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)
Younger Scruggs asks court to vacate his conviction
In what appears to be an attempt to gain back his ability to practice law, David Zachery “Zach” Scruggs, is asking a federal court judge to vacate his conviction in a judicial bribery scheme that sent several attorneys to prison, including his father, noted former trial attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs. (August 20, 2010, Page 2A)
Fake pot banned
City joins county in making ‘spice’ illegal. A public hearing was held in City Hall and no proposal was made for or against the substance until Alderman Janice Antonow made a motion to make the ban effective immediately due to health concerns. The ordinance makes the possession, use or sale of any synthetic marijuana a misdemeanor with a possible $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. (August 18, 2010)
Victim fights back: Man charged with brazen day-time burglary
A Wellsgate woman tells her story of finding a burglar in her garage and her brave attempt at thwarting his plan.
The alleged burglar, Michael Lynn Adams, 40, of Oxford, was later found by Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputies and taken to the Lafayette County Detention Center where he is being held with no bond. (August 10, 2010, Page 1)
Charges dropped against Oxford man
Charges against a man who allegedly molested a minor under the age of 15 more than 20 years ago have been dismissed.
See all of July’s court term results in today’s EAGLE. (August 5, 2010, Page 1)
Homes of convicted child molesters burn this morning
With the former occupants in prison, two homes that were left empty burned down early this morning on County Road 250.
Firefighters with the Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Department responded to 49 CR 250 at about 4:54 this morning where they discovered a wood house and a mobile home on fire. (August 5, 2010, Page 1)
Six arrested for insurance fraud
The parents of several minors who allegedly faked a wreck have been arrested and charged with insurance fraud, according to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
The staged “wreck” took place in August 2008 in Lafayette County, allegedly involving two vehicles and several minors. The minors have not been charged. (August 4, 2010, Page 2)
