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  • Ferriday aldermen sentenced

    Ferriday aldermen sentenced

    Ferriday Alderman Andre Keys has been sentenced after pleading guilty to an amended charge of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.

    Keys, working as a teacher’s aide in 2020, was booked on charges of third degree rape and sexual battery following an incident at Ferriday High School involving a student of the age of majority.

    Afterward, the Concordia Parish School Board placed Keys on administrative leave before firing him on June 10, 2021.

    On Oct. 20, Keys received a six-month suspended sentence and two years of probation from Judge Kathy Johnson, who ordered him to pay a $500 fine and $260 in court costs.

    Assistant District Attorney Austin Lipsey, who prosecuted the case, said Keys also was ordered to stay away from the victim and the victim’s family.

    The case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations Special Victims Unit (LSPSVU).

    According to the LSPSVU, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office contacted state police to investigate a complaint they had received in February 2020 involving inappropriate sexual behavior between a teacher’s aide, identified as 28-year-old Keys, and students.

     

    hannapub.com/concordiasentinel/news/local_state_headlines/ferriday-aldermen-sentenced/article_a7c65588-3ccf-11ec-885b-2b7fc5f99c96.html

  • 1 Mississippi Senate race decided, 1 going to a runoff

    1 Mississippi Senate race decided, 1 going to a runoff

    JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A former Mississippi state senator appears to have reclaimed the seat he once held.

    Unofficial results show Kelvin Butler received more than half the votes in Tuesday’s special election in Senate District 38, which has all of Wilkinson County and parts of Adams, Amite, Pike and Walthall counties in the southwestern corner of the state.

    Butler had 2,491 votes to Gary Brumfield’s 2,298, according to election commissioners and circuit clerks’ employees. Some affidavit ballots were still being counted Wednesday.

    “I want you to know that I am dedicated to serving you,” Butler wrote Wednesday on Facebook. “When we work together, not as political parties or favorites, but as members of our communities, we can accomplish greater heights of success for Mississippi.”

    Butler served 12 years in the Mississippi Senate before running for Pike County chancery clerk in 2015. He ran for the Senate again in 2019 but was defeated by fellow Democrat Tammy Witherspoon, who had won the Senate seat in 2015. Butler resigned from the Senate during the summer to become mayor of Magnolia.

    A special election to fill the state Senate District 32 seat will be decided in a Nov. 23 runoff. WTOK-TV reported that Rob Hickman and Dr. Minh Duong were the top two finishers in a nine-person race.

    District 32 includes all of Kemper County and parts of Lauderdale, Noxubee and Winston counties in eastern Mississippi. Democratic Sen. Sampson Jackson stepped down June 30, saying he was ready to retire after a long career in state government.

    Candidates in Mississippi special elections run without party labels. The two special elections will not change the balance of power in the 52-member Senate, where Republicans already hold a wide majority. The four-year legislative term expires in early 2024.

  • Michael Thomas says he’s out for the 2021 season

    twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1455895624742748161?s=20

     

  • Gunman shoots Lyft driver after making her crawl into woods

    Gunman shoots Lyft driver after making her crawl into woods

    JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Lyft driver in Mississippi’s capital city was forced to crawl into the woods, where she was shot and her car stolen, authorities said.

    The driver was in surgery Tuesday afternoon after the passenger opened fire and took her vehicle, news outlets reported.

    The driver picked up the passenger in Byram and drove him to an address in Jackson, police said. The assailant took the driver from the car and into a wooded area and shot her, Deputy Chief Deric Hearn said.

    Police arrested a suspect Tuesday night and charged him with carjacking, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.

  • Terrence D Bailey Elected as Adams County Tax Collector

    Terrence D Bailey Elected as Adams County Tax Collector

    Terrence D. Bailey has been elected as the new Adams County Tax Collector.

    Bailey was elected with 2638 votes (55.55%) and was opposed by Calvin Butler who received 435 votes (9.16%) and Glenn Harrison with 1674 (35.25%) votes.

  • School district offers $1,000 benefit to vaccinated workers

    School district offers $1,000 benefit to vaccinated workers

    VICKSBURG, Miss. (AP) — A central Mississippi school district is offering a $1,000 incentive for employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Vicksburg Warren School District’s board of trustees approved an “inoculation incentive” program during a meeting last week, The Vicksburg Post reports. All staff are eligible to receive the cash except for school board members and contractors.

    To receive the money, employees must fill out a Google Form asking them to provide proof of vaccination, including what kind of vaccine they chose to get, the dates of their inoculations and what school they work at.

    The money will be given out in two rounds. In the first round, checks will be disseminated in December. The second round will be disseminated in March.

    The incentive program will be funded using federal coronavirus relief money, Vicksburg Warren School District Associate Superintendent Cedric Magee said.

    Magee said there are financial and educational benefits to the district when employees are fully vaccinated. An employee who is in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case does not have to quarantine, allowing them to continue to work, he said.

    “Teachers do not have to obtain a substitute, which is cost-saving to the district,” he said. “But more importantly, students are able to continue receiving quality instruction with their teacher in front of them.”

    Just over 50% of Warren County residents are fully vaccinated, compared to the state vaccination rate of 46%, according to Mississippi Department of Health data.

  • Natchez-Adams County struggles to retain E-911 workers with low pay

    NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County supervisors have been warned that low pay is making it difficult to hire and retain local E-911 service dispatchers who take emergency police, fire and ambulance telephone calls.

    Supervisors said Monday they want to meet with Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and city aldermen to discuss giving pay raises for these essential first-responders. The city and county jointly fund the E-911 service. Dispatchers’ starting pay is $12 an hour.

    “We need to do better,” said Adams County Supervisor Ricky Gray, who noted higher pay would help ensure competent people are hired to handle the emergency phone calls. “I’m a prime believer that you get what you pay for.”

    Supervisors were told Monday only about five employees with sufficient experience have been retained for the E-911 service. They’re based in the Adams County Jail’s basement, where supervisors said are in poor working conditions.

    The total annual cost is about $660,000 for operating the E-911 service, with the county and city evenly sharing the expenses. It receives funds from a $1-a-month surcharge tacked onto telephone bills.

    Organizers are seeking public support and input for building a Natchez monument honoring black Union soldiers stationed here during the Civil War.

    The Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument Committee will meet Nov. 10 to discuss siting, designing, researching and funding the memorial. Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson initiated plans early this year to honor more than 3,000 black soldiers who served in Natchez when it was occupied by the Union army beginning in 1863.

    The newly freed slaves’ work focused largely on demolishing the Forks of the Road slave market and building Fort McPherson, the earthen fortification in north Natchez along the Mississippi River, according to historical accounts.

    It’s been estimated that 90 percent of the black population in Natchez-Adams County is descended from the black Union soldiers.

    In announcing plans for building the monument in April, Gibson suggested it be placed at Natchez’ Memorial Park, where two separate shrines honoring Confederate Civil War soldiers and other military veterans are already located. Chairing the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Memorial Committee is Robert Pernell, who joined other committee members Monday to meet with the Adams County Board of Supervisors to solicit its support.

    The committee is encouraging the public to gather Nov. 10, 6 p.m., at the Natchez Convention Center to learn more about paying homage to the black Union soldiers. People can attend the meeting in person or virtually via the Internet or telephone.

    For more information, go to the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Committee’s Facebook page:

    www.facebook.com/groups/natchezusctmonumentcommittee

  • Community Cash Back

    Community Cash Back

    [vc_single_image image=”16750″ img_size=”thumbnail” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.natchez.ms.us/”][vc_single_image image=”16751″ img_size=”thumbnail” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.cityofvidaliala.com/”][headerText widget_name=”How it Works” level=”h3″ url=”” el_class=””]1.Shop at a participating location between October 15th and December 25th

    2.Save your purchase receipt

    3.Bring your receipts to the Community Cash Auction on January 15th at the Natchez Community Center

    4.Redeem for “Auction Cash” to bid on awesome items![headerText widget_name=”Locations Include:” level=”h3″ url=”” el_class=””][headerText widget_name=”Natchez” level=”h4″ url=”” el_class=””]National Home Store

    Natchez Market #1

    Natchez Market #2

    Southside Market

    Arthur’s Tires

    Stine

    Atkins Lumber

    MS Auto Direct

    Inspirational Book Store

    Home Hardware

    Riva Chic

    Build-A-Home

     

    [headerText widget_name=”Downtown Natchez” level=”h5″ url=”” el_class=””]Natchez Coffee Co.

    The Nest

    Moreton’s Flowerland

    Natchez Grand Hotel

    Franklin Street Relics

    OutsideIn MS[headerText widget_name=”Vidalia/Ferriday” level=”h5″ url=”” el_class=””]Advanced Auto Glass

    Vidalia Market

    Ferriday Market

    Southern Flair Candles

    Rushing Boots

    J&J Carpet

    J&J Natural Stone[vc_single_image image=”1389″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.themarketsonline.com/”][vc_single_image image=”16896″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.stinehome.com/”][vc_single_image image=”16897″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”16898″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.mybuildahome.com/”][vc_single_image image=”16901″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.arthurstires.net/”][vc_single_image image=”16903″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.facebook.com/servingyouwhileservinghim”][vc_single_image image=”16904″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.homehardwarecenter.com/”][vc_single_image image=”16905″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.msautodirect.com/”][photoGallery widget_name=”Community Cash Back Auction 2020″ display_title=”yes” galid=”35499″ items=”24″ columns=”3″ paginate=”no”]

  • Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputy arrested on two counts of murder for allegedly killing his wife and child

    Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputy arrested on two counts of murder for allegedly killing his wife and child

    Baton Rouge / louisianaradionetwork.com

    An Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly killing both his wife and child. The two victims were found dead inside a home on Sunday afternoon in the 3900 block of Old Sterlington Road.

    The suspect Blake Bardwell was arrested at the scene. He has been a deputy at the Ouachita Correctional Center since December 2019.

    The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing.

     

    louisianaradionetwork.com/2021/11/01/ouachita-parish-sheriffs-deputy-arrested-on-two-counts-of-murder-for-allegedly-killing-his-wife-and-a-child/

  • Mississippi veteran posthumously awarded congressional medal

    Mississippi veteran posthumously awarded congressional medal

    TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — The family of a World War II veteran from Mississippi who was among the first Black men to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps received the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his service.

    U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, a Republican who represents a northeastern Mississippi-based district, presented the medal to relatives of Embra Jackson Sr. during a Saturday ceremony at a Tupelo church. The medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian awards.

    “Mr. Jackson was a true hero,” Kelly said in a statement. “He had a love for America that compelled him to leave the only life he had ever known without any assurances that he would return. Mr. Jackson’s great patriotism will always be remembered, as will the service of his fellow Montford Point Marines.”

    Jackson enlisted in 1943 and was among more than 20,000 Black men who joined the Marines from 1942 to 1949, according to Kelly’s office. They served in segregated military units during WWII. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported Jackson was honorably discharged in 1946, became a teacher and died in 1983 at the age of 58 after he had retired.