Letters to the Editor
Mary Sexton and members of the Oxford-Lafayette Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors wrote to thank all of those who made donations and volunteered to help with projects, including one that comes to fruition Sunday when the home for Lakesha Wortham and her children is dedicated. (June 24, 2010, Page 4A)
Domestic violence workers come to Oxford for regional training event
The Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence will hold its regional Domestic Violence Shelter Programs Training Institute for member shelter programs in northern Mississippi in Oxford this weekend.
Martha Crawford, victim advocate at the Domestic Violence Project in Oxford, said she’s looking forward to the training event that will be held Thursday and Friday at The Inn on the University of Mississippi campus. (June 23, 2010, Page 3A)
UM cuts July 4 funding
The community’s annual 4th of July weekend celebrates the red, white and blue, but it’s the green – or lack thereof – that’s causing concerns this year. One-third of the funding was cut this year leaving organizers to rally for volunteers to help begin raising funds for next year. (June 23, 2010, Page 1A)
Oxford mourns loss of community leader
From his work as a civil rights activist, who was instrumental in integrating Oxford public schools, to working with felons as a U.S. probation officer, to serving as a Lafayette County Planning Commissioner, Leonard Thompson’s death Monday has been called a major loss for the community as a whole.
Thompson died Monday at about 10:30 a.m. after going into anaphylactic shock when he was stung by a wasp while putting his lawnmower up in his garage at his Highway 334 home. (June 23, 2010, Page 1A)
More join effort to help needy
On a mission to provide a weekly meal to the needy, about 50 folks representing every walk of life came together Tuesday evening to learn more about the program slated to begin in September.
College students and the elderly, artists and social workers, the rich and the not-so-rich, gathered at the Stone Center to see what they could do to help provide “More than a Meal” to those members of the community who could use some assistance from time to time. (June 23, 2010, Page 1A)
How’s it going with that summer reading list?
Summer reading – it’s a tradition for many while it’s something others try to avoid at all costs. Editor Don Whitten takes a look at school summer reading lists and what they can offer youngsters as well as taking a look back at his summer reading habits from days gone by. (June 23, 2010, Page 4A)
Letters to the Editor
Philip Loria writes to take issue with the feeling that the local drug court is costing citizens; he points out the benefits of the court and urges its support. (June 23, 2010, Page 4A)
Former principal, community leader dies after wasp sting
Leonard Thompson, 73, died this morning at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi after being stung by a wasp, according to Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy.
Kennedy said Thompson went outside to put away his lawn mower. He came back inside his home on Highway 334 and told his wife he had been stung by a wasp.
“He collapsed moments later,” Kennedy said.
Thompson, who was instrumental in integrating the Oxford School District, was the first minority to graduate from the University of Mississippi graduate program in 1967. He became a principal at Central High the year the schools integrated and was given the vice-principal job at Oxford High School. Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home of Oxford.
Share your memories of Thompson with The EAGLE in our comment section. (June 22, 2010)
Co-ed football camp offers both genders chance to enhance athletic ability
NFL player Terrance Metcalf wants all youth to learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Metcalf, founder of the Metcalf-Holden Outreach Foundation, wants to enhance the growth and development of children by providing a positive atmosphere through recreational activities.
The foundation will help achieve that goal by hosting its first Co-ed Football Camp this Saturday at Oxford High School. (June 22, 2010, Page 3)
Spring’s labor sprouts rewards
After more than a year of planning and a spring of planting, the fruits of the community’s labor were on display Monday at the grand opening of Oxford’s Community Garden. (June 22, 2010, Page 1)
