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Atwood Fire Investigated as Arson - Chris Davis November 20, 2009

Attala County Fire Investigator Tim Nail and officials with the state fire marshal’s office are investigating a fire at Atwood Lake as a possible arson case. Sheriff William Lee says the fire happened Nov. 11 on Attala Rd. 4202. James Jackson, an investigator for the state was called to aid in the investigation. Lee did not disclose what led officials to believe the fire may have been deliberate, but did say the home was a total loss. Emmett Atwood, who resides in Vicksburg, is the owner of the home. Phone calls to his Vicksburg home were not answered. Lee says the home was a total loss and the investigation is on-going.

Kosciusko Aldermen Awarded Certifications - Submitted Story November 20, 2009


Kosciusko aldermen Robert Ellis (left) and Tim Kyle (right) received awards from the Mississippi Municipal League. Ward 3 Alderman Robert Ellis was awarded the designation of “Advanced Certified Municipal Official”. This is the second level of the Certified Municipal Official’s program, which was implemented in 2002. The awards were presented recently at the 2009 Small Town Conference in Natchez, MS. Before earning the Advanced CMO level, participants must have earned the Basic certification, which focuses on the basics of municipal organization, law, finance, and land use. The award requires 40 additional hours of course work and focuses on economic and community development. Alderman at Large Tim Kyle completed the “Professional Development” level of the Certified Municipal Officials program. The Professional Development CMO level requires 40 hours of course work and encourages the improvement of skills such as pubic speaking, writing and interpersonal communications. Established in 1931, the Mississippi Municipal League is a private association representing 288 municipalities in the state. The mission of the MML is to help cities and towns excel.

City Deals With Unkempt Properties - Chris Davis November 20, 2009

Angela Williams says she is grateful the Kosciusko Board of Alderman voted to give her 60 days to fix property that went downhill when her sister, Latina Gentry, lived there. The property at 502 Fairground St. had broken windows, trashed rooms and a broken sewer pipe under the house, prompting the city to cut off water for sanitation purposes. Williams took Breezynews through the house Thursday (left), as she worked to fix some of the problems. Battling on-going difficulties with unsightly and unkempt properties within the city limits over the past few months, the Kosciusko Board of Alderman voted to extend leniency to another property owner during a public hearing Tuesday, before the regular meeting. Nell Tadlock appeared to answer questions regarding the Haynes property at 224 Cedar St. Mayor Jimmy Cockroft informed Tadlock the city had already cleaned the property and a fee would be assessed and added to her next tax bill. The city agreed to allow Tadlock, on her request, until the first board meeting in May to fix the property up. It was Alderman John Sullivan who spoke up on Williams’ behalf, telling the board that Williams is more responsible than her sister and would take better care of the property. The board routinely addresses problems with unclean properties during public hearings. If properties are not cleaned, owners are charged for the city’s work in cleaning them.

Hudson Shot in Leake County - Chris Davis November 20, 2009

A former Attala County deputy and Carthage police chief was shot after a domestic situation Thursday. Leake County Sheriff Greg Waggoner says Bee Hudson is in stable condition at the University Medical Center after undergoing surgery to repair a damaged artery and muscle tissue in his shoulder. Waggoner says Hudson was shot sometime between 3 and 3:20 p.m. Thursday after deputies were called to his home on Red Dog Rd. He says Hudson and his wife Carla had been separated for about one year, but Hudson was getting ready to move back in. The wife’s boyfriend from the time of the separation, Jefferey John Ferguson, 40, showed up and deputies were called on a domestic disturbance. Ferguson left, but Waggoner says Hudson’s juvenile son called back and said his father had been shot. Deputies went back to the house but did not find Ferguson. Waggoner says he called a Rankin County deputy, who is a relative and informed him about the shooting, agreeing to turn himself in to the deputy. Leake County deputies waited for the Rankin County officer, who coaxed Ferguson out of the woods, across from the Hudson home, where officers found a .308 caliber rifle. It is believed that Ferguson shot Hudson from across the road. Waggoner says Ferguson is in custody and is charged in the shooting

Community Thanksgiving Set for Sunday - Chris Davis November 20, 2009

The Annual Community Thanksgiving Service is set to be held Sunday, November 22, at 6 p.m.at the Kosciusko High School Commons. The Thanksgiving message will be presented by Pastor Junior Davis of the Williamsville Baptist Church. The music program is being coordinated by Stephanie Holmes of First United Methodist Church. A love offering will be taken up and the proceeds divided equally between The Leap Center, Helping Hands Ministries, and the Boys and Girls Club. If you cannot attend the service but would like to contribute to the three ministries who will receive the love offering, please mail your donation to Pastor Don Cook of Parkway Baptist Church, P O Box 579, Kosciusko, MS 39090. Pastor Don is the President of KWMA. Checks should be made out to KWMA and marked "Thanksgiving Service."

Holmes, Attala Have High Obesity Rates - Chris Davis November 20, 2009

A survey of Southeastern and Appalachian states says Holmes County is in the top five counties in the southeast for obesity. High rates of obesity and diabetes were reported in about 75 percent of counties in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina. The five counties with the highest rates also included Humphreys and Jefferson counties in Mississippi. Each reported obesity rates of around 44 or 43 percent. The national adult obesity rate is roughly 26 percent. The study suggests Attala County has an obesity rate of over 30 percent, with over ten percent reporting diabetes. The study says there are a range of possible explanations. A culture that embraces fatty, unhealthy foods and shuns exercise may be one. Genetics may be another. Income and education probably have a lot to do with it, too — people living in poor communities may not have the money to eat healthier, more expensive foods or may not have access to gyms or safe jogging trails, they said. The study was published in the Center for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Sallis Man Arrested in Jackson Slaying - Chris Davis November 19, 2009

Jackson Police report the arrest of another Attala County man in connection with the Magic Mirrors Salon slayings on Oct. 19. Police spokesman Joseph Daughtry told Breezynews in late October that another arrest was expected. Kelvin Brown of Sallis has now been charged with two counts of capital murder in the crime. Attala County investigators say Brown turned himself in to Jackson authorities Wednesday. Dead are Chris Bowling and Gerrick Watson, owners of the salon. Police say both men died of multiple gunshot wounds. Arrested shortly after the incident were 20-year-old Stephan Adams of Kosciusko, 20-year-old William Fleming of Sallis and 21-year-old Kerrick Nash, also believed to be from Attala County, but listing a current address in Jackson. Charges against the three were reduced to murder and bond was granted Monday. It is unclear why Adams, Fleming and Nash now face the charge of murder and why Brown is facing capital murder charges. Daughtry said detectives believe robbery was the motive in the slayings.

Dial-A-Story is "Hurry, Hurry, Mary Dear" - Chris Davis November 19, 2009

This week’s new dial-a-story is “Hurry, Hurry, Mary Dear” by N. M. Bodecker.

“Hurry, Hurry, Mary dear, fall is over, winter’s here. Not a moment to be lost, in a minute we get frost! In an hour we get snow! Drifts like houses! Ten below! “ So begins this hilarious nonsense rhyme by a much-loved writer who won wide critical acclaim and a devoted audience during his lifetime. Illuminated by Bodecker’s rare imagination, his glorious sense of the absurd, and his firsthand knowledge of country living, all beautifully matched by Erik Blegvad’s wondrous watercolor paintings, this is a book to delight young readers and their elders again and again. Children can dial 289-8069 to hear this free story over the telephone. Dial-a-story is a service of the Attala County Library provided by the Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System and an LSTA grant from the Mississippi Library Commission.

CNB's Angel Tree Now Underway - Chris Davis November 19, 2009

Citizens National Bank and the Salvation Army are pooling their efforts to make Christmas happen for needy kids in Attala County. The Angel Tree kick-off event was Wednesday at the Hwy. 12 branch of the bank. Teresa Patterson tells Breezynews that the program is in its third year. Lee Burrell, branch manager at the Hwy. 12 location, says both Kosciusko branches will have a tree. On the tree are paper angels. Those who wish to adopt may take an angel and bring back unwrapped gifts on the list by Dec. 16. However, it is up to the person adopting the angel what they wish to buy, according to Lisa Odom with the Salvation Army. She says they have been overwhelmed with requests this year and the number of Attala County angels has jumped from 20 to 30. Breezy101 will broadcast live at the Hwy. 12 branch Dec. 3 to help raise awareness for the program. For more information log onto yourcnb.com/angeltree.

Photos: Teresa Patterson gets into the Christmas spirit by hanging paper angels on the tree at the Hwy. 12 branch of Citizens National Bank. (Right) The Angel Tree waits for AttalaCounty residents to adopt a less fortunate child.

Kosciusko Whippet Soccer - Sports Desk November 19, 2009

The Kosciusko Whippet soccer teams traveled Friday Night to compete against the Neshoba Central Red Rockets. The Lady Rockets handed the Lady Whippets (2-1) their first defeat of the season. The teams began the contest fairly matched but about ten minutes in to the first half the Lady Rockets scored their first of four goals in that half.  The Lady Whippets lost the contest 5-1. “We had a long week”, said Head Coach Lindsay Dickerson.

The Kosciusko Lady Whippet’s soccer team (3-1) bounced back from a disappointing loss Friday to defeat West Point Lady Green Wave 5-1. The Lady Whippets needed only one half to win third game of the season. The game started with Kosciusko having total control of the ball and the game. Eight minutes into the ballgame, Mackenzie Dickerson broke free, unassisted and found the back of the net for her first goal of the game. Just three minutes later, Dickerson found teammate Emily Ray, who punched the ball in for her first goal of the game. Two minutes later, West Point defense deflected a ball, which Dickerson fired in for her second goal of the game. The Whippets went 16 minutes without another goal. In that time, West Point found the back of the net off a long shot beating Kosciusko Goal Keeper Catherine Petro. The next two scores for the Whippets came at the 30 and 35 minute marks. Both goals unassisted and belonging to Dickerson. The Lady Whippets out hustled and outplayed the Lady Green Wave. Kosciusko compiled 26 shots on the night and only aloud 9. “We played Kosciusko Soccer tonight”, said Assistant Coach Greg Cooper. “We possessed the ball and used the whole field tonight and our offense really stepped up the pressure.” The Whippet Soccer Teams will host Choctaw Central on Friday. The Lady Whippets play at 5:30 and the Whippets play immediately following. Come out to Landrum Field and support them.

Submitted Story

City Targets Abandoned Vehicles - Chris Davis November 19, 2009

The City of Kosciusko has decided to crack down on abandoned cars. The decision came at Tuesday’s regular Board of Alderman meeting. Mayor Jimmy Cockroft addressed the issue by reading a city ordinance that makes it unlawful to have an abandoned vehicle within the city limits. Cockroft said the definition of “abandoned vehicle” includes those which have the appearance of being abandoned and those which have failed mechanically and have not been moved within seven days. According to the ordinance, private property, city rights of way and parking lots are all locations where cars may not be left. Building Inspector Brent Busbea has taken inventory of more than 30 vehicles and is working to get letters to owners, instructing them to remove the cars. The crackdown may include towing at the owner’s expense.

Five Indicted in Holmes Co. Gun Case - Chris Davis November 19, 2009

Five people have been indicted on federal charges related to an alleged conspiracy to steal guns from the Tchula Police Department in Holmes County. The indictment doesn't say how many guns were allegedly stolen or what kind they were. Court records say the conspiracy to steal and sell the guns took place in late April. Clint Cobbins, the new Tchula police chief, said the guns were confiscated from criminals over the years and stored at the department. He says new security measures have been implemented. The indictment said "several stolen firearms" were taken to Greenwood to be sold April 27. It also said three suspects were in a police chase the next day while transporting the guns. Several people pleaded guilty this year in a separate conspiracy to steal guns from the Greenwood Police Department about 25 miles to the north of Tchula.

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Obituaries

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