During his report to the Meridian City Council Tuesday morning, Mayor John Robert Smith said the Newton County Board of Supervisors had approved the inter-local agreement between the Newton County Jail and the Meridian Police Department to house prisoners from Meridian.
Smith mentioned the agreement in such a low key manner that if you weren't listening closely you might have missed the announcement.
For many days now the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors and the City of Meridian have been going back and forth over fee amounts for Meridian to house prisoners in the Lauderdale County Adult Detention Facility. Unable to come to a compromise, City of Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Ken Storms said the city began shopping around for alternatives.
"We already had a memorandum of understanding with the Newton County officials in which MPD Chief Benny DuBose and Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight agreed to the arrangement," said Storms. "To follow up on the Newton County supervisors vote to approve the agreement, the city council here will vote to approve the measure at the next council meeting."
The City of Meridian will be charged $20 per day per prisoner. Lauderdale County supervisors wanted to charge the city $30 per prisoner, per day. Storms said the savings will more than offset the cost of transporting prisoners to and from Decatur.
Knight said all misdemeanor prisoners from Meridian will be housed in the Newton County facility. He in no way wanted to make it seem he was meddling in business from another county.
"Listen, I just wanted to help a fellow law enforcement agency," Knight said. "I'm not out to cut Sheriff Billy Sollie's throat or to get into anyone's business. I'm just trying to help out Chief DuBose. I've done the same with other agencies in other counties. If I'm in the same shape I would hope somebody would come to my aid. We ain't getting rich by no means. We just happen to have the space available."
Currently, Knight said two Meridian prisoners are at his jail.
Sollie, who has been in contact with the State Attorney General's Office, said he has reason to believe the agreement is not legal until the attorney general's office examines it and signs off on it. "But I'm not the one who would get into trouble if there is in fact some sort of violation," Sollie said. "This will be something for the officials at the AG's Office, Newton County and the City of Meridian to deal with."
Attempts to reach an official at the Opinions Division of the attorney general's office Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Local News
MPD to house prisoners in Decatur
Inter-local agreement approved by Newton County supervisors
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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.
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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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