Mapping out the future

Charged with redrawing district maps to reflect the population changes revealed by the 2010 Census, the Joint Legislative Reapportionment and Congressional Redistricting Committee told local residents Friday the committee is committed to creating districts that are fair, legal and representative during a public hearing aimed at gaining community input into the redistricting process. (February 14, 2011, Page 1A)

Lafayette’s population booms

Data released this week from the U.S. Census shows Lafayette County as being the fastest growing nonmetropolitan area in Mississippi with a 22.2 percent increase of population since 2000. The city of Oxford also grew over the last 10 years going from the 35th biggest city in the state to the 20th biggest city. (February 4, 2011, Page 1A)

Lawmakers: Economy getting stronger

Lafayette County state lawmakers expressed hope of a brighter economic future for north Mississippi with the addition of three new industrial operations in the area at the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast meeting sponsored by the Oxford and Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and held at the Oxford Conference Center on Monday. (January 25, 2011, Page 1)

Concerns with autopsy delay

Concerns are growing over the time it takes for autopsies to be performed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Jackson. Some families are waiting more than a week to get their loved one’s body returned home for the funeral and 30 to 60 days for the report to be mailed so they can collect insurance money to help pay for the funeral. (January 14, 2011, Page 1A)

Cossar State Park gets reprieve

Cossar State Park will stay open — for now.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has decided to delay the closing the George Payne Cossar State Park, according to a letter sent Thursday to the Mississippi State Personnel Board.

Last week, park officials announced the park would close due to the mounting financial problems that has caused the park to operate at a $300,000 annual deficit. (October 1, 2010, Page 1 A)

Lawmakers start effort to keep Cossar State Park open

Local lawmakers are hoping Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will consider putting off the planned Oct. 31 closing of George P. Cossar State Park on Enid Reservoir.

Local legislators are asking to be given some more time to come up with other solutions to the funding dilemma that’s causing the park to be running at an annual deficit of $300,000. (September 24, 2010, Page 1A)

Lawmakers listen to public about redistricting in 2011

Even the Oxford-Lafayette County area is not safe from redistricting, according to maps and information provided Thursday evening at one of several meetings being held by the Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting.

The meeting was held in Fulton Hall on the University of Mississippi campus with about 75 in attendance. About 20 representatives and senators from around Mississippi who are on the committee were also present, including Tommy Reynolds, who represents parts of Lafayette County. (August 20, 2010, Page 1A)

County schools OK 2010-11 calendar

As Mississippi House and Senate negotiators were agreeing on a plan to restore $82 million in cuts made to the current state budget, Lafayette County School Board members were voting on whether to accept next year’s school calendar, fearing budget cuts could force student and teacher furloughs. (March 3, 2010, Page 1)

House passes $300 million transportation bond

A $300 million bill that passed the Mississippi House Tuesday may help to move along widening Highway 7 South. (February 24, 2010, Page 1)

Eggs & Issues

PHOTO SLIDESHOW — Local leaders meet with area legislators ahead of the 2010 Legislative Session, which begins this week in Jackson. (January 5, 2010)