First game weekend…
Local law enforcement agencies reported a busy but typical game day weekend with more than 55 arrests in the city of Oxford and the University of Mississippi combined.
OPD had four mounted police officers controlling crowds on the Square during the game weekend, along with eight officers who were on foot patrol. Around midnight, those officers were also joined by several patrol officers coming to help as the bars closed and masses of party-goers walked out onto the Square. (September 8, 2010, Page 2)
Underage drinking bust leaves Lyric in chaos
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, with help from the Oxford Police Department, arrested four bartenders from The Lyric during the Oxford Music Festival on Friday night for allegedly serving alcohol to minors. The bar had hired Cobra Security Inc. to check identifications at the door. Somehow, two underage informants working with law enforcement were able to purchase drinks from four of the six bartenders working at The Lyric. (September 6, 2010, Page 2A)
Funding boosts UM research
Federal dollars will begin to improve drugs and fight cyber crime. Thanks to research being conducted at the University of Mississippi’s Center for Pharmaceutical Processing and the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law at Ole Miss. The operators of both programs can thank the federal government for much needed funding. With grants cutting-edge equipment will help with drug delivery systems and Internet crime training. (September 6, 2010, Page 1A)
Search widens for panty perp
Since July, a panty raider has been on the loose in the city of Oxford, breaking into young women’s homes and stealing their unmentionables. Now, the perpertrator has extended his unusual crime spree beyond the city by targeting Lafayette County women as well. (September 2, 2010, Page 1)
Murder suspect gets more time for trial
A man accused of killing Lafayette County father and son last year will get more time to prepare for his trial on two counts of capital murder. Caleb Corrothers, 27, was granted a March trial by Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth during a hearing last week. (September 1, 2010, Page 1)
Drug Court oversight changes
Lafayette County no longer to serve as administrator: Despite a plea by the Lafayette County supervisors for a second chance to be the lead county for the 3rd District Drug Court, Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth said Union County will take the responsibility for administering federal funds for the program. (September 1, 2010, Page 1)
Increasing ways to communicate, increases ways to harass
Before cell phones, someone “crank calling” or “stalking” someone by calling their home phone over and over could get away with their identify easier before the invention of things like caller ID, phone tracking and voice mail and texting where the proof of the harassment is often recorded.
The OPD has investigated 117 reports of harassing phone calls in the last year. (August 31, 2010, Page 1)
City enforces alcohol laws
Over the last two weekends, Oxford police officers have made 80 arrests, several being for alcohol-related crimes. Police officers were walking into local bars this weekend checking ID’s. From Friday to Sunday, 45 people were arrested, with 17 minors arrested for underage drinking; eight being charged with DUI and seven being drunk in public. (August 30, 2010, Page 1A)
Sheriff’s investigators nab several in burglary cases
The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department have made several recent arrests of those they feel are responsible for area burglaries including a break-in at the Lafayette High School field house and several vehicle burglaries in Wellsgate. (August 25, 2010, Page 2)
Court seeks input on pro bono proposals
The Supreme Court is asking the public for its opinion on proposals intended to improve access of legal services for the financially needy. Proposals under review call for making 20 hours of annual pro bono service mandatory for Mississippi attorneys, raising to $500 the payments lawyers may make in lieu of doing pro bono work, and increasing fees paid by out of state lawyers to $500 per case.
The Supreme Court Rules Committee is asking the public to comment on the proposed change by filing a comment with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Gartin Justice Building, P.O. Box 249, Jackson MS 39205-0249. Deadline for filing the comments is Oct. 1. (August 24, 2010, Page 1)
