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Barbour, Houser Expected at Fair Today - Chris Davis July 29, 2010

State Sen. Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo, the Republican nominee in north Mississippi's 1st Congressional District, used his speech Wednesday at the Neshoba County Fair to criticize the U.S. House speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California and the massive health care overhaul. He is trying to unseat Democrat Travis Childers, who was first elected in 2008. Neshoba County is not in the 1st District, but politicians for decades have flocked to the fair to speak to crowds under a tin-roofed pavilion at Founder’s Square. Other politicians who spoke Wednesday included state Auditor Stacey Pickering and local judges Vernon Cotton, Marcus Gordon and Joseph Kilgore. Gov. Haley Barbour’s speech today will be the last of the political speaking. Lake, Miss. native Randy Houser takes the stage at the grandstand at 8 p.m. The 121st edition of the Fair wraps Friday night with the Phil Vassar Show and a fireworks display.

Newton Post Office Robbed at Gunpoint - Chris Davis July 29, 2010

Authorities say two people entered the Newton Post Office brandishing a handgun and robbed the clerk of an undetermined amount of cash. Mayor David Carr said no one was injured Monday. Investigators with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are in charge of the probe. Postal service investigators have not released any information about the robbery.

Hood Brushes Choctaw Subject in Fair Speech - Chris Davis July 29, 2010

Mississippi Atty. Gen. Jim Hood chose to only brush up against the subject of the battle between he and Gov. Haley Barbour over the proposed Choctaw casino at the Neshoba County Fair Wednesday. He spoke of the battles ahead over the BP oil spill and said, “Of all times the governor wants to start an Indian war with the Choctaws and get that difficulty started.” Hood then spoke about his fight against cybercrime, domestic violence and intellectual property theft to fill out his ten minute slot. Barbour speaks today to round out the year’s political speeches. He sent a strong letter to Hood Monday with words of disappointment over Hood’s disclosure of Barbour’s intent to file a lawsuit to block the proposed Jones County casino.

Letter Says Hood Sided With "Adversary" - Chris Davis July 28, 2010

Gov. Haley Barbour’s Monday letter to Atty. Gen. Jim Hood regarding the possible litigation the governor says he will pursue to stop the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians from locating a casino in Jones County, accuses Hood of siding with gaming that is contrary to state policy. The letter, which was hand-delivered to Hood, is published on the governor’s website. Barbour also says in the letter that Hood is prevented from representing Mississippi in the suit because of his disclosure to Miko Beasley Denson and the Tribal Council of the possible lawsuit, which Barbour says broke their confidentiality. The letter also refers to the Choctaws as the state’s “legal adversary”. Barbour also again refers to the planned development as a “slot parlor”.

Friends of Walnut Grove Library Meeting - Chris Davis July 28, 2010

The Friends of Walnut Grove Public Library will hold its annual meeting, Monday, August 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the library on Main Street in Walnut Grove. Librarian Linda Bounds says upcoming events, including Walnut Grove Day, will be discussed. The holiday is set for Sept. 4. Bounds also tells Kicks98 News that preliminary plans for the renovation and expansion of the library and its facilities will be discussed. Bounds says those plans will be handled by the Town of Walnut Grove, but the Friends group will likely have some input and may wish to contribute in different ways once it is underway. All members are encouraged to attend and encourage others who support the library to come. For more information, call the library at 601-253-2483.

No Injuries in Philadelphia Plane Mishap - Chris Davis July 28, 2010

No one was injured when a plane slid off an airstrip and onto a roadway Monday. Officials with the Philadelphia Fire Dept. tell Kicks98 News that man was attempting to land a small plane at about 1:30 p.m. when his throttle stuck. The man then locked his wheels as he landed on the private airstrip on Air Park Dr. Fire officials who responded to the scene say he ran out of runway and onto Air Park Drive, striking a pickup truck. The occupants were not injured. The Federal Aviation Administration was on the scene to investigate the incident Monday. It was not known whether they had reached any findings.

Escape Artist to Face Charges in Attala Co. - Chris Davis July 28, 2010

An alleged arsonist who went on a diet and squeezed out of the Holmes/Humphreys regional jail will likely face charges in Attala County. Sheriff William Lee says 42-year-old Bruce Harrell lurked near Hwy. 440 after his June 11 escape and stole a 2006 Ford F150 from the residence of Joey McLellan. Lee says Harrell made his way to New Orleans where he burned the truck. It was recovered by New Orleans police. He then made his way to Picayune where he was arrested after checking into a motel and was returned to the jail in Lexington. Lee says Harrell’s case will be presented to a grand jury and he is likely to face arson and grand larceny charges in addition to escape and arson charges in Holmes County.

Man Out on Bond After Fairground Stabbing - Chris Davis July 27, 2010

A Neshoba County man is out of jail on bond after being charged with a Sunday morning stabbing at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds. Investigator Kevin Basinger tells Kicks98 News that 30-year-old Kellis Greer may have tried to break up a fight between 27-year-old Joseph Holley and his ex-wife and received stab wounds to the face and chest. Basinger said Greer was out of the hospital Monday. Holley is charged with aggravated assault.

Barbour Ready for Court Over Choctaw Casino - Chris Davis July 27, 2010

Gov. Haley Barbour said Monday that he's going to court to try to block a gaming development proposed by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and will hire an outside attorney. In a letter to Attorney General Jim Hood on Monday, Barbour said the development "is clearly inconsistent with the policy of this state to develop destination gaming for the economic benefit of all Mississippians." Barbour had asked Hood to look into the matter in June. Hood responded last week, saying a gaming compact signed by Republican former Gov. Kirk Fordice left the state no legal grounds to halt the plans. Warren Strain, a spokesman for the tribe, declined to comment about Barbour's letter, citing potential litigation. Strain said Mississippi State University is researching the economic impact the casino would have on the area. He said the project will extend the Pearl River Resort in Neshoba County, which employs about 3,000 and has an annual payroll of around $86.5 million. Strain said the Jones County development will create up to 250 jobs, with one-third reserved for tribe members.

Neshoba County Fair Continues - Chris Davis July 27, 2010

The Neshoba County Fair continues with activities all day, rides on the midway, food and cool treats and country music star Luke Bryan at 8 p.m. The 121st edition of the fair, which has been termed “Mississippi’s Giant House Party” continues until Friday, with political speaking beginning Wednesday and concerts still ahead from Randy Houser, Gloriana and Phil Vassar.

April Tornado Three Months Later - Chris Davis July 27, 2010

Three months after a monster tornado plowed nearly 150 miles through Mississippi, survivors are rebuilding homes and businesses, and officials say most of the debris has been cleared. The spring tornado bumped down in Louisiana before skipping across the Mississippi River, slamming into Warren, Yazoo and Holmes counties and killing five before hitting Attala County. It then killed five in Choctaw County. Driving on Hwy. 440 near Hesterville it is easy to see that recovery is far from complete. The debris is gone, but Bernice Miller’s home is still being rebuilt. Her house was gutted and her roof taken by the April 24 storm. Brent McKnight, emergency management director for Choctaw County, said about 15 families are still living in FEMA trailers set up in a recreational vehicle park. About a dozen other families have moved into MEMA cottages. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it has cleared nearly 69.1 million tons of tornado debris from the five counties. Attala County had 5,671 tons.

Two Hurt in Zama Accident - Chris Davis July 27, 2010

Two people were seriously injured in a one car accident Sunday in Attala County. Attala Fire and Rescue crews tell Kicks98 News the roll-over occurred near Zama on Hwy. 19 south at 6:49 p.m. Two people were transported to the Montfort Jones emergency room with serious, but unspecified injuries. The two were then airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Their names were not released. The Mississippi Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the wreck. Storms had moved through the area earlier, causing dangerous driving conditions. It is unclear whether that may have played a part.

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