City to get professional fireworks show for 4th
This year’s Fourth of July firework show will be shot off by a professional pyrotechnician after the committee and Oxford Fire Department, which has put on the fireworks for many years in Oxford, agreed it was time to pass the job over to the professionals. (May 10, 2013, Page 3A)
Wrongful death suit filed in siblings’ death
The mother of a brother and sister killed last year in a wreck has filed a lawsuit against the driver, John H. Strickland Jr., who is facing two counts of aggravated DUI for being under the influence of drugs and other substances when he slammed into the vehicle, killing John and Sarah Wheat. (May 9, 2013, Page 1A, 5A)
OUT summer schedule starts Monday
The summer schedule for the Oxford University Transit system will start on Monday. Ridership has continued to increase on the popular mass transit option. (May 9, 2013, Page 2A)
Oxford building inspector found not guilty
An Oxford building inspector charged with simple assault last year has been found not guilty. (May 9, 2013, Page 2A)
Positive ID made on Emerick
The Mississippi Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified that the boy of a male found in the Yocona River on Monday was that of Lafayette County resident, Stephen Tyler Emerick, Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy said. The medical examiner also determined there was no sign of “lethal trauma” to the body and no evidence of an assault or foul play on behalf of another person. (May 8, 2013, Page 2A)
Square parking to go to 3 hours
Parking around the Square will change from a two-hour limit to a three-hour limit in about 45 days after members of the Board of Aldermen had no objections to the recommendation by the Oxford Downtown Parking Advisory Commission to change the parking limit. (May 8, 2013, Page 1A)
Low turnout in primary election
Mayor Pat Patterson has won a spot on the ballot as the Democratic candidate for the general election on June 4 after soundly beating his opponent, Jason Plunk, in the Democratic Primary Election on Tuesday. Patterson won with 1,360 votes to Plunk’s 198 votes. The results include affidavit votes that were counted this morning at City Hall.
Patterson will now face Independent candidate Todd Wade next month.
About 1,656 voted in Tuesday’s primary which is about a 14.8 percent voter turnout. Oxford has 11,176 registered voters. In 2009, about 1,500 voters turned out for the primary election. (May 8, 2013, Page 1A, 12A)
Teen’s body found in river
After a week of searching, the body of a missing Lafayette County teen was found in the Yocona River Monday afternoon. An autopsy today will confirm the identity and perhaps answer some questions as to what happened to Stephen Tyler Emerick, 19. Family and law enforcement express appreciation for the community’s support during the search. (May 7, 2013, Page 1, 14)
City candidates file campaign reports
Several municipal candidates running in today’s primary election and the June 4 general election filed their campaign finance reports last week. (May 7, 2013, Page 1)
LOFT announces grant application deadline
The Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow, or LOFT, is now accepting applications for its grant cycle. Applications are due by July 31. (May 6, 2013, Page 5A)
