAC, addressed the board Monday and asked them to reconsider their vote. He explained the variety of programs YAC holds in the community that benefit children, adults and senior citizens. Board member Robert Blackmon said he changed his vote after hearing from Andrews, who was not present at last month’s meeting.
This wasn’t the first time the current board of supervisors pulled YAC’s funding. In 2007, YAC received $10,000 from the board. In 2008, the board voted to not give YAC any funds. In 2009, board member Lloyd Oliphant asked the board to consider restoring the funds and YAC’s funding was raised to $15,000.
Construction permits on the rise in DeSoto Co.
Judged by building permits for single-family dwellings, October was a bit busier in DeSoto County than a year ago. Figures show 19 permits were pulled this year for the county’s unincorporated areas, compared to 12 in recession-weary 2010.
Gina Tynan, the county’s interim planning director, told The Commercial Appeal total single-family permits including the county’s municipalities came to 41 in October, with seven each for Southaven and Olive Branch, six for Hernando and two for Walls. The year-to-date total is now 375, compared to 454 in all of 2010.
The year-to-date total for all residential permits, including mobile homes and multi-family dwellings, stands at 408; the total in 2010 was 483, lowest in more than a decade.
3 Jackson projects need cash
The Jackson Redevelopment Authority could soon issue $107 million in bonds for three economic development projects – including two which have endured a host of delays.
It was reported that the bonds will go toward financing a hotel to be built across from the Jackson Convention Complex, the Farish Street Entertainment District and a new headquarters/welcome center for the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau.
JRA was to vote on the proposal at its Nov. 23 meeting and then Jackson City Council would have to approve issuing the bonds.
The hotel commands most of the bonds, at $96.1 million. As part of a tentative agreement, the city of Jackson and developer Transcontinental Realty Investors of Dallas would equally split responsibility for debt service shortfalls.
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