Year in Review: Oxford wrestles with alcohol issue

The Oxford EAGLE takes a look back at the major stories in the first three months of 2010 and the beginning of a year long alcohol discussion for the community, showing the divide between supporters of Sunday sales and those who oppose the culture of alcohol. (December 27, 2010, Page 1)

We’re No. 2 – and we wish we weren’t

Gasoline consumption down? Fuel prices rising? More costly in Mississippi? What’s the real story on gasoline and diesel fuel prices and how much it means to people. Editor Don Whitten takes a look at some of the numbers which place Mississippi second only to Montana in how much consumers spend to run their vehicles. (December 27, 2010, Page 4)

Letters to the Editor

Kenny G. Coleman writes to note the past contributions of the local Baptist Memorial Healthcare System and to encourage the community to support BMH’s expansion plans. (December 27, 2010, Page 4)

OXFORD TOWN #906

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF OXFORD TOWN: Rooster’s Blues House owner Scott Michael keeps the venue rolling through the Christmas weekend featuring live music and food and drink specials; “True Grit Retribution” begins its run at the Malco Studio Cinema; Oxford Town columnist Jim Dees explores what popularity and social networking might do to Santa in these digital times; Renasant Bank in Water Valley is hosting an art exhibit by Water Valley resident Thomas Lovelady; and Oxford Town sports columnist Steven Godfrey gives Oxford a dose of “gamblin’ feel-good” by sharing his Christmas weekend bowl picks. Click here and download the complete issue in PDF format. (December 24, 2010)

Former restaurant owner pleads guilty to aggravated assault

A former restaurant owner accused of drugging a customer and sexually battering her has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault and will spend the next five years on probation.

Leaton David Scott Moore, 30, was the owner of Blind Pig Tavern when a University of Mississippi female student claimed Moore drugged her drink and took her home so he could have sex with her. He was arrested on Nov. 14, 2008, and indicted by the grand jury in February 2009 and charged with sexual battery. (December 23, 2010, Page 2A)

Another interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District sworn in

The second interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District was sworn into office Wednesday to temporarily fill the job that was left open when former U.S. Attorney Jim Greenlee retired last year.

Chief Judge Michael P. Mills, on behalf of the judges for the Northern District of Mississippi, announced the appointment of John Marshall Alexander as Interim U.S. Attorney, effective Dec. 28. Mills swore Alexander into office on Wednesday morning at the Federal Courthouse in Oxford. (December 23, 2010, Page 2A)

The gift of life’s possibilities

John Robert Phillips will get his share of presents this Christmas, but none will mean as much as the everyday gift of his grandmother’s care. Retired teacher Karen Namorato talks about the challenges of helping a child born with both Down syndrome and deafness in this week’s “A Conversation With…” (December 23, 2010, Page 3A)

An early Christmas present

D. Carroll Construction began work on the home of Lorine Clark yesterday as a Christmas present. The home was in need of some minor repairs and the company chose to do them for free as a community project. (December 23, 2010, Page 1A)

Thursday-Friday obituaries

• Robert H. “Poppie” Samuels — 84 died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Arkansas Hospice Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Oxford. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held for an hour and a half prior to the service at the church. A memorial service will be held at a later date at First United Methodist Church of Beebe, Ark. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Mary Sue Jones Sockwell — 99, died Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley. A private family graveside service will be held at Yellow Leaf Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

 (December 23, 2010, Page 2A)

Home needed for autistic orphaned teens

Oxford School District’s behaviorist analyst Denise Collier has been caring for two autistic teenage boys since their mother died in November. She’s hoping someone will step up to take at least the higher functioning boy into their home and become his foster parents before they are turned back over to the state on Jan. 4. (December 23, 2010, Page 1A)