NUMBER 1100 ESTABLISHED 11882 9 Holiday DUIs .

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THURSDAY, D ECEMBER 2 9, 2011VOLUME 109 NUMBER 100ESTABLISHED 1882NEWSNEWSCircuit Clerk honored forretirement.Annual Sweet Streets atSee page 2See page 6“Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that heshould commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and causeevery man to find according to his ways .”— Job 34:10-119 holiday DUIs ticketedBy Mark RogersManaging EditorA long holiday weekendnetted nine DUI charges andmany other tickets in MarionCounty.Beginning Thursday nightand carrying into earlyMonday, the MississippiHighway Patrol Troop J inHattiesburg covered 10 accidents, two with injuries andmade two DUI arrests, twodrug arrests and a felonyarrest.MHP spokesman Cpl. ToddMiller said troopers issued160 “hazardous” citations and91 non-hazardous citations.Miller explained that the hazardous citations were movingviolations, such as speeding.Non-hazardouscitationsinclude no seatbelt, no insurance and no valid inspectionsticker.Columbia Police Chief JimKinslow said his departmentand others will be out in forceagain this weekend with theNew Year's holiday.“We have a blitz going on,”Kinslow said. “We'll haveextra people out. We'll be targeting all sorts of moving violations.”Kinslow said the CPDwrote 56 citations over thelong weekend.“They (the citations) weremostly moving violations,”he added. “We also madenumerousmisdemeanorarrests.”Marion County Sheriff'sOffice deputies made fiveDUI arrests over the holidayweekend, the ColumbiaPolice Department madethree and MHP had one DUIarrest in Marion County.Gregory L. Barnes, 53, ofForeman Street in Columbiawas charged Thursday nightwith DUI 1st, driving underColumbia Elementary.suspension, no insurance andleaving the scene of a property damage accident.Also charged Thursday byColumbia Police was JenniferHenderson, 18, of WigginsRoad in Columbia. She wascharged with DUI 1st, othersubstance.On Friday, the MCSOcharged Eric D. Jefferson ofSilver Creek with DUI 1stand no insurance, the MHPbooked Thomas Turnage Jr.,47, of Mississippi Hwy. 13South for DUI and unauthorized used of an ATV on ahighway. On Friday, CPDFiremen save homeColumbia firefighters and South Marion firefightersbattled a blaze at a home on Jims Road Tuesdayafternoon. Quick action by firefighters preventedheavy damage.Photo by Mark RogersSee ‘Police Page 8CPD officerterminatedby AldermenA part of historyBy Buster WolfeStaff WriterThe Columbia High School Marching Wildcats have been selected to march in Gov.-Elect Phil Bryant’s inaugural parade inJackson Jan. 10.Photos by Mark RogersCHS band to be part of Gov.-Elect Phil Bryant’s inaugural paradeBy Mark RogersManaging EditorThe Columbia High SchoolWildcat Marching Band will behelping newly elected MississippiGov. Phil Bryant kick off hisadministration as part of theInaugural Parade.The parade steps off at 2 p.m. onJan. 10, 2012 in Jackson.“It’s something we haven’t donebefore,” CHS Band DirectorReuben McDowell said. “We’reexcited.”McDowell said he received a calljust before Christmas from CHSgraduate Mick Bullock, who worksin the governor’s office, informinghim of the band’s invitation.“Mick called and let us knowwe’d been chosen,” McDowellsaid. “I called the administration tomake sure everything was OK, andwe started getting the word out.”The band will be one more than25 bands, including college bands,featured in the parade. McDowellSee ‘Officer’ Page 8Garbage changessave city moneySee ‘Parade’ Page 8By Buster WolfeFoxworth woman named FGH ‘Employee of the Year’By Buster WolfeStaff WriterMarilyn Laird doesn’t really thinkof herself as “an angel,” although heremployer apparently does.Laird, who lives in Foxworth, wasnamed the Forrest General Hospital’sEmployee of the Year with her workas a hospice nurse at the Hattiesburgfacility.The award was given during theannual Forrest General EmployeeChristmas Party on Dec. 16.“I was humbled and in disbelief,”Laird, who was born in Columbiaand graduated from ColumbiaAcademy, said. “I was totally unprepared.”Laird joined Forrest General as ahome care nurse in 1993 and has beena hospice nurse for the past 10 years.As a hospice nurse, she cares forpatients and their families during difficult times.Laird said she is able to handlewhat might be difficult situations forother people.“I feel like I can help people moreas a hospice nurse,” said Laird, who isSee ‘Laird’ Page 8The Columbia Board ofAldermen voted recently to dismisscity police officer Guy Serrinbecause of a failure to followdepartmental rules, Mayor ReedHouston said last week.The action was taken during aspecial meeting Tuesday, Dec. 20,at the Columbia Exposition Center.The city employee holiday lunchwas held earlier that day at the ExpoCenter.“One employee in the PoliceDepartment was terminated becausehe was not following policy,”Houston said.He declined to offer furtherdetails about the personnel matter.The announcement of the actionwas delayed to provide officialstime to provide notification to theofficer.Houston said he did not expectany further action on the dismissal.“To my knowledge, there will beno charges against the officer,” heconcluded.The police officer’s dismissal fol-Marilyn Laird, left, speaks with a patient at Forrest GeneralHospice Services.Submitted PhotoStaff WriterThe Christmas holiday that broughtgood cheer to almost everyone has leftbehind an annual problem for the Cityof Columbia Department of PublicWorks: extra garbage.The gift wrapping and presents'packaging that is tossed aside after theholidays mean extra volume forColumbia sanitation crews.Mayor Reed Houston had one suggestion for city residents.“Patience,” he said Tuesday.Monday was observed as theChristmas holiday in the city andMarion County offices.“We are running our regularTuesday schedule, and we will becaught up Wednesday. Hopefully, weSee ‘Garbage’ Page 8

2www.columbianprogress.comTHURSDAYDecember 29, 2011Reception held for retiring Circuit Clerk LoftinRetiring Marion County Circuit Clerk Jesse Loftin was honored recently with areception. Above, retired Bailiff Carroll Bryant signs a card. Below, DistrictAttorney Hal Kittrell speaks to the crowd assembled.Photos by Mark RogersRetiring Circuit Clerk Jesse Loftin sits in a rocking chair presented to him duringceremonies held recently. At right is Julie Nibert from the Circuit Clerk’s Office.Free Balance testingQ Feeling off balance?Q Unsteady on your feetQ Stumbling latelyIf so, Come see us atThe Grove Outpatient Therapy ClinicCall today to make your appointmentFREE BALANCE SCREENINGand FREE HANDOUTS on Home SafetyRemember: Good Balance is an importantway to Stay Healthy and Independent!PRCC dual enrollment practicalnursing program graduatesThe 2011 graduates of the Pearl River Community College dual enrollment practical nursing program received their diplomas and pins on Friday, Dec. 9, in a ceremony at the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg. Graduates include, front row,from left, instructor Matt Gatlin, Chyna Salie of Petal, LaCreisha Rattley ofLumberton, Ashley Rayborn of Purvis and Tyrice Moffett of Oak Grove. Back row,instructor Cindy Boutwell, Gabriel Rule of Petal, Anneliese McDuffiel, TaylorMagee and Morgan McMurry, all of Petal, and instructors Melissa Bryant andSusan Bedwell. As dual enrollment students, they attended PRCC while completing their senior years of high school. After high school graduation in May 2011,they became full-time PRCC students.601-731-571711 Pecan DriveColumbia, MS 39429318 Second Street 601-736-2611PRCC Public Relations photoFollow us during the game @As another year dawns, we just want you toknow we appreciate your business this pastyear and look forward to serving you in2012. For the holiday we will be closed fromMonday, Dec. 26th until Tuesday Jan. 2nd.MEATMASTERS1327 Hwy. 13 N731-2449Follow TheColumbian-Progresstwitter.com/ColProgress

THURSDAYDecember 29, 20113www.columbianprogress.comJAIL DOCKET(Editor’s Note: Informationprinted in the “Jail Docket”column is solely the responsibility of the Marion CountySheriff ’s Department, theColumbia Police Departmentand other law enforcementagencies listed below.Pleasereport any errors to thearresting agency, which willprovide any correctionsneeded to The ColumbianProgress.)Bobby Bullock, 19 WestDivision,arrestedbyMDOC/MCSO, chargedwith parole violation.Travis Deen, 28, 145William Johnson Rd.,Sumrall,arrestedbyMCSO, charged with contempt.Marcus Jermaine Mingo,25, 31206 Connie SimonRd., Angie, La., arrested byMCSO, charged with burglary of a dwelling x3.Reginald W. Dukes, 39,112 Austin Guy Rd.,Tylertown, arrested byCPD, charged with DUI1st.James Carroll, 88 SmithRd., arrested by CPD,charged with probation violation-FTC, providing falseinformation.DiJon Abrams, 107 ElmSt., arrested by CPD,charged with contempt.Andromeda Silas, 21, 48Harrison Jefferson Dr.,arrested by CPD, chargedwith contempt warrant.Dre Jamarcus Lewis, 18,A. Moses Rd., Varnado,La., arrested by MCSO,charged with burglary of adwelling x3.Dennis Ray Sumrall, 36,38 Railroad Ln., Foxworth,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith grand larceny.Tracy Smith, 47, 103 BillySmith Rd., Foxworth,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith grand larceny.Billy Hill, 57, 221 Hwy.587, Foxworth, arrested byCPD, charged with possession of paraphernalia, failure to comply.Sedgie Lewis, 41, 1408Hendricks St., arrested byCPD, charged with publicdrunk.Dustin Patterson, 110Magnessic, arrested byMCSO, charged with drugcourt violation.Richard G. Smith, 46, 79Eavens Rd., Picayune,arrestedbyMDWFP/MCSO, chargedwith hunting from publicroad, trespassing, illegalpossession of deer, huntingfrom motorized vehicle.Stefon Magee, 49, 628Charlotte Dr., Picayune,arrestedbyMDWFP/MCSO, chargedwith trespassing, huntingfrom public road, huntingfrom motorized vehicle,illegal possession of deer.Allison Spiers, 27, 201Crawley Rd., arrested byMDOC/MCSO, chargedwith MDOC violation.Travis Sumrall, 44, 38Railroad Ln., Foxworth,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith grand larceny.Terrence Devell Russell,41, 189 Blue Springs Rd.,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith contempt, domesticsimple.Calvin Parker, 46, 17Atkins Ln., arrested byMCSO, charged with contempt x3.Benny Charles Franklin,53, 425 Lafayette St.,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith disorderly conduct,false information.Jimmy Sibley, 45, 388Ron-RandyRd.,Monticello, arrested byMDOC/MCSO, chargedwith parole violation.Gregory L. Barnes, 53,603 Foreman St., arrestedby MCSO, charged withDUI 1st, DUS, no insurance, leaving the scene ofan accident (property damage).Jennifer Henderson, 18,100 Wiggins Rd., arrestedby CPD, charged with DUI1st o/s.Fernando Harvey, 150Ratliff Loop, arrested byCPD, charged with contempt-FTP.Jamoree Lee Hays, 18,1111 Park Ave., arrested byPRBNTF/CPD,chargedwith possession of controlled substance withintent to distribute.Eric D. Jefferson, 30, 616th Ave., Silver Creek Rd.,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith DUI 1st, no insurance.Stephen L. Wesley, 40,461 Delancy Robbins Rd.,arrested by CPD, chargedwith burglary of a residence.Thomas Turnage Jr., 47,1071 Hwy. 13 S., arrestedby MHP, charged with DUI,unauthorized use of ATV onhighway.Kendrick Brent, 22, 160Hwy.587,Lot23,Foxworth, arrested byCPD, charged with DUI2nd,speeding,DUSimplied, no seatbelt, noinsurance, providing falseidentifying information.Windy Miller, 38, 173BrumfieldCutoff,Foxworth, arrested byCPD, charged with personal identity information(felony).Justin Goings, 22, 7448Tallowind Tr., Fort Worth,Texas, arrested by MCSO,charged with felony fleeing, DUI o/s 2nd, possession of marijuana, failure toobey, no driver's license.Corey Tucker, 25, 212East Rankin St., arrested byPRBNTF/CPD,chargedwith possession of firearmby a convicted felon, possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet.Zackery Lee Scott Jr., 27,113 East Rankin St., arrested by CPD, charged withdisorderly conduct.Charles Bullock, 50, 130NewJerusalemSt.,Foxworth, arrested byMCSO, charged with publicdrunk.Anthony Lewis, 28, 1418Hendricks St., arrested byCPD, charged with disorderly conduct, FTC.Walter Scott, 64, 57Pinetree Dr., arrested byMCSO, charged with DUI3rd, DWLS, no insurance,leaving the scene.Randy Conerly, WaterValley Rd., arrested byCPD, charged with DUI(felony), DUS, recklessdriving, contempt x2, FTC.Joshua Finchum, 18, 668Hwy. 586, arrested byMCSO, charged with publicdrunk, FTC.Jeremy Brumfield, 20,668 Hwy. 586, Foxworth,arrested by MCSO, chargedwith DUI 1st.Weather data sought from countyBy Mark RogersManaging EditorResearchers are studyinghow the public reacts toweather warnings and theywould like input fromMarion County ppi State Universityis conducting an online survey to determine how thepublic reacts to severeweather warnings. Theresults of the survey will beshared with the NationalWeather Service to helpimprove weather servicesacross the nation.“We’ve only had oneresponse from MarionCounty so far,” rlysaid.“We’re asking that peoplego online and do the survey.”The survey can beaccessed at www.surveymonkey.com/s/ weatherwarningstudy.Upon entering, the surveywill pose a series of questions about weather warnings.According to a letter sentout by Dr. Laura Myers andAshleyLoftin.ofMississippi State, who areconducting the survey,emergency response planners, emergency managers,first responders, weatherprofessionalsandresearchers are seekingopinions on the weatheralert warning process.“Having your input willallow emergency responseplanners to determine howalerts work for local issue,”the survey said.Participation is voluntaryand information obtainedwill remain confidential,according to media information. The survey wasposted in early December,but is expected to remainonline at least anothermonth.Conerly said researchersare watching closely following last year’s tornadoes, which killed dozens inMississippi and hundreds inAlabama.“They hope to do everything to make the warningsmore effective,” Conerlysaid.Marion County sufferedthe effects of a tornado in2011. In November, thenorthern part of the county,around Bunker Hill, experienced tornado damage.Mississippi can experience tornadoes any time ofyear, but fall and springcarry the greatest chance. NoticeThe Following Banks Will Be Closed ForNew Year’sA tornado ripped through the Bunker Hill area inNovember. Researchers are looking to improve warnings and hope a survey will help indicate the bestways to warn people.Photo by Mark RogersSaturday, December 31, andMonday, January 2, 2012First Southern BankState Bank & TrustZellco Federal Credit UnionTrustmark BankThe drive-thru on Broad Streetwill be open from 9 a.m. untilnoon on Saturday, Dec. 31.

4THURSDAYwww.columbianprogress.comDecember 29, 2011OPINION & EDITORIALOUR VIEWHOT OFF THE PRESS by Adam PrestridgeLaw enforcement New year of resolutionscracking down Non holiday DUIsThe Christmas holiday weekendwas busy for law enforcementofficers across the state.According to the MississippiHighway Patrol Troop J, whichincludes Marion County, Troopersworked 10 accidents, two withinjuries; issued 160 hazardouscitations, which include movingviolations such as speeding;handed out 91 non-hazardouscitations, which include violationssuch as no inspection sticker, noseatbelt and no insurance and madetwo DUI arrests, two drug arrestsand one felony arrest.In addition, the City of ColumbiaPolice Department issued 56citations over the holiday weekend,busting three drivers for DUI; theMarion County Sheriff’s Officepulled over five drivers, chargingthem with DUI and the MHP hadone DUI arrest within MarionCounty of a man intoxicated on afour-wheeler.With that said, law enforcementin the Marion County area andacross the State of Mississippi haveproven by their actions lastweekend that they have “zerotolerance” when it comes tooperating a vehicle dangerously orwhile impaired. Having a goodtime ringing in the New Year isevery person’s right, but puttingyour life and the lives of others onthe line by driving whileintoxicated is reckless and againstthe law.Mississippi DUI law makes itillegal to operate a vehicle whileunder the influence of alcohol, orwhile having a blood alcohol levelof .08 percent or more. For personsunder the age of 21, having a bloodalcohol level of .02 percent ormore will run afoul of Mississippidrinking and driving laws. Forthose driving commercial vehicles,the legal limit is .04 percent.According to the Web site,theduilaws.com, the first drunkdriving conviction in Mississippicarries a possible penalty of: Jail - Up to 48 Hours Fine - From 250 up to 1,000 License Suspension - 90 Days License Suspension - HardshipDriving Privileges Possible After30 DaysOther possible penalties: Complete Alcohol SafetyEducation Program Attend Victim Impact PanelA second drunk drivingconviction could carry a penaltyof: Jail - From 5 Days to 1 Year Fine - From 600 up to 1,500 License Suspension - 2 Years Community Service - 10 Daysto 1 YearOther possible penalties: Ignition Interlock - For sixmonths after license reinstatement Impoundmentorimmobilization of all registeredvehicles Complete Alcohol SafetyEducation Program Attend Victim Impact PanelAs for the third offense, it isconsidered a felony and results in adriver’s license suspension of fiveyears, fines from 2,000- 5,000, ajail term from 1-5 years, alcoholand drug abuse program andvehicle seizure. Court may orderVictim Impact Panel attendance,Ignition Interlock device, Vehicleforfeiture, alcohol safety educationprogram and/or impoundment ofall registered vehicles.Driving under the influence is adangerous action and carries aheavy penalty in hopes of savinglives and teaching those thatdisobey the law a strong lesson.This holiday weekend, enjoyyourself, but remember to handover your keys or assign adesignated driver when you go outon the town.Here’s to a safe and Happy NewYear’s.ew Year’s resolutionslast about as long ascheesecake does inmy home; not long at all.Each New Year, I’ve madelists of resolution afterresolution and for severalyears, they have all beenshort-lived. The hustle andbustle of everyday life,especially of a journalist, hasbeen my best excuse.AdamPrestridgeThe demands of work,family and friends make itthat much easier to make a stop at a local fast-fooddrive-thru and order a quick meal. What’s betterthan someone else making your lunch, and doing soin less than five minutes? And just in case timeescapes me, it’s even easier to large size that mealin case dinner is delayed.It’s now time to stop making excuses and time tomake progress and fulfill those goals. However, myNew Year’s resolutions haven’t always beenbroken.Three years ago, I made a few resolutions that Istuck with for more than nine months. The resultswere great, as I lost more than 50 pounds that Ipacked on doing the very things as I mentionedabove. Throughout that year, I began watching whatI ate, not just on the fork into my mouth, but theserving sizes and the calories associated with each.Since then, I have continued to be cautious ofwhat I eat and it has prevented me from packingthose unwanted pounds back on. However, I havegained about 15 pounds back, but most people sayit looks better on me because they thought I lookedtoo thin before.This year, besides keeping the weight off, I wantto become more active and start exercising. It’s atough task for an out-of-shape newspaper publisherto commit to, but one I want to do to help in myoverall health. It’s going to be even harder with anewborn and a 6-year-old, but it’s something Ibelieve is a must.That means hitting the sidewalks in theColumbia City Park, walking and running to bettermy health. You know it’s time when simple taskslike running to a house fire or an accident scene hasyou out of breath.I also intend on blowing the dust off my P90XCDs I ordered well over a year ago, once I findthem in all the boxes from the move, hoping that allof the hoopla from the infomercial is true. Maybe Ican tone up some of this leftover flab.In

cal nursing program received their diplomas and pins on Friday, Dec. 9, in a cere-mony at the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg. Graduates include, front row, from left, instructor Matt Gatlin, Chyna Salie of Petal, LaCreisha Rattley of Lumberton, Ashley Rayborn