Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
A little more than a year after The Meridian Star published “Courthouse Conundrum,” a report
on horrendous conditions at the Lauderdale County Courthouse, and stated in an editorial that
“tomorrow wouldn’t be too soon” to move workers out of the decaying building, those workers
will be in a new temporary, safer home.
We’ll take that accomplishment, after all, the first study to identify courthouse problems was
done 40 years ago. Other studies and condemnations by grand juries were repeated in those 40
years, but The Star made it a mission in 2017 to hammer away at the problem and make it a
priority of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors.
The supervisors first commissioned a study for renovating the 1905 courthouse in 1977 and
$1.8 million was set aside for upgrades. No renovations were made then and later versions of
the supervisors continued to pass on making the difficult choice to spend money on upgrades.
When a new study was commissioned for more than $80,000 and the report was delivered to
the board in December, 2016, it became apparent the supervisors would again delay repairs.
The Star made coverage of the issue a priority and published a comprehensive report online
Feb. 11 and in print Feb. 12. Our reporting included the six favored solutions presented by Be-
linda Stewart Architects, their costs and pros and cons; a Q&A putting each of the six supervi-
sors on record for the commitment to the solution; and a timeline for implementation. The most
compelling component, however, were photographs from inside the courthouse, showing peel-
ing paint, mold, tangled electrical wires, broken windows and other safety hazard. Digital con-
tent included a photo gallery of these problems and Stewart’s full report. An accompanying edi-
torial stated workers needed to be moved out of the courthouse as soon as possible.
The Star continued to publish 1A reports to keep the topic in front of the community. Examples
include grand jury reports citing serious safety issues, tours by the governor and the department
of history and archives, and judges and an attorney stating fear for their safety.
Our editorial board asked each of mayoral candidate how the courthouse decision would affect
the city. Their responses can be found at http://tinyurl.com/Meridian-mayor-courthouse.
We reported on incremental steps through the year and pushed the supervisors again on Sept.
16 in “Decaying and Delayed” for responses on how they would solve the problem.
On Oct. 24, we broke news that the supervisors that the supervisors held a secret meeting with
department heads and were considering an empty former J.C. Penney store at Bonita Lakes
Mall as a temporary home. The supervisors agreed after that report to allow Star reporter Jim
Brock into subsequent meetings discussing a move.
On Dec. 1, the J.C. Penney site was recommended as a temporary home and March 1, 2018 as
the target deadline.
While workers still need to be relocated and construction to begin, we believe it was our report-
ing and persistence that pushed the supervisors to act on a critical, community safety issue.
Dave Bohrer
Editor
MERIDIAN STAR
THE
Sunday, February 12, 2017 Since 1898 $1.75 Your Star, Your World
COURTHOUSE CONUNDRUM
“
By Randall Hammons
rhammons@themeridianstar.com
INDEX
Classified ............................... B6-B9
Crossword .....................................B2
Deaths.............................................A4
Horoscope .....................................A9
Local News ........................... A1-A3
3 things to do today
• Order a Mardi Gras King
Cake from Young
• Watch CBS starting at
7 p.m. to catch Jimmie
• Sign up for AARP Safe
Driving Course to save
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A10
Today
High: 74º
Tonight
Low: 47º
Meridian 360º ......................Inside Professionals of Meridian. Rodgers presented with on your insurance. RSVP
National News ....................A4, A5 Call 601-696-2290. the Grammy’s Lifetime 601-482-0512. www.meridianstar.com
Opinion...........................................A8 Achievement Award.
Sports .......................................C1-C4 Vol. 119 • No. 37
World News..........................A6, A10 Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar Copyright 2017
Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
120000047802466
A2 LOCAL THE MERIDIAN STAR
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star Bill Graham / The Meridian Star File photo
Lauderdale County Courthouse. The Federal Courthouse in Meridian. The Village Fair Mall site.
SCENARIO A1.0 SCENARIO A2.0 SCENARIO A3.0 SCENARIO A4.0 SCENARIO B1.0 SCENARIO B2.0
Renovated/Restored Renovated/Restored Renovated Renovated New construction at New construction at
Courthouse, Courthouse, Lamar Courthouse, Courthouse, Village Fair Mall site Village Fair Mall site
Lamar Annex Annex New Construction Federal Building, Scenario B-1.0 consoli- Scenario B-2.0 is similar
New Construction dates the county courts and to B-1.0 except that the
In Scenario A-1.0, the There is only some slight Scenario A-3.0 envi- offices into five buildings program allows for private
existing 63,652 square-foot variation between Scenario sions the Lamar Annex with about 106,000-square redevelopment of a portion
courthouse and Lamar A-1.0 and A-2.0. In Sce- being sold for private reuse, Scenario A-4.0 is sim- feet at the former Village of the mall site, along with
Annex are renovated and nario A-2.0, there would be and new construction of ilar to the A-3.0 except Fair Mall site. Surface county government uses. By
restored. There is also con- a somewhat different con- two-story addition to other for a slightly different parking would be accom- allowing private develop-
struction of a new addition, figuration of space, with a county-owned buildings to configuration within the modated on site. Parks ment, the scenario negates
including new courtroom detached chancery addition accommodate growth as well county buildings. More or open space would be many of the impacts gen-
and chancery court facilities, built into existing building as offices that were otherwise offices are accommodated created adjacent to the new erated by the loss of private
with secure internal parking space. The relocation of the located in the Annex. There within existing buildings county facilities on excess redevelopment potential in
included. The addition county jail allows for con- would also be secured parking rather than through a land that was formerly Scenario B-1.0. In Scenario
would include an attached struction of a new parking for staff and judges. As noted new addition. The federal used as surface parking for B-2.0, it is assumed that
22,788 square-foot chancery facility and public space, above, the private sector courthouse building is the mall. Such open space commercial development up
court along with 2,100 square adding amenity value to the would purchase, renovate purchased to accommodate can become an amenity to 175,000-square feet would
feet for security and egress as downtown area and for use and restore the Lamar Annex space as necessary. The for the community as well be accommodated on site. It
well as 12,400 square feet in by county employees. (Hotel). The jail would be county would invest $28.37 as for county workers and is logical that the County’s
internal parking. The existing Price: $37.27 million. relocated, which would free million in renovation, those visiting the county investment in infrastructure
county jail would remain at Pros: up space to accommodate restoration, and new con- facilities. However, the improvements, master plan-
its existing site. • Strengthens downtown parking for the Lamar Hotel struction at its downtown economic impact of such ning, and creation of pad
Price: $37.95 million. by keeping county func- property. location. The private sector public space was not tested sites can speed recruitment
Pros: tions downtown. Price: $30.9 million. would possibly invest as part of this analysis. of commercial uses to the
• Strengthens downtown • Provides additional Pros: another $16.50 million in Price: $43.65 million. property.
by keeping county functions parking directly across from • All county departments rehabilitation and resto- Pros: Price: $46.75 million.
downtown. the courthouse/addition. are in connected structures. ration of the Lamar Hotel • All county depart- Pros:
• Provides additional • Additions could be • Strengthens downtown facility. ments are in connected • All county departments
parking less than 250 feet constructed first to allow by keeping county functions Cost: $44.87 million structures. are in connected structures.
from the courthouse. phasing of courthouse res- downtown. Pros: • Additional space for • Additional space for
• Additions could be con- toration. • Provides additional –Federal courthouse is future growth and private future growth and private
structed first to allow phasing • Portions of Annex can parking directly across from well maintained, well-built development. development.
of Courthouse restoration. be used for phasing during the Courthouse Structure and could meet • Private development • Private Development
• Portions of annex can construction. • Additions could be con- County’s needs portion provides additional portion provides additional
be used for phasing during • Jail is moved out of structed first to allow phasing - Strengthens downtown tax revenue and spin-off tax revenue and spin-off
construction. downtown, freeing up of Courthouse restoration by keeping county func- potential. potential.
• Courthouse addition space for parking and green • Portions of Annex can be tions downtown • More visible construc- • More visible construc-
is connected to existing, space. used for phasing during con- - Provides more parking tion on north side of site. tion on north side of site.
allowing for increased acces- Cons: struction. adjacent to both court- • Gateway site to down- • Gateway site to down-
sibility. • The chancery addi- • Jail is moved out of houses town. town.
• Fully restores the tion is separated from the downtown, providing support - Portions of Annex can Cons: Cons:
existing building – remainder of the court- space for the Annex to make be used for Phasing during • Cost of site devel- • Cost of site develop-
improving security, code house. Annex Building is it feasible for private develop- Construction opment and basic work ment and basic work needed
issues, etc. not efficient for county’s ment and space for parking Cons: needed to attract pri- to attract private develop-
• Historic tax credit Needs support to the Courthouse/ - Uncertainty on pur- vate development. ment.
potential if private partner- • Annex building is not additions. chase arrangements and • Negative impact on • Negative impact on
ship. efficient for county’s needs. • Annex turned to private timing downtown. downtown.
Cons: development as housing and - Separates some county • Official FEMA flood • Official FEMA flood
• Jail remains in down- would provide economic departments zone – mitigation required. zone – mitigation required.
town and is inadequate. impact on tax roles and on • Unknown extent of • Unknown extent of
• Annex building is downtown development. environmental issues. environmental issues.
not efficient for county’s • Cost savings because • Jail remains in place • Potential competition
needs. Annex is not included. downtown. with existing owner / site
• One story addition will Cons: acquisition cost.
not be prominent beside • Does not include the
courthouse. development of the mall site.
SOURCE: Lauderdale County Facilities Study by Belinda Stewart Architects.
mold and dust…a light is ADDRESSED pened.” this one is by far the most
about to fall in the big court- Some complaints about Mitchell said he heard dilapidated courthouse of
room. The courtrooms are in the courthouse have been Lauderdale County Board them all,” he said.
The Meridian
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, P.A.
• General E.N.T.
• Treatment & Surgery for Sun
Damage and Skin Cancers
• Hearing Aid Sales and Service
120001229302001
601-483-9358 120001228702002
A8 THE MERIDIAN STAR
Sunday, February 12, 2017
OPINION
Meridian Star The FirsT AmendmenT
Editorial Board:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establish-
Rebecca Combs-Dulaney ment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
Debby Delshad or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
Jeff East the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
Adrian Tureaud Mosley petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Syria Sturdivant
Friday, February 17, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
REGION TOURNEY OUTDOORS
Clarkdale stumbles Murphy, Temple top
to Bay Springs states’ best anglers
PAGE B1 PAGE A8
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Photo by Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star ڀ
Jeannie’s Place will expand access for children with disabilities at Planet Playground. #JMM1BSLFS
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BQSFTTDPOGFSFODFBU%VNPOU1MB[BJO JOUPBTUBUFPGEJTSFQBJSBOEXBTJOBD See PLAYGROUND, page A2 See SOUTHEAST, page A3
See CAREER DAY, page A3 U.S. Navy CDR John Eveges, a pilot instructor at Naval
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WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A10
Today
High: 70º
Tonight
Low: 49º
Classified ......... B5-B8
Comics.................. B4
INDEX
Deaths .................. A4
National News .. A4,A9
Opinion ................. A6
Records ................ A7
3 things to do today
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www.meridianstar.com BU-ZOXPPE%SJWF
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Horoscope ............ A7 Sports .............. B1-B3
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Local News ...... A1-A3 World News......... A10 $FOUFSBUBN
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 41 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
120000059502233
A2 LOCAL/STATE THE MERIDIAN STAR
Friday, February 17, 2017
3 workers arrested in
where the economic that he doesn’t know
2016 than in December
opportunities are,” Webb whether he will have to
2007, the starting point of
said. make more cuts.
UIF(SFBU3FDFTTJPO
Mississippi’s strongest “If it appears that we
removing the existing jail at 750,000 Impressions @ $1.99 cpm = $1499 for 1 Month
120000056207544
Thursday, June 15, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
MUELLER PROBE POWER HOUR
Trump under investigation District 4 erupts with
for possible obstruction 15 runs for win
PAGE A5 PAGE B1
State community
FROM THE QUEEN CITY
colleges make cuts
TO to staff, sports
THE WINDY CITY By Jeff Amy
The Associated Press
JACKSON (AP) — Community colleges across
Mississippi are eliminating nearly 250 jobs for the
upcoming year to close budget gaps, and five are
dropping at least one intercollegiate sport.
The moves come as the 15 community col-
leges increase tuition by an average of 13 percent,
mostly because state funding has fallen. Average
tuition and fees will rise to $3,104 annually, up
from $2,748 this year.
Community College Board Executive Director
Andrea Mayfield said Tuesday in a statement that
81 people will be laid off, while 122 jobs will be
See COLLEGES, page A4
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A10
Today
High: 87º
Tonight
Low: 71º
Classified ......... B5-B8
Comics.................. A8
INDEX
National News .. A5-A6
Opinion ................. A9
3 things to do today
• Blood Drive at Mitchell
Distributing Warehouse from
• Myrtle the Turtle for
grades K-12th at the Meridi-
• See guitar prodigy
Quinn Sullivan on stage at
Deaths .................. A4 Records ................ A7 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Donors will be an-Lauderdale County Public the MSU Riley Center at 7:30
www.meridianstar.com registered to win a Dodge Ram Library from 3-4 p.m. p.m. Tickets $22, $16.
Horoscope ............ A7 Sports .............. B1-B4
1500 Big Horn 4X4. Donors
Local News ...... A1-A4 World News......... A10 will also receive a t-shirt.
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 142 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
120000059506301
THE MERIDIAN STAR
Thursday, June 15, 2017 LOCAL A3
601-693-3875
price of $46.75 million.
Get up to $20 more FREE. Howell repeatedly said
Wednesday that attorneys
The Fresh Savings program is 200 26th Ave. South • Meridian • M-F 8am-5pm and courthouse workers
available seasonally at these locations: www.mermat.com 120000143306047
chose their professions and
chose to be in the court-
house.
HEAR
MATHIS PEACHES AND PHILADELPHIA FRESH “But we also force the
PRODUCE – HWY 45 SOUTH MARKET community to come in
there (for jury duty, etc.)
287 CR 482 (Hwy 45 South) 256 W. Beacon St. and take the chance that
Joe Pags
7 days a week 8am-6pm 2nd and 3rd Saturday of the ceiling will fall on
each month 6am-noon you,” Howell said. “It’s our
choice. For citizens, it’s not
MATHIS PEACHES AND PINE BELT COMMUNITY their choice.”
PRODUCE – CRICKET RD. Chief Justice of the Mis-
FARMERS MARKET AT THE sissippi Supreme Court,
6495 Cricket Road/Hwy 19th N. DOWNTOWN HATTIESBURG William Waller, Jr., once
Mondays-Saturdays 8am-6pm FARMERS MARKET called the Lauderdale
Townsquare Park, Buschman St. County Courthouse the
“Worst courthouse in
MATHIS PEACHES AND Thursdays 3pm-6pm the state.” The attorneys
PRODUCE – C STREET present agreed.
PINE BELT COMMUNITY “It’s not just for the
2605 C St.
FARMERS MARKET lawyers,” Charles Wright,
Mondays-Saturdays 8am-6pm local attorney and member
IN HATTIESBURG
of the committee, said
714 Williams St. from the crowd. “It’s the
NESHOBA COUNTY Tuesdays 3pm-5pm people’s courthouse.”
FARMERS MARKET
704 East Main St., Philadelphia PINE BELT COMMUNITY
Tuesdays, Thursdays and FARMERS MARKET
IN LAUREL FIND IT ON THE WEB
Saturdays 6am-8am
516 S. 13th St.
Wednesdays 10am-noon
Weekdays
P R O U D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y
5PM - 8PM
120001134206433
Thursday, July 6, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
RECONCILIATION WEEK CHANGE UP
10th annual celebration Baty steps away from
begins Friday softball to focus on school
PAGE A2 PAGE B1
File photo
Lauderdale County Courthouse.
County looks to
move forward with
courthouse project
By Jim Brock
jbrock@themeridianstar.com
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A8
Today
High: 92º
Tonight
Low: 74º
Classified ......... B5-B8
Comics.................. A7
Deaths .................. A4
INDEX
National News ....... A3
Opinion ................. A5
Records ................ A6
3 things to do today
• Mississippi Blood Ser-
vices will hold a community
• Snow Cone Day for all
ages at the Meridian-Lau-
• Souls-A-Thon Revival
continues at Meridian Holi-
www.meridianstar.com blood drive at McAlister’s derdale County Public ness Deliverance Church at
Horoscope ............ A6 Sports .............. B1-B4
Deli 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Library at 3 p.m. 7 p.m.
Local News ...... A1-A3 World News........... A8
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 160 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
120000059507313
A2 LOCAL THE MERIDIAN STAR
Thursday, July 6, 2017
OFF
“It’s still sort of in limbo,” Reeves blocked the legisla- *
said John Fletcher, a tax tion, saying it was unconsti-
lawyer who has questioned tutional.
the rule. “I’m just assuming Still, Waterbury said
they’re still considering about 20 other retailers
whether to move forward besides Seattle-based
with it and how to do it.” Amazon had signed up to
On Feb. 1, Amazon.com collect taxes voluntarily for
started collecting use taxes Mississippi. She said she
voluntarily in Mississippi, an couldn’t disclose their names
amount that could be worth because of taxpayer privacy See us for all your
$15 million to $30 million a laws. Waterbury said offi- Beads and Bead Supplies too!
year. That came weeks after cials weren’t immediately Fashions & Fabrics
the Revenue Department able to estimate how much 466 E. Beacon St. • Philadelphia, MS 39350
proposed a rule requiring money the voluntary collec- Mary & Anita Winstead, Owners
every retailer with more tors had paid to Mississippi. (601) 656-6122
than $250,000 in yearly sales 120000360806558
Friday, June 23, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
STATE GAMES MISS MISSISSIPPI
Stickball event attracts Locals compete
crowd to Choctaw Central HS in Vicksburg
PAGE B1 PAGE A3
Senate GOP
‘IN NEED OF REPAIR’ unveils
‘Obamacare’
overhaul
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans
launched their plan for shriveling Barack Obama’s
health care law Thursday, edging a step closer to
their dream of repeal with a bill that would slice
and reshape Medicaid for the poor, relax rules on
insurers and end tax increases on higher earners
that have helped finance expanded coverage for
millions.
Four conservative GOP senators quickly
announced initial opposition to the measure and
others were evasive, raising the specter of a jarring
rejection by the Republican-controlled body. But
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,
indicated he was open to discussion and seemed
determined to muscle the measure through his
chamber next week.
Release of the 142-page proposal ended the
long wait for one of the most closely guarded bills
in years. McConnell stitched it together behind
Federal appeals
ness earlier in the day.
“
conditions during brief tour
By Jim Brock
state’s ‘religious
freedom’ law
jbrock@themeridianstar.com
G
ov. Phil Bryant on support Meridian in their down-
Thursday called the con- town effort. But this courthouse
dition of the Lauderdale is a symbol to the people that By Larrison Campbell
County Courthouse serve and live here in Lauderdale Mississippi Today
“concerning” after a brief tour of County, and I hope we can find
the building. a way to help them.” It obviously is in desperate The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed
The governor stopped by the The governor said some need of repair. The occupancy a lower federal court’s decision to strike down
courthouse after participating funding could come from House Bill 1523, allowing the law to take effect.
in a local business’ ribbon cut- the Mississipi Department of
has certainly outgrown it… Writing on behalf of himself and Judges Cath-
ting earlier in the day. Archives and History or the U.S. People of Lauderdale County arina Haynes and Jennifer Elrod, Judge Jerry E.
“You’ve got judges who Department of Justice. need to understand we’re going Smith dismissed last summer’s U.S. District Court
are trying to hold trials and Lauderdale County District verdict, ruling that the original plaintiffs chal-
plaster falling,” Bryant said. “It 1 Supervisor Jonathan Wells,
to have to as a state and as lenging House Bill 1523 lacked standing.
obviously is in desperate need who joined the governor on a county support Meridian in “Under this current record, the plaintiffs have
of repair. The occupancy has the courthouse tour, said the not shown an injury-in-fact caused by HB 1523
their downtown effort. that would empower the district court or this court
certainly outgrown it…People meeting was “productive.”
of Lauderdale County need to “We want him to know that to rule on its constitutionality. We do not foreclose
understand we’re going to have
— Gov. Phil Bryant the possibility that a future plaintiff may be able to
to as a state and as a county See Tour, page A3 show clear injury-in-fact … but the federal courts
See Law, page A2
IN NESHOBA COUNTY
Brantley returning to familiar ground as superintendent of education
By Michael Neary School and, trict after two years of service district after the recent passing of He said that throughout his
mneary@themeridianstar.com beginning there. He succeeds Joe Killens, state legislation requiring all Mis- career, in Neshoba County and
on July 1, the who is retiring, in Neshoba sissippi school districts to appoint, beyond, he’s served as principal
For Lundy Brantley, returning new super- County. rather than to elect, superinten- for every grade except sixth grade.
to the familiar ground of Neshoba intendent of “It was a tough decision to dents. Such experience seeps into a
County created a powerful incen- the Neshoba leave Union,” Brantley said. “It’s a Brantley, who earned a doc- superintendent’s responsibilities,
tive in his decision to apply for County School great place.” torate in school administration especially when working with
the position of superintendent of District. Brantley, who has served in from Mississippi State University, other principals.
education. Brantley, many educational positions, was has already spent nine years of his “I can sympathize and empa-
“The opportunity to go back 41, will leave Brantley
appointed the superintendent of professional career in the Neshoba thize with every one of them,” he
and lead your home school district his post as the schools by the Neshoba County County School District, including said.
is very enticing,” said Brantley, a superintendent Board of Education. He is the first two years as elementary school
of the Union Public School Dis- superintendent appointed in the principal. See Brantley, page A2
graduate of Neshoba Central High
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A10
Today
High: 86º
Tonight
Low: 73º
Classified .......... B5-B8
Comics.................... B4
INDEX
Deaths .................... A4
Opinion ................... A6
Outdoors ................. A8
Records .................. A7
3 things to do today
• Opening of “Play On!” at
the Roxy Theatre in Newton,
• Shape Note Singing
Workshop in Decatur at
• Today is National Pink Day
– celebrate by wearing pink
www.meridianstar.com Horoscope .............. A7
7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Macedonia Primitive Baptist or enjoying food or bever-
Sports ............... B1-B3
Local News ....... A1-A3 adults and $5 for children 12 Church from 6-8:30 p.m. ages that are pink.
National News ...A4, A5 World News.....A9, A10 and under.
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 149 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
120000059506306
THE MERIDIAN STAR
Friday, June 23, 2017 LOCAL A3
LOCAL WOMEN COMPETE IN MISS MISSISSIPPI PAGEANT Bonita Lakes to be closed Monday
Five women from Meridian and Philadelphia are competing this week in the Miss Mississippi Pageant, which
morning for maintenance
began Wednesday evening in Vicksburg. Local contenders include Anna McDaniel, Arielle Marie Dale and Mia Bonita Lakes will be closed from 5 a.m. until noon for
Hall, of Meridian, and Macen’z Smith and Miriam Grace Seale, of Philadelphia. In addition, Collinsville native and maintenance on Monday, June 26.
Meridian Community College alumnus Telvin Lewis, a former American Idol contestant, is performing at the pag- Contact the Public Works Department at 601-485-1975
eant, which concludes Saturday night. for more information.
To Retire?
ball rolling, so we feel like the plan;
after that meeting next • Moving all county
week we’ll be able to do business to the old Vil-
that,” he said. “This is lage Fair Mall site at a
You can trust the knowledge of a number-one for us, but it projected price of $43.65
Retirement Income Certified Professional.® is a process.” million;
For a free consultation call Harold Harris, RICP. County Administrator • Moving all county
Chris Lafferty said the tour business to the Village
The American College created the RICP to prepare was a good way to show Fair Mall and selling lots
financial advisers to help customers aim to make their nest citizens that county gov- around the site for private
eggs last and have greater confidence during a retirement ernment is working to fix development at a projected
that could be decades long. It focuses on topics like how the situation. price of $46.75 million.
to convert your savings into steady retirement income, “A lot of people think Wells said he person-
choosing when to claim Social Security and company it’s not a priority for ally favors keeping the
retirement benefits, addressing health and long-term care the Lauderdale County courthouse in its current
and more. leadership, but when the location rather than relo-
Harold Harris, RICP
See us for your governor comes to look at cating across town.
Laser it — that’s a priority,” Laf- “I think as time has
First Vice President
at Trustmark Financial Services
Engraving ferty said. passed, time has just
Currently, the board showed us the right place
LPL Financial of supervisors is studying to go would be down-
hharris@trustmark.com possible solutions. Belinda town,” Wells said. “But
Plaques • Trophies • Models • Awards Stewart, of Belinda Stewart I’m saying that as Jona-
120000781111026
601-693-9778
Architects, from Eupora, than Wells, not on behalf
4900 Poplar Springs Dr. • Meridian delivered a 66-page study of the board.”
to the board in December,
(601) 483-5595 recommending potential Staff Writer Whitney
solutions, including: Downard contributed to
• Adding on to the this report.
MERIDIAN STAR
THE
Tuesday, July 18, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
POLITICS YOUTH BASEBALL
Senate delays vote on Phil Hardin 15U team
healthcare overhaul headed to regional
PAGE A4 PAGE B1
Drive-by shooting an act of gang retaliation With an eye toward helping teachers and other
staff members stay informed about changing
educational policies and standards, the Meridian
Public School District has crafted an early release
By Whitney Downard House’s Playground for Jesus, where
wdownard@themeridianstar.com some Black Disciples (or BD for short) schedule for the coming school year. The board
from a rival gang would be. gave the go-ahead for the plan earlier this year.
The shooting, around 7:30 p.m. that Superintendent Amy Carter announced, at
A drive-by shooting near the the district’s board of education meeting Monday
Highway Village Apartments earlier Thursday, occurred with children and
bystanders present, police said. evening, that a specific plan had been developed.
this month was an act of gang retal- The arrangement means that students will end
iation that wounded four innocent Because Williams was behind the
driver, he told Ball he shot over the roof their school day before the
bystanders at a birthday party, police regular stopping time once a
said. and aimed into the sky, rather than
shooting directly into the crowd, Ball week, leaving time for teachers
During the preliminary hearing and other staff members to
Monday in Meridian City Court for said.
Williams also told Ball that Tubbs conduct collaborative planning
Michael Williams, 14, of Meridian, sessions.
police described the events of July and Lewis, while leaving, shot at a white
car with three passengers as they left the “Previously our teachers
6 when four men were injured in a spent late evenings (away)
drive-by shooting at the Wesley House’s scene, Ball said.
After police released his photo fol- from their families planning
Playground for Jesus on 8th Avenue. and preparing for the …
Meridian Police Officer Anthony lowing the incident, Williams’ turned
himself into police and police charged school year,” Carter said at Amy Carter
Ball told the court that Williams stated Whitney Downard / The Meridian Star Monday’s board meeting, held
that Kudarrius (D. Tubbs) and Ced- Michael Williams, accompanied by him with three counts of conspiracy, at the Meridian High School
mondray (Lewis) picked him up and Meridian Police Detective Kevin three counts of drive-by shooting and
three counts of attempted murder. Multi-Purpose Building. “We saw this as an
gave him a gun, telling him that they Boyd, enters the Meridian City opportunity to give them additional time to plan
were seeking retaliation for a gunshot courtroom Monday for his hearing Williams’ public defender, Joseph
and prepare as it relates to standards.”
wound one of them had suffered earlier. related to a quadruple shooting ear- Denson, argued that Williams should For elementary school students, early release
A driver, who faces no charges lier this month. not face conspiracy charges because,
per the testimony of Williams, Williams will take place at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, rather
and has not been named, drove Wil- than the regular 2:45 p.m., said Charlotte Young,
liams, Tubbs and Lewis to their homes Ball, part of the Meridian Police never discussed the shooting before-
Department’s Gang Unit, said Tubbs hand. assistant superintendent of student services, in
for supplies, such as an AK-15 or an interview outside of the board meeting. For
‘Chopper’ for Tubbs, according to Ball’s and Lewis wanted to shoot at a crowd
recounting of Williams’ statement. celebrating a birthday at the Wesley See SHOOTING, page A2 See SCHEDULE, page A2
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A8
Today
High: 91º
Tonight
Low: 72º
Comics.................. A7
Crossword ............ A7
INDEX
Classified .............. B4 National News ....... A4
Opinion ................. A5
Records ................ A6
3 things to do today
• Parkinson Support
Group meets at 10 a.m. at
• Stuff the Van with school
supplies at Bedford Care
• Certificate Ceremony
for Summer reading at
www.meridianstar.com Deaths .................. A4
Sports ................... B1 Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Center in Marion to help the Meridian-Lauderdale
Horoscope ............ A6 Church. Fellowship and local students, 2-4 p.m. County Public Library at
Local News ........... A2 World News........... A8 refreshments. 3 p.m.
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 170 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
A2 LOCAL THE MERIDIAN STAR
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
17, 2017
TASTE OF MERIDIAN
INSIDE BAanNd D Chef Robert St. John to headline
TODAY CHEER Meridian Home & Style event
PAGE B1
STAR
MERIDIAN
THE
LAUDERDALE COUNTY
needs to last through my grandkids. The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors continue to wait for further recommendations before moving forward on a
So we need to shut it down, gut it solution to the decaying Lauderdale County Courthouse. Most now favor a plan that would save the old building, in the
“
and completely rebuild it from the foreground, but also use the federal post office building, in the background, for county offices.
inside out — we’re going to have
to.”
The board is considering options INSIDE
including remodeling the existing ... So we need to shut it down, gut
courthouse and adding extra space
or relocating courthouse operations • A3: 40 years of study it and completely rebuild it from the
to another location, according to and recommendations inside out — we’re going to have to.
Lauderdale County Administrator
Chris Lafferty. • A8: Safety demands
Faced with estimates of at temporary home for — District 3 Supervisor Josh Todd
See COURTHOUSE, page A2 courthouse workers
INDEX
Classified ............................... B5-B8
Crossword .....................................B2
Deaths.............................................A4
Horoscope .....................................A9
Local News ........................... A1-A4
3 things to do today
• Revival services at First
Baptist Church in Marion,
• Simmons Chapel M.B.
Church in Collinsville
• Today is Wife Appre-
ciation Day – Let your
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A10
Today
High: 88º
Tonight
Low: 69º
Meridian 360º ......................Inside 5711 Clinton St. - 11 a.m. Church Anniversary with wife know how much you
and 6 p.m. Dr. John Temple Pastor Obediah Clemons appreciate the things they www.meridianstar.com
National News ....................A5, A6
speaker. at 2 p.m. do all year long.
Opinion...........................................A8 Vol. 119 • No. 223
910 Hwy 19 N. • Meridian
Sports .......................................C1-C4 Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
601-483-8241 World News..........................A7, A10 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
Copyright 2017
FAMILY COUNSELING
Bureau to the old fire sta- serve the save money.”
tion, along with turning the taxpayers, Kyle Rutledge Todd hopes to see a plan
old JC Penney building into but also do in place and have contracts
SERVICES, PLLC
a banquet hall for the city it within our out by the end of the year.
and county. means,” Rutledge said.
“To me, that spot has “I’m still scared about District 2 Supervisor
more potential than trying renovating the courthouse. Wayman Newell
to stuff a building in the That’s one of the last things Newell also supports ren- Jean Arthur Merrell, LPC, CCMHC
middle of the street,” Nor- I want to do… We could ovating the existing court- Ricardo Gillispie, LCSW, Ph.D.
wood said.
Leigh Ziller Gillespie, FPMHNP-BC
District 1 Supervisor
Jonathan Wells
Wells said he would like Announces with pleasure
to see courthouse operations
temporarily relocated to the affiliation of
the old federal courthouse, *VTMVY[PZPZHUVYHSJOL^[OH[RPSSZÅLHZHUKWYL]LU[ZÅLH Donna Eldridge, LPC
infestations for 1 month.
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• Last a full month Family Counseling Services, PLLC
• For Dogs & cats 14 weeks of
• HNLVYVSKLY Meridian, Mississippi
120000213609009
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& Pet Store (601) 483-2864
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www.meridianstar.com
THE MERIDIAN STAR
Sunday, September 17, 2017 LOCAL A3
$
1499Jitterbug.
Easier is better with the all-new $
1499 month month* 14 99Wagster
$ By Emily
Pettusmonth
*
14 14 14
the creators of the original easy-to-use cell phone, now rights activist who wrote
with bigger buttons and $ an exclusive $5Star® Urgent 99 99 $ about challenging segrega- isCentreville,
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helped orga-
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worked with Mississippi
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month
NAACP leader Medgar
ored in her hometown, two commemoration, held on Evers to prepare for the
EASY TO USE Today, cell Plansphones
as low asare
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as low what would have been her protest.
hard to hear, difficult to dial and About 70 people gath- 77th birthday. He said her White high school stu-
overloaded with features $ you may $
never use. That’s not the casemonth with
the Jitterbug Flip. A larger screen and
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1
To Retire?
immediately with a highly-trained Urgent Response the mid-1990s but never
Agent who will confirm your location, evaluate your felt at ease in the state, said
situation and get you the help you need, 24/7. one of her sisters, Adline
Moody.
You can trust the knowledge of a Anne Moody had
Retirement Income Certified Professional.® dementia before she died
For a free consultation call Harold Harris, RICP. at home in Gloster, Missis-
Powered by the nation’s largest and
sippi, in 2015. She was 74.
most dependable wireless network. The American College created the RICP to prepare Barnes does volunteer
financial advisers to help customers aim to make their nest work for the Anne Moody
eggs last and have greater confidence during a retirement History Project, which is
that could be decades long. It focuses on topics like how based at the privately run
to convert your savings into steady retirement income, prison where he works,
choosing when to claim Social Security and company Wilkinson County Cor-
Now at select stores retirement benefits, addressing health and long-term care rectional Facility. He said
while supplies last. and more. some inmates and have
No contracts l No cancellation fees been reading and dis-
Harold Harris, RICP
cussing “Coming of Age
First Vice President in Mississippi” as part of a
Find your nearest store at greatcall.com/Walmart at Trustmark Financial Services book group. He said he also
LPL Financial gives away copies of the
hharris@trustmark.com book to people who live in
601-693-9778 southwestern Mississippi.
“I spoke to a woman
1
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and are subject to change. Plans and services may require purchase of a GreatCall device and a one-time setup fee of $35. Coverage is not available
everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 5Star Service will be able to track an approximate location when
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your device is turned on and connected to the network, but we cannot guarantee an exact location. Jitterbug, GreatCall and 5Star are registered Moody?’ That broke my
trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Copyright ©2017 GreatCall, Inc.
heart.”
010931_R1_20170917_FLIP_MERIDIAN_STAR.indd 1 9/12/17 5:39 PM
A8 THE MERIDIAN STAR
Sunday, September 17, 2017
OPINION
The FirsT AmendmenT
Congress shall make no law respecting an establish-
ment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
Alexander Gould the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
publisher
David Bohrer
editor
express YourselF
The Meridian Star welcomes the views of its
readers on public issues. Letters must include a full
name, address and phone number. We publish only
original letters of 300 words or less, unless . E-mail
letters to editor@themeridianstar.com.
a changed
Safety demands temporary
people home for courthouse workers
“Those who would give up essential liberty to pur-
chase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty
nor safety.”
O n Feb. 11, we wrote, “tomorrow
wouldn’t be too soon” to find
temporary quarters and move
workers out while the Lauderdale
County Courthouse is made habitable.
to finding a solution ... but probably
not for at least a few more months
and only after more studies are com-
pleted by Yates Construction and LPK
Architects.
health, the cost of compensation for
illness, injury or worse could bring an
unimaginable additional burden to
county taxpayers.
The supervisors have found money
—Benjamin Franklin
Seven months later those It can safely be predicted the for several preliminary studies, other
R
workers continue to toil in crowded, supervisors then will need more time county projects, travel and training.
OLLING FORK — What was on Monday now
unsafe conditions among mold, to deliberate, find funding, negotiate Certainly they can find money to rent
16 years ago, a handful of fanatical thugs flew
exposed wires, broken windows and contracts and then, maybe, finally, space temporarily while they ponder a
hijacked American airplanes into American
peeling paint. find a safe haven for courthouse permanent solution.
buildings and what both we and rest of the world had
Would you want your mother workers. What can be a greater priority than
always thought of as America almost immediately
working in those conditions – your Again, we commend their caution the health and safety of our people?
changed.
son, your daughter, your father? in making a decision that could cost County officials have said a
There are just entered college freshmen who have
In those seven months, more grand county taxpayers in excess of $30 mil- decision wouldn’t be rushed, there
no memory of what happened on that fateful day nor
juries have condemned their sur- lion. would be no mass exodus from the
any of what this country was before it.
roundings, a few courthouse workers We are baffled, however, at their courthouse. Forty years since the first
The truly Shakespearean-quality irony of Sept. 11,
have spoken out and the governor lack of caution for the safety of the study, seven months from a well-doc-
2001, what we have come to know as
has been appalled, but the day-to-day people under their care. umented need for safety, patience
simply 9/11, is that 19 mostly Saudi
workers continue to clean the paint Given the courthouse’s decay and should be at its limit.
zealots, armed only with box cut-
chips off their desks and breathe the tight quarters, it seems only a matter As we wrote on Feb. 11, tomorrow
ters, accomplished what neither
stale air within the building’s walls. of time before those conditions cause wouldn’t be too soon” to find tempo-
the British Empire, nor the Nazi
To their credit, the Board of illness, injury or worse. Beyond the rary quarters and move workers out of
war machine nor the Soviet
Supervisors now appear committed greater importance of everyone’s the Lauderdale County Courthouse.
Union with its nuclear arsenal
could do. It turned a proud and
powerful people into a fright-
W
Men and women, even the best of them, even the ASHINGTON – Many resourcefulness of the man who infinite patience, their loyalty to each
smartest of them, stop thinking when they become Americans’ moral vanity destroys the bridge. I saw how he other, their courage under fire. ...
afraid. Fear robs men and women of their judgment. is expressed nowadays coped with war, and I learned from You would ask yourself, ‘How does
Fear robs men and women of their reason. in their rage to disparage. They are that character.” As did another com- America produce young men like
There has been many an analysis of, much written incapable of measured judgments batant who loves that novel, John this?’”
about 9/11 in the years since. Similarly, there has been about past politics – about flawed McCain. Or like Okamoto. He was born
much thought and discussion given to the heightened historical figures who were forced Eleven years after his Saigon during World War II in Arizona, in
and dueling passions which are seen as separating by cascading circumstances to make dinner, President Kennedy said, “We a Japanese-American internment
Americans into virtual warring tribes today on every- difficult decisions on have not sent combat troops in the camp. Karl Marlantes, a Rhodes
thing from politics to culture to even the way we view the basis of imper- generally understood sense of the Scholar from Yale who voluntarily
one another. fect information. word.” Obliqueness and evasions left Oxford for Marine service in
But what if the two are cause and effect? So, the nation greased the slide into a ground war Vietnam, recalls a fellow lieutenant
Suppose that the real legacy of 9/11 is the prevailing now needs an of attrition. Kennedy, his successor radioing to battalion headquarters
fear that even yet abides and even yet is manifested in example of how (who said, “Foreigners are not like over 20 kilometers away the fact that
what we do and don’t do today. to calmly assess the folks I’m used to”) and their he had spotted a convoy of trucks.
That’s an easy enough notion to dismiss, I suppose, episodes fraught advisers were determined not to The battalion commander replied
but I also think to do so summarily is to just continue with passion make the Munich mistake of con- that this was impossible because
what so much of the contemporary dialogue has and sorrow. An fronting an enemy tardily. Tapes of intelligence operatives reported no
degenerated into—whistling past our suddenly uneasy example arrives Lyndon Johnson’s telephone conver- trucks near there. In a Texas drawl
graveyard. Sunday night. sations with advisers are haunting the lieutenant replied: “Be advised.
I never thought I would live to see the America For 10 nights GEORGE WILL and horrifying: To national security I am where I am and you are where
that his evolved in the past 16 years. I don’t recognize on PBS, Ken syndicated columnist adviser McGeorge Bundy: “What the you are. Where I am, I see god-
it because so many of its crucial contours have been Burns’ and Lynn hell am I ordering [those kids] out damned trucks.”
eroded away. I sometimes feel myself a stranger in a Novick’s “The Vietnam War,” 10 there for?” Weary of hearing the prudence
strange land because so many of the old American years in the making and 18 hours in In 1966 alone, 18 large-scale U.S. that was so painfully learned in
landmarks are no longer visible. length, tells the story of a war “begun offensives left more than 3 million Indochina derided as the “Vietnam
Our own fears born on that day that ignited not in good faith by decent people, out South Vietnamese – approximately syndrome,” Marlantes says (in his
only buildings but the lasting sense of vulnerability, of fateful misunderstandings,” and one-fifth of the country’s population Wall Street Journal review of Mark
have done to us what more than 200 years of enemies “prolonged because it seemed easier – homeless. Just on the Laos portion Bowden’s book “Hue 1968”): “If
foreign and domestic could not—begin the ebbing of to muddle through than admit that of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, more tons by Vietnam syndrome we mean
our essence that so much defined us as a people and it had been caused by tragic deci- of bombs – 3 million tons – were the belief that the U.S. should
lead us to sacrifice it all in the empty name of keeping sions” during five presidencies. The dropped than fell on Germany and never again engage in (a) military
us safe. combat films are extraordinary; the Japan during World War II. By body interventions in foreign civil wars
I might not have been able to foresee 2017 America, recollections and reflections of com- counts, America was winning. As an without clear objectives and a clear
but George Orwell could and did. batants and others on both sides are Army adviser says in episode 4, “If exit strategy, (b) ‘nation building’
If you have young children, perhaps you should even more so, featuring photos of you can’t count what’s important, in countries about whose history
tuck this away somewhere so that they might someday them then and interviews with many you make what you can count and culture we are ignorant, and (c)
read about the America that used to be, the United of them now. important.” sacrificing our children when our
States that existed before Sept. 11, 2001. A 1951 photo shows a con- Vincent Okamoto earned in lives, way of life, or ‘government
Before 9/11, the United States was not trillions of gressman named John Kennedy Vietnam the Army’s second-highest of, by, and for the people’ are not
dollars in debt and actually had a budget surplus. I dining in Saigon. There is an inter- honor, the Distinguished Service directly threatened, then we should
know that sounds incredible, but it’s true. view with Le Quan Cong, who Cross. He recalls the platoon he led: never get over Vietnam syndrome.
Before 9/11, the United States was not engaged in became a guerilla fighter in 1951, at “Nineteen-, 20-year-old high It’s not an illness; it’s a vaccination.”
perpetual warfare on multiple fronts and had not seen age 12. Viewers will meet Madame school dropouts ... they looked upon The Burns/Novick masterpiece is, in
thousands of its increasingly children soldiers die or Le Minh Khue, who was 16 when military service as like the weather: Marlantes’ words about Bowden’s
become horribly maimed in combat. she joined the “Youth Shock Bri- you had to go in, and you’d do it. book, “a powerful booster shot.”
Before 9/11, there was something in this country gade for National Salvation”: “I But to see these kids, who had the
called habeas corpus, which meant we couldn’t simply love Hemingway. I learned from least to gain, there wasn’t anything George Will’s email address is
keep somebody locked up forever, never charging him ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls.’ Like the to look forward to. ... And yet, their georgewill@washpost.com.
nor bringing him before a judge. Really, no kidding.
We really did.
Before 9/11, U.S. citizens were free from “unrea-
sonable searches and seizures.” Believe it or not, the
government’s alphabet agencies could not spy upon or READERS’ POLL
collect electronic dossiers on them. Log onto meridianstar.com to participate in our latest readers’ poll:
Before 9/11, the very concept of torture was alien How many times do you eat out in a month?
and abhorrent to Americans. We truly did not do such More than 30:
a thing, would not consider doing such a thing, instead 16-30
of playing semantic games with it, in essence arguing 6-15:
over “what the definition of is, is.” 1-5:
Before 9/11, we could disagree without hating; we None:
didn’t have to concoct wild conspiracy theories to jus-
tify our politics and never once would it occur to us to
attack the 1st Amendment. Our Saturday poll asked, “Is it a good idea for Donald Trump to negotiate with the Democratic leadership?”
Little good often comes from fear and little good
has. Yes: 70 pct.
No: 20 pct.
Ray Mosby is editor and publisher of the Deer Creek Not sure: 10 pct.
Pilot.
MERIDIAN STAR
THE
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
OIL MONEY PREP FOOTBALL
Texas suddenly short Russell Christian
23560-1
of oil field workers readies for playoffs This month’s presenting sponsor:
PAGE A4 PAGE B1
Forum focuses
Spooky treats on opioid abuse
By Whitney Downard
wdownard@themeridianstar.com
Candy Crawl a sweet experience in Meridian For Savannah Moore, the town hall hit close to
home. Moore, a recovering opioid addict, came to
the town hall because she’d lost friends to overdoses
in the past, including a woman she’d spent her time
By Jim Brock chicken because when she walks in recovery with.
jbrock@themeridianstar.com she waddles anyway,” said Juli- “It’s definitely an issue that needs to be
anne Jones. addressed,” Moore said. “I think things like this
Is that Spiderman? No, it’s The early trick-or-treat experi- help fight the stigma.”
Catboy! ence was part of the kid-friendly More than anything, Moore stressed that while
“We’ve been coming the last festival held at City Hall, which loving someone with an addiction can be difficult,
two years, and he decided to put also featured pony rides, a petting they still need help.
on his costume as Catboy,” said zoo, giant inflatables, arts and “Don’t be afraid when someone reaches out to
Eboni Kelly, whose 2-year-old crafts, a costume contest, and a you,” Moore said. “Don’t turn away... because for
son LaMarkus Johnson wore scavenger hunt. the person with that addiction, it’s scary to reach
his costume proudly during the “We are very excited to bring out.”
annual Candy Crawl in Meridian this annual holiday event back to Presenters also emphasized that addiction
Tuesday evening. City Hall this year,” Mayor Percy should be seen as a disease, not a moral failing, a
Hundreds of youngsters clad Bland said in a statement. “The lesson that James Moore, of Hattiesburg, (who is
in Halloween costumes hit the Candy Crawl is family-oriented not related to Savannah Moore) repeated.
streets while downtown busi- festival that allows everyone to “It must be as easy for an addict to seek help for
nesses distributed candy. trick or treat in a fun, safe envi- a broken life as it is for you to seek help for a broken
Everleigh Jones, 1, the ronment.” arm,” said Moore, who told the story of losing his
daughter of Andy and Julianne New this year was the Spooky son, Jeff, to an opioid addiction.
Jones, “waddled” into The Scavenger Hunt sponsored by the Locally, Weems Community Mental Health
Meridian Star office dressed as East Mississippi Business Devel- Center offers services on a sliding-fee scale and
a little chick. One parent com- opment Corporation. encourages families of those with addictions to
mented that this bright-eyed The city will celebrate Hal- reach out and schedule a free assessment.
Sixteen-month-old Everleigh Jones youngster stole every heart in the loween on Oct. 31, when young For more information, contact Weems’ Rush
walks the sidewalks in her chicken room. people 12 and under are allowed Andreacchio at 601-693-1001 and visit the Missis-
costume as she collects candy. “I really wanted to do the to trick or treat until 9 p.m. sippi Targeted Opioid Project on Facebook.
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A8
Today
High: 65º
Tonight
Low: 44º
Comics.................. A9
Crossword ............ A9
INDEX
Classified .............. B4 Local News ........... A2
National News ....... A5
Opinion ................. A6
3 things to do today
• Craft for Young Adults
(bracelet making) at the
Clarke will host a book
signing at Choctaw County
• Revival at Mt. Carmel Bap-
tist Church, 4126 York Road
www.meridianstar.com Deaths .................. A4 Records ................ A7
Meridian-Lauderdale County Library in Butler, Ala. to in Lauderdale, with speaker
Education .............. A6 Sports ................... B1 Public Library at 4:30 p.m. sign copies of his latest book Pastor James McDonald at
Horoscope ............ A7 World News......... A10 • Mississippi writer Hewitt “Dark Secrets” at 5:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 255 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
23354-1
A2 LOCAL THE MERIDIAN STAR
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Celebrating 30 Years
they were participating in My for the person who receives it. weeding and doing other tasks
College Cares Day. It’s another example of active outside the Meridian-Lauder-
“They’re really listening,” learning.” dale County Public Library.
said Brantley, thinking about
the audience at Aldersgate.
“They’re an attentive audi-
She noted a host of dif-
ferent kinds of sites where
members of the MCC com-
“We planted fall flowers
and mulched the flower beds,”
Pierce said. “The library pro-
You’re Invited!
ence. It’s not just background munity served on Tuesday, vided the material, and we’re What: Ed Chaney Tire Pros 30th Birthday Celebration
music.” including elementary schools, doing the labor.”
Virginia Wheat, a resident parks, special needs camps, Pete Willis, who works in Where: Dumont Plaza
at Aldersgate, said she was animal shelters and other the MCC business office, was
pleased to see the musicians organizations where volun- helping out upstairs in the When: Thursday, October 26th from 5:30-8:30pm
and to hear their wide breadth teering could play key roles. Hope Village Thrift Store on
of their selections. She said, too, that there were Tuesday with another group of
“I was glad,” she said. “I Don’t miss this Join us for a night of food, fun and prizes!
two special “Random Acts of MCC community members.
awesome event!
people around and keep an action by the board on eral courthouse building and
the wheels of government June 5 to “approve a final the JC Penney building, have
rolling. “I’m undecided.” payment of $12,920.70 to sup- been added to the list, along
A date of Jan. 1 has been plement previous payments with many others.
mentioned as a deadline for totaling $492,207.42 for a total Lafferty said the board
county employees to vacate amount paid to Joe McGee is doing its due diligence to
the courthouse. Construction Company, Inc. make the right decision.
Lafferty confirmed that of Lake, Miss., from the bond “They are committed to
Jan. 1 has been discussed as issue passed by the Board of this courthouse project — they
“an arbitrary date” to have the Supervisors on April 1, 2013 are closer than they’ve ever RSVP to the event page on Facebook
courthouse vacant and ready of $505,128,12,” according to been,” Lafferty said. “This is for a chance to win a special prize!
for renovation. Williams’ filing. Those funds something that should have
“What would you say the were used to construct a base- been done 20 years ago. This
chances are of us being out of ball field. problem was not created over-
any building by January 1?” night, and it is not going to be 306 22nd Avenue South • Meridian, MS • 601-693-8473 • EdChaneyTirePros.com
inquired Lafferty, who said solved overnight.”
supervisors earlier this year Ongoing issues
also discussed a deadline date The 80,000-square-foot
of Oct. 1. “Having to be out by JC Penney store, owned
January 1 is absolutely false. by Rockstep Capital, was
That cannot happen — and recently vacated after JC
that has not been approved by Penney announced on Feb. 24
the board.” its intent to close two distri-
bution facilities and 130-140
retail stores.
Open meetings At the courthouse,
Rutledge and fellow employees continue to work
supervisors Joe Norwood and in what a Lauderdale County
Wayman Newell were not at grand jury this summer called
Friday’s meeting, as having “unacceptable” conditions “for
more than two supervisors at employees and citizens.”
the meeting would constitute “The Board of Supervi-
a quorum, making it open to sors need to be making every
the public. effort to acquire the finances
The two-at-a-time tactic needed for a new courthouse,”
has been an issue in the past the grand jury stated, citing
for the board. In January 2015, issues that include an anti-
the board was hit with a vio- quated ventilation system,
lation of the Open Meetings mold problems and insuffi-
Act by the Mississippi Ethics cient emergency exits.
Commission. The com- Over the past year, super-
plaint was brought by local visors have been looking at a
watchdog Tommy Williams number of options regarding
of the Lauderdale County the courthouse.
Citizens for Responsible Gov- Lafferty said any tempo-
ernance, who alleged supervi- rary move would last for more
sors had illegally met before an than one year, possibly longer.
official meeting. Williams said While the federal courthouse
board members were guilty of building is still an option,
what is commonly referred to Lafferty said moving to the
as a “rolling quorum,” where old Village Fair Mall was “no
supervisors meet two at a time longer really sought after.”
to avoid a quorum. “That is pretty much the
The board has appealed the leaning of the board that any
ethics commission’s decision. move is going to be tempo-
Meanwhile, Williams has rary,” Lafferty said. “The idea
filed a motion to consolidate of the board is to support
five civil action cases against downtown Meridian and to
the the Lauderdale Board of stay local, but even that hasn’t
Supervisors. Williams’ cases been made official…That
involve the board’s alleged could change.”
misuse of parts of the $14 Since the board hired
million bond issue from April construction manager Yates
2013. Construction and Bob Luke
Williams’ most recent civil of LPK Architects, P.A., more
case, filed June 15, concerns options — including the fed-
PUBLIC
MEETING NOTICE
The City of Meridian and Meridian Police Department
to hold a Community Input Meeting on October 26, 2017
The City of Meridian and Meridian Police Department
will hold a Public Input Meeting at 6:00 PM on October
26, 2017 at The Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
(544 James E. Chaney Drive, Meridian, Mississippi
39307). The Purpose of the Public Meeting will be to
inform the Public about a Settlement Agreement along
with a Summary of Action Plan and Compliance Reports
between the United States Department of Justice and the
City of Meridian in Civil Action No. 3:13-CV- 978-HTW-
LRA.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
CHURCH SHOOTING GIRLS HOOPS
Texas gunman had history Meridian heads into season
of domestic violence with new coach at helm
PAGE A5 PAGE B1
Courthouse
relocation could
be complete
Michael Neary / The Meridian Star
LaNautica Warren, a Meridian Community College student, works with young children at the Ross Collins
Career and Technical Center.
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A8
Today
High: 79º
Tonight
Low: 58º
Comics.................. A9
Crossword ............ A9
INDEX
Classified .............. B4 National News ....... A4
Opinion ................. A7
Records ................ A8
3 things to do today
• Mississippi Children’s
Museum-Meridian gives an
at the Meridian-Lauderdale
County Public Library at 10
Meridian Community Col-
lege Graham Gymnasium
www.meridianstar.com Deaths .................. A4
Sports ................... B1 update on plans at MSU- a.m. Chess Club meets at at 11 a.m. Keynote Speaker
Horoscope ............ A8 Riley Center, 10:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. NAS Commanding Officer
Local News ........... A2 World News......... A10 • Baby/Toddler Leaf Activity • Veterans Day Program at Capt. Brian S. Horstman.
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 266 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
A4 NATION THE MERIDIAN STAR
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Why debt from GOP tax cuts might impose a painful price
WASHINGTON (AP) — vate borrowers for credit. It recovery that followed — 2027, according to the Con-
When House Republicans could also eventually require drove deficits to new heights, gressional Budget Office.
proposed their tax-cut plan cuts to popular spending shrinking tax collections Likewise, spending on
last week, critics noted that it programs. And it might and increasing government big health care programs
came with a towering price: It leave policymakers with less spending on such safety net is expected to rise from 5.4
would swell the nation’s debt ammunition the next time a programs as food stamps and percent of GDP to 6.9 percent
by $1.5 trillion at a time when recession strikes. unemployment aid. President over the same period as more
the economy is already faring For now, the American Barack Obama’s $862 billion older Americans tap Medi-
well on its own and a vast economy is already gliding emergency stimulus program care, the CBO says.
generation of retiring baby along at a decent pace. in 2009, made up of spending Then there is the effect
boomers threatens to strain Growth has come in at a solid increases and tax cuts, wid- of interest rates: Decades of
the Social Security and Medi- annual rate of 3 percent or ened the budget imbalance. historically low rates have
care programs. better in each of the past two The federal deficit peaked allowed the government to
President Donald Trump quarters. Employers have at $1.4 trillion in the reces- borrow cheaply. Those days
and Republicans in Congress added jobs for a record 85 sion year of 2009 and began may be fading.
argue that their plan, which straight months. Corporate to decline as the economy The Federal Reserve,
Associated Press | J. Scott Applewhite, File
would shrink the corporate profits are strong. And the strengthened. It dropped in which kept short-term rates
tax rate and end taxes for unemployment rate is 4.1 The House Republican tax plan would add $1.5 tril- 2015. Then it started rising near zero during and after the
most wealthy estates, would percent, its lowest level in lion to the federal debt at a time when the economy is again, hitting $666 billion Great Recession, has reversed
doing pretty well on its own and the retirement of the
accelerate economic growth. nearly 17 years. in the fiscal year that ended course as the economy has
Baby Boom generation is already putting a strain on
It would do so, they say, by All of which is why some Social Security and Medicare.
Sept. 30. improved.
leaving more after-tax money analysts argue that big tax Now, even though the Longer-term rates are also
for businesses to invest and cuts aren’t needed now — last week. “The proposed tax top 1 percent of earners, economy is healthier, the expected to rise as the gov-
to increase pay for their even if they would help stim- cuts would add to an already who would save on average budget is still under strain. ernment debts grow, thereby,
employees, who would then ulate the economy, which unsustainable long-term $52,780, according to an A key reason is demo- worsening the problem. Trea-
spend more and help invigo- is far from sure. Instead, fiscal situation.” analysis by the Tax Policy graphics. The baby boom sury will likely have to pay
rate the economy. policymakers and lawmakers Mark Zandi, chief econ- Center. generation is trudging into higher rates to keep investors
Kevin Hassett, chairman could be capitalizing on good omist at Moody’s Analytics, The government runs a retirement and collecting buying its expanding debt.
of the White House Council times to take a whack at the says the cost of the Republi- deficit when it spends more Social Security and Medicare. The CBO foresees federal
of Economic Advisers, has government’s surging debt — cans’ proposed tax cuts would than it collects in taxes and a Nearly 61 million Americans interest payments rising from
contended that the proposal $14.8 trillion (or $20.5 trillion add considerably to the surplus when it takes in more were enrolled in Social Secu- 1.4 percent of GDP this year
to cut the corporate tax rate if you include including debts federal debt burden, which than it spends. Government rity last year, up from 49 mil- to 2.9 percent in 2027.
to 20 percent from 35 per- the government owes itself). now equals 75 percent of debts are the cumulative lion a decade earlier. Social Zandi warns that rising
cent could, by itself, enlarge In a report last month, the U.S. gross domestic product, result of years of deficits and Security spending is projected rates would offset any eco-
the economy by up to $1.2 International Monetary Fund the broadest measure of eco- surpluses. to rise from 4.9 percent of nomic benefits from the GOP
trillion over the long run and concluded that many wealthy nomic output. By 2027, Zandi The federal budget last GDP this year to 6 percent in tax plans.
eventually add $4,000 a year countries could afford to pare says, that burden would recorded a surplus in 2001.
equal 97 percent of GDP with Deficit spending returned
to average household income.
Those claims were promptly
their deficits by raising taxes
on the wealthiest without the tax plan and 87 percent when the dotcom bubble Nothing is more important than
dismissed as wildly optimistic jeopardizing economic without it. burst, knocking the economy
by Democrats and many growth. “It’s an unsustainable debt into recession in 2001, and planning for your Family’s future.
economists. “We should be running path,” Zandi says. the administration of Presi-
Adding to the govern- surpluses when the economy The enlarged debt would dent George W. Bush pushed When you prearrange your funeral needs with Stephens Funeral
ment’s debts poses risks, is strong,” William Gale, benefit mainly the most through tax cuts in 2001 and Homes, you relieve your family from unnecessary stress and
too: More debt could drive co-director of the Tax Policy prosperous sliver of Amer- 2003. discomfort. Our caring staff will help make sure the needs of
interest rates up as the gov- Center, wrote in a blog post icans. By 2027, nearly half The Great Recession of you and your family are put first.
ernment competes with pri- after the tax plan was released the tax cuts would go to the 2007-2009 — and the anemic
For your FREE Personal Planning Guide or more information,
COURTHOUSE from page A1 call or visit Tommy Miller at Stephens Funeral Home of Meridian,
Union or DeKalb at 601-483-2206.
United States Post Office, is “currently for court and selling the courthouse animal control and E911.
in discussion.” annex. “It gives an avenue for the depart-
“It will determine how much space “That is pretty much the leanings of ment to talk to the board of supervisors
we need to add on to the existing court- the board that any move is going to be in a legal setting,” Lafferty said last
house,” McDonald said. Supervisors temporary,” Lafferty said in a previous week. “And the committee reports to
have estimated that at least 100,000 report. “The idea of the board is to sup- the (entire) board of supervisors.” Stella McMahan
Funeral Director/
square feet of extra space is needed at port downtown Meridian and to stay In other action, the inoperable ele- Manager
the courthouse. local, but even that hasn’t been made vator at the courthouse will soon be
Luke said relocation could last up official…That could change.” up and running again, as the board Meridian Union DeKalb
29366-1
to 36 months, which is how much Lafferty has consistently maintained approved the emergency purchase of 601-483-2206 601-774-9291 601-743-5602
time it will take to renovate the court- that “everything is on the table” and $33,925 with Kone, Inc., to replace an
house. Currently, the 1905 courthouse nothing is “set in stone” until approved obsolete elevator drive. The elevator has
is in a state of disrepair. Employees
continue to work in what a Lauderdale
by the board.
In an effort to streamline communi-
not worked since Oct. 30.
“The motor went out and regard-
DEATH NOTICES POLICY
County grand jury over the summer cation between the board and depart- less of when we move we will have to The Meridian Star offers a tier-pricing system for all obituaries.
called “unacceptable” conditions “for ment heads, Wells and Board President have the elevator,” Lauderdale County There will be a minimum $25 charge for all death notices, which
employees and citizens.” An antiquated and District 3 Supervisor Josh Todd Administrator Chris Lafferty said last
ventilation system, mold problems have been appointed to the Courthouse week. are limited to 40 words and can include the name of the funeral
and insufficient emergency exits were Committee. During the meeting, supervisors home handling the arragements.
among the issues cited by the grand The committee, which met with briefly discussed the importance of Additional tier-pricing is based on word count as follows.
jury. some department heads on Monday, having a working elevator, as workers Tier 1 Obit: 1 to 100 words: $1.25 per word
Lafferty recently confirmed a will track the progress of the project and will need an elevator to move equip- Tier 2 Obit: 101-200 words: $1.00 per word
possible relocation scenario, which seek input from various departments. ment and materials when the renova- Tier 3 Obit: 201-plus words: $.75 per word
includes moving employees to the According to Lafferty, two-member tion project begins. In the meantime,
former JC Penney store at Bonita Lakes committees are common for most citizens with disabilities also require a Additional Day Publication: 50% of first day cost
Mall, using the old federal courthouse departments. Examples include IT, functional elevator. Death Notices: 1-40 words, $25 one-time fee
Online Only Obits: $200
Photos: $20 each
DEATH NOTICES Emblems: $10 each
Funeral Home Logos: $15 each
Madie Claire Chambers Martha Jane Tolbert Free flag emblem for veterans
Services for Mrs. Madie Claire Chambers will be Memorial services for Martha Jane Tolbert will be Free obiutary for military, police, fire, emergency personnel
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Webb Funeral Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memo- who died in the line of duty
Home with the Rev. Marty Harper and Bro. John rial Cemetery in Newton. Free five complimentary papers of that day’s edition.
Sweeney officiating. Burial will be at Freedom Church Martha Jane, "Sweet Thang" Tolbert, 72, of Meridian
Additional papers, $1 each; and full page plaques $75.
Cemetery. passed away surrounded by family on Nov. 4, 2017. She
Mrs. Chambers, 79, died Nov. 4, 2017, at Rush Foun- was the daughter of Albert Phillips and Martha Naomi Additional copies may be picked up at The Meridian Star office,
dation Hospital. Wedgeworth. or may be mailed with an additional charge for postage.
She is survived by her husband, Lamar Wayne Cham- She is survived by her sisters, Onie Mae Deavers of Obituaries must be submitted by a funeral home by 4 p.m. for
bers Sr.; son, Lamar Wayne Chambers Jr. (Donna); Meridian, JoAnn Phillips of Little Rock, her brother publication in the next day’s edition by faxing to 601-485-1275 or
daughters, Lisa Charlene Lee (Joe) and Rhonda Gay Jimmy Phillips of Virginia Beach and many nieces and by email at obits@themeridianstar.com.
Creel (Keith); son-in-law Marty Harper; 10 grandchildren nephews.
and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Contact Cheryl Owens at 601-693-1551, ext. 3248, Monday-
She was preceded in death by her parents, Naomi and Leroy Tolbert, her sister Florence Reed and brothers Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for more information.
Earnest Burkes and one daughter Patsy Lynn Harper. Ernest and Raymond Phillips. All obituaries are posted on The Meridian Star’s website at
Pallbearers will be Patrick Harper, Brandon Harper, A proud cancer survivor, avid Elvis fan and passionate www.MeridianStar.com.
Justin Linton, Michael Chambers, Corey Smith, Keith dog lover-to know her was to love her. Words are not
MERIDIAN STAR
Smith and Kyle Smith. possible to convey how wonderful Jane was and how
Visitation will be Tuesday night from 5-7 p.m. at much she will be missed by family and friends. Those THE
James F. Webb Funeral Home. she leaves behind will be comforted by her memory.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at In lieu of flowers a contribution to a charity of your
601-693-1551
YOUR STAR, YOUR WORLD
www.jamesfwebb.com. choice in her name is appreciated.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at
Elnora Brown www.jamesfwebb.com.
814 22nd Avenue • Meridian, MS 39301
DEKALB - Services for Ms. Elnora Brown, 70, of
Ronald Ray Rickles MANAGEMENT TEAM SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Scooba, are incomplete, and final arrangements will be BY CARRIER
announced by New Haven Memorial Funeral Home. Alexander Gould .........................Publisher EZ Pay..................................................$17.99
Mr. Ronald Ray Rickles passed away Nov. 3, 2017, at 1 Month..............................................$18.99
Ms. Elnora Brown died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, at her his residence. David Bohrer ...................................Editor 3 Months............................................$56.40
residence. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is in charge of James Rainey ...........................Circulation 6 Months......................................... $111.66
1 Year................................................ $216.49
arrangements. BY MAIL
Mandy Farrow .................... Sales Manager
Louise J. Danner His family will have a memorial service at a later date. EZ Pay..................................................$20.99
1 Month..............................................$21.99
3 Months............................................$65.31
Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner 6 Months......................................... $129.30
Funeral Home for Louise J. Danner, 90, of Meridian, who NEWROOM EDITORS 1 Year................................................ $250.69
ONLINE E-EDITION ONLY
died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at Regency Hospital. EZ Pay..................................................$13.99
David Bohrer, Editor .....................601-485-1206 1 Month..............................................$14.99
Bill Graham, News Editor ..............601-485-1228 3 Months............................................$44.50
6 Months............................................$87.99
Ida Brown, Lifesyles Editor ...........601-485-1220 1 Year................................................ $167.86
SINGLE COPY RATES
Drew Kerekes, Sports Editor..........601-485-1207 Daily $1.00 • Sunday $2.00
Where Family And Payment Information: The Meridian Star accepts no responsibility for subscription payments made
to carriers. Payments should only be made to The Meridian Star.
Friends Make Delivery: To start a home delivery subscription to The Meridian Star please call 601-693-1551 in the
Meridian dialing area or 1-800-232-2525 from outside the calling area.
The Difference ~ In the unlikely event of a missed, wet or damaged newspaper whenever possible a replacement paper
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Locally Owned & Delivery Deadlines: Our carriers should have all newspapers deliveries completed by 7 a.m.
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BOB BARHAM Operated except through an authorized newsdealer, carrier, agent or representative of The Meridian Star.
THE MERIDIAN STAR (USPS 340020) Periodical postage paid at Meridian MS, 810-22 Avenue, Act of
March 3, 1879. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to The Meridian Star, P.O. Box 1591, Meridian,
6300 Hwy 39 North MS 39302. Published Tuesday through Sunday.
21598-
601.693.8482 Your newspaper carrier is an independent contractor and payments made by subscribers to carriers are
not subject to control by The Meridian Star.
28212-1
• GOP nears Senate OK of tax bill after flurry of final deals, page A4
MERIDIAN STAR
THE
T
Saturday, December 2, 2017 Since 1898 $1.00 Your Star, Your World
NOW CELEBRATING
52 YEARS
olbert 1040 West Beacon Street • Philadelphia, Mississippi
CHevrolet-Buick 601-656-4802 tolbertchevy.com 29949-1
Miss. Power
Rickles learns, teaches officials reach
from lung cancer diagnosis settlement
on Kemper plant
By Jim Brock
jbrock@themeridianstar.com
Suspects in Frank’s
Drive-In shooting
in custody
“
Whitney Downard / The Meridian Star
Ashley Rickles of Meridan was diagnosed with lung cancer Oct. 19, despite having never been a smoker.
Hearing scheduled Monday
By Whitney Downard
By Whitney Downard wdownard@themeridianstar.com
wdownard@themeridianstar.com
The suspects of the Oct. 16 fatal shooting of
Oct. 19 will remain a date forever etched in Ashley Robert Trout at Frank’s Drive-In are now in cus-
Rickles’ memory. tody at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility.
Rickles, 36, who has never smoked, received a life- Dystiny D. Davis, 25, and Donshay Meundre
changing diagnosis that day: adenocarcinoma, a stage Sanders, 21, were transferred from the custody of
4 lung cancer. How could you be thankful the Killeen, Texas Police Department to Meridian,
“My doctor said it looked like someone took a BB following their capture Nov. 21 in Killeen.
gun and filled my lungs with tiny BBs,” Rickles said. for a diagnosis with lung Davis, of Killeen, and Sanders, of Meridian, face
“Obviously I had to educate myself quickly and it’s a charges for the murder of Trout and the attempted
little bit... intimidating.”
Rickles pulled up some statistics on her phone,
cancer? I’m thankful that I murder of three others, as well as armed robbery.
Davis and Sanders were denied bond because of
graphs that said more women die of lung cancer than know because there’s no telling their capital murder charges.
breast, ovarian and uterian combined, accounting Meridian Sgt. Dareall Thompson said the
for more than a quarter of all cancer deaths, according where I’d be in a year from Meridian Police Department anticipates more
to the Lung Cancer Alliance. arrests in the case and said details will be released
The organization adds that nearly 80 percent of now if I had not known. Monday following a preliminary hearing at noon.
those diagnosed are former or never smokers, contrary The charges come after Trout, 52, died and
— Ashley Rickles three others were shot during an armed robbery of
See RICKLES, page A2 Frank’s Drive-In, a bar on Fifth Street in Meridian.
WEATHER FORECAST
Complete details A12
Today
High: 70º
Tonight
Low: 44º
Classified ......... B4-B6
Comics................ A11
INDEX
Deaths .................. A4
Opinion ................. A8
Religion ................. A5
3 things to do today
• Candy Cane 5K Dash and
1 Mile Fun Run at
• Merry Meridian
Christmas Parade down-
• Meridian Symphony
Orchestra Peppermint Pops
www.meridianstar.com Horoscope .......... A10
St. Patrick School. Registra- town Meridian at 5 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center at 7
Sports .............. B1-B3
Local News ...... A1-A3 tion from 7:15-8:15 a.m., race p.m. FMI: 601-696-2200 or
National News . A4, A9 World News... A9, A12 begins at 8:30 a.m. 601-693-2224.
Follow us on facebook.com/meridianstar
Vol. 119 • No. 288 Copyright 2017 Facebook and Twitter @meridianstar
33462-1
A2 LOCAL THE MERIDIAN STAR
Saturday, December 2, 2017
RICKLES from page A1 A pickup truck was involved in an accident Thursday night on Valley Road in Lauderdale County. The male
driver and a female passenger were taken to a hospital with head injuries, according to the Lauderdale
County Sheriff’s Department.
to a public misconception. This advocacy work
Rickles, who has never attempts to battle a stigma
been a smoker, falls into the surrounding lung cancer –
DECEMBER 1-9
*Excludes Chanel Beauty & Fragrance
Earn points toward your choice of rewards when you use your Dillard’s Card.
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