LUY-Development

Category: Local News

  • Natchez board receives two proposals for old railroad depot

    Natchez board receives two proposals for old railroad depot

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen has received two proposals from a local hotelier and a group of movie producers wanting to complete the restoration of Natchez’ old Broadway Street railroad depot.

    A committee will review the plans and make recommendations on the best one for Natchez aldermen to approve in December. They want to turn the former train station into a dining/entertainment venue. One proposal for leasing the city-owned building is from Natchez Grand Hotel owner Warren Reuther. The other is from movie producers Tate Taylor, John Norris and Thor Juell.

    Reuther’s company – New Orleans Hotel Consultants – and the moviemakers’ – Church Hill Variety – were the only two submitting bids by the Nov. 1 deadline.

    As envisioned by Mayor Darryl Grennell and the Board of Aldermen in their request for proposals, private developers are to restore the 109-year-old former train station into a “food, beverage and entertainment venue.” Ideas presented in the past include offering outdoor dining for patrons to enjoy the view overlooking the Mississippi River as the centerpiece of an entertainment district in the city’s bluff area.

    In accepting the two proposals at their Tuesday meeting, the mayor and aldermen did not publicly present details of the plans offered by Reuther and the movie producers.

    While the depot’s exterior was renovated in 2016 by the city, it remains a vacant unfinished shell as city officials held up plans for completing the interior’s restoration.

    About $900,000 was spent in city and federal funds to restore the exterior. The board in 2016 did lease the building to Reuther — who began restoring its interior – but the contract was nullified amid protests about city officials not seeking proposals from others.

    Taylor and Norris – who live in the Church Hill community near Natchez – filmed Breaking News in Yuba County this past summer in Natchez. They’re also leading with Juell a new group – Film Natchez – working to get more movies produced here.

    The depot was vacated in 2013 when a restaurant and souvenir shop were evicted so the building could be renovated.

    —

    The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday met four new Natchez cops who Police Chief Walter Armstrong said will be among the ways the city is reducing crime. The police department in recent years has suffered a shortage of police officers, but pay raises appear to have helped attract more recruits. Other measures, including about 150 outside surveillance cameras, have also proved effective, Armstrong said. “There is a combination of a number of things we believe has made our city safer,” Armstrong said.

    —

    The Board of Aldermen accepted about $214,000 from Entergy to reimburse the city for overpaying the utility company in past years for maintaining city street lights. Part of that money – nearly $119,000 — will be used to buy communication radios for the Natchez Fire Department.

    —

    Tuesday’s meeting had the mayor and aldermen discussing how to add names to Natchez’ new monument honoring civil-rights activists unjustly jailed 54 years ago by city officials. Alderman Felicia Irving said her brother and others were left off. The granite monument is already completed with more than 400 names engraved on it, but Mayor Darryl Grennell said steps might be possible to add more names if needed.

    The mayor led efforts to have the monument constructed on the grounds of City Auditorium with municipal, state and private funds to honor black demonstrators arrested in Natchez and imprisoned after advocating for their civil and voting rights in 1965. The “Proud to Take a Stand” monument was dedicated last month.

    —

    With new City Clerk Servia Fortenberry beginning her job Nov. 1, the mayor formally swore her in Tuesday as Natchez’  fifth chief financial officer since 2016. Fortenberry was formerly McComb’s city clerk. Natchez has had five city clerks – not including at least two interim clerks — in the three years since aldermen converted the post to an appointed rather than elected position, as it had been the past century.

  • Community Cash Back Auction!

    Community Cash Back Auction!

    100% Community Cash Back

    Community Cash Back Auction Happening: Saturday, January 11th 2020 at Old National Furniture Store at the corner of Franklin & Commerce St.

    Check in: 9am-12 Noon

    Auction Starts: 1pm

    Redeem your Auction Cash early & get extra Auction Cash up to $500 :

     Sports Center 5-6pm January 8th

    Vidalia Market5-6pm January 9th

    Old National Furniture Store 5-6pm January 10th

    How It Works

    • Shop at any of the participating locations listed below between now and December 25th
    • Save your purchase receipts
    • Bring your receipts to the Community Cash Auction on January 11th to the old National Furniture Building at Franklin & Commerce
    • Redeem for “auction cash” to bid on awesome prizes

    Natchez Locations:

    • Natchez Coffee Company
    • Sports Center
    • Magnolia Mariee Bridal
    • National Home Store
    • Crafted Gallery
    • Stine
    • Natchez Market #1
    • Natchez Market #2
    • Natchez Market #3 (Southside)
    • Nest
    • Pampered Sole
    • Bowie Outfitters
    • Arthur’s Tire
    • Natchez Junk Genies
    • Bluff City Bowl
    • Regina’s Kitchen
    • Carriage House Restaurant
    • One Of A Kind
    • Soiree Boutique
    • Natchez Grand
    • Rolling N the Dough
    • Cash Saver
    • Silver Street Gallery & Gifts
    • Lower Lodge Antiques and Conservation

    Vidalia/Ferriday

    • Vidalia Markets
    • Ferriday Markets
    • Southern Flair Candles
    • Rushing Boots
    • Rrus & Company

    More locations may be added soon!

     

  • Mississippi Man Convicted Of Felony Dogfighting Charges

    Mississippi Man Convicted Of Felony Dogfighting Charges

    NATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man has been convicted of felony dogfighting charges, two years after law enforcement officers found a dogfighting operation on his property in Adams County.

    A jury on Thursday found Tommie Queen guilty of three of the nine counts he faced. Circuit Judge Debra Blackwell sentenced him to nine years in prison — the maximum of three years for each of the charges on which he was convicted, the Natchez Democrat reported. Circuit Judge Debra Blackwell sentenced him to nine years in prison — the maximum of three years for each of the charges on which he was convicted.

    Adams County deputies said they found more than 50 injured and starving dogs and the bones of dozens of deceased animals at Queen’s property in November 2017.

    During the trial, a veterinarian, Dr. Robert Savant, testified that he had to euthanize nine dogs because they were so badly injured. He said he saw multiple old and fresh lacerations on the dogs’ faces, chests and front legs that appeared to be dog bites. While examining photographs kept as evidence, Savant said all the dogs resembled pit bulls.

    Savant said one dog had an eye infection, another had a fractured jaw that emitted a putrid smell and a third dog had a swollen gash in its front leg.

    Kyle Held, an investigator for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the animals’ injuries were consistent with those found after dogfights and were mostly on the front of their bodies.

    Held also said he observed the dogs tethered on heavy chains inside dirt circles in the grass, which indicated the dogs were positioned just far enough apart that they could face each other but not touch.

    Defense attorney Damon Stevenson said no evidence that indicated Queen had organized or planned to conduct a dogfight.

    “It is extremely important that none of these witnesses have ever witnessed a dogfight,” Stevenson said.

    District Attorney Ronnie Harper said prosecutors produced enough evidence to convict Queen.

    “It’s not just about dogfighting,” Harper said. “It’s anyone who owns a dog with the intent to enter it or to participate in a fight, or anyone who trains a dog for the purpose of participating in a fight.”

    ___

    Information from: The Natchez Democrat, http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/

  • Adams County Safe Room Open Tonight

    Adams County Safe Room Open Tonight

    Adams County residents we will open the Safe Room tonight starting at 8pm through 8am for a warming shelter. The Safe Room will re-open Tuesday night starting at 7 pm thru Wednesday afternoon or until outdoor temperatures reach above freezing levels. If you know anyone who may not have heat in their homes or homeless during this severe cold front we ask that you dial 911 and let the Adams County E911 Dispatch Center know. We also ask that you check on your neighbors and your pets if you have them. The number to the Adams County Safe Room is (601) 445-3525 Thanks please share

    Robert Bradford, Adams County Emergency Management Agency, Director

  • Ridgecrest, LA BOIL ADVISORY IN EFFECT

    Boil Advisory

    Town of Ridgecrest

    PWS ID #1029009

    Concordia Parish, Louisiana

     

    The Town of Ridgecrest is experiencing problems with the water system.

    Reason:  Making repairs at water plant

    Because of these problems, the water produced by our water supply system is of questionable microbiological quality

    Therefor, as a precaution, the Town of Ridgecrest is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately.  This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Town of Ferriday.

    It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drink), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following mean:

    Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container.  The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil.  (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another.

    Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

    Upon notification from the Office of Public Health’s State Regional Laboratory that the samples collected from our water supply have been found to be safe, the State Health Department will notify the water supply of the sample results.  Upon such notification, the Town of Ridgecrest will then rescind the Boil Advisory and notify its customer that the water has been found to be safe.

    If you have any questions, please call JCP Management Inc./Town of Ridgecrest Water Department at   318-757-4497.

  • GOP control expands in Mississippi Senate, steady in House

    GOP control expands in Mississippi Senate, steady in House

    JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Republicans will expand their majority in the Mississippi Senate and maintain supermajority-level control in the state House following Tuesday’s elections.

    In the Senate, Republicans will hold 36 of 52 seats, up from 33. Democrats will shrink from 19 to 16. In the 122-member House, Republicans are on track to control 75 seats, the same as before the election, including a lead in one of three uncalled races. The number of Democrats is on track to increase from 45 to 46, with one Democrat defeating Rep. Steve Holland, a longtime Democrat from Plantersville who pursued re-election as an independent. Rep. Angela Cockerham of Magnolia, another former Democrat, won re-election as an independent.

    In both chambers, Republicans will control 60% of seats, meaning they can pass tax changes and borrowing bills without any Democratic votes.

    In the Senate, Republicans picked up two seats in northeast Mississippi that had been held by conservative-leaning Democrats, while Melanie Sojourner regained her former Senate seat in southwest Mississippi. On the Gulf Coast, Republican Mike Thompson won a seat now held by Democrat Deborah Dawkins, who lost in the primary. Democrats got one back when Joseph Thomas Sr. won a seat now held by Republican Eugene “Buck” Clarke that was redrawn to give an African American a better chance of winning.

    The Associated Press hasn’t called three House races because of close margins. In District 12, now held by Democrat Jay Hughes of Oxford, Republican Clay Deweese narrowly leads Tiffany Kilpatrick. In District 40, incumbent Rep. Ashley Henley of Southaven narrowly trails Democratic challenger Hester Jackson McCray. And in District 64, Democrat Shanda Yates narrowly leads longtime Republican incumbent Bill Denny of Jackson.

    Party control would flip in all those races if the leaders hold on. Besides those instances and Holland’s loss, the only other district to change hands was District 122, where Republican Brent Anderson won the seat now held by House Democratic leader David Baria of Bay St. Louis. He didn’t seek reelection.

    Holland has been one of the most outspoken figures in the Legislature over his nine terms, with a sense of humor that sometimes drew national attention, like the time in 2012 that he filed a satirical resolution to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America trying to make a point about how he felt immigrants and Latinos were being demonized.

    The 64-year-old funeral home owner declared that “it’s been a wonderful 64 years and I have no regrets” in a Wednesday phone interview. By becoming an independent, Holland avoided a Democratic primary against Rickey Thompson, but lost to him in the general election. Holland, who is white, said Republicans had designed his district so that he would have to contend with African American candidates such as Thompson.

    “It has been premeditated by blacks and whites, Republicans and Democrats, and the racism is as severe as I’ve ever seen it,” Holland said. “Rickey Thompson is going to be my representative and I wish him the best.”

    Once-dominant white Democrats like Holland continue their retreat. The new Legislature is on track to have seven white Democratic House members and two senators. As late as January 2008, 15 white Democrats were sworn into the state Senate.

    The number of women lawmakers is on track to increase from 24 to 29 overall, rising from nine to 12 in the Senate and from 15 to 17 in the House. Mississippi had the lowest percentage of women lawmakers of any state legislature in the nation this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures , at 13.8%. Overall nationwide, 29% of state lawmakers are women.

    The additional numbers will push Mississippi’s percentage to 16.7%, which could push Mississippi past at five other states that don’t have elections this year. In Louisiana, which has elections later this month, 16% of lawmakers were women last year.

  • Cat Island Refuge Closed Because Of High Water

    Cat Island Refuge Closed Because Of High Water

    ST. FRANCISVILLE, La. (AP) — Federal officials are temporarily closing a wildlife refuge in Louisiana because of high water on the Mississippi River.

    An announcement Monday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says water has reached 24 feet at the Baton Rouge tide gauge, forcing the agency to shut down Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge.

    The acreage north of Baton Rouge is shut down occasionally when river levels get too high.

    The statement says the refuge won’t reopen until water levels fall.

  • Adams County Mississippi Election Summary Report

    Adams County Mississippi Election Summary Report

    51.31% of Adams County registered voters made their way to the polls today and made their voices heard.

    Below is the summary of the Adams County Mississippi General Election. These results do not include absentee ballots or affidavits.[vc_single_image image=”1386″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.natchezford.com/”][vc_single_image image=”1387″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.crye-leike.com/natchez/ms”][vc_single_image image=”1388″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.unitedms.bank/”][vc_single_image image=”1389″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.themarketsonline.com/”]Click here if you are trying to view the election results on your mobile device.[vc_btn title=”Polling Place Locator” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sos.ms.gov%2Fpollingplace%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx||target:%20_blank|”]

  • New Orleans debuts new $1.3B airport terminal with amenities

    New Orleans debuts new $1.3B airport terminal with amenities

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The old Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana will soon be a thing of the past.

    State and city officials cut the ribbon Tuesday on the city’s new $1.3 billion airport terminal, which is scheduled to open to the public Wednesday. The airport is located in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner.

    The 927,000-square-foot (86,100-square-meter) facility features music venues, three rooms for mothers to bring small children, and other amenities such as charging locations for electronic devices at 50 percent of the seats at the gates. There are also 8,000 available parking spaces.

    “It is a modern airline experience here. It’s going to be night and day from the old terminal. It’s light. It’s bright. It’s got all the amenities,” said Cindy Perrino, the New Orleans representative for Southwest Airlines.

    The terminal had been scheduled to open in May 2018, but the opening was pushed back after various delays.

    A number of New Orleans restaurants are featured at the new terminal, and the city’s mayor, LaToya Cantrell, said local musicians will perform daily at the airport.

    “You can come early and enjoy New Orleans right here in our terminal,” the mayor said at Tuesday’s ceremony.

    All flights scheduled to arrive at the old terminal after 8 p.m. Tuesday will be moved to the new terminal, save for a few Southwest Airlines flights.

    The old airport was built in 1959. Construction on the new terminal began in January 2016.

  • Owner of Natchez antebellum mansions pleads guilty to bank and wire fraud charges.

    Owner of Natchez antebellum mansions pleads guilty to bank and wire fraud charges.

    BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Louisiana man has pleaded guilty to carrying out schemes that defrauded banks and private equity firms of $29 million.

    A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Louisiana says 57-year-old Michael Allen Worley pleaded guilty Monday to bank fraud and wire fraud.

    With the guilty plea, Worley has admitted to obtaining $18 million in loans from banks in Baton Rouge and across the country between 2014 and 2018. He also admits to obtaining $11 million from private equity firms in Louisiana and Texas.

    U.S. Attorney Brandon Fremin says Worley inflated his assets, understated or omitted his liabilities, misrepresented his income and more to obtain the money.

    “This investigation and conviction demonstrates that those who seek to deceive and defraud banks and other lenders for their own personal benefit will be held accountable,” U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin said. “Mr. Worley executed schemes to fraudulently induce banks and private lenders into giving him millions of dollars, and used unwitting associates of his to assist him. Individuals like Mr. Worley who obtain loans through fraudulent means can expect to be prosecuted, and victims of such schemes should know we will do everything within our power to make these lenders whole. I would like to recognize the efforts of our prosecutor and the FBI for their exemplary work on such an important matter.”

    At the time of his bankruptcy filing, Worley claimed $107 million in debt, including millions of dollars owed to Natchez-based United Mississippi Bank (UMB).

    Worley had led the bank to believe he was financially sound when the bank lent him money against several Natchez properties including teh antebellum mansion known as Dunleith. UMB obtained permission from the bankruptcy court to foreclose on the property and has since been trying to sell it.

    Dunleith was built in 1856 and operated as a commercial bed and breakfast facility since 1976. When it closed Dunleith currently had 22 luxury rooms available for overnight guests and has been the venue for many weddings and large parties throughout the years.

     Worley faces a prison sentence, a fine and a period of supervised release.