Lafayette band couple retires
After a total of 66 years teaching – 34 for Kevin Cole and 32 for Beverly Cole, the couple is set to retire this month from the Lafayette School District. The two band directors have been at the school for seven years. (May 20, 2010, Page 1, 5)
Help still available for tornado victims
After being open for two days, 18 storm victims have visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center in Abbeville, according to FEMA spokeswoman Renee Bafalis. About 13 have also registered for emergency relief services online, Bafalis said. Federal and state programs have been made available for those who have registered. (May 20, 2010, Page 1)
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)
Suspect arrested in beating death
A fifth suspect in the beating death of Lafayette County resident Derald “Pete” Connell has been arrested and charged with his murder.
Douglas Wayne Jones, 21, of Oxford was picked up by U.S. Marshals in Lousiana on Monday afternoon. (May 18, 2010, Page 1)
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)
FEMA sets up in Abbeville
With President Barack Obama’s federal disaster declaration for several north Mississippi counties on Friday, disaster assistance is now available for those who suffered damages or losses due to the severe weather and tornado outbreak on May 2 that left six dead, including an Abbeville woman. (May 17, 2010, Page 1A)
Judge OKs reorganization plan for Belk building
With the approval of its reorganization plan, Belk Properties LLC can now partner with an investment company to help finish Phase 1 of the Vieux Carré project, located on the corner of North Lamar Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue on the Square. (May 17, 2010, Page 1A)
Disaster recover center to open in Abbeville
President Barack Obama has approved a federal disaster declaration for Lafayette County and five other northern Mississippi counties hit by severe weather earlier this month that killed six people, including an Abbeville woman.
A Disaster Recovery Center will be open at 8 a.m., Monday at Abbeville Baptist Church for residents to register for federal assistance.
“They need to come by and register and then they can find out what type of assistance they may be eligible for,” said Lafayette County Emergency Management Coordinator David Shaw.
Gov. Haley Barbour said Friday the declaration gives residents access to federal government assistance programs in Alcorn, Benton, Lafayette, Prentiss, Tippah and Tishomingo counties. (May 14, 2010)
