The Meeting:
Council of Governments, in which elected officials from the local and state levels meet to discuss various issues.
Top Story:
• Lauderdale County Superintendent of Schools Randy Hodges said the school district will pass its FY 2010 budget today. He said the district will not raise taxes this year. "When we learned that we would receive the stimulus money for two years we made the decision we will not increase at all," he said. He added that the district was not able to provide raises for administrative or support staff, and that the district has lost a principal and a coach to higher-paying school districts. Meridian Public School Superintendent Charlie Kent said his district is also working on a budget for FY 2010 and will not be able to give raises.
What Happened:
• State Rep. Greg Snowden (R-Meridian) talked about the FY 2012 budget, especially the education budget. He said stimulus funds saved education from severe cuts for the next two years, but that funding education and other state departments will be more difficult when stimulus funds run out. "A tough time is coming for sure," he said.
• County Supervisor Craig Hitt (District 3) said the board of supervisors is beginning the budgeting process and that he is "very concerned" with how it will turn out. "It's not a very encouraging process," he said. "I think what we do with this budget is critical."
• City Councilman George Thomas (Ward 1) said he expects new Mayor Cheri Barry to recommend some new department heads in the coming weeks, adding that Barry has mentioned putting together a regional meeting of elected officials in the fall. Barry also has named a 12-person committee to help her in selecting who will fill vacant school board posts.
• Snowden reminded COG members that Mississippi will have a sales tax holiday on the last Friday of July, during which any clothing or footwear purchases of under $100 per item will not carry a sales tax charge.
Local News
Meeting Minutes
- Local News
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In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
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Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
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Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
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Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
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