Local News
Governor Barbour: More work to be done
Jones to make debut on Friday
Lawmakers will head back to Jackson Friday to finish the budget for state utility regulators — an agency gone unfunded since July 1 passed with legislators not finalizing a spending plan for them.
Republican Gov. Haley Barbour is calling a special session so Mississippi lawmakers can finish their work. Barbour spokesman Dan Turner confirmed Tuesday the session will begin at 10 a.m. Friday.
Also on Friday, newly-elected state Rep. Wilbert Jones, who last week won the special election for the District 82 seat vacated by the death of Charles Young Sr., will be sworn into office. Jones, D-Meridian, said he is ready to get started in the special session.
"I'm ready to roll my sleeves up and get to work," he said. "I'm ready to work hard for the people of this state and the people in District 82. I know it will be a quick process but I'm still excited about it. "
It’s unclear how long it will take the House and Senate to agree on funding for the Public Service Commission and the related Public Utilities Staff.
State Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, said he believes the session will take "only a couple of hours" on Friday to complete.
"It's a shame we have to go back for a special session at all but that's where we are," Snowden said. "I see no reason it shouldn't be swift. This is just an appropriations bill."
Snowden said he also looks forward to working with Jones on Friday.
"It will be nice to once again have our full compliment of folks in the House," he said. "I welcome him as a colleague and I look forward to working with him. I know he has a true heart for East Mississippi."
The state fiscal year started July 1. Funding for the two agencies died during a special session last week in a dispute over staffing.
The three elected commissioners wanted to hire more employees to help them evaluate utility companies’ requests for rate changes. House Democrats supported the request, while Barbour and Senate Republicans opposed it.
Most employees for the two agencies have been told to go home until budgets are set.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Honing Skills
The men and women who make up Lauderdale County's volunteer fire departments all have one thing in common – the desire to protect and serve their community.
Of course these volunteers don't get paid for their service, and although some are retired, there are many, like Bo Land from the Martin community, who work full-time and have a family.
That means volunteer fire department members must train nights and weekends. -
MPD probing weekend incidents
Detectives with the Meridian Police Department are investigating two incidents that reportedly occurred Sunday, one of which was an alleged armed robbery and the other a shooting.
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Deadly accident claims two lives
Meridian police are investigating a single-vehicle traffic accident that killed two people and sent two others to a local hospital on Monday.
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Partnership formed to promote fire safety
Last year, Key Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 116 single family fires in its seven-county service area – 48 of which were in Lauderdale County.
"That's fires with total or major destruction," said Susan Wehr, executive director of the Key Chapter. -
Happy Birthday Meridian
Sesquicentennial is a big word, but what it means is simple — A sesquicentennial is a 150th anniversary.
2010 is Meridian's sesquicentennial, and the celebrations here will begin this week and go on for the rest of the year. -
Navy League accepting scholarship applications
Each year, the Meridian Area Navy League awards two $500 scholarships to deserving students to help with costs of higher education. This year, however, the organization upped the ante and will bestow two $750 scholarships. -
Arbor Day program set for Tuesday
The Lauderdale County Welcome Center celebrates Mississippi's Arbor Day this week.
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Fans show team spirit at Temple viewing of Super Bowl XLIV
The smell of hot nachos and cold beer is all around you. You can see beads of sweat falling from Peyton Manning's brow as he hurls the ball. The voice of the announcer booms on the loudspeakers.
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Star of The Week: Megan Mowdy
Meridian Community College Sophomore Megan Mowdy lives to sing, and she loves to share her passion for music.
20-year-old Megan is a Kemper County resident, and her love of music helped her to become the first member of her family to attend college. -
4-H leader is driving force behind community service
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Newton’s business and civic leaders have always expected a visit from Johnnie Mae Walker on behalf of the annual 4-H bike-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, but they grew worried when other people appeared in her place.
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