Drug Court hosts third graduation
Eighteen people graduated from the Third Judicial Drug Court Wednesday. Two shared their story. Guest speakers Dr. Thomas Fowlkes and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker addressed the graduates to offer congratulations and advice. (August 16, 2012, Page 1A)
15 complete drug court
Fifteen people graduated from the Third District Drug Court Tuesday. The ceremony, held at the Lafayette County Courthouse, featured MS Supreme Court Justice Ann Lamar as guest speaker and testimonials from three of the graduates. (February 8, 2012, Page 1)
Drug dealers face longer sentences
Mississippi judges are giving longer prison sentences to convicted drug dealers in hopes of keeping them off the streets longer after budget cuts have caused the Mississippi Department of Corrections to allow more drug offenders to be released before completing their entire sentences. (September 29, 2011, Page 1)
Drug court graduates first class
Drug court graduates express gratitude for a new chance at life during a ceremony Tuesday at the Lafayette County Courthouse. (August 10, 2011, Page 1)
Eight complete drug court
The first eight graduates of the Third Court Drug Court will be celebrating three years of sobriety Tuesday during a graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Lafayette County Courthouse. (August 8, 2011, Page 1)
County appeals drug court debacle
The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors instructed county attorney David O’Donnell to file an appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court against a final order given by a Circuit Court judge instructing them to not interfere with the operation of the county’s Drug Court.
The one-page appeal, filed Tuesday, says the supervisors are appealing the entire Final Order filed Sept. 21 by Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth but doesn’t list any specific parts of the order. The appeal was filed after the board voted 3 to 2 granting O’Donnell permission to file the appeal during an executive session earlier this month. Supervisors Robert Blackmon and Mike Pickens were the dissenting votes.
Howorth, who started Drug Court three years ago, filed a “cease and desist” in June against the supervisors from interfering with the operations of the Drug Court and the Circuit Court in general. Howorth claims the supervisors have continually interfered with the operations of the Circuit Court, almost from the day the current board took office in 2008. He also ordered the supervisors to comply with all reasonable requests made by and on behalf of the Drug Court pertaining to Drug Court funds administered by Lafayette County. (October 21, 2010, Page 1)
Drug Court oversight changes
Lafayette County no longer to serve as administrator: Despite a plea by the Lafayette County supervisors for a second chance to be the lead county for the 3rd District Drug Court, Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth said Union County will take the responsibility for administering federal funds for the program. (September 1, 2010, Page 1)
One pleads in theft ring
On Monday one of five men plead guilty in a theft ring that crossed several counties. Cheyenne Wayne Fine will serve 13 years with five years of probation. More have been sentenced as the court term continues through the month of July. (July 14, 2010, Page 1)
Supervisors OK response to Drug Court order
Lafayette County Board of Supervisors approved a written response drafted by County Attorney David O’Donnell to a court order that instructed the board to cease and desist from interfering with business of the 3rd Circuit Drug Court. A copy of the letter has not been made available. (July 13, 2010, Page 2A)
County to respond to court order issued last week
The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors voted to allow County Attorney David O’Donnell to draft a response to a court order issued against them last week that instructed them to follow through with its promise to be the funding conduit for the Third Circuit Court and it’s Drug Court until Union County can take over. (June 24, 2010, Page 2A)
