City achieves Class 4 fire rating
The city of Oxford has been awarded a Class 4 insurance rating by the Mississippi State Rating Bureau. The rating bureau notified Oxford officials on Tuesday that Oxford went from a 5 rating down to a 4 rating, however, local insurance companies say the new classification probably won’t lower insurance premiums by much — if at all. (February 25, 2011, Page 1A)
Vets home to start fund drive
A committee has been formed to help the State Veterans Home in Oxford raise $30,000 over the next year. Local fundraisers and projects will be held throughout the year to raise funds that will be used to upgrade medical equipment and make much-needed renovations to the 15-year-old home. (February 24, 2011, Page 1)
Hospital location tops concerns
After rumors had circled around Oxford for the past week about Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi buying land west of Oxford for its proposed regional referral center, Dick Cowart, counsel for Baptist, laid the rumors to rest during the meeting between Baptist officials, the Oxford Board of Aldermen and Lafayette County supervisors, and confirmed Baptist had purchased 107 acres, however, said Baptist has not selected a site as of yet. (February 23, 2011, Page 1)
Runs aid kids’ diabetes camp
On Saturday, the Run for Hope 5K run and half marathon will be held in Oxford. More than 500 runners have already signed up for the race and organizers expect another 150 to join as walk-ins on Saturday.
The race begins at 8:30 a.m. for the half-marathon and 8:45 a.m. for the 5K run. The race will begin at the Oxford Convention Center off Sisk Boulevard. (February 22, 2011, Page 1)
Film fans flock to festival
The 10-minute community film, “The Hanging of Big Todd Wade,” helped the Oxford Film Festival almost double its number of attendees this year, according to organizers.
Film Festival co-director Michelle Emanuel said two screenings were planned for the short film, however, they had to show the film an additional four times to accommodate the crowd that showed up to see the film. (February 14, 2011, Page 1A)
No free parking on Square?
During a work session Friday, Mayor Pat Patterson and the Oxford Board of Aldermen heard a presentation by Ron Hipp, chairman of the Parking Garage Committee, during which he suggested the city consider charging motorists 50 cents an hour for “premium parking” around the Square.
Other topics talked about Friday included forming an investment committee on how to invest the $30 million the city will receive from Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi buying out of its lease with the city of Oxford and Lafayette County. (February 14, 2011, Page 1A)
Bonds OK’d for school updates
With no one filing a petition against the Oxford School District’s plans to sell $3 million in bonds to renovate Della Davidson Elementary School and the Oxford Middle School, the city school board voted unanimously on Thursday to sell the bonds for the projects. (February 11, 2011, Page 1A)
Salvation Army finds a new home
The Oxford Salvation Army has a brand spankin’ new home thanks to a local builder who wanted to design a building that would fill the needs for the organizations that works so hard to fill the needs of others.
On Tuesday, director Lisa Coleman cut the red ribbon at the grand opening of the new building that was constructed in three months time. The new Salvation Army is located at 2647 West Oxford Loop. (February 10, 2011, Page 1)
Officials: Stay off roads
So far this year, Oxford has seen its fourth snowiest winter ever, according to Marlene Mickelson, hydrometeorological technician with the NWS. The record is 20 inches of snow from December to February in 1985-86.
Wednesday’s 5 inches of snow shut down schools in Oxford and Lafayette County. Freezing temperatures caused roads to be covered in ice. Officials don’t expect the roads to improve much throughout the day. (February 10, 2011, Page 1)
Downtown Grill to be Bouré’s new home
After a three-year search to find Bouré a new home, its owner, chef John Currence, has teamed up with businessman Stefano Capomazza to purchase the building that has housed the popular fine-dining establishment, the Downtown Grill, for his restaurant. (February 8, 2011, Page 1A)
