Strong winds cause damage

A short but powerful storm ripped through Oxford Thursday, causing trees to fall on power lines and blocking some roads and causing some minor damage at Lafayette High School’s athletic fields. (May 31, 2013, Page 1A)

Rivers Hill church spreads holiday warmth

The Rivers Hill Church of Christ, located on Highway 334 in Oxford, is doing its part to spread the warmth of the Holiday season by providing clothing to anyone in need on the fourth Saturday of every month. (December 2, 2011, Page 5B)

Vacation Bible camp more than studying the Word

Children attending the vacation Bible camps at Bill and Crystal MacKenzie’s home learn about God and all of his creation by being a part of the wondrous nature he had created for them. (June 24, 2011, Page 1B, 3B)

Think before you burn

With warmer temperatures and light breezes, burning leaves and lawn debris can get out of hand quickly. However, the U.S. Forestry and Mississippi Forestry Commission have been burning hundreds of acres over the last week in an attempt to keep wildfires at bay. (March 22, 2011, Page 1)

Self-esteem, confidence grows through martial arts

Martial arts can teach students more than just how to kick and punch. Learn how its helped students at Master Ra’s Korea Authentic Martial Arts School improve their self confidence  in today’s Oxford Living. (January 21, 2011, Page 1B)

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)

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)

MDOT projects moving forward

Work to replace three bridges in Lafayette County is about 50 percent complete, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The bridges, all located on Highway 331 in the Tula area, are being replaced by Talbot Brothers Construction and Grading of Nesbit. (April 7, 2010, Page 2)