Industry always has something going on in Lafayette County and roads and their safety always seems to be on the minds of officials and residents in the area. See these excerpts from papers in 2013, 2012, 1999, 1982 and 1956.

Feb. 5, 2013

County to help pay for new road

City and county leaders have joined forces with FNC to improve traffic flow on Highway 7 near the technology firm as it expands operations.

The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to seek a federal grant that would be used to construct a frontage road running parallel to Highway 7 when the current two-lane highway is expanded to four lanes.

Office Park Drive will be extended where FNC plans to build new offices as it expands in the coming years.

Feb. 3, 2012

Residents push for speed humps

South 11th Street resident Duke Goza started a petition in his neighborhood Thursday that if successful will cause some inconvenience for his neighbors, but could save the life of a child.

Goza wants to see speed humps placed on the street to help slow down traffic.

“I don’t care if it’s speed bumps, humps or turned into a one-way street,” he said. “And I will take on anybody in the neighborhood who doesn’t like it, because I think we’re going to have a child hurt there.”

Feb. 8, 1999

Ole Miss alumnus donates $14.5 million for Liberal Arts

David H. Nutt has committed $14.5 million to the University of Mississippi to enhance a variety of programs at the College of Liberal Arts.

The gift, which is being combined with a gift last fall from Richard Scruggs, will provide scholarships, new faculty salaries, a library endowment and support for a new freshman communications course.

“Oxford and the University have brought me to the point of success I have gotten to today,” Nutt said. “I am grateful to be able to return some of that gift.”

Feb. 5, 1982

Rail Authority receives bids

Bids on $1 million worth of revenue bonds were received this morning by the Lafayette, Marshall and Benton Regional Railroad Authority in a meeting in Oxford.

The Authority will use the funds to acquire railroad tracks between Bemis, Tennessee, and Coffeeville presently owned by the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. The Authority will then offer the property for lease with a purchase option.

The acquisition is the culmination of two years of work by the Railroad Task Force.

Feb. 2, 1956

Chambers Range equipment, all moved to Oxford

Chambers Range Manufacturers is in its new $750,000 factory building even before completed by contractors.

Heavy machinery has arrived from its former location in Shelbyville, Indiana, and has been placed on the factory floor.

A considerable amount of work remains though on the building before employees can begin operation.