Category: The Natchez Democrat

 

NATCHEZ — City Attorney Jack Lazarus said Monday morning that he has no comment on the Friday ruling by Circuit Court Judge Carmen Drake that overturns a Board of Aldermen decision involving the Truth Lounge, 719-½ Franklin St. in downtown Natchez.

The Truth Lounge was forced to close in June 2024 after the Natchez Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 to revoke the special exception to operate it granted the nightclub on March 16, 2023.

After opening in 2023, neighbors of Truth Lounge routinely complained of loud noise and unruly crowds gathering outside the club, partying and littering nearby parking lots.

On April 25, 2024, the planning commission in a 4 to 3 vote moved to revoke the special exception granted the Truth Lounge.

Banks and Haywood appealed that decision to the Board of Aldermen, who on June 18, 2024, voted 3 to 2 to leave the planning commission’s decision in place.

On June 28, 2024, Banks and Haywood appealed the Board of Aldermen’s decision to the Sixth District Circuit Court. On Friday, Circuit Court Judge Carmen Drake sided with Banks and Haywood and reversed the Board of Aldermen’s decision.

Banks, accompanied by Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving, showed up at City Hall Friday afternoon and Monday morning seeking a new business license to operate the lounge. However, Banks said he was denied that license and was told, “They want our attorneys to get in touch with the insurance company’s attorneys first.”

Bridgewater-Irving said Banks and Haywood were given a contact number for a Hattiesburg attorney to call to inquire about a business license. She said she contacted Natchez Mayor Pro-tem Sarah Carter Smith, who responded by advising that they contact the city attorney.

“I responded and told her that had already taken place on Friday. They were under the impression that all they had to do is show up Friday and they would receive their license,” Bridgewater-Irving said.

“I asked them to return to City Hall after 9 a.m. on Monday, and they did. I had to go to City Hall this morning on another matter, and while I was there, I inquired about the business license. Again, they were given the attorney’s number in Hattiesburg to call. I asked, ‘even if they have a copy of the judgment with them?’ ” she said.

“I must also say, I am very disappointed. It was not a pleasant situation. (City workers were very unprofessional, even disrespectful, even to the police officers who came there,” Bridgewater-Irving said.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, who was out of town on business over the weekend and on Monday, said he could not comment because of a pending lawsuit Truth Lounge owners have filed against him personally.

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This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten is asking residents in the Morgantown area to be aware of an escaped inmate from the county jail on State Street.

Patten shared updated photos of the escapee, Myco Fort, 22, who escaped from the jail on State Street at approximately 3:30 a.m. Friday.

No longer in jail clothing, Fort was spotted on security cameras in the Morgantown area at about 9:30 a.m. wearing what appears to be a Black Jordan jacket over a Nike hoodie and blue jeans.

Patten asks that all Morgantown residents check their security cameras and report any unusual findings to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Fort had been incarcerated for burglary charges and was a trusty. He was brought downstairs to clean the building, Patten said.

“While mopping the floor, he decided to drop the mop and run out the back door,” Patten said. “He was wearing an orange jumpsuit. We do not know if he is still. We’ve got every person we have out looking for this individual now, but we’re asking for help from the public as well.”

According to arrest records, Fort was a resident of Broadmoor Drive and was arrested on Feb. 24.

“Do not help this individual run,” Patten said. “Anyone who chooses to do that will be charged as well. Call 911 immediately if you see him or if you want to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 888-442-5001.

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This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — City and county governments have advised residents to “shelter in place” during storms this afternoon, Adams County Emergency Management Community Liaison Neifa Hardy said.

While offices remain open, residents are advised to take care of any business, such as paying taxes, renewing car tags or applying for planning licenses after the storm is over.

According to the National Weather Service, Adams County may experience up to 70 miles per hour winds, tornadoes and hail up to quarter size during this weather event, which is expected to last well into the afternoon until around 4 p.m.

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NATCHEZ — The Mississippi River at Natchez and Vidalia is projected to reach a crest point at the flood stage of 48 feet by early Monday, March 3, according to the National Water Prediction Service.

At this stage, Carthage Point Road in Adams County becomes impassable. The flooding at Natchez is considered minor, as it is for most recording points along the Mississippi River.

“We already know what are flood zones are and we’re keeping an eye on it. The road department will close the road if necessary,” Adams County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford Sr. said, adding to his knowledge that has not happened as of Tuesday. He said he would be notified of any road closing.

As of Tuesday morning, the level of the river at Natchez was recorded at 47.06 feet.

The forecast predicts the river to start to slowly recede from 48 feet early Wednesday morning.

A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service stays in effect from late Friday through Tuesday, March 4, for Concordia Parish as well as Adams and Wilkinson counties.

“Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads,” NWS advised. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Additional river information is available at www.water.noaa.gov/wfo/jan

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This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

CATAHOULA PARISH, La. — The Catahoula Parish School Board has made a decision to close both Sicily Island and Central high schools.

This decision came at a special meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Catahoula Parish School District, where Johnnie Adams is superintendent, is comprised of Block, Central, Harrisonburg and Sicily Island high schools and Jonesville Elementary School. The decision to close Central and Sicily Island schools takes effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Both schools contain kindergarten through 12th grade students.

Students who currently attend Sicily Island will attend Harrisonburg schools and students who attend Central High School will attend schools in Jonesville.

District officials said the reason for closing the schools is because of the parish’s dwindling population and rising costs.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows the parish’s population declined by 14.4 percent — from 10,407 to 8,906 — from 2010 to 2020, the largest 10-year decline since 1950. As of 2023, the district had a total of 937 students enrolled with a projected decline over the next five to 10 years.

Central High School and Sicily Island High School have the lowest student population of all the district’s schools with 49 and 158 students enrolled respectively in 2023.

A full house attended the meeting on Thursday, including many parents and alumni of the schools with concerns.

Shirley Cooper, a concerned parent and alumnus of Sicily Island, said publicly at the school board meeting that parents were not given the opportunity to review the plan proposed by the Catahoula School Board to consolidate schools.

She also said some families rely on bus transportation and walk to the school to pick up their child when their child is sick — an option they wouldn’t have if the students were made to attend a school in Harrisonburg.

She said the proposal is “all about money” and not about the welfare of students and claimed that by transitioning students to other schools the district would lose money on transportation and building costs.

Not all feedback at the meeting was negative.

Felina McKay, a teacher at Central High School for 32 years, said CHS was a proud school — proud of maintaining A-B status throughout the years, proud of having operated for 76 years as a community hub and proud of the strong community support it has received.

“All of the things that make us proud also make us sad at the loss,” she said.

School board member Peggy Beard asked the board to consider tabling the proposal to allow stakeholders more time to have their questions answered. However, the school board voted in favor of the proposal by a narrow 5-4 vote.

In a statement, Adams acknowledged the emotional impact of the decision but emphasized the need for consolidation to improve educational opportunities.

“It’s unfortunate we’re at the point where consolidation is necessary, but it’s important that we look at this as an opportunity to better the education that we can provide to our students. I’m confident that the welcoming schools will welcome the students with open arms,” he said.

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This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Board of Aldermen will be asked to contract with a new engineering firm to analyze the work done on the Canal and Homochitto streets repaving project.

Work on those projects has been at a standstill since before Christmas. At about that time, it was discovered that the asphalt being put onto Homochitto Street was defective. In addition, several issues were discovered with the Canal Street paving project.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said APAC, the asphalt manufacturer, has acknowledged the problem with the asphalt mix and agreed to make it right.

He also said Volkert Engineering had prepared an 11-page document of issues and recommendations that need to be addressed before the city will accept the Canal Street paving project.

Theobald Construction is the project’s general contractor, and Central Asphalt is the paving contractor.

In late January, Gibson asked for the patience of city residents and visitors as issues with the two paving projects were addressed.

James Johnston, community development director, will ask the aldermen to contract with Burns Cooley Engineering to analyze the Canal and Homochitto Streets paving project.

The Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Council Chambers, 115 S. Pearl St., Natchez.

Also on the city’s Tuesday agenda:

— discussion about change order number 2 for New Beginnings/Old Washington Road/Vine Street Emergency Watershed Program.

— discussion about the Silver Street Retaining Wall Project and Delta Regional Authority.

— discussion about the Natchez City Auditorium and the 2022 Convention Center General Obligation Bond.

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This article was written by The Natchez Democrat. To view the original article on the Natchez Democrat’s site, Click Here