Monday, August 1, 2011

Winona Police are investigating an apparent vehicle theft that took place at Pilot Truck Stop yesterday.  Sgt. Michael Gross said he was dispatched to Pilot at 12:54 pm.  The victim reported he left his car at the pumps and went inside to pay for gas.  When he went back outside, his vehicle was gone.  The missing vehicle is a 2006 Chrysler 300, silver in color, with Carroll County tags.  Surveillance tapes show an older model, dark blue 4-door sedan, possibly a Chevrolet, circling the parking lot and and it appears someone was dropped off.  That same individual was videoed getting into the stolen vehicle and heading east on highway 82 but it was not clear if it exited onto I55 or stayed on Highway 82.  The dark blue vehicle left the parking lot about 30 seconds after the stolen vehicle.  Its direction of travel was not clear.

Sgt. Gross said the suspect is possibly a light skinned black male, 6’2” to 6’3” with a slender build.  He was wearing a white tee shirt and blue jean shorts.  He was not wearing a hat and his hair is close cut.  If you have any information that could assist the Winona Police Department, call 662-283-1140.

Winona Mayor Jerry Flowers said the City Water Department is still waiting for parts needed to begin the wastewater treatment facility rehab.  When the work begins, Mayor Flowers explained the storage capacity at the treatment plant would be cut in half during the work.  The system has two sides and one side will be shut down while work is done on it.  When the first side is back up and running, the other side will be taken down and repaired.  Winona city officials do not expect a water shortage; it is simply a matter of only having one half of the storage capacity available while the work is being done.  In order to make sure to avoid a temporary shortage, the Mayor and board have asked citizens to get in the habit of conserving water.  When all the parts arrive and the work gets underway, it could take several months to complete.

Politicking is going to be hot today, and I’m not talking about the competition.  The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory until 7pm this evening for the WONA listening area.  Heat indices are forecast to be as high as 110 degrees between 1pm and 6pm. 

Montgomery County residents will soon see Crime Stoppers Signs posted around the County.  The Crime Stoppers board of directors ordered 50 of the 12x18 signs and installation should get under in the next few days.  The signs are simple, just the name and phone number but Montgomery County Sheriff Bubba Nix and the Crime Stoppers Board are hoping they will help raise the public’s awareness that the program is in place.  Anyone, regardless of age, can receive a cash reward for calling in a tip that results in an arrest for a felony.  The calls go to a center in Texas and the callers name is never given.  So no one will ever know who called the tip in.  You can call in a tip by phone at 1-888-672-8477 or you can go online and submit a tip at https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=934 .  Once again, all information is completely confidential.  The slogan for the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Program is “Crime doesn’t pay, Crime Stoppers Does”.

Sheriff Bubba Nix Shows New Crime Stopper Signs

In other local news, local politicians are gearing up for Tuesday’s primary.  According to Montgomery County Circuit Clerk, Lanelle Martin, right at 5pm Monday, she will make a last run to the post office to pick up absentee ballots that have been mailed in.  Then the voting boxes will be assembled.  The return envelopes for absentee ballots are marked with the correct precinct and they are put in the proper boxes. In addition, instructions to the poll workers for opening and closing the box are put in, along with the bags, seals, and the poll book, office supplies and register books.

When you go to vote, your name will be looked up on the poll book.  If, for some reason your name does not appear on the book, you will be directed to the poll where your name is.  For instance, if you have moved and have not updated the information on your voter registration card. You will then vote an affidavit ballot.   Affidavit ballots are hand counted after the polls close and must be verified.  

Sample ballots for both Montgomery and Carroll County can be found on the hawg95 home page.

WONA will be reporting primary results live Tuesday night.  The coverage will begin at 7pm.  

Circuit Clerk’s offices will open until noon this Saturday for absentee voting.  And noon is the deadline for absentee voting at those offices.  Absentee ballots that have been mailed must be received in the Circuit Clerk’s office no later than 5pm Monday.   Absentee ballots cannot be hand delivered.

The polls open at 7am Tuesday and will close at 7pm.  There are a couple of changes in poll locations voters should know about.  Montgomery County voters who have cast ballots at the old school gym in Duck Hill will now vote at the new fire department.  According to Carroll County Circuit Clerk, Derwood Stanton, McCarley voters who, in the past, voted at the Beat 1 County Barn, will now vote a McAnerney’s restaurant.  That is a permanent change.  In addition, due to the renovation project currently underway at the Carroll County Courthouse, those voters will go to the MSU Extension Office, between the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and the Tax Assessor’s Office.  That is a temporary change.

In other local news, the state’s third Sales Tax Holiday will take place during a 48-hour time period beginning 12:01 a.m. this Friday, July 29 and end at midnight on Saturday, July 30. The Sales Tax Holiday saves Mississippi shoppers 7 percent on eligible items.  The items exempt from sales tax during the Sales Tax Holiday period are clothing and footwear items, meant to be worn next to the body and cost less than $100 per item.

Jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches, backpacks, and other accessory items do not qualify for the Sales Tax Holiday. In addition, cleats and other athletic gear are items not eligible. School supplies and computers are not included.

You can take a look at a listing of eligible and non-eligible clothing and footwear items by clicking on this link www.dor.ms.gov/docs/2011SalesTaxHoliday.pdf

Two Winona men escaped serious injury yesterday morning in a single vehicle accident on Lower Milligan Springs Road near Highway 407. Chase Amason, age 21 of Winona was headed south on Lower Milligan Springs Road a few minutes before 8am when he met his mother headed the opposite direction.  Amason said he braked, and then lost control of the vehicle, a Toyota Camry.  The vehicle left the road and struck a line of trees.  Amason and his passenger, 20 year old Matthew La Rochelle were transported by vehicle to Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released for minor injuries.  The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department is handling the accident investigation.

Winona Mayor Jerry Flowers is asking for the public’s patience regarding the recent boil water notice.  The boil water notice was issued Friday afternoon.  The Mississippi Department of health website advises that when a boil water alert is issued, any water that is to be consumed should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute.  If boiling the water is not possible, mix eight drops of unscented chorine bleach to one gallon of water, mix it thoroughly and let it stand for thirty minutes before using it.

The Winona voter’s league will host another political rally at 6pm this Saturday, July 30 at the Montgomery justice court complex on Alberta drive in Winona. All candidates are invited to attend and speak and the public is encouraged to attend.

For more information or to reserve your place on the schedule, please contact JC Morgan at 662-283-2365 or Tela Collins at 662-417-1565.

Plans for the annual Crossroads Fall Festival are moving forward.  The Winona Business Association has set the date for Saturday, October 8^th.  Entertainment will be provided by Jason Walker and the Black Bird Transport, the same group the played at the 4^th of July event. Vendors are encouraged to reserve booth space early by contacting Linda Montague at 662-283-9040. 

The City of Winona issued a boil water alert Friday after a routine test sample sent to the State Health Department Tuesday was designated as a bad sample. Winona Water Department Manager Frank Faulkner said he received notification Friday afternoon and immediately advised the mayor.  Mayor Jerry Flowers contacted WONA at 2:40 and asked that the station begin broadcasting the alert right away.  The first alert was broadcast was at 2:50 and it aired thirty times between 2:50 and 11:50pm Friday.  Additional alerts were aired throughout the day Saturday and Sunday.  Water Department personnel notified restaurants directly.

A boil water alert doesn’t necessarily mean the water was contaminated.  According to information from the State Health Department, an alert is issued when the system is compromised or a test sample was deemed to be bad; which is the case in this alert. The city is required to take the samples from an outside faucet.  Reasons for a bad sample designation could be anything from the faucet itself being contaminated to as something as simple as dust or rain getting into the sample bottle during the procedure.

Frank Faulkner said a representative of the state health department advised him if the result had come in earlier in the week, retesting could have been done and the issue resolved right away.  But the report did not come in until Friday afternoon and the State labs are closed on the weekend. 

The City was instructed to take 23 water samples from throughout the system for three consecutive days.  One sample was taken from the outside faucet at my house, for instance and another from the outside faucet at WONA. The alert will last until Tuesday. 

There are over a dozen boil water notices currently in effect in the state of Mississippi, not including the City of Winona and the water systems affected by it.

  Water samples taken for City of Winona

In other local news, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office responded to the report of a kidnapping earlier yesterday morning.  The Montgomery County EOC received the call at approximately 4:19 am.  Kenneth Noah, Jr. age 30 allegedly broke into his ex-wife’s home on Dorman Road in the Poplar Creek area and held her against her will for approximately 45 minutes.  She managed to get away and drove to her mother’s home where she notified authorities.  Deputy Joel Hill, assisted by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department arrested Noah on Highway 35 near Vaiden.  The victim was not injured. 

The Mississippi Code defines kidnapping as being imprisoned or held against one’s will.  Noah has been charged with breaking and entering and kidnapping and is being held at the CMRCF in Vaiden.  Bond was set at $25,000 on each charge.

When someone says 9/11 – you don’t have to wonder what year they are referring to or what they are talking about.  According to CNN, 2973 people died that day, not including the terrorists, as a result of those attacks. That day changed the way Americans live, think and travel.   September 11, 2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the terrorists attack on the United States at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and as well as an attack that was prevented when civilians crashed a jet was headed for Washington into a field in Pennsylvania.  To commemorate that day, a service is being planned that will take place at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Sunday, September 11 at 8am.  The public is encouraged to attend this very special event.

IN other local news, Circuit Clerk’s offices will be open tomorrow from 8am until noon for absentee voting for the upcoming primary.  These offices will also be open next Saturday for the same.  If you think you are eligible to cast an absentee ballot, contact your county Circuit Clerks office for instructions. 

The August 2^nd primary election will be here before we know it WONA is outlining a brief description of each office that will be represented on the ballots.  These descriptions come from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office and are general descriptions. 

A County Coroner serves the county medical examiner and/or its examiner investigator.  The Coroner issues death declarations and reports the results of autopsies if one is required. 

The County Prosecuting attorney represents the State in it’s investigations of felonies in justice court and in criminal cases that have been appealed to Circuit Court.  In addition, a county prosecutor may assist the district attorney, can present cases to the grand jury and has some youth court responsibilities.

The Superintendent of County Schools is the top administrator for the all county schools outside separate school districts.  The County Superintendent serves as the secretary to the board of education but cannot vote on board issues and no has voice in setting policies.

The primary state and county election is coming up August 2^nd and many people have of questions about just exactly what the primary process is. So tomorrow, Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Lanelle Martin, is going to sit in during the morning show and explain how it all works.  There are a lot of candidates on this year’s primary ballots and they are a little overwhelming.  WONA has posted copies of sample ballots for Montgomery and Carroll Counties on their website.  This will give voters a chance to study the ballots and make the voting process a little less confusing and maybe even a little faster.  The WONA website is www.hawg95.com and the sample ballots are on the bottom of the home page. 

Eupora police had an outstanding warrant on a man for contempt of court and got word he was at a home at 1123 Minerva Rd. When Montgomery County Sheriff Bubba Nix and Deputy Dan Herod went to pick up the man for Eupora authorities, they took the new K-9 officer Peti with them to help make sure the man didn’t try to run.  The man was at the house next door and when Sheriff Nix, Deputy Herod, along with Peti the K-9 officer headed next door, Peti took of to the rear of the property, pulling Deputy Herod with him.  Straight to a flowerpot, planted with marijuana.  Sheriff Nix said no charges have been filed for the marijuana plants and it will be a misdemeanor charge, but he was very pleased that Peti pointed it out to them. 

Sheriff Nix with plants from one bust and bags of cocaine and crack from an unrelated arrest

In other local news, according to Montgomery County Deputy Calvin Young, the driver of the car involved in the single vehicle accident late Tuesday evening was Beverly Castle of Winona.  Deputy Young said she was driving a 2000 Pontiac Booneville, headed north when the car left the pavement on Sawyer Road.  Ms. Castle was treated and released at Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital.  The accident is still under investigation.

The Winona-Montgomery County Library took their budget request to the Board of Supervisors Monday night and Tuesday spoke to the Winona City Board.  Last year the City contributed $63,769 to the library’s operating budget and this year have requested a $4,913 increase.  The board will address the issue in the upcoming budget work.

In other city news, Mayor Flowers informed the board the City will soon receive a $15,000 refund from the company that picks up the dumpsters at the City Barn.  After reviewing invoices submitted by Waste Connections, Mayor Flowers discovered years of surcharges other extra charges the City should not have been billed for.

Emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle accident on Sawyer Road last night just after 7:00.  The accident happened just west of the Interstate 55 overpass.  One person was taken to Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital by ambulance.  Details were not available at press time.

Monday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office received a tip that someone had found a package of suspicious material.  Preliminary tests show that material to be cocaine powder and rocks of cocaine.  Sheriff Bubba Nix estimated the street value of the drugs to be between $18,000 and $20,000 and commented it was the most he had ever seen at one time.  No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.  Sheriff Nix said the caller would receive a cash reward from the Sheriff’s office for reporting the drugs.

The Winona Police Department reported a van stolen from Oliver Funeral home was used in a kidnapping in Grenada.  Sgt. Michael Gross said a 17-year-old Winona youth allegedly took the van, drove it to Grenada and kidnapped his ex-girl friend.  She was apparently taken to Oxford where the couple was found after law enforcement from surrounding counties was notified to be on the lookout for the vehicle.  The 17 year old faces grand larceny charges in Winona as a juvenile.  Sgt. Gross said the law changed July 1 that prevent him being changed as an adult.  The young man has been charged in Grenada with kidnapping and could also face charges in Oxford.

Mississippians will head to the polls on August 2^nd for the primary election to decide who will be the Democratic or Republican candidates for the November general election in State and County offices.  Which brings up a good point…..exactly what are the responsibilities of each office?  The following descriptions of the responsibilities of elected county officials come from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office and are general descriptions.

County Supervisors adopt, modify or repeals county resolutions and ordinances.  The board of supervisors is responsible for county maintained roads, bridges, county owned property, county tax levies and the appropriation of county funds.  Local boards of supervisors also work to recruit industry and promote economic growth.

 The Chancery Clerk’s job includes maintaining records for the Board of Supervisors and Chancery Court.  Chancery Court handles a variety of cases including divorces, child custody, wills, lunacy hearing and estates.  The Chancery Clerk also records land titles, liens, contracts and related matters into the Counties records. 

 The Circuit Clerk is the chief officer for the Circuit Court, where felony criminal trials are held and misdemeanor cases that are being appealed, and come civil cases.  The Circuit Clerk is also responsible for maintaining the voter rolls and assists the election commission.

The Tax Assessor/Collector for each county has the job of maintaining the County tax rolls, personal, real estate and ad valorem.  Vehicle tags are purchased at the County Tax Assessor/Collector’s offices.  The County Tax Assessor/Collector is responsible for keeping up with records of tax payments and depositing that money into the County Treasury.

A County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer in each county and the officer for the Circuit and Chancery Courts.  The Sheriff is responsible for maintaining the county law library, and is responsible for the county courthouse and for the protection of county prisoners.

 WONA will describe the duties of other elected county and state officials in upcoming newscasts.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says offering healthier kids' meals at restaurants is important because children are getting about a third of their calories from eating out, and eating out is a big contributor to obesity. This week, while many families are on the road for summer vacation, 19 restaurant chains with over 150,000 restuarants, all over the country began offering healthier kids meals.  This is part of a voluntary initiative called Kids LiveWell. While none of the Montgomery or Carroll County chains are on the list, Burger King, Chili’s, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s and IHOP are.  Meals that fit into the program will be marked on the menu with a red apple.  The meal must be 600 calories, meet other nutritional guidelines and must include a main dish, side dish and drink.  Participating restaurants are working to expand their healthier menus.  A team of registered dietitians from Healthy Dining reviewed these meals to make sure they qualified for the program.  The National Restaurant Association says they hope to add thousands more establishments to the program in the very near future.  Find Kids LiveWell meals on healthydiningfinder.com.

In other Mississippi Health News, Mississippians are obviously taking precautions West Nile Virus.  So far this year, only one case of West Nile Virus in a human has been confirmed in Mississippi and that was in Tallahatchie County.  There were 8 with no fatal cases 2010, compared to 53 cases with 2 deaths in 2009.  Since West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, the Mississippi Department of Health says residents should avoid mosquitoes if possible by staying inside, wearing protective clothing and wearing repellant containing up to 30 per cent DEET, 10 per cent or less on kids between 2 and 12.  These precautions are especially important between dusk and dawn.   You should also wear gloves if you have to hand a dead bird or other animal because of the possibility of diseases.

The location of Winona’s 1961 time capsule is still a mystery.  Winona celebrated its 100th birthday that year, and there was an elaborate celebration to commemorate that milestone.  The plans for the celebration included burying a time capsule that was to be opened in fifty years, this year.  In fact, the subject just came up at last weeks 4^th of July celebration only because organizers of that event had assembled a new time capsule, not even knowing about the one made in 1961.  Problem is, nobody remembered where it was buried.  So began the detective work to find it.  Minutes of City Board meetings were pored over to no avail.   Winona Times Editor, Amanda Sexton Ferguson and I went through months of 50-year-old editions of the Winona Times, hoping to solve the mystery.  Many people spent months planning that celebration and it was an elaborate affair.  We found many mentions of the ceremony that was planned for August 25th to bury the time capsule.  Then….nothing.  Finally, the August 31^st edition of the Winona Times had a small article that said, “ The time capsule ceremony did not take place”.  So…….was it just forgotten?  Was it buried at a later date?  Will we ever know? 

It is easy to spend hours reading the old papers, and amazing to see how times have changed.  For instance, in the summer of ’61, a pound of Luzianne Coffee was advertised for just $.59.  A quart of Blue Plate Mayo was $.49, sugar, 10 pounds for $.97.  The August 31, 1961 paper also had the City’s budget for 1962 printed.  The general fund revenue for the year was $146,000.

In other local news, registration for students attending Winona Public Schools gets underway tomorrow.  Hours for registration at Winona Elementary School are 8:00 to 3:00 and for Winona Secondary School are 8:00 to 4:00 tomorrow, 8:00 to 12:00 at both schools Saturday.  Monday hours are 8:00 to 3:00 at the elementary school and 11:00 to 6:00 at the secondary school.  Registration for the Secondary School will take place in the Vo-Tech Building.  The first day of school is August 5^th for Winona Public Schools.

Last weeks’ Old Fashioned Fourth Celebration in downtown Winona was such a success plans for next year’s event got underway at last night’s Winona Business Association meeting. Since last weeks fireworks show was rained out, the WBA members decided to save them for next year’s event.  The next big event for the WBA is the fall festival, set for October 8^th.  Vendors are encouraged to call Linda Montegue at 283-9040 to reserve a space.  The Christmas Parade is December 1.   

 Montgomery County Circuit Clerk, Lanelle Martin says absentee voting can be done at Circuit Clerk’s offices between the hours of 8 and 5, and between 8 and 12 on July 23^rd and 30^th, the last two Saturday’s before the August 2^nd primary.  According to the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office, some registered voters are eligible to vote absentee because of age, health or work demands, or their affiliation with the U.S. armed forces. For example, voters who will be outside their county of residence on election day are entitled to vote by absentee ballot. You should check with your with your Circuit Clerk office to find our if you are entitled to vote absentee.

The emotional effects of a natural disaster, like the April tornadoes aren’t gone when the clean up and repairs are complete.  FEMA warns that the emotional damage can be far more long lasting, especially for children.  The stress caused by a natural disaster can range from nightmares to aggression and rebellion, and even drug use, depending on a child’s age.  FEMA has a list of suggestions to help children deal with the stress. 

For more information services available contact the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Helpline at 877-210-8513 or visit www.dmh.ms.gov.

Additional information about this disaster is available at www.fema.gov, www.msema.org, and www.msdisasterinfo.com.

The Winona Animal Advocacy Group, or WAAG, as it is more affectionately known, has partnered with the City of Winona to help care for abandoned animals and find homes for them.  Sometimes, that’s just not possible. The dogs at the Winona Animal Shelter have been there for over two months.  WAAG, and the City of Winona cannot afford to keep these animals indefinitely.   That’s where another group, In Defense of Animals, comes in.  Their local representative, Doll Stanley, works with WAAG to make sure these animals are adopted to good homes, or cared for.  For those that aren’t, there is an animal reserve in Colorado called “Every Creature Counts” where dogs can live and be cared for until they are adopted out.  They can even live there for the rest of their lives.  The dogs that are taken there will not be euthanized.  The state of Colorado has strict spaying and neutering laws, so they have fewer unwanted puppies and kittens, making it easier to find homes for dogs from other places.

But transporting the animals is expensive.  The last time Ms. Stanley took a load, it cost $2,500 with gas and truck rental costs.  There are other groups that help In Defense of Animals with the expenses, along with WAAG, but even so, the funding is hard to come by.  WAAG and In Defense of Animals are asking for the public’s help to transport fifteen dogs from the Winona Animal Shelter to the refuge in Colorado.  For more information on the transport or to make a donation contact Fay Welch at 310-3374.

Speaking of dogs, for awhile, dog breeders claimed that hypoallergenic dogs produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur, making them a healthier choice for people with allergies .  Not so, says a study from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.  They found no scientific evidence that these so called “hypoallergenic” dogs produced fewer allergens.  Dust samples from 173 homes with 60 breeds of dogs, 11 of which were are the “hypoallergenic” breeds were tested.  The research showed no significant differences in home with hypoallergenic breeds and those with regular breeds.

The study is published in the July issue of the American Journal of Rhinology andAllergy.

The weather is making headlines again.  Forecasted high temperatures and high humidity have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a high heat advisory through 8pm tonight for Central and South Mississippi, including Montgomery, Carroll, Leflore and Grenada Counties.  Temps will in this area are expected to reach 100 degrees and the heat index as high as 108.  Areas north of Grenada County under an “Excessive Heat warning at least through tomorrow.  Heat indexes in that area are forecast to be 110 or higher, primarily in the late afternoon or early evening.

Weather conditions like this can bring on heat related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion very easily.  The advisory cautions residents to try to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, in an air conditioned area if possible, and be sure to check on your neighbors and relatives who may be at risk.  Remember that pets are susceptible to these extreme temperatures as well.  The advisory also cautions that in the last dozen years, 450 children have died as a result of being left inside a vehicle during hot weather; Twenty so far this year. It takes just minutes for the temperature in a vehicle to climb high enough to cause a heat stroke, even if the windows are partially open.  The same goes for pets left in a vehicle.  Many times a child strapped in a safety seat is simply forgotten while a busy parent or caretaker is running errands.  The National Weather Service published a little rhyme to help people remember, “Beat the heat, check the backseat”.  The CDC recommends putting a stuffed animal in the front seat whenever your child is strapped in a safety seat in the back to help you remember.

Even small towns like Winona have their share of residents who go on to make names for themselves in Hollywood.  Gil Peterson is one of them.  Peterson graduated from Winona High School in the mid 1950’s and played football  at Mississippi State as a halfback.  He went on to have an acting career, appearing in episodes of more than a dozen television series, including Ironsides, Run For Your Life, Combat, Cannon, The Death Valley Days and The FBI.  Feature Film credits include a minor role in “The Valley of the Dolls” and a starring role in “The Cool Ones”.  “The Cool Ones” is a 1967 musical comedy spoof on 1960’s TV dance shows.  It also stars Roddy McDowell and Glenn Campbell has a musical role in the film.  Actress Terry Garr also appears in this film, as well. 

Turner Classic Movies, or TCM, will air “The Cool Ones” tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock.  TCM is channel 256 on Direct TV, 132 on Dish and 43 on local Cable. 

As a result of spring tornadoes and storms, FEMA has processes 100 applications for disaster assistance from Montgomery County and has dispersed  $85,659 in aide.  Another 51 applications from Grenada County for $11,644 and 39 from Leflore County for $77,556 have been processed.  The deadline to file for assistance was June 28^th. 

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer free advise for smarter and stronger rebuilding after a disaster.  They also offer advise on how to that in the most cost effective way.  Just go online to the FEMA website at www.fema.gov and click on the “recover and rebuild” tab at the top of the page.  That will take you to a page with many links, including how to construct a safe room or shelter for storms. 

Online help is also available at the following websites:

• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/build_safer.shtm
  Low-cost measures to reduce risk from natural disasters, building and retrofitting tips, and how to build a safe room.
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/mitigation.shtm
  Information and resources for making your property less susceptible to future losses.
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/community_build_safer.shtm
  Safer building design and construction for design professionals, home installers, surveyors and state and local officials.
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/after.shtm
  Resources for different phases of recovering and rebuilding.
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/smart_strong.shtm
  Information and guidance on building safer.                                                                   

Northern District Public Service Commissioner, Brandon Presley believes corporate utility company executives should not travel in private jets at consumer’s expense.    Yesterday, Presley proposed a rule that would prohibit this practice.  Presley said, “Corporate utilities should not be able to pass along costs of flying around on private jets to their customers, If they want luxurious jets to fly around in, their stockholders and profits should pay for it – not consumers.”   If the new rule passes it will limit costs passed on to customers to only those which are at coach rate on commercial airlines and supported by both documentation and justification. 

A south Mississippi utility recently requested that $900,000 in corporate jet expenses be passed on to its customers. The Public Service Commission denied that request according to a press release from Presley office.  The Public Service Commission unanimously adopted Presley’s proposed rule and set a hearing on the matter for September 8, 2011 

Mississippi will have it’s third Sales Tax Holiday during a 48-hour time period beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2011, and ending 12:00 midnight Saturday, July 30, 2011. This sales tax holiday saves consumers 7 percent and the timing is set to coincide with back to school shopping since sales tax is waived on specific items like clothing and footwear that cost less than $100 per item.  Jewelry, purses, wallets, watches, backpacks, and similar items do not qualify for the Sales Tax Holiday. Cleats and items worn in conjunction with an athletic or recreational activity are not eligible. School supplies and computers are not included, either.

Municipalities are not required by the state to participating the Sales Holiday, although most do, including all those in the WONA listening area.

A complete list of eligible and non-eligible clothing and footwear can be seen on the Mississippi Department of Revenue website at www.dor.ms.gov.  Just click on the 2011 Sales Tax Holiday section.

In other local news, Winona’s 150^th birthday was celebrated at the Old Fashioned 4^th of July celebration held downtown.  One of the ways that milestone was observed was making of a time capsule.  Tuesday night at the Winona City Board meeting, the Mayor issued a proclamation in honor of the 150^th birthday and the new time capsule that is to be buried near City Hall and unearthed on July 4, 2061 to celebrate Winona’s 200^th birthday.

During the downtown festivities Monday night, several of Winona’s older residents remarked that a time capsule was buried in 1961 in honor of the City’s 100^th birthday. Although no one could remember just where it was buried.  It is supposed to be opened this year.  Research is ongoing to find documentation those details where that time capsule is.  If you remember, contact Amanda Sexton Ferguson at the Winona Times office. 

NEWS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011

A nine-year old girl was treated and released from Tyler Holmes Memorial after she was struck by a car.  Emergency services were called to the Super Value parking lot at approximately 12:45 yesterday, when, apparently, the girl ran across an empty parking space just as a customer was pulling into it.  The vehicle was traveling a very low rate of speed when the girl was hit.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors met yesterday morning, since Monday was a holiday.  Sheriff Bubba Nix asked the board to approve and put in the minutes a list of weapons that are to be destroyed.  According to the Sheriff, some of the weapons have been in the vault for years, some as far back as when Robert Tompkins was in office.  These weapons were all seized during arrests are not usable.

The board approved the receipt of the real and personal tax rolls and discussed routine business.  The board then recessed until the July 18^th meeting.

Political candidates need to check the location of their campaign signs in the City of Winona.  According to City Attorney, Ray Baum, the City Ordinances states that signs must be at least five feet from a City road.  Signs may not be placed on City Property and a candidate must have a property owner’s permission to place a sign on private property.  A Candidate may not place a sign on or in his vehicle, and then leave that vehicle on City property.  In addition, utility companies do not allow signs of any kind to be put on them. Baum brought this to the board’s attention at yesterday’s City Board meeting.  He went on to say the City ordinance does allow for a $100 per day per sign fine and up to ten days in jail.  Mayor Flowers added that signs violating the ordinances would be picked up and stored at the City Barn.  He stressed campaign signs would not be destroyed. 

In other City Business, the Board asked the Mayor to furnish them with a cost figure for of what it would cost to start the annexation process of land near the interstate and additional acreage that would include the airport and the wastewater treatment plant.  The rest of the city’s business was routine.

News for July 5^th, 2011

Local law enforcement reported a very quiet 4^th of July weekend  and The Old Fashioned 4^th of July celebration in Winona was off to a fantastic start with great entertainment, delicious food and a big crowd.  Then heavens opened up and it poured.  And poured.  And poured some more.  Unfortunately, after waiting hopefully for over an hour, event organizers decided to call it.  The good news is it really was off to a great start with a tribute to Winona’s 150^th birthday.  The Montgomery County Arts Council staged a quick play on the history of the founding of Winona, There were even two actors portraying a couple of current local politicians.  Check out the pictures at the bottom of this story  and see if you can figure out who they are!  150 red white and blue balloons were released in honor of the City’s birth, as well.  The Winona Business Association plans to sponsor the event next year as well.

 In other local news, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for today at 8am and the Winona City Board meeting as today at 5.  As always, the public is encouraged to attend.

What is the significance of the 4^th of July celebration, other than a day off, a bbq with a cold beverage and fireworks?  Believe it or not, 6 percent of Americans don’t know what the day celebrates. 

July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia signed The Declaration of Independence.  Pennsylvania, that is.  Not Mississippi.  The Declaration was a sort of a petition sent to King George of England that said citizens living in the thirteen colonies were sick and tired of being under his thumb and had set up their own country, independent from merry old England.  Some pretty impressive men signed that declaration.  Men like John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Ever heard of putting your “John Hancock” on the dotted line?  Well, the real John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence.  However, George Washington did not sign the Declaration of Independence. 

According to the Census Bureau, there were 2.5 million people living in the new country, today, this 4^th of July, there are 311.7 million.  Enough history, the Winona Business Association, the City of Winona and Entergy are sponsoring an Old Fashioned 4^th of July Celebration this evening in downtown Winona from 6 until 10pm with food, entertainment, fun and fireworks.  We hope you’ll join us.  Have a happy and safe 4^th of July.

Montgomery County Sheriff, Bubba Nix said old-fashioned investigative work led to the arrest of two juveniles.  Wednesday morning a resident from North Mission Road discovered several items had been stolen from his shop; including a Honda Motorcycle, a shotgun, a bow, pole saw and two tool boxes with tools in them.  Deputies Dan Herod and Bryant Long responded to the call and noticed what appeared to be tire tracks from the motorcycle leading from the scene.  The two deputies follows the tracks through the countryside, down logging roads and power line for about a mile and a half where they discovered the motorcycle in a ditch behind a house at 472 North Mission Road.

Since the motorcycle doesn’t work, the thieves had to push it the entire way.  The rest of the stolen items were located on the property as well.  17-year-old Ricky Busby and a juvenile were arrested.  Busby is originally from Eupora, but has been living at the North Mission Road address for a couple of months.  He has been charged as an adult and his bond was set at $25,000.

A one-vehicle accident on Highway 82 yesterday, left one man shaken up, but not injured.  The accident happened about 4:15 on the West bound side of Highway 82 at the Old Legion Lake Road intersection. According to Sgt. Michael Gross of the Winona Police Department, the driver said he swerved to avoid a vehicle stopped to turn, overcorrected and lost control.  The car, a late model Buick, left the road at the north side of the intersection, traveling a good distance before flipping several times.  The driver is from Denman Spring, LA.  The Winona Police Department, MedStat and the Winona Fire Department responded to the scene.  Photos of the accident scene can be found on the WONA website at www.hawg95.com.