PSC, water boards at odds
Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley has given 92 north Mississippi water associations until Friday to send him a copy of their bylaws, however many water associations are questioning if the commissioner has the legal right to do so. (January 25, 2012, Page 1)
Future shelter names board
The Board of Directors has been choosen for the Patricia Edward-Aschoff Center for Victims of Domestic Abuse. The group is still working on getting its 501 (c) (3) nonprofit status but has been listed as a legal corporation under Mississippi state law. (November 18, 2011, Page 1A)
Campaign finance laws challenged
Five Lafayette County residents have filed a First Amendment lawsuit Thursday against state officials challenging campaign finance laws. (October 21, 2011, Page 1A)
Angel Ranch closes
As of Aug. 13, Angel Ranch temporary shelter for abused and neglected children was no longer listed as a nonprofit organization with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office. Due to funding problems, the shelter has struggled for about a year to remain open. (September 28, 2011, Page 1)
Domestic Violence Project closed
Officials representing the Oxford Domestic Violence Project agreed to shut down operations for good in a signed consent form filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office on July 7. (July 27, 2011, Page 1A, 2A)
Domestic violence director responds to complaints
Talaunja Eskridge, the executive director of the Domestic Violence Project, said she is working to ensure Oxford’s only shelter for victims of domestic violence remains open after the Secretary of State’s Office issued a “cease and desist” order Monday against the shelter for continuing to solicit donations. (March 29, 2011, Page 1)
Domestic Violence agency must ‘cease, desist’
The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office has issued a summary “cease and desist” order against Oxford’s Domestic Violence Project for continuing to solicit donations after failing to renew its charitable registration and owing more than $156,000 in back taxes to the IRS. (March 28, 2011, Page 1A)
**UPDATE* Governor says election still on
Governor Haley Barbour has ordered the January 11, 2011 Special Election to proceed as scheduled.
“With inclement weather conditions lingering for voters in the northern parts of the State, we understand circumstances are not ideal for casting a ballot,” says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. “We want to encourage voters to exercise caution to ensure safety when heading to the polls.”
(more…) (January 10, 2011)
County election qualifying begins Tuesday
Candidates wishing to run for a county office can begin registering on Monday. The deadline to register for county races is March 1, according to deputy circuit court clerk Baretta Mosely. The qualifying deadline for state races is June 1.
Races on this year’s ballot in the county are for sheriff, chancery clerk, circuit clerk, tax assessor/collector, coroner, constables, supervisors, Justice court judges, election commissioners and school board members. (January 3, 2011, Page 1)
State checks on charities
To make sure all registered charities are on the up-and-up, the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office recently released its 2010 Charity Report that can be viewed online.
Each year, charities are required to file a report with the Secretary of State’s Office that shows how much of their revenue goes toward their stated purpose and how much goes to administrative and fundraising costs.
The report shows how much of donations go toward the charities stated purpose and how much goes toward expenses for non-charitable purposes, such as fundraising and administrative costs. (December 17, 2010, Page 1A)
