Road project remains in limbo
A proposed Highway 6-Jackson Avenue interchange under discussion for at least 12 years continues to remain stalled due to complications from ongoing development in the area, Mississippi Department of Transportation officials say.
MDOT had a conference call with the Oxford Board of Aldermen on Thursday to discuss the project. (May 7, 2010, Page 1A, 5A)
AnComm expands services
The AnComm Talk-About-It program, aweb-and text-based program to allow students to anonymously talk about issues, has continued to grow in popularity among middle and high schools throughout the country. Now, thanks to a partnership with the Mississippi Department of Health, the program is available to anyone in the state, although the hope is that it gives teens an opportunity to reach out to a trained counselor. (May 6, 2010, Page 5)
Using words as weapons
Bullycide is an ongoing problem in middle and high schools today. Hear one local girl’s story of how she overcame the bullying and what local districts are doing to help prevent suicide and bullying. (May 6, 2010, Page 1, 5)
Oxford, UM honored for green efforts
The City of Oxford and the University of Mississippi were honored at the Keep Mississippi Beautiful Awards ceremony by winning the Circle of Excellence Award. The city also won first place for its recycling program. (May 6, 2010, Page 2)
University seeks feedback on mascot from alums
University of Mississippi alumni have an opportunity on May 19 to voice their opinion on a new mascot during a focus session on May 19 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The sessions are limited to 30 people per session, so reservations are necessary by contacting Lynda Walker in the Alumni Office at 915-7375. More information can be found at mascot.olemiss.edu. (May 5, 2010, Page 2)
A parking garage in city’s future?
Ongoing parking woes and a discussion over the need for a parking garage downtown resurfaced at Tuesday’s Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting. City Engineer Bart Robinson presented a proposal for a new parking study for the city, but noted that several parking studies have been done since 2002 and another may not be necessary.
The city will continue to look into the feasibility of a parking structure downtown. (May 5, 2010, Page 6)
Don’t feed the deer
The first reading of a deer management ordinance was held Tuesday at the Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting. The measure is a result of months of debate over how to regulate a growing deer population within the city limits. The ordinance proposes to ban deer feeding in the city limits by first providing a warning, then a $50 fine, and finally a $100 fine for subsequent violations. (May 5, 2010, Page 1-6)
Historic building’s fate uncertain
A vote on whether to remove a historic building at 1006 Jefferson Ave. (which last served as the location for Andy’s Steakhouse) was delayed Monday after the Courthouse Square Preservation Commission determined it needed more information. (May 4, 2010, Page 1)
Grief over Gulf
The April 20 explosion of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico has brought back feelings of despair to many affected by Hurricane Katrina. It’s also brought together people to try to help with the cleanup and other parts of dealing with the oil spill, including a group of University of Mississippi students called Ole Miss Students for a Green Campus.
For details on the drive to collect supplies to protect and clean up the coastline, contact sgc.olemiss@gmail.com or call 1-866-448-5816. (May 4, 2010, Page 1)
City schools crack down on attendance
A new compulsory school attendance policy that follows state law will bring some significant changes to parents and students who miss more than 12 days in a school year. One of the options – Saturday school. (May 4, 2010, Page 6)
