Natchez, Miss.
Postings Daily
Sheriff David Hedrick See our CPSO Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CPsheriff.
Voters in Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties go to the polls Tuesday, April 2 for a Republican Primary Runoff Election. Ron Eller and Andrew Scott Smith will be on the ballot for the Republican nomination for the 2nd Congressional District. The winner faces Bennie Thompson in November.
The Cancer Screening Mobile Unit of the Cenla Medication Access Program’s will visit Catahoula Parish on April 16 and 17 to offer free breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screenings for eligible Central Louisiana residents. The mobile unit will be located in the parking lot of Ford’s Grocery at 612 4th Street in Jonesville on Tuesday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Wednesday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Services include mammograms, cervical screenings and take-home colorectal cancer kits. Appointments are required. Annual mammograms are recommended for women ages 40-64, cervical screenings are scheduled every other year for women ages 25-64, and colorectal screenings for men and women ages 45-64. Residents should contact the Cancer Screening Project to see if they qualify; we accept the uninsured and Medicaid. The Cancer Screening Mobile Unit is a partnership between The Rapides Foundation, CMAP and the Partners in Wellness Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport. To request an appointment, please call Cancer Screening Specialist Stephanie Heinen at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 1-855-767-3027.
Boat ramp repairs
The Okhissa Lake recreational area remains open but its boat ramp remains closed for repairs. The repairs are taking longer than expected because rains keep increasing the lake level. And water has to be drained from the lake more often than expected to keep the boat ramp dry.
When law enforcement arrested Myracle L. Washington, 22, of Natchez, on misdemeanor charges in February, subsequent investigation and a preliminary hearing led her misdemeanors to be retired to the file. However, she has formally been charged with felony sexual battery and her case has been turned over to the grand jury, which may or may not indict her.
The Concordia Parish Police Jury had asked Juror Genesia Allen to form a local committee of volunteers who wish to spearhead the restoration of the old parish courthouse. Allen will look for any available grants and her committee will draw up plans for interior and exterior improvements. The old courthouse was built in 1939 and is now considered a historic building.
Very slight increase in jobs
Adams County reported 9,670 people with jobs in February, up 50 jobs from a year ago. First quarter reports are usually the worst of the year. The March report will also show some slack in the number of jobs. But normally April-June show better numbers. The second quarter is a time when retail, service sector and agriculture employment improve.
When Madison Bidco, a British investment firm, bought Velocys in December for a little over $5 million, it did so knowing that Velocys lacked the capital or resources to carry out any of its projects, including the Bayou Fuels biomass refinery for Natchez. Velocys had pledged to take the Bellwood Industrial Park and make a $500+ million investment in Natchez, when it didn’t have the capital to build anything at all. This past year, Velocys was nearly out of cash, unable to raise more private equity funding, with ever increasing multimillion dollar losses. To continue its planning phases, the company was using grant monies from the U.S. government. Madison will now take the company private because the Velocys stock price is so low not to be viable. Madison says it has raised $40 million from investors to pursue Velocys projects, including those in Natchez and Ohio. However, Madison still does not have the resources necessary to do the Natchez project, which has already received subsidies from Adams County and Mississippi taxpayers as well as Uncle Sam. In its most recent press release, Velocys went into great detail about its production plans for Ohio, barely mentioning the larger project in Natchez at all. That lengthy discussion led me to question even more whether the Natchez project is even a dream-like possibility due to its high projected cost of construction. Note: Velocys normally reported its financials in British pounds because it is a British company. As a publicly owned company, it reported its revenues, expenses and detailed finances every six months. Now that it is a private company, it does not have to make its finances public.
The State of Mississippi returns some of the sales tax collected to towns and cities. Using a sales tax year that starts July 1, the state returned $4.0 million to Natchez July 1, 2022-February 28, 2023. For the year July 1, 2023-February 29, 2024, sales tax returned amounted to $3.8 million, a 5 percent decline. Natchez will still get receipts in March, April, May and June before the tax year is complete.
Adams County audit cites errors
Bridgers CPAs of Vicksburg was not able to finish the Adams County 2022 audit on time, being more than six months late, because the county did not collect its data and pass it to the CPAs in a timely fashion. Findings included here: 1. The county did not always follow state purchasing rules. The county paid a few invoices without the proper documentation. In response to the error, supervisors appointed a new purchasing clerk. 2. Purchases from the road department were authorized by persons other than the road manager. The county says it will correct this problem. 3. Bank reconciliations were out of balance by small amounts. Circuit Clerk Eva Givens had assigned a lower level clerk to handle this, and that clerk was unable to figure out why there were discrepancies. Additionally, the fee account was not reconciled for an entire month. 4. Circuit Clerk Givens did not deposit excess funds into the county's general fund on a timely basis. Givens failed to make her annual financial report on time. Once filed, she also claimed an expense of $16,805 that was not allowable. Unfortunately, it was a lower level clerk that made the reporting error. Additionally, there were math errors in computing retirement contributions. The CPAs said Givens should re-file the report with the appropriate corrections. Givens did not respond to the problems herself. But the unnamed clerk said she would correct the errors. The CPAs pointed out that these statute responsibilities belong to Givens herself as the elected official. 5. Tax Collector Terrence Bailey showed an overage of $526,000. The Tax Collector kept his own manual accounting system on spreadsheets, instead of using the Delta software used by county offices for many years. He did not know how to use the software, despite being in office for four years. As a result, it was not possible for the CPAs to verify his accounting procedures and tallies as necessarily accurate. The Tax Collector's Office has repeatedly not performed bank reconciliations since 2018. The audit showed he did not compare reconciled cash with booked cash. And the amounts were different. Additionally, the lack of accurate bookkeeping made it uncertain as to whether Adams County, the City of Natchez and Natchez-Adams School District got the proper amounts due. The CPAs concluded the lack of controls over cash could result in the loss or misappropriation of funds. The CPAs did not feel confident that the stated cash figures from Bailey's office were accurate or could be substantiated, so they left those figures out of their report. Bailey responded saying he has passed on all collections to the various entities required, including state and local. He arranged for Delta consultants to come and teach him about the software in Fall 2023. Whether that training was successful is unknown. And whether he has corrected the glaring bookkeeping and cash control problems is unknown.
Adams County deputies arrested Darrell White, 21, of Natchez, for burglary of a dwelling.
Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said his deputies deserve more pay, as they are doing a good job but are leaving for better paying jobs. Supervisors then agreed to raise the pay of 10 deputies in hopes of holding onto them. The sheriff's office has laid off some jailers because inmates are being housed in Concordia. Some jailers have been retained and with the cost of housing inmates in Concordia will likely increase overall expenditures. The increasing cost of carrying 75 county law enforcement personnel, including overtime costs, was one of the factors leading to last year’s county budget crisis. Supervisors made some cuts and increased property tax millage 14.5 percent as a result of poor budgeting. Supervisors recently voted to go ahead with plans to build a new jail. While the specifics of the jail, cost and financing of the new facility have not been finalized, once built, operational costs for the sheriff’s office will continue to rise.
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Vidalia, Ferriday and Clayton returns
Saturday's election returns include Vidalia, Ferriday and Clayton results. Vidalia Chief of Police: Joey Merrill 63%*, Frank Duson 37%; Vidalia Alderman A: Tron McCoy 57%*, Chakatria Fitzgerald 11%, Christine Washington 10%, Bonita Cage 10%, Joseph McCoy 5%; Vidalia Alderman B: Robert Gardner 57%*, Cassandra Lynch 43%; Vidalia Alderman D: Tommy Probst 64%*, Debbie Brocato 38%. Ferriday Mayor runoff: Alvin Garrison 49%*, Joey Bazile III 18%*, Deborah Jones 16%, Rydell Turner 9%, James Skipper 4%, Mitchell Hunter 3%, Charles Anderson 1%; Ronnie Reese 1%; Ferriday Alderman A: Dra'Carl Walker 58%*, Brandi Bacon 42%; Ferriday Alderman B runoff: Devin Bryan 40%*, Devonte Schiele 32%*, Juan King 14%, Elijah Banks 13%; Ferriday Alderman D runoff: Andre Keys 48%*, Ashley Skipper 32%*, Patricia Williams 13%, Jennie Kimble 8%; Ferriday Alderman E: Gloria Lloyd 58%*, Essie Green 30%, David Turner 11%; Clayton Mayor: Robert Lee 84%*, Cortlandt Flournoy 16%.
The Natchez Planning Commission agreed with the owner of Ravenna that he could add two more bed bed and breakfast rooms to the three he has now. But the commission denied owner Mark Beasley permission to do weddings, parties and corporate special events. The city planner had recommended approval, but the commission listened to neighbors who said they didn’t want extra traffic on their street or the noise from outdoor events.
Adams County supervisors want to reconstitute the pool commission to oversee the city-county pool. The commission was eliminated last year. The city hasn’t said whether it favors the idea. Last time, the commission rented the pool for alcohol events, increasing the risk of injury to patrons and of liability to taxpayers. Additionally, not all pool rental revenues showed up in the bank account.
Matt Lee Mason Jr., Tyberia Bell
A Concordia Parish jury has found Matt Lee Mason Jr. guilty of the Aug. 2022 strangulation death of Tyberia Bell. Judge Kathy Johnson will sentence him April 3.
Natchez police and Adams deputies pursued a couple after they fled a traffic stop on Providence Rd. After a hour long chase, authorities captured and arrested Shonkerria Calvin, 23, and Antonio Coleman, 38, both of Natchez. Coleman had oustanding warrants in Natchez-Adams County. Calvin was charged with expired registration and felony fleeing. Coleman faces his warrants plus charges for possession of Ecstasy and marijuana with intent to distribute.
Dr. Tracy Cook has been serving as interim president of Alcorn State. He has now been appointed permanent president.
Tamala Hughes
Tamala Hughes, an English teacher for the Natchez School District, has been named a finalist for Mississippi Teacher of the Year.
The CPSO Child Exploitation Unit began investigating an adult subject, after complaints were made by two juveniles, stating that he had touched them in a sexual manner on numerous occasions. After conducting forensic interviews with both children, detectives also interviewed the adult subject, who confessed to the allegations. He was taken into custody today by the LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Office without incident and will be transported to the CPSO jail. Arrested was Dustin Wayne Mullins, 31, of Vidalia, for two counts of Molestation of a Juvenile and Indecent Behavior with Juveniles.
Vidalia Methodist Church's plans for a new church on Oak Street are approved and bids for the new church will be received April 23. In July 2021, the old Methodist Church was destroyed by fire.
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Jason Tyson killed by Benjamin Ceasor
On March 18, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E was requested by the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office to respond and investigate a three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 425 at U.S. Highway 84 that occurred inside the city limits of Ferriday. The crash claimed the life of 44-year-old Jason Tyson of Ferriday. The initial investigation revealed that 29-year-old Benjamin Ceasor of Ferriday, driving a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria, was wanted by Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) for aggravated assault with a firearm. A CPSO deputy identified and conducted a traffic stop with Ceasor at EE Wallace Road and Texas Avenue. Ceasor fled the initial traffic stop, ran the stop sign at U.S. Highway 425 and collided head-on with a 2017 Ford F250 and a 2020 Ford F150. Ceasor, whose restraint usage is unknown, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Ford F250 and a juvenile passenger in the Ford F150, who were restrained, sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Ford F150, who also was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. Toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. LSP arrested Ceasor and charged him with aggravated flight for an officer (two counts), felony hit and run (two counts), vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injury (two counts), resisting an officer by providing false information, stop sign violation and felon in possession of a firearm. This crash remains under investigation. Ceasor was arrested in 2017 by Concordia deputies and charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and three counts of resisting an officer after allegedly committing a drive by shooting in Clayton.
Friends of CPSO Approach with Care program, aimed at providing the highest level of service to people in our community with special needs. The goal of the program is to help law enforcement and first responders recognize when a vehicle or a home may be occupied by a person with a special need. Law enforcement officers and first responders will recognize that there may be a person with a special need when they see a decal placed on the rear window of a vehicle or near the front door of a residence. The decal reads, "Friends of Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office" and "Approach with Care". The decal displays ribbons that represent some of the special needs that the program encompasses. These special needs can include, but are not limited to: dementia, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, down syndrome, hearing impaired or any other physical or mental disability. Sheriff Hedrick wants to ensure that all interactions between law enforcement and persons with special needs are positive and safe for everyone involved. The objective of the decal is to limit misunderstandings and communication barriers. The two ways to register someone for the Approach with Care program: 1. Visit the CPSO website www.concordiasheriff.org and click Approach with Care to complete the "Friends of Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office" registration form. 2. Use the Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office mobile app: Click "more", then click "Friends of Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office" to complete the registration form. Once registration is complete, decals will be mailed to you and your information will be given to 911 to be added into the computer system. Contact Public Information Officer Brandy Spears at 318-437-0439 with questions.
Firefighters responded to a travel trailer fire on Patsy Brown Rd. The resident has in the trailer escaped without injury but the trailer was quickly consumed by the fire.
City prefers Arrow Disposal
Natchez aldermen held a second meeting to discuss the new garbage contract on Tuesday. The mayor and aldermen wanted to comply with the open meetings law based on the advice of the city attorney, after conducting their first meeting behind closed doors. Aldermen still prefer to do business with Arrow Disposal. Mayor Gibson said Arrow has offered the lowest price so far. Arrow's submitted rate is 18.94 per month per household for one time per week pickup and 21.94 for twice per week pickup. The cost increases to 22.44 with disposal for once per week pickup and 25.44 with disposal for twice per week. New carts would be provided by Arrow. The city has the option of adding to the monthly rate to cover the cost of mosquito spraying, bookkeeping and to allow for past dues. The city bills garbage collection through its water bills. The new contract will start in June.
Benny Vault Sr., former Jonesville police chief and one of Catahoula’s most respected citizens, died earlier this month. His family and friends will remember his kindness and outgoing personality at a balloon release at the softball park on March 22 at 7 p.m.
Due to a large rate increase in garbage pickup price for Jonesville, which will result in an increase for citizens, the mayor and council are still in the process of negotiating with the company. No agreement has been met, therefore garbage pickup is on hold.
Natchez Powwow
The 2024 Natchez Powwow will be held March 23-24 on the north end of the Bluff on Broadway. Mar. 22 schedule includes Food and Craft and Farmer Market Vendors, open 9 a.m., Traditional Stickball Game 11 a.m., Gourd Dance 1 p.m., Grand Entry and Intertribal Dancing 2:30 p.m., Camp Feed for Singers and Dancers and family/friends 4 p.m., Gourd Dance 6 p.m., Grand Entry and Intertribal Dancing 7 p.m., Closing 9 p.m. March 24 schedule includes Food and Craft Vendors open 9 a.m., Gourd Dance 1 p.m., Grand Entry and Intertribal Dancing 2:30 p.m, Spectators should bring lawn chairs.
Natchez aldermen voted to move the city primary from April 2 to April 9.
Concordia Parish Schools will move to a four-day school week in the fall. The school board voted 8-1 for the change.
Vidalia Chief of Police JOEY MERRILL thanks you for your support on Election Day. Looking forward to serving you over the next four years. Let's work together to KEEP VIDALIA SAFE. Paid for by the Joey Merrill campaign.
Primary election
Concordia voters go to the polls March 23 for a Presidential preference primary. Vidalia, Ferriday and Clayton voters have municipal primaries. Vidalia candidates are: Chief of Police: Frank Duson, Joey Merrill;Alderman District 1: Bonita D. Cage, Chakatria Johnson Fitzgerald, Joseph McCoy, Triand McCoy, Christine Washington; Alderman District 2: Robert Lee Gardner Jr., Cassandra D. Lynch; Alderman District 4: Deborah Brocat, Tommy Probst; and Mayor Buz Craft, unopposed; Alderman District 3, Brent Smith, unopposed; and Alderman District 5, Jon Betts, unopposed. The Ferriday ballot includes: Mayor: Charles Anderson, Joey Bazile III, DeBorah Elaine-Jones, Alvin Garrison, Mitchell Hunter, Ronnie Reese, James Skipper, Rydell Turner; Alderman District A: Brandi Bacon, Dra’Carl Walker; Alderman District B: Elijah Banks, Devin Bryan, Juan King, Devonte Schiele; Alderman District C: Gail Pryor, Unopposed; Alderman District D: Andre Keys, Jennie Kimble, Ashley Skipper, Patricia Williams; and Alderman District E: Essie Green, Gloria Lloyd, David Turner. The only contest in Clayton is for mayor: Cortlandt Flournoy, Robert James Lee are candidates.
Natchez police arrested Evin Felton, 34, of Fayette, for aggravated assault and attempts to do injury and commit malicious mischief.
Natchez aldermen will open bids April 18 for sidewalk improvements to be made on Commerce St. between Main and Franklin. The project will include making the sidewalks ADA compliant and installing eight new light poles with bases.
Ava Landry
Natchez Early College at Co-Lin student Ava Landry was selected as a 2024 William Winter Scholar for Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She was honored at the 35th Annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration. Each Winter Scholar is chosen by his or her educational institution as the Humanities Division's most outstanding student, faculty member, or professional. The annual award also carries with it prestige and public acknowledgment of how highly the person is regarded by his or her institution.
Ord Lee Moore, 59, of Concordia, was reported missing and has been found safe.
The Natchez-Adams School District begins registration for next year on March 25.
Destin Bradley
In January, Destin Bradley, 7, of Natchez, smelled fire at his home. His mom, Ravyn, thought the smell was just her cooking. His dad, Robert, was asleep in the bedroom. Destin continued his investigation, going outside to find the family’s dog shed on fire. It was so cold, the family had put an electric heater in the shed and the dog had turned it over. Since the pipes were frozen, Destin and his sister used some blankets to smother the fire. And the parents were able to retrieve a few buckets of water to help. Destin’s quick action saved his family’s home from burning. The family dog suffered no injury.
Natchez’s homeless encampment next to Walmart on city property continues to attract the mentally ill and drug dependent. So far, the city has taken no action to remove the vagrants, and as a result, the number of homeless living there has doubled. The homeless are accosting customers going into Walmart and are occasionally seen inside Walmart itself.
Natchez police found the skeletal remains of a person near First Lutheran Church just off Sgt. Prentiss Drive and Fatherland Rd. The remains have been sent to the state for an autopsy.
JA'MAR WHITE for NATCHEZ ALDERMAN, WARD 5: Transparent Leadership, Safer Neighborhoods, City Sponsored Youth Programs, Improved Infrastructure. Vote for an Alderman Who Will Stay in Touch with You BEFORE and AFTER the Election. Thank you for your vote and support on April 9. https://www.facebook.com/jamar.white.9216 Paid for by the JA'MAR WHITE campaign.
Sales tax collections dip
Natchez sales tax collections dropped quite a bit in Feb. 2024 compared to Feb. 2023, from $452,000 last Feb. to $421,000 this Feb., a drop of 7 percent. For the period July-February, the city has received $3.8 million, down from $4.0 million from the year before, a 5 percent decline. The state distributes a portion of the sales tax it collects back to towns and cities.
The Concordia School Board has voted 8-1 to go to a four day week beginning in August. The Legislature is considering a bill that would mandate a five day week. Eleven of the state’s 69 school districts are on a four day week. Concordia would be the 12th.
On March 14 in Concordia Parish, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a one-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 84 at Pete Davis Road. The crash claimed the life of 76-year-old Robert Hood of Jonesville. The initial investigation revealed that a 1999 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Hood, was traveling east on U.S. Highway 84. For reasons still under investigation, Hood’s vehicle left the roadway, traveled down the ditch embankment and struck a tree. Hood, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Hood’s juvenile passenger, restraint usage unknown, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Grand opening soon
The new Jordan Carriers headquarters building is almost finished. The headquarters is at 188 Hwy. 61 South in Natchez and will celebrate its grand opening on March 28 at 11 a.m. The public is invited.
Natchez aldermen to spend $600,000 to repair the Canal St. Bridge. The bridge will remain open as work is done. Mayor Gibson said the bridge will eventually have to be replaced at an estimated cost of $6 million.
The Brushy Bayou flood control and drainage project will receive another $4.3 million in FEMA funding to complete the work budgeted at just over $10 million. Concordia Parish suffers from lowland flooding during torrential rains and extended rainy periods, as well flooding from the Tensas River. And the work is expected to have a positive impact, reducing some of the flooding that affects agricultural and residential properties in the northern and western parts of the parish.
Syrah reduces its debt
AustralianSuper, a trade union investment fund, will convert $64 million in notes it holds from Syrah Technologies to Syrah common stock. The transaction will allow the fund to purchase the stock at a 19 percent discount. This swap of notes to common stock will free up Syrah’s cash to help pay for its ongoing operations. Such a swap is common in corporate financing, as it frees a company from debt and allows the investor to reap a huge profit immediately with hopes of making more in the future, if the common stock share price increases. An oversupply of lithium based products in the world markets has negatively impacted the company’s finances, showing a loss of $33 million in the first six months of 2023, its most recent reporting period. Syrah’s revenues have fallen from $49 million to $28 million compared to the similar reporting period last year. The company’s cash position is still relatively strong at $100 million but it owes $38 million in accounts payable. Syrah owes $186 million in borrowing and leases.
Ferriday Police Chief Sam King made a stop for a traffic violation and ended up arresting two men and a juvenile for possession of multiple drugs with intent to distribute and illegal possession of weapons. Those arrested include Kadarrius Terrell, 25, of Natchez, Kamron Singleton, 20, also of Natchez, and an unnamed juvenile from Ferriday. The trio were in possession of marijuana, Promethazine, Alprazolam and Ecstasy and handguns. Terrell was shot in the back and wounded by a gang member in Broadmoor in early 2023. Singleton was arrested by Adams deputies for stealing several ATVs as part of a theft ring in 2021.
The Concordia Parish Police Jury is thinking about hiring ChemPro, a company that provides spraying of ditches and adjacent to roads to cut back on vegetation. The Quebec company would charge the parish $95 a mile for spraying both sides of the road twice a year.
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Murderer still on the loose
If you have information on the whereabouts of Jaimonte Davis, 23, of Natchez, call Adams deputies at 601-442-2752. He is wanted for a 2018 aggravated assault in which he shot and wounded a man and for the 2023 shooting murder of two men in the Cash Savers parking lot. A $5000 Crimestoppers reward is available leading to his arrest and conviction.
April 1 is the deadline for making changes with your Homestead Exemption in Mississippi. If you already have the exemption, you don’t need to change anything. But if you bought or sold property, turned 65 in the last year, got married, widowed or divorced, you should check with your county’s tax assessor office to see if those changes will benefit you with a slightly lower tax bill.
The new Natchez Youth Baseball League has signed up 311 kids to play this spring. Natchez Rec Director Ryan Porter and volunteers are helping organize the program. Kids as young as three have signed up. So far, only 15 eleven and twelve year olds have signed to play. So organizers are hoping to get a few more older kids to create two teams in that age group.
Dog park donation
The AAZ chapter of PTK, Copiah-Lincoln Community College-Natchez made the first donation to the Natchez Dog Park. The Natchez-Adams County Community Alliance Dog Park project is moving forward. This $1,000 donation is a step forward in making the park a reality. Stay tuned and reach out if you are interested in being involved. Thank you to Adara Blalock, Beth Richard, and Betty Jo Harris for representing Co-Lin PTK.
Natchez police received a tip that led them to find and arrest Eddie W. Jones, 57, of Natchez. Jones was wanted for exploiting the elderly. He often does households jobs and repairs for seniors and then bilks them out of their money. In March 2023, he was arrested on multiple charges, including failing to show up for court. He was then given an easy bond of $1100 in city court. He posted bond, was freed and he didn’t show up for court again. In Feb. 2024, he was bound over to the grand jury on his felonies.
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson traveled to D.C. The highlight of the week was Friday, when Congressional and Presidential approval of over $3 million for projects in Natchez was secured, to include a new fire truck for the Natchez-Adam's Airport, important drainage projects for south Natchez and landscaping and infrastructure improvements for Revels Plaza and our Natchez US Colored Troops site. Lobbying for these projects began a year ago when Supervisor Warren Gaines and the mayor made a trip to Washington to visit with our congressional delegation. Supervisors Rickey Gray and Angela Hutchins also made a visit of their own three weeks ago.
Judge Reeves denies bond
Judge John Reeves took the threat to the community seriously after three Concordia residents participated in a shooting in Ferriday on Friday that killed a man. Accused shooter Otis Frazier received no bond. Frederick Frazier, who allegedly supplied Otis with the firearm, received no bond. And Ann Lewis, who allegedly impeded the police investigation, received a $450,000 bond.
Rev. Reginald Buckley of the General Missionary Baptist Convention said his organization will spend $797,000 to repair the Huddleston Chapel at Natchez College. An Eli Lily grant will pay for most of the work and repairs will begin soon. The Convention wants to rehab the entire Natchez College campus for a new arts center.
Franklin County Promotions has donated the Bude fairgrounds to the county board of supervisors. Supervisors are talking about making improvements to the property.
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Three arrests in Ferriday
Ferriday police said Kaderrius Minor was shot and killed near Louisiana and Mickey Gilley Avenues on Friday night. Officers made three arrests. Otis Frazier, 38, was charged with second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, convicted felon in possession of gun, illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice. Fredrick Frazier, 40, was arrested as a principal to second degree murder, principal to attempted second degree murder, obstruction of justice and illegally supplying a felon with a gun. Ann Lewis, 42, was arrested for obstruction of justice. Other arrests are pending.
A Mississippi appeals court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of Zachary Minor of Natchez for trafficking marijuana and THC edibles. Minor was arrested in 2019, tried and convicted by a jury in 2021. Judge Debra Blackwell sentenced him to 10 years in jail to be followed by probation for 10 years. The appeals court said the trial was fair and the jury and judge’s actions were appropriate.
Concordia Parish noted a small decline of 58 jobs compared to a year ago. The parish reports now 6514 people working.
New garbage contract
Arrow Disposal’s six-year contract for city of Natchez garbage and recycling pickup ends at the end of May. Aldermen open bids for a new contract at Tuesday’s meeting. Currently, residents pay $24.15 a month for the service. $1 of the monthly fee covers mosquito control.
The Mississippi Presidential Preference Primary is March 12. All polls are open 7a.m.-7 p.m.
Early voting runs through March 16 for the March 23 primary election. Offices on the ballot include mayor, chief of police and alderman races for Vidalia, Ferriday and Clayton. All Concordia voters can vote in the presidential preference primary.
Supervisors sue Delta Energy
Adams County supervisors have filed suit against Delta Energy-Natchez, saying the closed company did not meet its employment guarantee to have 91 full-time employees. Delta employed 61 and received incentives from both state and local governments. The county says Delta did not follow through on its contract both in hiring and by shutting down, entitling the county to $194,000 for contract breach. Delta answered the county, admitting it did not meet employment guarantees because some planned railroad improvements were not done. Delta admits the breach and says it was the county’s fault. The suit was filed in Adams County Circuit Court in January and moved to the U.S. Southern District. Scott Slover, as board attorney, is handling the case for supervisors.
Missing teenager John Fredrick Leckie of Natchez has been found safe.
Adams County supervisors did not tell those teams and parties wanting to use the new Chester Willis Field that they should reserve use of the field with a county administrative assistant. It turns out Natchez High gave Alcorn permission to use the field, even though the schools have no ownership or authority over the field. It’s considered normal for a “renter” of a public field in most communities to sign a contract for the use of the field, which includes satisfying security, insurance and safety concerns, specifying what gate and concession fees and conditions will be and what rental fee will be paid to the owner of the field. The rental fee covers maintenance, cleanup, grounds prep and electricity for lights. The county was in such a hurry to open the field, it did publicize the field’s rental or contract terms. Whether Natchez High was going to charge Alcorn a fee or give it to the Braves for free is unknown.
HOP ON IN TO THE FLOWER STATION: 387 John R. Junkin Dr., Natchez. All occasion florist. Easter is Sunday, Mar. 31! See our arrangements and decorations for your home or for a gift. Live green and flowering plants from our own greenhouse. Mylar balloons. Balloon and flower bouquets. Each gift of flowers is lovingly and creatively chosen and arranged. So much beauty and wonderful decor! Prompt, professional and courteous delivery. Order online at theflowerstationms.com 601-442-7224
Another shooting
Natchez police arrested Trevor Malone 15, of Natchez, and charged him as an adult for the shooting that occurred outside of Vape Plus on Sergeant Prentice Drive Wednesday. One person was wounded. Malone has been arrested for attempted murder, shooting into a vehicle, and firing within the city limits. Also arrested were Adrian Thomas, 18, as an accessory before the attempted murder and Tyrese Thomas, 19, as an accessory after the attempted murder.
Catahoula deputies arrested Myles McMillin, 61, of Harrisonburg, after he allegedly committed 100 counts of cyberstalking. McMillin conducted an internet and messaging campaign to friends and acquaintances saying Sheriff Toney Edwards is a pedophile and Edwards was about to be arrested by the state for sending pictures of himself to a 16-year-old Concordia girl. McMillin’s messages had lots of specifics in them to make the details seem true. But all his claims were false. There was no 16 year old, no local or state investigation against Toney and no pending arrest. La. lew prohibits the sending of electronic messages accusing a person of indecent or criminal conduct. To do so is a felony. McMillin faces jail time of up to one year and a $2000 fine if convicted.
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security reported Adams County had 10,100 people employed in December and just 9,660 employed in January. Losses in retail, service jobs and manufacturing contributed to the decline.
New jail likely
Adams County supervisors plan to accept a donation of 30+ acres of land on Hwy. 61 North from an unnamed donor to build a new jail and justice center. A Jackson-based construction company will update jail plans and the building costs, estimated to be $8-10 million. Supervisors may ask the Legislature to pass a private bill to authorize long term financing. A tax increase to build and operate the jail is likely. Supervisors already increased property taxes 14.5% this year because they lost track of their revenues and expenses and spent themselves into a hole.
Natchez police reported break-ins and burglaries overnight at Home Furnishings, Farm Bureau and Dairy Queen, all on John R. Junkin Drive. DQ suffered significant vandalism as well as the burglary.
The Meadville St. Patrick’s Day parade will be March 7 at 5:30p. It is sponsored by the Lion’s Club.
Travis Patten and Felicia Bridgewater Irving
The Natchez Business and Civic League chose Sheriff Travis Patten and Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater Irving as its Man and Woman of the Year.
Adams deputies said John Frederick Leckie, 16, of Natchez, is missing. He has been missing since Sunday. If you know of his whereabouts, call ACSO at 601-442-2752.
CPSO detectives received a call on Feb. 26, regarding a juvenile who had been given narcotics and physically attacked by an adult male subject who she was reportedly in the vehicle with at that the time of the call. The vehicle was located at the Sonic in Ferriday, with both the adult subject and juvenile inside, at which time the detectives made contact with the driver. He was detained and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, narcotics and was out on bond for an attempted murder charge in Catahoula Parish. As the investigation went on, it was learned that the juvenile had been with him for two days, under the influence of narcotics and had engaged in sexual activity numerous times. Later the same date, narcotics detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence in Clayton, at which time three grams of fentanyl was recovered, along with $1255 in counterfeit cash. Arrested was Myja Thompson, 26, of Clayton, for Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of Schedule II CDS (Fentanyl), Monetary Instrument Abuse, Possession of Schedule I CDS (Marijuana).
Asjleigh Johnson
Miss Natchez Hospitality 2024 is Ashleigh Johnson. She will compete statewide for a $100,000 scholarship. She currently attends Co-Lin .
The body of a missing man, Philip “Tip” Gordon, of Crosby, has been found in rural Wilkinson County, near Crosby. Officials have not indicated any cause of death.
Natchez police arrested Tiffany Lynn Brown, 27, of Crosby, for burglary. She had been arrested in August in Lincoln County for burglary, placed on bond and released. She is currently being held at the Natchez Police Department.
Two new businesses
The owner Pure Carwash in McComb says he will open his second location on Sgt. Prentiss Dive in Natchez. Richard LaNasa says that he subdivided his lot and the buyer will build and open a Zaxby’s restaurant next door to his car wash in Natchez.
Kevontay Haynes, 26, accused of murder and kidnapping, was recently been seen in Jonesville and Ferriday driving a dark green 2017 Toyota Camry with initials on the back glass reading KNS inside a circle. The car has Texas tags. Haynes was wanted for murder in Monroe and should be considered extremely dangerous. He has been captured.
Ja’Quarius Davis, 21, of Ferriday, allegedly burglarized cars and shot and wounded a man near Maryland Heights in February 2022. He also stole a car in Ferriday to perform the burglaries. He was then arrested and recently indicted for both aggravated assault and burglary in Adams County. But he is not considered a continuing threat to property or people, so he has been allowed back on the street with a $50,000 bond.
Larry and Brenda Holmes and their home
George F. Bowles built this house between 1886 and 1890, according to Mimi Miller of the Historic Natchez Foundation. It is located on the very site that was home to Natchez’s first public hospital building, the Mississippi State Hospital, built in 1813. The main section of the hospital was demolished in 1866. The city has placed a historic marker on the property. Larry and Brenda Holmes are owners of the house.
Dr. Roscoe Barnes III has been elected vice president of the Mississippi Historical Society. He serves as cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez.
Firefighters from Natchez, Adams County, Franklin County and Concordia Parish responded to a large fire of tires, cars, car parts, wood, plastic and metal debris at a junkyard at 10 Ratcliff Road in Adams County. The property owners’ mobile home at the site burned to the ground. No injuries were reported. It took hours to fight the fire as there were so many combustibles.
Loan for fire truck
Natchez aldermen will borrow $500,000 from the Miss. Development Authority to help pay for a new Rosenbauer Custom Chassis fire truck. Supervisors have agreed to earmark a $90,000 grant for the purchase. Total cost for the rig will be about $680,000. The purchase of a new truck contributes to the city’s fire rating and lower priced fire insurance for property owners.
La. Early Voting runs March 9-16, including voting for Vidalia and Ferriday municipal elections. The March 23 primary includes the Presidential preference primary for all parish voters.
Vidalia police arrested Paxton McCullen, 51, of Natchez, for obstruction of justice, public intimidation and possession of contraband in a penal facility.
Wilkinson prison cited
The Justice Department announced its findings that conditions of confinement at three Mississippi Department of Corrections facilities violate the 8th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The Department’s 60-page report details its findings from a thorough investigation of the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, South Mississippi Correctional Institution, and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. These three prisons currently house about 7,200 people. The report concludes that MDOC routinely violates the constitutional rights of people incarcerated at all three facilities by failing to protect them from widespread physical violence. The state does not adequately supervise the incarcerated population, control the flow of contraband, adequately investigate incidents of serious harm, or provide adequate living conditions. These problems are exacerbated by chronic understaffing that has allowed gangs to exert improper influence inside the prisons. The report also concludes that Mississippi unconstitutionally subjects persons at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility to prolonged restrictive housing under harsh conditions that places them at substantial risk of serious physical and psychological harm. “The conclusion of the investigation and the issuance of findings is only the start of the work necessary to ensure that the state of Mississippi and the Mississippi Department of Corrections fulfill their constitutional obligations to the people it incarcerates,” said U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee for the Southern District of Mississippi. “The minimum remedial measures outlined in this report create the framework for what the state must do to reasonably protect people in these facilities from violence and prevent deprivation of fundamental physical and psychological needs. While this report makes clear that there is much work for the state to do, we are committed to working with state officials to ensure that Mississippi abides by its constitutional obligations.”
Trinity Medical’s board has re-elected Jim Graves as its chairman. He has served for eight years, including during the transition between Riverland and Trinity. He is widely regarded as a key person in the growth of the hospital in both services and finances.
Vidalia police arrested Paxton McCullen, 51, of Natchez, for obstruction of justice, public intimidation and possession of contraband in a penal facility. Those arrested are considered not guilty unless convicted by a court of law.
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New study planned
Natchez aldermen will use an engineering firm to conduct a traffic and parking study for downtown at a cost of $37,000. The city has used parking access as a way to limit commercial development over the years, using tighter restrictions to prohibit the continuing operation of businesses when properties changed hands and to limit the number of AirBnBs. The traffic study will also look at which streets should be one way and whether diagonal parking would help in the immediate downtown area. At one time, Natchez had some diagonal parking but eliminated it in favor of parking on both sides of the street. The ideas promulgated from a traffic study are often used in conjunction with a master plan. The recommendations, if enacted, can help or harm economic development.
The Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame has awarded $11,000 in scholarships to local kids this month, including its top award of $3,000 to scholar-athlete Braeden Jarrod Gregg of Cathedral.
Spring Pilgrimage dates are set: Natchez Garden Club, March 8-April 29 and Pilgrimage Garden Club, March 9-April 9. The Pilgrimage includes tours of antebellum homes, dining and special entertainment events. For more info go to https://natchezgardenclub.org or natchezpilgrimage.com.
Stolen car ring arrests
Adams deputies arrested three local men for participating in an interstate stolen car ring. Those arrested include Ricky Lee Ellis, 34, of Fayette, Sahmaad Grayson, 23, also of Fayette, and Henry Washington Jr., 27, of Natchez. The trio was allegedly involved with thieves that moved stolen cars through Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Bond on Ellis was set at $10,000. Bond info on Grayson and Washington has not been released. Those arrested are considered not guilty unless convicted in a court of law.
Meadville police reported the town’s public works director, Howard Williams, was injured when a passing pickup truck struck him, while he was on the job, injuring his shoulder and hand. The driver did not stop. Police have a tag number and are looking for him. Williams is recovering.
Nearly 100 people participated in the Miles for Marlee walk-run in Franklin County, raising $5,000 to help pay for her medical care. Marlee Tindle was seriously injured and auto accident last year.
Remains identified as Sheryl Turner of New Iberia
On Jan. 24, the partial remains of a female body was found in the Ouachita River in Catahoula Parish by a local boater. An autopsy was ordered by Conorer Raymond Rouse and the unidentifiable remains were taken to Broussard, Louisiana, on Jan. 25 in which DNA and toxicology tests were also done. While searching for missing persons in an attempt to identify the remains, detectives came across a lead of a missing person by the name of Sheryl Turner, a 19 year old female from New Iberia who fit the description of the body detectives located. Turner had been reported missing by her twin sister Sherry Turner, stating that she had left to go to Monroe on her own with a black male that no one knew were going to Monroe, Louisiana. She was willing to give a DNA sample to match or rule out if the remains were Sheryl Turner. On Jan. 30, Detectives spoke to Sherry Turner. She wanted to meet at her father’s house at approximately 10:00 am on Wed. Jan. 31. Detectives traveled to New Iberia and learned that she had been admitted to the hospital due to complications with her pregnancy. After meeting with Sherry Turner’s parents, detectives were able to go to the hospital with the assistance of the New Iberia Police Department to collect the DNA which was submitted to the crime lab the same day. While in New Iberia, our detectives also spoke with Jerone Isiah Tines, whom Sheryl stayed with for a while. Sheryl had confided in Tines that she was going to Monroe, Louisiana. He dropped her off at her mother’s house on Jan. 1. Sheryl texted him when she made it to Monroe, but there was no further contact with him after Jan. 2. On Feb. 1, Catahoula Parish Detectives were in a boat with a cadaver dog for several hours in the Ouachita River. The dog did alert in three locations. The next day the detectives went back and scanned the areas with a live scope the dog alerted to, but waters were moving too fast to warrant sending divers down. On Feb. 21, Catahoula Parish Detectives were contacted by the Shreveport crime lab stating that DNA swabs from both the mother and father of Sherry Turner could be used to confirm or rule out Turner. The next day Catahoula Parish Detectives traveled back to New Iberia in order to collect the requested DNA swabs and delivered these swabs to the North Louisiana Crime lab in Shreveport to submit the reference samples for comparison. Verbal confirmation was given to the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office at approximately 3:40 on Feb. 23. Chief Deputy Ben Adams and Detective Dewain Littleton traveled to the home of Michael Turner, Sheryl’s father, and gave victim notification in person to the family. Sheriff Toney Edwards would like to inform the public that this is an ongoing investigation. “At this time, we are asking people, if you saw Sheryl in the Monroe area in January, to please contact the Sheriff’s office at 318-744-5411. Any information can be helpful. Also I would like to say thank you to everyone who has worked on this case and to those who called in because you knew of a missing person. During this time, we were able to rule out fifteen missing person reports. This case starts in South Louisiana and travels to Northeast Louisiana. We are working with the State Police, FBI, New Iberia Police Dept. Iberia Sheriff, and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department. Again, I want to stress, if you have a loved one you have not seen or had contact with in an unusual amount of time, do not be afraid to report them missing.”
Adams supervisors reappointed Diane Bunch to the Natchez-Adams School Board. She has been on the board since 2019. Bunch is a professor of English at Alcorn State University .
Testing licensed pulled
The Miss. Department of Health will no longer allow Rapid Analytics of Natchez to test and certify marijuana products as safe for consumers. The state conducted a two-month investigation that found that the company violated testing procedures for contaminants and for dangerous pesticides. Proper testing is important as organized crime has infiltrated the national supply of marijuana with harvested weed that had been sprayed with dangerous chemicals. The company can appeal the decision. Rapid Analytics was testing about 70 percent of the state’s legal marijuana before it ran afoul of the state.
Adams deputies arrested Archie Doss, 31, of Natchez, for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Bond was set at $50,000. He remains in jail. In 2016, he was sentenced to 11 years for aggravated assault but was released early. Those arrested are considered not guilty unless otherwise convicted in a court of law.
Funeral services for John Truett Patrick also known as "Johnny" and "JP", 73, of Lake Concordia, will be held at Young's Funeral Home in Ferriday on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Patrick was known as one of the parish's leading insurance agency owners and active in service to his community. Attuned to local politics, he also served as Concordia Parish Sheriff in the 1980's.
DeSanto Rollins
DeSanto Rollins’ suit against Ole Miss and football coach Lane Kiffin has been dismissed. Rollins had asked for $10 million in damages and another $30 million in punitive damages after the team took him off his starting position as a defensive lineman. Rollins said he was illegally removed from the team, alleging discrimination based on sex, race and disability. Ole Miss says he’s still on the team roster. Rollins can appeal the decision. He is from Woodville and graduated from Trinity in Natchez.
Natchez police originally charged Chelsea Anding, 38, of Natchez, with felony child abuse after her 9-month-old child sustained serious head injuries. The child was airlifted to Jackson, received intensive care but died of her injuries. Now Anding has been charged with second defree murder.
Woodville police are still investigating the shooting death of Danelle Harris, 24, who was found deceased in the mobile home he was renting on F. J. Johnson St. in Woodville. If you have any info that might affect this case, call Woodville Police Chief Lemuel Rutledge.
Chronic wasting disease spreads
Most of this year’s outbreak of chronic wasting disease in deer has been limited to Tensas Parish but Claiborne County has been added to the danger zone for infected deer. Northern Concordia remains on a watch list.
Gerald Boelte, 77, of Natchez, died Thursday night in an off-road accident on his property near Quitman Road. Preliminary reports said he died in an ATV utility vehicle accident.
The Miss. Department of Health will no longer allow Rapid Analytics of Natchez to test and certify marijuana products as safe for consumers. The state conducted a two month investigation that found that the company violated testing procedures for contaminants including dangerous pesticides. Proper testing is important as organized crime has infiltrated the national supply of marijuana with harvested weed that had been sprayed with dangerous chemicals. The company can appeal the decision. Rapid Analytics was testing about 70 percent of the state’s legal marijuana before it ran afoul of the state.
Repeat felon gets suspended sentence
Judge Debra Blackwell sentenced Michael S. Simpson, 41, of Natchez, to 10 years suspended, with five years reporting to a probation officer and five years with no reporting. He has previously been arrested for attempted murder, arson, stalking, criminal trespass and other misdemeanor and felony offenses. Despite his lengthy rap sheet and illegally carrying a gun, the judge felt he deserved a suspended sentence and immediate freedom.
Many residents showed up an open meeting to protest high rates now charged by Concordia Electric Co-op. The utility held its annual public meeting which is usually just a cookies and coffee event and election of officers But this year, several dozen people showed up, with some saying their rates had doubled or tripled. The co-op recently increased rates, especially on lower usage customers.
Ferriday police arrested Roosevelt Brooks III, 30, of Ferriday, for domestic abuse battery (strangulation), arson and an outstanding bench warrant. He remains in the parish jail.
Cruises camceled
American Queen Voyages has stopped all current and future cruises across the U.S., including those on the Mississippi River. The company is expected to declare bankruptcy. The company owes hundreds of customers refunds it cannot pay. It is unable to pay its vendors. The company had also pledged to help pay for the raising of Silver Street and a Natchez dock. The loss of funds will probably delay both projects.
Natchez aldermen and Adams supervisors have yet to agree on funding and cost sharing for fire protection and E911 dispatch. The county is dragging its feet on paying its fair share of costs to run city fire trucks into the county. And the city doesn’t really want to move dispatch to the new building the county purchased on Feltus St.
Meadville Mayor Lane Reed said an engineering firm estimated it would take $300,000 to repair or replace deteriorating sewer lines. Aldermen listened to the news but took no action. The town asks residents not to pour grease down kitchen drains. When the grease cools, it congeals and clogs sewer pipes.
Concordia-Catahoula drug bust
Narcotics units from the Concordia and Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Offices began a joint operation that resulted in eight individuals being taken into custody after firearms and large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana were recovered from two separate residences. A search warrant was obtained and executed on Feb. 16, 2024, at 240 Grayson Road in Fowles (Catahoula Parish) at the home of Michael Dawson, where six people were taken into custody for multiple drug and weapons charges. Two of those arrested were on parole. Dawson, however, was not at the residence. After further investigation, the narcotics Units obtained a second search warrant for the home of Shelia Myers, 8573 Hwy 566 in Clayton, LA (Concordia Parish) where Dawson and Myers were located inside the residence along with a large amount of Methamphetamine and Marijuana. Both Dawson and Myers were taken into custody without incident. Arrests included: Michael Dean Dawson, 54, of Clayton, for Possession of Schedule I Drugs with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Schedule II Drugs with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Shelia Myers, 62, of Clayton, for Possession of Schedule I Drugs with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Schedule II Drugs with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Antonio Tyrone Atkins, of Sicily Island, for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Meth w/ intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Kendrick Michael Magee, 29, of Sicily Island, for Possession of Crystal Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Henry Thomas Crawford, 47, of Sicily Island, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Crystal Meth; Stephen Ray Hinton, 42, of Clayton, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Crystal Meth; Melissa Maureen Farmer, 48, of Jonesville, for Possession of Firearm with Felon, Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription, Possession of Marijuana W/Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm While CDS in Possession; and David Farmer, 37, of Natchez, for Possession of Firearm with Felon, Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription, Possession of Marijuana W/Intent to Distribute, Possession of Schedule II Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm While CDS in Possession.
Concordia deputies arrested Quaneshia Bradford, 40, of Newellton, for malfeasance in office and introducing contraband into a penal facility. She had been employed at the Concordia Corrections Facility. She remains in jail.
Ferriday will begin enforcement of traffic laws by computerized cameras March 20. The Ferriday Board of Aldermen approved Meta Traffic of Harrisonburg to use speed trap camera traffic enforcement. The town will get 60 percent of the fines collected and the company gets 40 percent. Speeding tickets are then sent through the mail. If the ticket is not paid, the driver's license is suspended. Clayton recently went to traffic cameras and fine revenues increased 2,000 percent.
Collections drop
January sales tax collections for Natchez dipped 1.95% in January compared to last January. For Jan. 2023, the city received $535,183 and for Jan. 2024, it got $524,925. A portion of the total collected by the state is returned to the city.
An oil well owned Black Jack Oil caught fire on Giles Island, Paraffin at the well head and nearby leaves and branches caught fire. No one was injured, and the fire was put out quickly.
Devin Cole Hines, 29, from Olla, was shot to death in Caldwell Parish on Feb. 11. On Feb. 16, a warrant for 2nd Degree Murder was obtained for Richie Alan Norris, 34, of Vidalia. Norris was arrested on a traffic stop by Caldwell deputies and Louisiana Probation and Parole in Caldwell Parish at La. Hwy 4 and La. Hwy 846.
Zillow reports
Zillow says the average home value in Vidalia is $110,376, up 5.4% in a year. The average home value in Natchez is $106,688, down 16.3% in a year.
CPSO began an investigation on Feb. 15 into an extortion which had been ongoing for nearly a year, resulting in the victim paying over $160,000 in cash to the suspect out of fear. The situation began when the suspect solicited funds from the victim, under the pretense that they would be helping children who were being trafficked near the Mexican border. However, upon initially giving money for that cause, the story quickly changed, with the suspect convincing the victim that unless they continued to make payments, their entire family would be executed by a drug cartel. The threats consisted of lasers being shined into the residence at night, electronic communications threatening harm, depicting violence, as well as the victim's children being followed and intimidated in public places. After receiving the evidence regarding the case, Detectives prepared and executed a search warrant at the suspect's residence on Friday, resulting in the following being seized: over $30,000 worth of firearms and ammunition, a 2018 Ford F-150, cash in the form of new $100 bills, numerous electronic devices (one belonging to the victim), and bank cards. All items were obtained using the extorted funds. Arrested was Nathaniel Matus Lopez, 23, of Vidalia, for Extortion, Terrorizing and Felony Theft by Fraud.
No one from Natchez city government spoke up at the planning commission meeting Thursday to comment on continuing problems at Truth Lounge. Patrons still gather on the streets and nearby parking lots yelling and partying early in the morning. Bar music is sometimes loud enough that it can be heard a block or two away. While the bar is often a public nuisance as defined by law, the owners of the bar have successfully cowered city fathers into submission earlier by filing lawsuits, including suing more than a dozen officials and notables. As of now, Truth Lounge is under a court order to follow local and state laws. However, it is extremely unlikely that the planning commission or aldermen will act against the bar for violations. City leaders who were not defendants in the lawsuit do not want to be named defendants in the future. And those leaders don’t want to be accused of being anti-black. The owners of the lounge are black, as are most of the patrons. —— Unfortunately, not all city rules apply to everyone at all times. Last year, the city backed down from proper enforcement when a black psychologist opened an improperly licensed and ill-zoned group home at the former Natchez Children’s Home. Now the city is backing down on proper enforcement of a bar owned by two black entrepreneurs. In both cases, the city has has decided not to enforce the law in part because of the “race issue.” It’s easier and simpler to ignore illegal behavior.
Engineer reports
Wilkinson County supervisors are expected to approve the county engineer’s road and bridge maintenance and repair plan. Ryan Holmes of Dungan Engineering the county can use the plan to target priorities and budget expenses more carefully. County Administrator David Wilkerson said the very past due 2018 audit has finally been submitted to the state. Supervisors agreed to do audits for the county library as well. They haven’t been done and are required by law. County leaders also heard the news that the state will place a mobile health unit next to the county health department when it closes for needed repairs. The mobile unit will be withdrawn when the building reopens.
Catahoula leaders are still struggling with ideas on how to finance AMR’s ambulance service over the long term. The service receives more than 1200 calls per year for emergencies and non-emergency transport. Cost of the ambulance service could be placed on water bills or in the same fashion as garbage bills. Parish leaders may put a tax levy initiative on the ballot this fall. In the meantime, AMR has put the parish and state on notice that it must get a new contract funded somehow or service will be withdrawn.
Concordia deputies arrested Jyrin Gipson, 21, of Ferriday, for aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal carrying of a weapon and obstruction of justice. Deputies also arrested Paul Swanson Jr., 19, of Ferriday, for two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of a weapon, two counts of illegal carrying of a weapon and obstruction of justice. Both men remain in the parish jail. Those arrested are considered not guilty unless convicted in a court of law.
Farm year disappoints
Conncordia farmers had a more disappointing season in 2023 than in 2022. Yields per acre were down 10-20 percent, depending on the crop and the location of the farm, as adverse hot and dry weather discouraged production. As usual, soybeans were the most planted, with more than 121,000 acres. Farmers continued to plant large amounts of cotton and corn. A major factor in profitability was not only reduced yields but increasing costs, especially of fertilizer and other chemicals. Agriculture remains a prime sector of the local economy.
Vidalia officials have a surplus of cash due to better than expected hydro revenues. The town is likely to spend $2.7 million or more on projects, including the expansion of Polk Park, cutting trees near utility lines, building end-of-street turnarounds, after-school tutoring, town-wide beautification, riverfront improvements, renovations for the Council on Aging building and safety nets at baseball fields. Not all the projects and spending have been formally approved as yet. But it is likely most of them will be, as time goes by.
The 35th annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) is set for February 22-24, 2024. The 2024 NLCC theme “Rites, Rituals, and Religion in the Deep South” will explore life and death experiences in a series of presentations on religious traditions, burial rituals, cemetery history, mourning practices, and historic holidays which are all deeply embedded in the Southern Experience. This two-and-a-half-day event will feature scholars whose presentations parallel an evolving historical American narrative of the living and the dying based on both “Old World” traditions combined with a profound sense of democracy, race, and ingenuity. Most events and presentations are free of charge and will be held at the Natchez Convention Center at 211 Main Street in downtown Natchez. To view the full conference agenda, purchase tickets, or learn more about the NLCC, visit www.colin.edu/nlcc.
Shooting victim on life support
Ferriday police charged a 16-year-old with attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile, illegal use of a weapon, and obstruction of justice, after he shot a man in the parking lot at Taunton's-Adams Grocery on Hwy. 84 in Ferriday on Monday. Police Chief Sam King said the victim is critical condition and on life support at an Alexandria hospital. The name of the shooter has not been released.
Catahoula Parish ambulance service has been extended another 30 days. AMR has been proving the service and the sheriff's office has been paying most of the cost over the past year, which is normally a police jury responsibility. AMR has given the state notice it intends to leave unless the jury formalizes a new contract and payment scheme.
A Natchez Black History Month parade will be held Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. The parade will start at Forks of the Road, travel down St. Catherine Street to the MLK Triangle. The Triangle will host a vendor village from 12-6 p.m. and a block party with DJs and live bands from 3-6 p.m.
Depot almost finished
Natchez plans to put the finishing touches on the Depot and will place the Visit Natchez offices there as a welcome center. The city has spent more than $1.4 million in state and local funds to rehab the building since 2016. Wilmar Construction is completing its work in advance of the opening. The Natchez Visitor Reception Center, owned by the National Park Service, is closed for repairs for one to two years. When it reopens, Natchez will have two welcome centers within a mile of each other, one run by the city and one run by the feds.
Volunteers plan to raise money and build a veterans memorial wall on the grounds of the Vidalia RV Park. The wall will be about 80 percent of the size of the Vietnam War Memorial in DC but include the names of veterans who died in other wars as well as Vietnam. Vidalia aldermen have agreed to donate $40,000 to the $360,000 project.
Deborah Martin, who has been a Natchez Planning Commission member since 1992, has resigned her post, since she is moving to the county. Martin has also served as the commission's chairperson. She is an expert on the rules and regulations and what should or should not be done based on code. Candidates interested in being appointed to the planning commission, can file a resume with a letter documenting interest and qualifications with the mayor's office. Deadline to apply is Feb. 23. The aldermen make the appointment. They have the option of interviewing candidates.
Marlee Tindle benefit
A benefit run for Marlee Tindle is planned for Saturday, Feb. 24, to help her family with medical expenses. Tindle, daughter of Sheriff Tom Tindle and Kaky Tindle, was in an automobile accident on Sept. 13, 2023 and suffered a traumatic brain injury along with multiple fracture. The races will begin and end at Providence Baptist Church, located at 1264 Clear Springs Road in Meadville. Packet pickup and late registration will begin at 7 a.m. The one mile kids' run will begin at 8 a.m. and the 5K and eight mile run will start at 8:15 a.m. The entry fee for the kids' run is $15. The fee for the 5K and the eight mile run is $25 until February 14, with late entry costing $30. The $25 includes a t-shirt, with organizers alerting interested parties that shirts are not guaranteed for those who register late. In addition, there is no walk entry for the eight mile run. It is only open to runners, who may walk if needed. Paper forms can be picked up at the Franklin County Public Library or at Franklin County High School. Online registration is also available at https://raceroster.com/events/2024/81973/miles-for-marlee. For more information about this event, call 601-431-3747.
District Attorney Tim Cotton was able to secure a guilty verdict after the jury deliberated less than 35 minutes. Jordan Caston received 10 years in jail for second degree arson, the maximum sentence, delivered by Judge Debra Maxwell, based on the prosecution’s case and the jury verdict. Caston was convicted of arson for setting a jail fire while an inmate in April 2022. Caston will still stand trial for the shooting murder of Marquez Brown, 16. But since he is now convicted of the arson charge, he is considered a state inmate. And the cost of his incarceration, food and medical care will be paid for by the state instead of Adams County taxpayers.
Concordia deputies arrested Eric Jefferson, 48, of Vidalia, for aggravated battery and domestic violence. He is being held in the parish jail.
McKnight sentenced
Judge Debra Blackwell has sentenced Charles McKnight Jr., 64, of Natchez, to 10 years in prison as a habitual offender for felon in possession of a gun. He must serve the entire 10-year sentence.
The Concordia schools will hold public meetings to discuss the idea of going to a four-day week, including Monterey High gym, Feb. 19, 5:00 p.m.; Ferriday Junior High gym, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.; and Vidalia Junior High gym, Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m.
Adams deputies arrested LaQuaruz D. Mosley, 39, of Roxie, for aggravated assault and burglary of an occupied dwelling. He remains in jail. Those arrested are considered not guilty unless convicted in a court of law.
Toya Bachus
Toya Bachus has received a three-year extension of her contract as superintendent of schools for Concordia Parish. She earned $112,000 a year during her initial contract.
Concordia deputies arrested Donald Higginbotham, 26, of Vidalia, for outstanding warrants, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drugs with intent to distribute. In Feb. 2022, he was arrested for drug possession, theft, possession of stolen things and resisting an officer. He remains in jail. Those arrested are considered not guilty unless convicted in a court of law.
Jonesville’s fire rating improved from a Class 6 to a Class 5 in 2023. Most residents did not see a decrease in their fire insurance rates because insurance companies increased their premiums.
Possible shopping center
The city of Natchez has given Home Properties of Knoxville, Tenn., a one year option to purchase just under 30 acres the city owns next to Walmart. The company is thinking about development of a retail and shopping center that would cost $40 million, according to Mayor Dan Gibson. Home Properties has developed 140 shopping centers and office parks and over 18 million square feet of space in 20 states since 1981. Gibson did not divulge the price of the land nor the details of the option.
The CPSO Cyber Crime Unit received a report of child sexual abuse on Feb. 6, that had been ongoing for over a year. Upon receiving the information, the victim was scheduled for an emergency forensic interview and the Tensas Parish Sheriff's Office was notified due to the offenses occurring in their jurisdiction. Upon arrival at the CPSO, Tensas detectives attempted to make contact with the child's guardian, however, they had abandoned the child at the CPSO office and refused to cooperate with the investigation any further. Instead, the guardian, along with another subject, disclosed pertinent case information to the suspect, causing him to flee the area in an attempt to evade law enforcement. After recovering the evidence regarding the case, arrest warrants were obtained for Andrew Evans, and he was taken into custody last night with the assistance of the Adams County Sheriff's Office. The victim is safe and is receiving proper care. Arrested was Andrew J. Evans, 35, of Waterproof, for molestation of a juvenile, victim under 13 and molestation of a juvenile. Bond set at $200,000. Deputies also arrested Amanda Evans, 28, of Waterproof, and Pamela Clark, 56, of Waterproof, for obstruction of justice.
Richard Nelson, executive director of the Natchez-Adams airport, says sales of aviation gas and jet fuel sales have increased by $350,000 in the past year. He still believes the airport will secure commercial airline service in the future.
Skyler Morace
Vidalia Police Department narcotics officers made a traffic stop on a vehicle on Alabama Street near Laurel for a faulty taillight. Upon making contact with the driver, the Officer immediately recognized the subject as an individual who was recently arrested by our department just a week or so ago for possession of marijuana. During the investigation, the suspect voluntarily surrendered marijuana. Consent was given to search the vehicle and more marijuana and suspected methamphetamine were discovered along with two firearms and two small children. A two-year-old female and six year-old-female were im the car, the suspect's children. Arrested was Skyler Thomas Morace, 23, on charges of: Possession of Schedule 1 Marijuana, Possession of Schedule 2 Methamphetamine, Possession of CDS while in the Presence of Minors, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Firearms while in Possession of CDS, two taillights required and cracked windshield. In 2019, he was arrested for aggravated assault after a shooting from a drug deal gone bad.
The City of Natchez has erected a memorial bench for the late Henry Eddie West at Duncan Park Golf Course. West was a promoter and supporter of the course, as well as one of the best amateur golfers in the area. He served as president of the Harvest Golf Club and helped sponsor local tournaments. West passed in April 2023.
All Star Recovery on Franklin Street wants to convert its former bank drive-through area to additional office space. The Natchez Preservation Commission will consider the company’s request at its Feb. 14 meeting Several people in Concordia Parish have reported receiving a phone call where the caller stated that they did not show up for jury duty and now have a warrant out for their arrest. The scammer stated that the person receiving the call can pay a fee to clear up the matter. The scammer also identifies themselves as being with a local law enforcement agency, actually naming our parish police departments and Sheriff's Department. One resident was told that she could go to the court house or to a local police station to pay the fee or just pay it over the phone. Concordia Parish Sheriff's Office is not making phone calls to residents to request payments of outstanding bench warrant fees.
Repaving projects scheduled
Louisiana plans three major repaving and highway projects in Concordia Parish this year. The state will spend $967,000 on Hwy. 568, another $1.5 million on Hwy. 900 and $2 million on Hwy 565.
Rep. C. Travis Johnson has introduced a bill that would create a Downtown Ferriday development district that would be funded by an additional sales tax. The tax levy would have to be approved by voters.
Recent flash flooding in Franklin County damaged the Hamburg Road and the Davis Hill Road. The Hamburg Hill Road remains closed because a lane and box culvert completely washed out. Davis Hill Road had an old wooden bridge torn apart by the floodwaters. County supervisors said they will use state aid bridge and road funds to make the necessary repairs, but it may take some time before the work is completed.
Franklin County pageant
Franklin County students participated in a Beauties and Beaus pageant. Chosen as Senior Beauties were (left to right) Madison Turner, first place; Abigail Wilson, second place; Lauren McCaa, third place; and Carmin Banks, fourth place. Chosen as FCHS Most Beautiful and Most Handsome were Jayla Ward and Judson Arnold. Chosen as Senior Class Beauty and Beau were Savannah Cothren and Zachary Kent. Chosen as Most Photogenic was Abigail Wilson. Chosen as Senior Beaus were Parker Jordan, first place; and Ashton Moore, second place. (Franklin Advocate photo)
Concordia deputies arrested Jatayius Johnson, 23, of Ferriday, for felony second degree battery. He remains in jail. In May 2023, he was arrested for dealing drugs, including marijuana, synthetic marijuana, ecstasy, crack cocaine and ocycodone. He also possessed scales and multiple cell phones allegedy used for his drug business.
Adams deputies arrested Dewayne Young, 35, of Natchez, for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. In 2008, he shot a man in a revenge attack. In 2011, he received a suspended sentence for burglary but later served time for violating parole. He’s was also arrested for felony possession of drugs. So far, he has not been granted bond this time and is in jail pending trial.
Extra funding provided
Additional federal Medicaid funding distributed through Mississippi has provided an influx of cash to our local hospitals to help pay for operations. Merit Health Natchez received an additional $6.1 million, Jefferson County Hospital $215,000, Franklin County Memorial Hospital $298,000 and Field Health $361,000.
Natchez police are investigating a shots fired incident near East Oak and Minor streets Monday evening. At least 20 shots were fired.
Natchez Youth Baseball will offer spring play to kids ages 3-12. Register this month. Details are at www.natchezyouthbaseball.com.
Miss Vidalia selected
Sarah Freeman was chosen as Miss Vidalia 2024. The pageant was sponsored by the Vidalia Women's Club at the Vidalia Convention Center.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez Campus is gearing up to host special interest classes again this spring. Special interest classes are non-credit classes open to community members of any age and offer a wide variety of topics to appeal to a large audience who are interested in life-long learning. Courses include computer basics and file management, marketing communications, Microsoft Office, BLS/CPR and tai chi. To register, contact Kimberly Grover at 601-446-1103. Class fees apply.
Omar Pinkney, 21, of Natchez, has been indicted for possession of a stolen firearm. Curiously, he allegedly committed a statutory rape and was bonded out. Then he participated in an armed robbery in a Feb. 2023 and was released on bond again. Finally, he has been placed in jail this past week after his indictment. No word on whether he will be allowed out again pending trial. Those arrested and indicted are considered not guilty unless convicted in a court of law.
Parades set
The Krewe of Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade will be Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Natchez. The Krewe of Vidal Mardi Gras Parade will be Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m. along Carter St. In Vidalia.
Adams deputies arrested Christian Flowers, 20, of Natchez, after he allegedly fatally stabbed his uncle during an argument on Saturday. He has been charged with manslaughter.
The Natchez Downtown Alliance will use some grant funds to hire Dian Lusher as a business training and education consultant to help downtown businesses in the short term. Lusher works for Alcorn State University. The Alliance expects to hire a new director soon and hopes to tap additional federal grant funding so downtown businesses can rehab their buildings. An abatement of city property taxes is also available for approved development projects.
Process Service Specialists of Pasedena, Tex., is suing Vidalia Mills for $711,800. The amount was for “furnishing of supplies, labor, and expenses” to the Vidalia plant. PSS asks all costs including attorney fees for the proceedings. Vidalia Mills made a payment of $222,600 to PSS but has refused to pay the $711,800 balance, according to court documents. Process Service Specialists provides construction and maintenance services for industrial clients.
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Offices:
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Peter Rinaldi, publisher
Clarisse Washington, editor emeritus
Outlook assessed
by Peter Rinaldi
While quite a few folks expressed concern on my FB pages about the mall’s idea to convert the interior of the mall to a storage facility, such a sale of the property and conversion is unlikely and would be very expensive. Natchez being such a mini market, the need for such large storage is questionable. It is more likely that the mall will remain as is, with a few stores operating that have their own individual outside entrances. Tabani had been more fortunate than some malls. It has been able to lease some space, whereas many malls have closed completely.
The retail prospects of Natchez have declined precipitously in the past generation, as we’ve lost 25 percent of our population and approximately 30 percent of our residents are living below the poverty line. The possibilities for growth of retail products and services for middle and upper income consumers here are very slim. Most entrepreneurs and chain operations want to locate in communities that are growing quickly not declining. And the near “destruction” of the mall, Tracetown and Magnolia Mall are signs that the retail market is declining. Fortunately, there are a few companies, like dollar stores, that like poor communities, since poor customers are their target consumers.
Downtown has again become more important, as several dozen local entrepreneurs have opened in the last three years. Most will blow away in the normal 3-5 year business cycle, but quite a few of their buildings have been rehabbed and will find new business tenants when the first crop plays out.
The crime abyss
by Peter Rinaldi
Natchez-Adams County occasionally places criminal penalties of time to be served or fines to be paid for commission of misdemeanors.
But very often, cases are dismissed, remanded to the files or suspended sentences awarded. Sometimes a small fine is assessed, but with it comes some sort of deal. The penalties actually earned are watered down. A pat on the fanny and let go. Shoplifting, drug possession, theft, simple assault. Misdemeanor offenders are filling city and justice court, with many of the same faces seen year in, year out.
Worse, felonies are often plead down to misdemeanors. Crimes that should bring 3-10 years in jail are given the magic eraser, plead down to suspended sentences and small fines. The plea downs include serious violent offenses, sex crimes, shootings.
If you ask why crime is bad, it’s because prosecutors and judges are played by defense attorneys. The judges and prosecutors are weak and ineffectual and perfectly willing to see crime committed at its current pace. A high rate of crime proves they are necessary and important and deserve the high and outlandish pay they make.
As to defense attorneys, there are many who will sacrifice their integrity for a buck. They will most assuredly lie to the court about their client’s behavior, even if the perp is a killer. No one forces the defense attorney to lie and scheme for money. He does so willingly and is rewarded by the system for doing so.
If you ask me who is causing the biggest problems, I’m not sure it’s the criminals. When judges and prosecutors handle 500 cases and make sweetheart deals on more than half their cases, who is making sure that we have repeat crime? If you don’t prosecute, convict and sentence appropriately misdemeanor offenders, you get more misdemeanors and more felonies. A sorry and incapable justice system that uses the magic eraser on felonies will most assuredly get more thugs running rampant around town. More violence and more property crimes are guaranteed.
Nothing says incompetence like letting shooters bond out on very low bonds who have a history of felony arrests and convictions. This is insanity. And it happens all the time in Natchez-Adams County.
Really, it’s just a few people in charge of this mess. Two justice court judges, two circuit judges, a municipal judge and prosecutors, county prosecutor, district attorney and assistant district attorneys. These officials and the defense attorneys that slug through court are going to determine how safe or unsafe Natchez-Adams County is and will be.
I wish it wasn’t this way. Watching our community slide into an abyss of crime 2010-2023 has been heartbreaking. But when incompetents are elected or appointed, this is the result. Sure as shootin’. Here’s to a 2024 that’s more resolved to convict and sentence the criminals who plague us.
Public school kids deserve a better education
by Peter Rinaldi
In the past two years, nearly 20 states have dropped testing requirements for graduating students, including Mississippi. Why? Because the students would fail the tests if forced to take them. Mississippi has moved to a phony grading system where school districts that are failing their students can still earn a B or C. Natchez has a grade of B, but only 10-35 percent of its students are proficient in math or language arts, depending on the grade and subject.
The real purpose of our public education system and our government schools is to reward employees with good pay, benefits and retirement not educate students.
If you want a quality education in Natchez, especially if your kids are in elementary or middle school, choose ACCS or Cathedral. If your kids are smart enough to get into Natchez Early College at Co-Lin, they’ll get a good education. Otherwise, put your kids at ACCS or Cathedral. Don’t be foolish and believe the lies told by the Natchez School District as to quality. It has enshrined failure.
Mississippi's mental health treatment crisis
by Peter Rinaldi
Finding the mentally ill appropriate healthcare has always been a problem in Mississippi. Most of these patients lack good medical insurance or financial resources to pay for appropriate care. They need specialized care for their drug, alcohol and other mental illness problems. As a result, the underfunded in-patient care state system almost always has a waiting list. Chancery courts sometimes order the mentally ill to be housed temporarily or not so temporarily in jail, waiting for an opening at a state funded or private care facility.
The cost for 30 days of in patient care can run $50,000-$100,000 per patient. And the support system needed to start an-inpatient center is more than $2-4 million minimum. So it’s impossible for small counties to start a new in patient mental health care facility. The only county that could actually afford a new center would be Hinds. So we’re more or less stuck with the system we have.
The Legislature has never properly funded mental health care, either in-patient or outpatient. It never will.
And mental health is differentiated just like other healthcare. We don’t treat cancer patients the same way we treat diabetics or those with kidney failure. Likewise, the treatment for alcohol and drug addicted persons is different than those with schizophrenia or patients suffering from what we used to call a nervous breakdown. This differentiation increases costs.
Without proper funding from the state for facilities and programs, continuing inadequate private insurance coverage and the low to moderate incomes of most Mississippi families, it is a problem that simply won’t be fixed.
I am reminded of the example of a family very close to me, whose mother suffered from both alcohol and drug addiction. The hospital in-patient and outpatient treatment costs out-of-pocket to help the mom regain control of her life and restore her mental and physical health was more than $200,000.
The problems are great and the resources less so. The Legislature would need to appropriate $100 million a year to begin to tackle this problem. And insurance companies would have to pay more than 80 percent of a 30 day treatment plan less deductibles. Neither is going to occur.
So some mentally ill patients will end up in jail.
Supervisors Warren Gaines Sr., Angela Hutchins and Ricky Gray
by Peter Rinaldi
Adams County supervisors wanted to award their civil engineering and trash contracts to minority contractors. Political decisions. When they did so, the cost to taxpayers rose dramatically.
It turns out that the effort by Supervisors Gaines, Hutchins and Gray to “do the good deed” and help a black contractor backfired when they chose Metro Disposal from Metairie for trash pickup, Metro did a lousy job here and in other communities they served, like Slidell and New Orleans. While other black contractors did a good job in New Orleans, Metro trucks were not maintained and broke down frequently. The company did not pick up trash as scheduled, often skipping some residences for two weeks or more. It was the same story here in Adams County.
Eventually, service in Adams completely came to an end when Metro ran out of money, and the company filed for bankruptcy. Reorganized as United Infrastructure, the former Metro owners were given a 90 day emergency Adams County contract, but this time at more than double the normal monthly price.
There was also the question of whether the bid was rigged by the three majority supervisors to give Metro the emergency contract. Supervisors could have offered a long term contract to attract many more potential bidders and to lower the price per month to households and the county. But they purposely offered a short term contract, so that Metro-United could be the winning bidder.
And of course, the company is still doing a mediocre job, not running complete routes and missing pickups.
Supervisors Middleton and Wilson have tried to point out to their fellow supervisors that the current approach to trash pickup is costing way too much, as Adams County now has the highest trash pickup rates in state plus the service issues.
Supervisors Gaines, Hutchins and Gray haven’t dealt with budgeting the extra cost either, deferring the issue to after the elections. But the extra $600,000 has to be budgeted and paid. Trash bills to homeowners should have been more than doubled by now. But no change in billing has been made because four of the five supervisors have election opponents.
Right now, the majority three seem perfectly content to allow both county and city residents and taxpayers to pay for this error. As of now, city residents are paying for their own trash pickup through their water bills. And city residents are also subsidizing their neighbors out in the county trash pickup through property taxes. Talk about unfair. And probably illegal.
In past, the state and courts have ruled that utility and trash services had to be paid by the people who actually get those services.
Please explain to me why in-city residents on Pearl or MLK Street should pay their own trash pickup and also subsidize out-in-the-county trash pickup in Cloverdale, Kingston and Cranfield.
This whole rotten mess shows how foolish the black majority supervisors are. In an effort to bend over backwards to help a minority contractor, the three supervisors are actually harming thousands of black homeowners in Adams County by providing the most expensive and lousy trash service available.
All three, Warren Gaines, Angela Hutchins and Ricky Gray, have made statements in the past about how difficult it is to be poor in Adams County. Well, the three are really putting it to those poor folks now. Big time.
Mayors Butch Brown, Darryl Grennell and Dan Gibson
by Reter Rinaldi
Natchez mayors and their citizens are always caught in the same trap: expecting a newly elected mayor to lead the community to the prosperity that never happens. What does happen is that by the end of the mayor’s term, many citizens become fed up with the lack of progress and the mayor loses support. This was undoubtedly true during the terms of Mayors West and Middleton as well as the more current Mayors Brown, Grennell and perhaps even Gibson.
Here’s what occurs. The candidate wants to be elected. So he offers hope, the promise of positive change and economic revival. When the economic revival fails to arrive, the mayor tries to convince his subjects that things are in fact moving forward economically. But citizens quickly notice the mayor’s mistakes, crookedness and lies, and sooner or later, he is overwhelmed by his errors. Revival doesn’t occur and support evaporates.
The biggest error occurs right in the beginning of the campaign, when the mayoral candidate promises to turn around the course of 40 years of history that includes the decline of the wildcat oil industry, the destruction of our manufacturing base, population outflow and a demographic shift from a majority middle class white community to a majority poor black community.
None of our mayors are God or Moses. The Israelites are not being led to a land of milk and honey.
Instead, citizens should be looking at whether the mayor does a good job running city government as an administrator. Is he wise, careful with money, hard working, honest and ethical?
Past, current and future mayors face the same core problem. Natchez does not generate enough tax revenues to meet the basic needs of the city, including police, fire, public works, streets, lights, landscaping, tourism, seniors, transportation, facilities maintenance, city employees and community development.
Unable to meet these needs, many mayors choose to borrow excessively and lie profusely to maintain their position. The result is always the same. The mayor is ejected from office and a new mayor chosen. The cycle begins anew.
Perhaps Gibson will break this trend. His supporters are counting on his political skills, hard work, energy, bull throwing, butt kissing and borrowed money for big projects to change the course of events.
To me, Gibson is the agent of change, meaning he is the mayor most likely to give us the management expertise we want to run the city bureaucracy better than it has been in the last 40 years. But I do not expect a successful economic revival led by him.
And if he and his supporters insist on such revival, he will ultimately fail and lose his seat.
What Natchez needs to stabilize and grow is a population that increases because there are more jobs paying higher wages than in past. That’s not going to happen. No mayor can make that happen. And actually, recent history of the last 10 years shows Natchez rapidly declining and the gap increasing between our low household incomes and the state average.
Through the last five mayors, we’ve declined precipitously as a community. And hopes, promises, bull throwing, schemes, scams or good projects are not going to counter the path we’re on.
So if we want to save Dan and Dan wants to save Dan, then we must adjust our unrealistic aims and concentrate on the things we can actually do with our very limited means. I’m saying we should break the cycle of failure that actually goes back to Tony Byrne’s last term, when the economy started to get shaky.
The obvious questions are, “What should we do now and in the short term to improve city management and services without breaking the bank and borrowing huge sums? How can we, through our modest means, improve government and quality of life in town for a community that is increasingly majority black, poor and lower middle class?”
We should break the cycle of disillusion and failure. We should change the way we think and the way city government is led.
NATCHEZ WATER WORKS: Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8a-4p, 601-445-5521 . After Hours, Call 601-445-5521, Then Press #8. We are committed to providing safe, high quality water services to our community, while maintaining a standard of excellence in customer service and environmental conservation. 150 North Shields Lane. natchezwaterworks.com
Crime numbers should be reported
by Peter Rinaldi
Incidents of crime are normally reported to the DOJ annually on a voluntary basis. Participation in crime reporting makes it more likely a city will get crime fighting grants from the feds.
Natchez PD had been tallying the numbers on violent and property crimes since the 1990s. For whatever reasons, the city stopped submitting those statistics at the end of 2020. There is no public info available from DOJ on Natchez for 2021 and 2022. And the PD has not made public any info it might be keeping privately.
I received repeated information from inside NPD that the 2019 and 2020 statistics were adjusted to make the city look safer. However, I was unable to confirm whether the stats were lies or truthful and simply decided to use the phrase “could be incomplete, subject to confirmation.”
It’s unfortunate that the city has decided to keep citizens in the dark. I use crime mapping software to mark where felonies occur and are reported. But I don’t have access to all the info the city and county have on calls and arrests.
For 2022-2023, it appears that violent crime is increasing once again and that property crime may actually be decreasing a bit. But I’m not sure-sure and would need more police and sheriff’s data to come to a firm conclusion.
When stats aren’t readily available, it allows law enforcement and politicians to lie about what’s happening. For example, Chief Daughtry claimed he had taken 150 guns off the street. But there was no arrest record to back up that wild claim. Fantasy and baloney. Bull.
Since citizens pay for their government with taxes, they have a right to know what’s going on. Keeping accurate crime stats, participating in DOJ reporting is normal and necessary for cities of our size and larger. We should know precisely where we stand.
Of course, if crime is getting worse or much worse, then it’s in the interest of law enforcement and the politicians to hide the facts, so they can keep their cushy jobs and mislead the peons. But it’s not in the community interest to obscure or fail to disclose the truth.
Judges should wise up
by Peter Rinaldi
One of the aspects of our local crime problem is that guns are stolen from homes and vehicles during break-ins are then sold to juveniles and young adults for prices of $35-$100. Stolen guns aren’t often traceable to the offender but often traceable to the original owner of the gun, who has usually purchased the firearm legally through a store backed by paperwork.
Unless the perp leaves good fingerprints on the stolen gun and has a felony record, the stolen gun is the perfect tool to use in a crime, shooting, a drug deal, confrontation with an enemy or another break-in.
Mississippi Legislators know gun trafficking and illegal possession of guns contribute to an explosion in crime. So the law says selling or transferring a stolen gun or possessing a stolen gun can earn the perp up to five years in jail. And any crime in which a gun is used can carry a five year enhancement or five year additional penalty.
What are Natchez-Adams County judges doing? Repeatedly, they are letting those who possess stolen guns go free, no jail time, sometimes a suspended sentence, sometimes a small or moderate fine. So do the perps learn their lesson? No, what they learn is the court is weak, the judge is a fool and the felon gets away with the illegal possession. The criminal is saved from justice to commit crime at a future date.
Another cute trick pulled by a Natchez judge occurred this week. The 18-year-old before the court did indeed possess a stolen gun. Instead of finding him guilty or binding the accused over to the grand jury, the judge retired the case to the file for one year. At the end of a year, if the young man keeps his record clean, then the case will be dismissed.
This kind of judicial malfeasance if repeated many times over has the same result as a suspended sentence or small fine. It guarantees the criminal knows he has played the game and won and escaped justice.
We acknowledge that repeat felony offenders are the primary cause of the death and destruction, the violent and property crime scourge destroying Natchez-Adams County. But we also admit that our judges are contributing to the continuation of our crime wave due to light sentencing.
Those convicted of transferring or possessing stolen guns should always get jail time of up to five years as the law provides and the circumstances of the offense dictate.
Every person who is convicted of a felony gun crime has earned jail not hugs and kisses or a stern warning from the court.
Natchez remains in crisis
by Peter Rinaldi
I have a great love for Natchez. But the incredible ignorance of its citizens always alarms me. The lack of good education, lack of skills and widespread drug and alcohol dependency help determine our future, and especially when you consider our lack of capital for growth and our isolated location. The growth of crime is a direct result of these negative characteristics.
We’ve spent millions extra on our local public schools, but overwhelmingly 25-50 percent of Natchez students fail to meet grade level expectations. And 21 percent of our adults have not even graduated from high schools. Household incomes are 40 percent below state averages. We are poorer now as a community than we have been since the 1960’s. And poverty and ignorance work hand in hand.
Thinking and analytical skills are not our strong suit, especially among our so called leaders. Our citizens elect officials who are incompetent and themselves poorly skilled and educated. You can’t expect dumb people to lead you out of a mess. They will only make it worse.
The school system is spinning out of control. The number of jobs has declined 15 percent in a decade. And the population continues to flow outward. As almost a symbol of these manifest problems is our warped view of politics. Right now, we have only three realistic presidential candidates. And similar to 2020, who would Natchez Adams County vote for? Biden, of course.
This love-worship of liberalism is reflected in local politics as well. The voters love big spenders and bull throwers. The politicians use reassessment of properties to move their city, county and school budgets above $130 million. Spend and take on debt. And while government gets bigger, the community gets smaller and poorer.
Despite this sad assessment, I like you, hope for and wish for great gains and achievements that are always on the horizon but never seem to arrive.
For me, my only recourse is to continue to write the local news and comment when things are going well or poorly. And when you are lied to or misled by the politicians for their own personal gain, those actions must be pointed out as well.
While I respect The Democrat’s role as cheerleader for the community and a recorder of all things good and positive, I would not ever feel comfortable in the role of a pom-pom girl. I’m a conservative social, political and economic reformer. Unfortunately, I can’t change. So I remain a pain in the butt for some. But if you read my FB and website posts, you will know more about our community even if you disagree with my conclusions.
My love and affection for Natchez-Adams County demands that I point out and analyze problems, make suggestions for improvement and be a taxpayers’ advocate.
I invite you to follow my news and writings on FB and miss-loumagazine.com. Weigh in when the mood or issue strikes you. I always welcome comments and opinions that differ from mine.
When I started this “news journey” more than 40 years ago, I expected our community to make significant progress. That has not happened. But I am unwilling to give up. As long as I can breathe and type, I must write what is both informative and entertaining for Natchez-Adams as well as Vidalia- Ferriday-Concordia. I’m stuck like hamster on its wheel. But it’s a good stuck.
Your input is always appreciated.
Janet and Dan Dillard
by Peter Rinaldi
It's been a shock to many of us that Alderman Dan Dillard passed away unexpectedly this week. He was a good man.
Natchez city government is always beset by the fuzzy thinking and goofy ideas of its leaders. Several times in recent memory, city government has tried to spend its way into some utopia, like it's doing now.
For more than 16 years, Dan Dillard brought reason and common sense to the Board of Aldermen, challenging collective thought and a plethora of financial miscues. Dan routinely fought theft, misappropriation, alarming overspending and borrowing. He was often the first and the only aldermen to raise these issues. He was ultimately concerned that Natchez citizens get good government. Dan was an early advocate of rehabilitating the police department, city-led tourism, city clerk's office and for fair play and balance between city aldermen and county supervisors. He played a major role in budgeting and oversight management of many city departments.
In the many years he served, he had a couple of good mayors and some good aldermen. He also had a bunch of stinkers, low-lifes and corrupt jerks to work with, too, which made his job as a conscientious aldermen much more difficult.
I've been following the aldermen since 1978, when I moved here. I would say without hesitation that Dan was the best alderman we had. A few other notables come to mind, Al Graning, Tom Middleton, Lou Salvo Jordan, but Dan was the best of the best.
He was like the little Dutch Boy of legend, putting his finger in the dyke, saving the community and government from being awash in a flood of red ink and haplessness. You could count on Dan to be honest, work hard and follow through.
What a tremendous loss for his family and our city! I should have said this to him when he was alive. "Dan, you did a spectacular job. Thanks so much for your leadership and hard work to make Natchez the city it should be."
In recent years, he suffered a great tragedy, the loss of his good wife, Janet. He recouped from her death somewhat, and resumed a normal work schedule. But the burden, loss and grief and were ever-present. He loved her so.
I would ask you to remember Dan and Janet and their kids in your prayers, as well as their extended families. God care for Dan and Janet. We miss them both.
Dan Dillard was 67.
by Peter Rinaldi
Adams County Supervisors have once again bungled their waste collection contract. Although county leaders Warren Gaines, Ricky Gray and Angela Hutchins quickly gave an OK to United Infrastructure, both Kevin Wilson and Wes Middleton objected to the high price that would saddle Adams County with the highest trash pickup rates in the state plus a guarantee of a 4.6 percent cost increase annually. That means supervisors will most likely double the trash pickup bills of residents after the election.
Gaines, Gray and Hutchins are anxious to award the final contract to United, a New Orleans area based minority contractor, that formerly went bankrupt as Metro Services. Metro failed to pickup the trash for several weeks and did a terrible job before that, as its cash flow worsened. The Three Amigos of Trash, Gaines, Gray and Hutchins, believe they will get more brownie points with the folks if they award the final contract to a black owned firm, regardless of the price or quality of service.
Wilson and Middleton both believe the price and service are most important and it doesn’t matter what ethnic group, black, white, or whatever gets the contract. Wilson and Middleton were in the Metro camp at first, because the company offered good service at a low price. But they soured on Metro when the company wouldn’t and couldn’t perform.
The Amigos did the exact same thing when they dumped Jordan, Kaiser and selected a black-owned engineering firm that charges a higher price and gives much worse service than Jordan, Kaiser.
It seems The Amigos believe many issues concerning “green” money can be solved by going “black," when the real issue is the “red” ink that the county will face as a result of their stupid decisions.
The choice should be made based on price and service. Trying to award trash or engineering services or any other contracts based on equity, reparations or race bias is ridiculous and against the interests of ALL the people of Adams County. Especially if citizens end up paying more than double the price for garbage pickup.
Downtown Burlington, Vermont
by Peter Rinaldi
Burlington is Vermont’s largest city, with 44,700 residents. It is the home of the University of Vermont, generally high income, next to Lake Champlain, pretty and probably the most liberal town in America. Socialists are welcome here. While just 4.4 percent of its citizens are black, it is the state’s most black city.
What Burlington has in common with Natchez and other cities across the US is growing violence, shootings committed by black males. Three in the last week alone. Doing the research on recent shootings, I found a similar pattern to what has happened in Natchez. Perps who commit felonies are given suspended and light sentences, only to come back soon to shoot up the neighborhoods and wound or kill their enemies. For Burlington, this is a new circumstance, a shock to the fiber of the community.
For us old hands in Natchez, we’re used to black teens and young adults shooting the heck out of each other. So in Burlington, they’re talking about new social programs to curb black violence because they can’t blame the economy or poverty for a cause. Merchants are talking about hiring armed security. To Burlington’s credit, shooters are not given bond. But like Natchez, most folks don’t know why the violence is out of control.
Of course, Natchez’s solution to the wave of black violence is easy: no bond for felony offenders who have been convicted of felonies before; no bond ever for shooters. 5 years extra sentence for use of a firearm in a crime, as provided for by law; maximum penalty for shooters and second time felony offenders; maximum penalty for possession of a stolen weapon.
You can clean your streets and keep your community safe by putting all the thugs in jail for a long time. Or you can opt for new social programs like Burlington or say it’s just bad everywhere and put up with it like Natchez. Or you maybe accuse The Democrat of insensitive news coverage that highlights crime too much or call me a racist for pointing out the obvious truth. Whatever option you choose and no matter how you spin the facts and theories, if you don’t put the thugs in jail for a long time, they will come back to do more and worse. And of course, the criminals will destroy your community, just like they have done in little Natchez.
City overspending is self-destructive
by Peter Rinaldi
Part of a Natchez renewal should include a dedication to careful spending of tax dollars, proper management of city employees, a lowering of the tax burden on our generally poor population and proficient supervision of accounting and bookkeeping practices. Of course, we have seen little of the aforementioned practices in recent years. What we have witnessed is joyful and exuberant spending and excessive borrowing, surely requiring an increase in taxes now and in the future, when the grants end and the city is stuck with higher operational costs it can’t fund.
Some proof of this error-filled approach can be seen by just a casual review of the city budget, which had long remained in the $25-37 million range. Now aldermen will spend $51.2 million this year on $49.3 million in revenues. As homes and businesses have their assessed values massively increased, the city bleeds those residents and business people for more taxes. Local government ensures that families have less money to pay their monthly bills. Government does better, much better. But families and businesses are doing worse, unless they completely sell off their property assets. This is not progress.
Realistically, there has been no growth in the local economy but continued deterioration since 2016. Already the post pandemic recovery has ebbed, with a drop in the number of jobs and taxable retail sales up only 2 percent, far less than inflation.
Free for all spending will not make the city better in the long term. The mayor and aldermen have taken the posture that liberal Democratic government is just what we need, that crime and poor quality education can be ignored and that a blizzard of spending will cure most evils.
There is no escape from such philosophical foolishness, only self- destruction. Living within your means and providing sound and practical management are not just lofty ideals but extremely necessary in light of our diminishing stature in the state’s economy.
Eola Hotel
by Peter Rinaldi
Natchez aldermen have discussed in private meetings their planned roles in financing the reconstruction of the Eola Hotel project. Virginia immigration attorney Robert Lubin still owns the hotel and is working with Mississippi developer Hayes Dent and Wisconsin developer Randall Roth. Who will own what portion of the stock is unclear, as is whether ownership stakes in the hotel will be sold to foreign investors. Foreigners who invest in blighted communities can get easy access to U.S. visas.
What is certain is that the city is moving forward on the idea of using TIF bonds to help the developer-owners. Additionally, the investment proposal would direct the Eola's sales and property taxes (except school taxes) toward repayment of the development bond. That means Natchez-Adams County taxpayers would subsidize both the construction and operation of the rebuilt hotel. While the total cost of renovating the hotel could be as much as $32 million, when finished, the hotel might only be worth $18 million, calling into question whether the investment could stand on its own feet without taxpayer subsidy and foreign investor dollars.
While Mayor Dan Gibson and the aldermen haven't discussed publicly the risks of another failed Eola project as a possibility, they have touted the scheme as a way to make the hotel a centerpiece for development downtown Natchez. No owner of the hotel has made money on its operation since the 1970's, and so far, no evidence has been presented that the new owners will make money either. Whether the Hotel would generate enough revenues to pay off its bond plus its operating expenses cannot be realistically determined, putting local taxpayers at some risk.
Conceivably, the primary U.S. partner-developers could make money through developer, management and consulting fees, either paid in cash or as stock options, while the foreign investors would not see a return on investment and face hefty losses, while still getting their prized U.S. visas.
Mayor Gibson has been pushing and leading the discussion about the Eola within the aldermanic meetings. Alderwoman Valencia Hall has said, the project is a "win-win" for Natchez, though she did not say specifically what she meant in this case. Neither Hall nor Gibson nor the rest of the aldermen have any experience in hotel redevelopment projects. But they all understand that even an unsuccessful project could still have re-election benefits, even if the investment is a financial catastrophe. The reopening of the hotel could be touted as a political success to voters, prettying up the Natchez skyline, even if the numbers don't work.
Aldermen voted 5-1 to begin the process of participation in the project, committing an initial $4 million. The city may also provide additional funds later on through a TIF bond.
The mayor and aldermen are not required by law to discuss real estate projects publicly and can keep their negotiations secret, until it's time to formally commit Natchez taxpayers to the financing plan. At that time, a series of public notices would be required and open meetings for public input would be held. But by that late date, the project would be a done deal and little could be added to change the course of the city's involvement or mitigate its risk.
For more information, go to https://www.bcbsms.com/
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann
by Peter Rinaldi
With redistricting led by Delbert Hosemann, Melanie Sojourner was purposely cut out of her state senate seat, put in a Democratic district she could not win.
The result means Adams County no longer has a senator or representative that actually resides in Adams. Robert Johnson actually lives in Hinds County and rarely comes to Natchez. That's why you never see or hear from him.
Not only does this make our political efforts in Jackson more difficult, I cannot understand why Mayor Dan Gibson continues to praise Hosemann publicly, telling him how wonderful Delbert is as a leader and how Natchez loves and respects him, when Delbert was obviously trying to hurt our community by destroying Melanie's district.
It's good to be courteous to any political enemy of Adams County, especially a Lt. Gov., but to publicly fawn all over him is a waste of time. He will give you only the minimum of attention, a minimum of money, because he has shown you already what he thinks of your community. You are poo-poo to him and throwing Adams into the Port Gibson based district of a Democratic senate non-entity proves that he thinks you belong in Siberia, without power, money, influence or improvement.
Delbert thinks you are nothing, worthy of nothing, so butt kissing won't do you any good. As a matter of pride and honesty, you should politely, kindly and directly tell him you know perfectly what he did to hurt us. And you don't like it or respect that behavior. And in return, you promise to be a loyal Adams County resident and Mississippian and can only support the re-election of those who actually support us, versus those who try to hurt us. The door remains open to future conversation, but the underlying principal must be that we expect state government and the Lt Gov. to help Adams County and not harm our community.
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Note: When I posted this little commentary without the stirring headline on Del's FB page that invites public input, it was immediately deleted by his staff. Shows you, doesn't it?
by Peter Rinaldi
Why would the mayor and aldermen believe that by simply changing police chiefs violent and property crime will decrease? Unless you change the way you police and the way you manage the department, you will get the same failure over and over again. There are many towns and cities across the US that have effective policing. And a lot of communities are very safe. But Natchez is not.
We all know that the increase in crime and violent offenders is complex in nature, having to do with home life, immorality, evil, even wayward judges and prosecutors. But the job of police is simply to arrest perps. They’re not educators, social workers or ministers to the soul. Their job is simply to deter crime by having a large enough presence on the street, to use pre-emptive investigations to keep the criminals huddled down and afraid, and to arrest every felon who commits a serious crime. A big task. But some communities do this very successfully.
If your mayor and aldermen do not have a solution to the police and crime management problem, then new officials are needed. If we don’t change the current situation, Natchez will have a future but a future worse than it is now.
It’s pretty obvious that gangs, drugs, violent and property crime are out of control in Natchez and law enforcement and the politicians are unable or unwilling to deter this crime. Is it time for armed citizens to patrol their own neighborhoods? I think so. To be effective, neighborhoods would have to form their own security districts, equip and pay armed security, an expensive proposition. But if law enforcement won’t do the job, you have only two choices: armed protection or surrender to the criminals.
by Peter Rinaldi
In 2022, I noticed a significant change in the direction of the Natchez-Adams County School Board and its management. In past, the district tried to highlight its successes, while acknowledging its need to do better, especially in things like test scores and the state’s evaluation. This past year, school leaders changed direction and overblew modest improvements post Covid, trumpeting somewhat dishonest A/B/C evaluations and ignoring that only 15-35 percent of students performed at or above grade level in various subjects such as math, language arts and reading.
This change marks a reinforcement of the earlier dishonest policy when the district built a new high school when voters specifically told the bosses they didn’t want one. There remains a strong constituency within Natchez-Adams County for the repair and upgrade of our local schools, including improving the quality of teaching and student performance.
It’s strange that our nearby school districts in Catahoula and Wilkinson are engaged in lengthy discussions on how to improve their schools, discussions that include board members, administrators and the public. Weaknesses are openly discussed and hotly debated. Those districts, with far less money and resources than Natchez Adams, are dealing with these problems. They’re not lying to the public.
While Natchez-Adams supervisors and aldermen dropped the issue of an elected school board because of Philip West’s opposition, it’s now pretty obvious that he is the obstruction to change and should be removed and a new honest superintendent chosen.
In the end, the lack of positive outcomes for learning in the Natchez public schools harms the students and impairs the economic future of the community. The schools are a reflection of the community they serve. And the downhill slide of both over the last 30 years is obvious to all except the blind and corrupt insiders.
You cannot reverse outward migration of the population and a decrease in economic activity by continued poor schools, lots of crime, low-paying jobs, dilapidated housing and inferior community aesthetics. However, lying, misleading the public and failing to follow public mandates only make a bad situation much worse.
It’s sad that some black political leaders say they want our black schools to do better. But their actions reveal the truth. They want the power and money for themselves and their friends and the black kids can go to hell, if changes threaten who is at the top.
These leaders are not the champions for racial justice but the purveyors of racial injustice. So the rich and upper middle class black kids and white kids and their parents flee the Natchez public schools for AC or Cathedral or play ‘the where does the parent/kid live? game,’ and try to slip the child into the Vidalia or Franklin County schools. The failure of Natchez public schools will drive a parent manic and/or broke to save his or her kid.
Like all of us, I have more questions than answers, and solutions are easier to spout than actually enact. But I know the schools will never, ever get anywhere and succeed with dishonest leadership in charge. They will always fail and miserably so. That is inevitable.
by Peter Rinaldi
My wife and I decided to give a New Year's Eve party back in 1992, when we lived in Village Green in Natchez.
I've never liked parties much. And whether I'm the host or a guest, I get so nervous, I can't enjoy myself. But we lived in the Village Green neighborhood for more than a decade by then, so I succumbed to my wife's request-command that we sponsor a drop-in party from 6-9 p.m. and invited neighbors and their kids and told them to bring a dish or snack or whatever.
We still had the Christmas tree up, of course. I went to Piggly Wiggly and loaded up on snacks, cheese, sandwich meats, cookies, beer and Dr. Pepper and Coke. I called Domino's and asked them to deliver four cheese pizzas at 6:30 p.m., figuring people would be just a bit late in arriving. And I stopped at the liquor store to pick up two one-gallon bottles of Gallo wine. As my wife stated and against my better judgment, it's Natchez, and alcohol is a mandatory party favor.
The party went well. Lots of families came. I had a roaring fire in the fireplace. It got so hot inside the house, I had to turn on the a/c. The kids were having fun. My older son sat at the kitchen table enjoying a card game of Uno with his friends. My younger son and his friend playfully argued over a Chinese checkers game in front of the fireplace. More kids were in the TV room in the back playing the video game Tetris. The adults were milling around, drinking very little but eating a lot and talking a lot. I had a Dave Brubeck jazz cassette playing softly on the stereo. Perfect. My anxiety lessened. About 8 p.m., I noticed our neighbors Pam and Frank sitting on the couch together. They were both in their mid 70's, and many years before, they had been married to each other and had kids, though they had been divorced at least 20 years by 1992. They still lived in the area. Pam lived on Sun Court and had remarried a guy who was a semi-professional gambler, which meant they were always broke. Frank had moved over to North Temple and married fishing. No spouse. Just he, the dog and fishing.
I heard parts of their conversation that New Year's Eve. Pam was doing most of the talking and Frank was mostly listening. Pam was talking about her cake business, who she was making cakes for, what kind of cakes, the kind of icing and the decorations she put on the cakes. Back in those days, she was known for her made-from-scratch cakes. She had a little bakery in the Morgantown Plaza for a few years, where UMB is now, When they tore down the shopping center and built the bank, she moved her cake business to the house and never missed a lick, if you'll pardon the joke.
Pam was in the middle of her cake dissertation to Frank, when Frank gently reached for her hand and leaned over to Pam and kissed her on the lips, passionately and romantically. Pam started kissing him back enthusiastically. Then they hugged and kissed just a bit more. Frank then stopped and just held her hand. And I could tell she was getting emotional, and she started tearing up. They didn't talk. They just sat there on the couch, and Frank held her hand.
No one noticed the couple kissing, other than my wife and me. All the adults and kids at the party were talking, eating and playing and didn't notice the couple at all.
The party broke up about an hour later. People had a good time and everyone wished each other Happy New Year and went home. Pam and Frank went their separate ways to their respective homes.
After the party, I asked my wife what she thought. "Do you think they still love each other?" I asked. "I don't know," my wife replied and added, "It was a beautiful kiss, a beautiful moment."
Many New Year's Eves have come and gone since 1992. As the years went by, I never heard of Pam and Frank reconnecting. Pam stayed married to the gambler and Frank stayed married to fishing. Sadly, they have both passed on. Pam's husband did eventually gave up gambling. Pam did cakes until her early 90's, And Frank actually died of a heart attack while fishing at Lake St. John. A good way to go.
I think about Pam and Frank often. I think of that party, how nervous I was in advance of the party, and how they were so affectionate with each other. Almost every New Year's Eve, the memories return. I can remember their conversation, how they looked on the couch. It seems like just a few years ago not three decades.
There were two things I learned from that New Year's Eve party in 1992. First, Domino's cheese pizza is always popular and appreciated at a party. And second, no matter how old you are, you need love, caring and emotion in your life. The touch of a hand and a kiss can be so very important.
by Peter Rinaldi
Crime: Violent and property crimes continue to plague Natchez-Adams County; Concordia Sheriff's Office arrests several dozen cyber perps and sex offenders; Ferriday rebuilds police department with Chief Sam King; Natchez hires Commander Cal Green as its police chief; Vidalia daycare workers get long terms in jail for child abuse; Adams prosecutors and judges criticized for plea bargains, low bonds and light sentences Economic development: Miss-Lou employment rebounds from pandemic lows; Syrah Technologies announces major expansion; Vidalia pays utility customers 50% rebate, pays off entire city debt; Jordan Carriers to build new HQ; Magnolia Bluffs Casino and The Markets get new owners; Residents still moving away to get better jobs, population drops since 2020; Eola Hotel rehab project stalls Infrastructure and facilities: Adams supervisors and Natchez aldermen borrow more than $12 million to fix roads; Morgantown Road repair funded though not started; Adams supervisors-sheriff struggle over jail plans without resolution; Natchez aldermen repair parks and will update convention center, auditorium; Natchez-Adams County to issue bonds for major recreation improvements; Ridgecrest ties into Ferriday water system; Natchez-Adams politicians drop the ball on E911 relocation Culture: Balloon festival one of the more successful in its history; Natchez becomes solid new venue for live concerts; Natchez aldermen will spend $1 million on Civil War troops statue Top 2 Stories: Jessica Aldridge finally gets sentenced to 20 years for shooting and killing boyfriend Joey Cupit; Accused killer Semaj Jackson indicted for shooting Jamesia Brown and Cameron Jones
by Peter Rinaldi
Mabel and Howard Smith of Franklin County gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Christmas Eve, 1951. They named their only child, Howard Jr., but everyone in the family called him “Beau.” He was simply one of the prettiest, cutest babies anybody ever saw. The Smiths live just off Hwy. 33, down one of those dirt roads in a little white frame house. Howard worked cutting timber and Mabel stayed home taking care of little Beau.
As Beau grew, he became an avid reader. He would look at the picture books and pronounce words, asking for his mother’s approval each time he got a word right. His mother would smile and say, “You’re my smart boy!” And Beau would beam with pride. His dad would spend evenings reading the newspaper to his son, telling him truths about the world, why it’s important to be hard-working and to be good to your neighbors.
When Beau was just shy of his sixth birthday, he said, “Momma, I want to send a letter to Santa and put it at the mailbox.” So Beau and his Mom sat down at the kitchen table and wrote a short letter. The boy asked for a baseball glove for himself, a work shirt for his dad, and a sweater for his mom. Mabel put the letter in a white envelope and wrote on the front, “To Santa – North Pole.”
Beau and his Mom walked out to the roadside and the pipe iron mailbox to send off the letter. The boy cried, “Momma, Santa won’t see it in the mailbox. Put it on the outside between the box and the red flag.” So Mabel did as her son requested, and they walked back to the house, talking about what they could do to surprise Dad on Christmas. Mabel shared the story of the ‘letter to Santa’ with the aunts, uncles, and cousins at the Christmas dinner table.
When Beau was almost 19, he and his mom sat at the kitchen table and remembered the time when they wrote the letter and placed it on the side of the mailbox instead of in it. They both laughed. But it was a somber Christmas that year for the Smiths, as Beau had just enlisted and was scheduled to enter the army the first week in January. “It’s my duty. Whether I end up in Vietnam or not, I’ve got to do what’s right,” Beau said quietly. He could have gone to college, gotten a deferment, but chose to serve his country instead. And both his parents were worried.
It was early in September 1971; a rocket attack hit just north of Saigon. Beau was sitting on the edge of his jeep, talking with a buddy. In a second, it was over. Beau was killed. There wasn’t much to send home to bury, according to his platoon sergeant.
After Beau’s death, the family never seemed right again. Howard Sr. began drinking and was injured on the job. Mabel suffered from a deep depression over the loss of her son and her husband’s problems. Eventually, the couple moved away from Franklin County and the little frame house fell into disrepair. No one ever lived there again. The dad died of a heart attack in Dallas in 1980. Mabel died in nursing home in 1992.
If you ride down Hwy. 33 and look off that dirt road where the Smiths lived, you’ll still see the mailbox standing. The house is pretty much gone. But that old rusty mailbox is still there. And every year on Christmas Eve, you can see a fresh, white envelope stuck between the red flag and the mailbox itself. Neighbors aren’t sure who tucks the envelope there, but figure it could be a relative or someone close to the family who knows the story.
If you happen to see that person this Christmas Eve, please stop and thank him for remembering the Smith Family and Beau, even though so many years have gone by. The family has passed on, but there are still more than a few folks around who remember them, the good times they had, and the love they shared.
This short story originally appeared in Miss-Lou Magazine in 1996.
by Peter Rinaldi
The decline of Tracetown is not a new thing.
When I moved our Miss-Lou Magazine offices there in 1995, the center was already in decline, as Sears had closed and about 20% of the shops were vacant. When I moved out in 2017, there were about a half dozen tenants and today maybe three or four.
With its Winn Dixie and Sears anchors gone and excessive vacancies, the center was hugely unprofitable, with insurance, minimal maintenance and property taxes much greater than annual revenues. There was little hope of a turn around.
Tracetown also suffers from antiquated construction design, a rolling hills parking lot and would require at least $3 million for the parking lot, lighting, a/c and roof repairs. So nothing will be done to change this. Realistically, the center has practically no market value, other than for its few rentals. Post office, rehab, nail salon...maybe $200,000-300,000 in value tops, less considering the maintenance and operational problems.
Add to that, flat and leaking roofs and overhangs, antiquated ac systems and the general decline in the Natchez economy, the center just hemorrhaged money. Many of the units are so severely damaged because of the catastrophic roof leaks. The Mobile, AL owners had also sold off their frontage lots to the bank, McDonald's and Ruby Tuesday's to get some operating cash. But selling off the front doomed the Sears property. The former Sears location had no parking left. And the building itself was in such poor shape, no smart tenant would rent it. the owners then tore down the Sears building, After thieves stole all the copper and wiring out of the theater, that building was demolished, too.
The Lazarus Arts-Dr. Kumi complex is separately owned and not part of Tracetown.
The owners gave away their shopping center in Ferriday to the town to get rid of that property and operational costs. And I expect, sooner or later, the owners will approach Natchez about the same kind of deal, like the Fry Building. Politicians would tell you what a great deal it is to get a donated center or building. What they don't tell you is that the donation takes the property off the tax rolls, relieves the owner of the high maintenance costs, transfers those to taxpayers and nets the politicians some tidy campaign donations during the next election cycle.
by Peter Rinaldi
One of the puzzling things about our community is how the Pilgrimage Garden Club, Natchez Garden Club and Auburn Garden Club get a bad rap on occasion.
Most of the members of these clubs are very interested in the economic vitality of Natchez Adams. They understand that history preserved can mean more tourist dollars, more conventions, more hotel stays, more restaurant visits and more jobs. Well maintained historic properties not only bring tourists but have brought a new generation of well to do out-of-towners who have spent millions of dollars upgrading their antebellum and Victorian homes. And that investment has paid off in many jobs for people of all economic groups and all races.
There was a time in Natchez, when some connected to the clubs used their platform to try to cement their social position above others, but the time of the so called landed gentry is long gone. I’ve often heard how the garden clubs killed off IP and Armstrong. In fact, the those closures had nothing to do with the clubs. The factories were losing so much money and had serious union problems that meant making a profit unlikely. So the factories closed and the jobs were lost. And many garden club members mourned that economic downturn like the rest of us.
Remember that some of the old homes are not owned by garden club members. Some are also owned by men. And many of the new generation of old home owners continue to run their properties at an economic loss and do so because they have the extra money to do so and/or are committed to a better Natchez even if it costs them mega cash. Whether you’re a garden club member from downtown, Morgantown or Kingston, all share the same goal: a better city and county with more prosperity for all. Also, you’d might be surprised to know that many garden club members are actually very middle class and some less so. But regardless of wealth, the members share an interest in exterior and interior design, flowers, gardens, architecture, history and historic preservation.
We should be proud of their contributions to our community. Some also own businesses that have little to do with history. But they understand that successful maintenance of homes and gardens and the marketing of that history and beauty to the outside world is a necessary and important task, even more so because of the decline of our industrial base over the last 35 years.
Thank you, ladies of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, the Natchez Garden Club and the Auburn Garden Club. When you think of the garden clubs, think of the economic contributions of their members which is so vital to our present and future.
by Peter Rinaldi
Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson recently said the city CPA audit for 2021 showed much improvement for 2021 compared to 2020. He did not tell the truth, as the CPA's negative findings for 2021 continue to show that the city was not following acceptable accounting and bookkeeping practices. Of course, the failure to follow such good standards led to the theft of $36,000+ in funds by two city clerks. 2021 was the Gibson administration's first full year in office. You can't blame former Mayor Grennell for these errors. The responsibility lies with the city clerk and staff, the current mayor and aldermen. They are supposed to follow accepted accounting and bookkeeping principles and regulations. They did not.
Of the 2021 City of Natchez audit, CPA Silas Simmons said: Bank Reconciliations: Bank Reconciliations were not being properly reconciled to the general ledger or in a timely manner. Accounting Records and Financial Statement: Preparation transactions were not being recorded to the city's general ledger in a timely manner. Interfund Transfers: Due To/From, and Advances lnterfund transactions were not being recorded timely or accurately. Segregation of Duties: During the process of obtaining an understanding of internal control in planning the audit, assessing control risk, and assessing fraud risk, a lack of segregation of duties was noted. Documentation of Adjusting Journal Entries: Adjusting journal entries posted to the general ledger lacked proper and adequate documentation. Single Audit The City's Single Audit was not filed with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in a timely manner. CPA Silas Simmons then when into detailed analysis and recommendations as to how these re-occurring problems from both 2020 and 2021 should be remedied.
Several pages of details on what to do were enumerated. If you doubt the truth as presented by both the CPA or myself, you can read the audit findings and make your own judgment. I am used to politicians lying and bull throwing. From a news point of view, I should try to verify the mayor's future claims on all subjects, as those assertions may or may not be truthful. https://www.natchez.ms.us/DocumentCenter/View/1246/2021-Audites
See pages 85-92.
by Peter Rinaldi
When completed, the City of Natchez 2020 audit showed that the city did not meet its legal obligation to provide sound and professional accounting of revenues earned and expenditures made. The audit findings reflect the gross incompetence of the city clerk's office under Servia Fortenberry and the lack of care Mayor Grennell and the aldermen showed for their legal responsibilities. That lack of care and oversight allowed Fortenberry and another clerk to steal more than $36,000 in funds during the Gibson administration, according to the state indictment of two clerks. Aldermen discussed this lack of competence during both the Grennell and Gibson administrations but took no action to remedy the illegalities.
Gibson says the 2021 audit is much better and should be posted online soon. I will report on the 2021 audit as soon as its posted. The 2020 audit reflects activity during the Grennell administration through July 2020 and the Gibson administration from July-September 2020. While the onus falls on Fortenberry, Grennell and the aldermen mostly, the audit did not show any improvements made during the first three months of the Gibson administration.
2020 Financial Statement Submission to State Auditor: The City's audited financials were not submitted to the Mississippi State Auditor's office by the statutory date required. Bank Reconciliations: Bank reconciliations were not being properly reconciled to the general ledger or in a timely manner. Accounting Records and Financial Statement Preparation: Transactions were not being recorded to the City's general ledger in a timely manner. Interfund Transfers, Due To/From, and Advances: Interfund transactions were not being recorded timely or accurately. Segregation of Duties: During the process of obtaining an understanding of internal control in planning the audit, assessing control risk, and assessing fraud risk, a lack of segregation of duties was noted. General Fund Expenditures Over Budget: The City's General Fund expenditures exceeded its budgeted amount by $1,015,773. Casino Annual Lease Fund Expenditures Over Budget: The City's Casino Annual Lease Fund expenditures exceeded its budgeted amount by $350,490. Compliance with Reporting Requirements of OMB - Single Audit: The City's Single Audit was not filed with the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in a timely manner.
by Peter Rinaldi
Town of Ferriday finances have been in a mess for years, mostly because the town's tax base is not adequate to meet the obligations of minimal government. Additionally, town management, through several mayors and clerks, has not done a very good job of bookkeeping and accounting, with many deficiencies and adverse findings. The town was again late submitting its records to its CPA to publish an annual audit for 2021.
Some of the more recent problems include: 1) Old past due and non-collectible water accounts were still on the books. 2) Financial statements were not submitted to the state on time. 3) Customer utility deposits were short $22,000. The cause could be inaccurate bookkeeping, stolen or embezzled funds, or deposits may have been used illegally to pay town bills. The CPA noted the shortage but did not conduct a review to determine the exact cause or causes. 4) The town was not in compliance with state safe drinking water standards for more than 10 years, including a failure to pay state mandated fees, which amount to more than $45,000. 5) Town bookkeeping staff did not maintain reserve accounts required by issued bonds. Ferriday should have a debt service fund, reserve fund, and depreciation and contingencies funds noted in its books and balances kept as required by the bond covenants.
Ferriday's latest audit for the year ending 6/30/21 has not been released. But Mayor Rydell Turner pledged in the last audit that the five major deficiencies noted above would be corrected. The era of bad management continues to plague this poor town. Its citizens deserve better.
I have always loved writing news and working on ads for my clients. I enjoyed 35+ years of publishing Miss-Lou Magazine in print and online. In more recent years, I’ve talked to many families, mostly moms and grand moms, who have lost kids and grandkids shot to death by vicious criminals. These tearful conversations have happened far too often since 2010.
The pain and suffering of these families never ends. And they often have to struggle against a justice system that really doesn’t care whether the murderers are punished or not. There are many things to love or dislike about our communities. But the tragedy of our young men, women and teens shot and killed (nearly all are black young people) is so troubling. I am haunted by the pictures of these kids and their families’ pleas for justice. I find myself going back to the stories and the photos of the murdered kids and again asking God to care for these victims and their crying families. There should be a special place in this universe reserved for the killers with plenty of extra seating set aside for the uncaring law enforcement officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges who do such harm to our victims’ families.
This is one reason why I have been so adamant about politicians facing the facts about our crime wave. The politicians are supposed to be in charge of public safety. All shooter killers should get life without parole or the death penalty. We should continue to advocate for no bonds and no suspended or light sentences for shooter killers. No exceptions. Justice demands that we take these crimes seriously. We can’t bring the victims back to life. We can’t end the suffering of the families. But we can do what Mississippi and Louisiana law calls for. It is our obligation to do so.
by Peter Rinaldi
If Natchez police took 150 illegal or stolen guns off the street in just six months, just how many people were arrested as a result? I haven’t noticed even 50 arrests for such. Did those with two or more guns get arrested on trafficking charges with a more serious penalty as provide by state law?
While overall incidence of crime in Natchez reached a peak in the early 90s due to the crack epidemic, the city became more violent in recent years again. In 2018, Natchez had 12 murders in the city and 6 in the county. Property crime also increased dramatically. Since then, overall crime has lessened. In 2018, Natchez was in the bottom 1% of safe communities. Today, it is in the bottom 4%. Did Natchez actually solicit its safety award rather than get the award for community safety? The answer to this question is yes. Natchez submitted an application for the award category to the Miss. Municipal League. The award was not given out of the blue because officials around the state overwhelmingly recognized how Natchez was doing so well with safety. The city filled out an application highlighting its success. And the League awards committee then chose Natchez.
I received info from law enforcement last year, that city crime stats had been sanitized and improved at the direction of the former police chief. If true, that would mean the violent and property crime stats submitted to the FBI DOJ could be suspect. At this point, I have no way of verifying whether the allegation or stats are true or untrue. But the whole affair with seizures, the award, and crime statistics makes me somewhat wary. The mayor has already announced that new crime stats will show Natchez is much safer. Are we supposed to accept this announcement as truth or just more political bull throwing? I don’t know.
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This pork chops with apples and onions dish is a deliciously light and flavorful meal that's perfect for supper. Plus, it's all made in ONE pan!
Season both sides of pork chops with kosher salt and black pepper. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to large heavy bottomed pan (or skillet), and heat over MED-HIGH heat. Add pork chops to pan, leaving at least an inch between the chops to ensure even cooking and browning. Sear 3-5 minutes per side, or until pork chops are mostly done. Chops will continue cooking in the sauce later. Remove pork chops to a plate. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together chicken stock and mustard, set aside. Add remaining 1 Tbsp oil to the pan, then add apples and onions. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Stir to combine. Pour in stock mixture, using a wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits (those are full of great flavor). Slide pork chops back into the pan, nestling them down in between the apples Cook 2-3 minutes, until pork chops are finished cooking and liquid has reduced by half.
Anna Kotova has been cooking and baking European and American dishes for more than 40 years.
REGIONS: There's an ATM at each of our branches. www.regions.com. Member FDIC. An Equal Housing Lender.
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Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation by James L. Cummins
Outdoor recreation refers to any type of entertainment engaged in outdoors, most commonly, but not solely, in natural settings. When considering the economic impact of outdoor recreation, the whole scope of activities must be considered. Activities such as picnicking, camping, kayaking, bicycling, horseback riding, motorcycling, mountain and rock climbing, boating, and outdoor photography among other things, and, of course, hunting and fishing as well.
While this is an extensive list, it is hardly exhaustive. When the pandemic hit in 2020, more and more people began to realize just how important getting outside meant to them. More people were engaged in outdoor gardening and family activities than at any time in recent history. Engaging in outdoor activities provides a sense of well-being, enhances our overall physical health, inspires wonder and awe of our natural surroundings, and motivates us to be better stewards of our lands. It is difficult to determine the exact amount of outdoor recreation that Americans engage in throughout the year.
Still, in 2016, Congress passed the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act, which directed the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in the Department of Commerce to create an account that would attempt to measure the outdoor recreation economy. When measuring all aspects of outdoor recreation, activities are grouped into two main categories. “Nature-based” outdoor recreation activities are those activities that occur in natural settings–such as hunting, camping, boating, canoeing, and hiking. “Other” outdoor recreation activities are those that occur in urban or developed settings–such as tennis, golf, zoos, amusement parks, and music festivals.
The activities that contribute the most value to the outdoor recreation economy depend on the state’s own natural and man-made resources. For example, in Colorado, snow sports are a significant contributor to the economy, and in Florida, amusement parks (as well as beaches) are major contributors to the economy.
Mississippi has its fair share of natural resources and has seen an increase in resources contributing to the outdoor recreation economy. Also, the outdoor recreation economy of Mississippi is supported by thousands of workers across all outdoor recreation industries in the state.
Thankfully, Congress has realized they have a vested interest in determining the economic impact of outdoor activity because Congress helps to shape outdoor recreation throughout the nation through legislation and oversight. Statistics have shown that supporting activities, such as travel, tourism, and construction expenses are wise investments for the present, as well as the future.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi.
NATCHEZ COLLISION CENTER: Nights are always a bit cooler and the deer are running. Slow down! If you do get in an accident, we're your best choice for expert paint and body work. Bubba and Ben Wroten and the crew will do excellent work for you! 24-hour towing. Climate-controlled paint booths. Free insurance estimates. Reputation for honesty and fair prices.
386 Liberty Rd., Natchez, 601-445-0473. www.natchezcollision.com
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Squatters in the House by John Stossel
What if you come home and find strangers living in your house? I assumed you order the squatters out, and if they resist, call the police, and they will kick them out. Wrong.
Pro-tenant laws passed by anti-capitalist politicians now protect squatters. If a squatter just lies about having a lease, the police won’t intervene. “It’s a civil matter,” they’ll say. “Sort it out in court.” Great. Court might cost $20,000. Or more. And courts are so slow, eviction might take years.
In my state, New York, homeowners can’t even shut of utilities to try to get the squatter out. That’s illegal. Worse, once a squatter has been there 30 days, they are legally considered a tenant. This month, NYC police arrested a homeowner for “unlawful eviction” after she changed locks, trying to get rid a squatter. “Squatter rights,” also known as “adverse possession” laws, now exist in all 50 states. As a result, evicting a squatter legally is so expensive and cumbersome that some people simply walk away from their homes!
Flash Shelton may have a better idea. His mom wanted to sell their house after his dad died. But while they were selling it, squatters moved in. Shelton did what I would have done — called the police. But the police said there was nothing they could do. So he tried a new tactic: out-squat the squatter. “I just felt, if they can take a house, I can take a house,” Shelton says in my new video. “I could go in as the squatter myself, (and) gain possession of the property.” When the home invader left for a few hours, Shelton went in and changed the locks. Only then did the squatters leave.
Now Shelton’s started a business, SquatterHunters.com, where he tries to help others get their houses back. “People think of squatters as homeless, destitute,” I say. “
They are not homeless,” answers Shelton. “They’re criminals … people taking advantage of the system. In fact, one squatter he pushed out was Adam Fleischman, who started the Umami Burger restaurant chain. Fleischman told Shelton, “I’m a victim here.” He even called the cops. “He felt that since he had possession of the house,” says Shelton, “That he had the right to call law enforcement and have me removed.”
I tried to reach Fleischman to hear his side of the story. No luck. “Where does he hear that he has this right to squat?” I ask Shelton. “The city was telling him this,” says Shelton. But now Shelton was a squatter, too, so he was protected by the same pro-“tenant” law. Still, only when Shelton threatened to bring friends to the house as backup did Adam Fleischman leave.
In Los Angeles, a woman claimed to be a “caretaker” for an elderly homeowner, who said she didn’t want the woman in her home. So, she gave Shelton a lease. While the squatter was out, Shelton changed the locks. “But the squatter is still there?” I ask Shelton.
“Still there,” he says, “Climbing through the window because she doesn’t have access to the main house.” She’s now been there for two years! Shelton says his team will move in and get rid of the squatter. “How do you know that will work?” I ask.
“Because once I take possession,” says Shelton, “Then she’ll have to fight in court to try to get back in. Most likely she won’t do that.” Why do squatters feel entitled to other people’s property?
Probably because people hate landlords. They listen to silly people like Marxist New School professor Miguel Robles-Duran, who calls landlords “parasites” who “provide no social value.” Popular TikTok socialist Madeline Pendleton adds that landlords have “guaranteed forever incomes, without having to put in any labor.” No labor? Who does she think buys the land; pays lawyers to decipher the excessive regulations; hires architects, carpenters, plumbers and electricians; pays the taxes; manages the property, etc.?
It’s infuriating! I’m glad people like Flash Shelton fight back.
You can read more of John Stossel's writing writing at www.johnstossel.com.
Four years later, have media blowhards who were wrong apologized? Corrected their stories? No. Have American politicians apologized and begged forgiveness for their arrogance, for destroying jobs, restricting our freedom and needlessly pushing us around? No. Let’s not give politicians power like that again.
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Peter Rinaldi, publisher
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Bed Over Heels by Amy Alkon
Dear Amy: I'm a 29-year-old guy with a "keep it casual" relationship history, but I can't stop thinking about this new girl at work. Beyond not wanting her to date anyone else, I don't want someone to hurt her or make her sad. No other woman has ever made me feel this way. How do I know whether this is lust or the beginnings of falling in love? --Confused
Dear Confused: It's easy to believe you're "in love" when you're really just in lust. To be fair, lust is a form of love...if you broaden the field to stuff like "I love, love, LOVE your boobs in that inappropriately tight sweater."
In other words, lust is animal attraction, so the "inner beauty" that's elemental to loving somebody is immaterial. I know this firsthand, having repeatedly been the target of interspecies sex predators, large and small. A giant male goat chased me across my friend's parents' farm, trying to mount me -- while my friends looked on laughing.
A previous perv was six inches high and green: a friend's lorikeet (a kind of parrot). He ran after me on his little bird feet all around the friend's apartment, squawking the oh-so-sensual pickup line, "Otto, bird! Otto, bird!" I bolted into the bathroom, slammed the door, and refused to come out till he was behind bars. #beaktoo
Complicating the detangling of "love or lust?" is another important question: "Love or infatuation?" Falling in love is not love. It's infatuation -- an intense, usually lust-fueled obsession with our idea of who a person is: a projection of our hopes and romantic fantasies that often has little relationship to who they really are. That said, the sheer strength and intoxicating nature of infatuation -- like being blind drunk on romantic possibility instead of Jim Beam -- often leads to premature feelings of "We're perfect for each other!"
People tend to believe the more they learn about a new person they're into, the more into them they'll be -- a la "to know them is to love them." However, psychologist Michael I. Norton finds that when we have the hots for someone we barely know, we're prone to read ambiguity -- foggy, partial information about them -- as signs the person is like us. These (perceived!) similarities amp up our "liking" for them -- at first.
However, as time goes by, we can't help but notice all the dissimilarities poking up, which leads us to like them less and less -- a la "To know them is to loathe them." In other words, rushing into a relationship of any permanence is the stuff dreams are made of -- if you've always dreamed of being financially and emotionally incinerated in a grotesquely ugly divorce.
"Buyer beware" in love is best exercised in two ways: The first is "buyer be seriously slow." Consider putting the person you're dating on secret probation for a year (or more). This will give you time to not just see the best in them but give it much-needed company: glimpses of the worst.
Second, explore whether your compatibility with a person is surface -- "I love sushi! She loves sushi!" -- or sustainably deep. The ideal tool for assessing this is the best definition of love I've ever read, and by "best," I mean the most practically useful. It's by Ayn Rand. (And no, I'm not one of the glassy-eyed worshippers of everything she ever said or wrote, but she nailed it on this.)
"Love is a response to values," writes Rand. "It is with a person's sense of life that one falls in love -- with that essential sum, that fundamental stand or way of facing existence, which is the essence of a personality. One falls in love with the embodiment of the values that formed a person's character, which are reflected in his widest goals or smallest gestures. ... It is one's own sense of life that acts as the selector," identifying one's own core values in the other person.
Using this "values model" to determine compatibility requires some preliminary work: figuring out your own values, meaning the principles you care most about -- the guiding standards for the sort of person you want to be. If you're in the "gotta get started on that" stage, recognizing what isn't love -- those love fakers, lust and infatuation -- should help you avoid sliding into the committed relationship nightmare zone.
Ultimately, love is nautical: It's both the ship that launched a thousand sappy cliches and, more vitally, a lifeboat. In lifeboat form, it gets romantic partners through the worst of times, major and, um, somewhat less major -- like when your bae spends your entire date night searching Hulu for a movie to watch. Love is dropping your phone in the goldfish bowl to keep yourself from whispering, "Hey, Siri, where's the legal line between murder and involuntary manslaughter?"
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News for Southwest Mississippi and East Central Louisiana, including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties and Concordia and Catahoula parishes.
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missloumagazine@gmail.com
Peter Rinaldi, publisher
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Contact Us
News for Southwest Mississippi and East Central Louisiana, including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties and Concordia and Catahoula parishes.
Offices:
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601-431-2990
missloumagazine@gmail.com
Peter Rinaldi, publisher
Clarisse Washington, editor emeritus
Stanton Hall
The Vidalia Conference and Convention Center is the optimal location for the event to remember. Located along the bank of the Mississippi River in Vidalia, La., directly across the river from historic Natchez, Miss., adjacent to the Clarion Suites Hotel and just north of the Riverfront RV Park. 20,000 square feet of rental space for conventions, parties, exhibits, weddings and special events.
For more info, call 318-336 9934. www.vidaliaconventioncenter.com
Historic Downtown: Between Main and Franklin streets is the hub of Old Natchez with tree-lined streets, old homes, plenty of places to walk and view restored historic properties. Restaurants, antique and gift shops, banks, bars. Very visitor friendly. Call the Chamber of Commerce for specific sites worth visiting, 601-445-4611.
Vidalia Riverfront: A mile-long river walk and the best views of the Mississippi River highlight this spectacular collage of scenery of new facilities including restaurants, hotels, convention center and amphitheater. The river walk is the perfect place to unwind, relax and get a touch of exercise.
Delta Music Museum
Delta Music Museum: A restored post office in downtown Ferriday offers a glimpse into the lives of Ferriday's most famous musical natives: Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart, and PeeWee Whittaker. Free admission, 318-757-9999.
Duncan Park: Nice tennis facilities and 18-rounds of golf, picnic tables, driving range, handicapped accessible playground, nice biking and walking. Golf just $29 ($24 seniors), cart included. Inexpensive recreation, 601-442-5955.
Longwood
Longwood and Rosalie: These homes offer the best of the best tours of pre-Civil War mansions. Longwood, an unfinished octagonal house (800-647-6742), and Rosalie, with its original furnishings and beautiful gardens (601-445-4555), have great family histories.
Antebellum Home Touring: Natchez Pilgrimage Tours offers individual and group tickets to antebellum mansions year-round. Fall and Spring Pilgrimages offer more than 30 homes on tour, all restored, beautifully furnished with priceless antiques, art and collectibles. Many homes feature exquisite gardens and landscaped grounds, 601-653-0919.
Magnolia Bluffs Casino
Magnolia Bluffs Casino: This downtown casino offer Las Vegas-style gambling, dining, and entertainment. Call the 1-888-505-5777 for info.
Downtown Carriage Ride: The guides know just about every story about every building and the people who lived there during Natchez's historic past. Get tickets from the drivers themselves at the Canal Street Depot. Carriage rides are just $20 per person, $10 for children ages 3-10, a real value when you consider the quality and beauty of the tour.
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians: A historic site and museum commemorate the Natchez Native American culture. Mounds rebuilt, nature trail, picnic tables, tree-covered grounds. Free admission. School and civic groups welcome, 601-446-6502.
Natchez in Historic Photographs: Nearly 100 years of Natchez history is captured in photos hung on the walls of Stratton Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. More than 300 photographs from the 1850's-1950's. Free admission, donation requested, 601-442-4751.
Natchez Museum of African-American History: This museum on Main Street offers more than 600 artifacts that interpret the life, history and culture of black Americans in Mississippi from the 1890's to the 1950's, 601-445-0728.
MMelrose
Natchez National Historic Park: The park includes two properties, Melrose and the William Johnson House. Melrose is a stately antebellum home built in 1848, situated in a lovely park-like setting. Outbuildings are preserved. Tours are offered. The William Johnson House is a three-story townhouse, once owned by a free black businessman, 601-442-7407.
St. Catherine Creek Wildlife Refuge
St. Catherine Creek Wildlife Refuge: This 25,000 acre refuge, located along the Mississippi River from Cloverdale Road to the Homochitto River, offers a nature trail, fishing, hunting and wildlife watching opportunities, 601-442-6696.
Natchez City Cemetery: This cemetery was established in 1821 and contains graves dating to the 1700's. Many of Natchez's historic figures are buried here. Tours are available, 601-445-5051.
Beau Pré Country Club: 18 holes of beautifully landscaped golf, $50-$60 with cart. One of the best courses in the state, grill and lounge, tennis, swimming. Open Tues. through Sun., www.beauprenatchez.com, 601-442-5493.
Beau Pre Country Club
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Contact Us
News for Southwest Mississippi and East Central Louisiana, including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties and Concordia and Catahoula parishes.
Offices:
15044 Blue Marlin Terrace, Bonita Springs. FL 34135
601-431-2990
missloumagazine@gmail.com
Peter Rinaldi, publisher
Clarisse Washington, editor emeritus
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Contact Us
News for Southwest Mississippi and East Central Louisiana, including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties and Concordia and Catahoula parishes.
Offices:
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601-431-2990
missloumagazine@gmail.com
Peter Rinaldi, publisher
Clarisse Washington, editor emeritus
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News for Southwest Mississippi and East Central Louisiana, including Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and Wilkinson counties and Concordia and Catahoula parishes.
Offices:
15044 Blue Marlin Terrace, Bonita Springs. FL 34135
601-431-2990
missloumagazine@gmail.com
Peter Rinaldi, publisher
Clarisse Washington, editor emeritus