York’s “Smokes and Ears” popular at Tupelo Film Festival
OXFORD TOWN – It would have to take something pretty special for me to become fascinated with pig ears. But then, Joe York’s documentaries typically fit the bill to give me a new perspective on a topic. His latest, “Smokes and Ears” played at the Tupelo Film Festival last weekend and took third place in the Best Documentary category. (May 20, 2010)
Ready to have your say?
A hearing is set for June 1 on extending alcohol sales to Sundays. The proposal was presented to the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday as a three-step process to Sunday sales. The public hearing comes after a 10-month debate on the emotional measure. (May 19, 2010, Page 1, 8)
Steps to safer Square
Improving parking, traffic flow and lighting around the Square will make Oxford a safer city. Those are among a wide-range of recommendations made Tuesday by the Downtown Safety Task Force, which presented its final report Tuesday to the Oxford Board of Aldermen. (May 19, 2010, Page 1, 8)
City schools: no job cuts
Despite continued budget cuts from the state last year, the Oxford School District has put together a budget for the coming school year that calls for no job cuts. The district also does not intend to raise taxes. (May 18, 2010, Page 1, 3)
Deluge hits homes
Several homes were flooded after a thunderstorm Sunday evening brought 2 to 3 inches of rain to the Oxford area within an hour and more than 6 inches in a three-hour period. (May 17, 2010, Page 1A, 3A)
Lafayette layoffs continue
The Lafayette County School District continued the process of letting employees go at the beginning of this week, citing a shrinking budget. This brings the total count to 23 employees who have lost their jobs since last Thursday. Seventeen others are retiring, and many will not be replaced. (May 14, 2010, Page 1A, 5A)
Retiring educators
The end of the school year brings numerous retirements. This year, two couples, take their final bow together.
The Shollenbergers retire after more than 30 years of teaching drama. Leah Shollenberger retires at the end of this month from Lafayette High School and her husband Jim Shollenberger retired from the University of Mississippi.
The McClungs will retire after seven years from Lafayette School District and more than 35 years as educators. Ben McClung serves as assistant superintendent and ends his career as the last assistant superintendent. Due to budget cuts, his position will not be replaced. (May 14, 2010, Page 1A, 5A)
Sunday alcohol sales on table
City leaders will consider Tuesday whether to allow for special exceptions for some Sunday alcohol sales. A proposed ordinance was submitted by the Oxford Restaurant Association to the Board of Aldermen asking for the sale of alcoholic beverages for Fathers Day, Fourth of July and home football game weekends. (May 14, 2010, Page 1A, 2A)
Art of Portuguese baking
Every morning the day’s menu at Lusa’s Pastry Cafe is baked fresh. Preparing the sweet pastries is the first thing Carla Rego tackles before moving on to the meat pastries. When those are finished, she helps the head chef, Vincent Sims, with soups and other items on the menu. (May 14, 2010, Page 1B)
Hotel project moves forward
Despite ongoing dissent from many who live in the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood and other city residents, both downtown historic commissions approved a request for a new hotel and parking lot near the Square. The Historic Preservation Commission voted 5-4 on favor of the new hotel. The Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission voted 4-1 in favor of the parking lot across the street. (May 13, 2010, Page 1A, 5A)
