To be cold or not to be cold?
Lots of things have changed in Oxford during the last 40 years. One that hasn’t, however, is allowing retail stores to sell cold beer, and that’s something the alderman and mayoral candidates seemed to be in agreement about Tuesday night. Staff writer Melanie Addington takes a look at the issue of selling cold beer and wonders how long it will take city leaders to back up their words and change the law. (May 2, 2013, Page 4)
Local political forum very encouraging
Tuesday night’s political forum had it all – humor, information, ideas, et cetera. It was also very encouraging, Editor Don Whitten writes, in that all of the candidates make it clear they’re genuinely concerned about the future of Oxford. (May 1, 2013, Page 4)
Letters to the Editor
Don Mutchler writes to say that while it’s good to see more bike lanes in the city, there are still issues with some of them as far as traffic flow and safety. (April 26, 2013, Page 4A)
Cruelty to dogs is beyond comprehension
Staff Writer Alyssa Schnugg admits she’s a dog person and has more than her share of dogs she takes care of. That still doesn’t change her shock, she writes, about the treatment some people give to their pets. (April 25, 2013, Page 4A)
Signs popping up tell us election is near
Campaign signs around town are about as plentiful as daffodils were a few weeks back, Editor Don Whitten says, as he writes about the upcoming municipal elections. (April 22, 2013, Page 4)
Farewell, Faulkner stuff. Come back soon.
Lots of William Faulkner memorabilia, including his Nobel Prize for Literature, have been on loan and display at the University of Mississippi. Possibly no more, News Editor Jonathan Scott writes as he looks into the possibility of valuable items being sold at auction. His wish for all of us is that the next buyer sends them back where they belong – to Oxford, Ole Miss and Lafayette County. (April 11, 2013, Page 4A)
Getting caught, called out on social media
A recent story was about a local pizzeria using Facebook to shame customers who’d taken or damaged something, while an Associated Press report told how a Los Angeles restaurant owner tweeted out information about people who’d made reservations and then were no-shows. Editor Don Whitten wonders if social media is headed in yet another direction with it being used to shame or embarrass people into doing the right thing. (April 8, 2013, Page 4)
Letters to the Editor
Jeptha Clemens writes to note that he’s one of many of the “47 percent” who do pay taxes, while Richard G. Roberts Jr. writes to say that “going local” with food at the Double Decker Arts Festival isn’t the answer since it’s not food that’s attracting people to Oxford and the popular event. (April 3, 2013, Page 4)
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day
They had the big St. Patrick’s Day parade in Jackson and the Chicago River flowed green for a while Sunday, but there were no big public celebrations in Oxford. Editor Don Whitten, tongue in cheek, expresses surprise that city leaders did not ask for a special exemption for alcohol sales as the city has for several other “special” Sundays during the year. (March 18, 2013, Page 4A)
2013 city elections get a bit more interesting
For the longest time, it appeared nearly all of the incumbent aldermen and the mayor in Oxford would be running unopposed this year. Not any more as a flurry of final-week qualifications make for several races this spring and summer. Editor Don Whitten writes about how we all benefit from those who are willing to throw their hat in the ring. (March 11, 2013, Page 4A)
