| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

‘Not based on the race of the kids’: West Point valedictorian dispute sparks allegations of racism

Thu, 06/03/2021 - 01:21 PM

A dispute over grade calculations at West Point High School has ignited intense community debate and allegations of racism after two Black students were initially named top of their class and later made to share the honors with white classmates.

‘Not based on the race of the kids’: West Point valedictorian dispute sparks allegations of racism

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Thu, 06/03/2021 - 01:21 PM

During a reception last Wednesday afternoon at the Magee High School Library, Asst. Suprintendent Dr. Robert Sanders welcomed and introduced Magee’s incoming principal Bill Broadhead. Broadhead comes to Magee after serving as principal in Crystal Springs.

New MHS principal gets his ‘dream job’

sfairchild

Tue, 06/01/2021 - 02:13 PM

A reception was held to officially introduce new principal Bill Broadhead to the staff and faculty at Magee High School last Wednesday afternoon.
Broadhead is no newcomer to Simpson County Schools or Magee having previously served as assistant principal at Magee Middle School.
The hiring announcement came earlier in the year, but due to the fact that he was serving as principal at Crystal Springs he had been unable to start in Magee until the completion of the school year.

Veterans and citizens saluted as Taps was played in honor of the fallen soldiers.

Fallen, vets honored

sfairchild

Tue, 06/01/2021 - 02:08 PM

Braxton held its Memorial Day Observation in Mable Everett Park on Monday morning. Breakfast was provided for the service men and women and others in attendance.
The program began at 9:30 a.m., and Evelyn Copeland was the master of ceremonies. Copeland welcomed everyone, and Deacon Richard Rankin opened the ceremony with a prayer.
Ruby Ainsworth led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Abby Gipson sang the National Anthem.
Two musical numbers followed, “God Bless America” led by Karen Mosely and a special tribute song to the fallen soldiers performed by Tim Carlisle.

New school calendar sparks rumors

sfairchild

Tue, 06/01/2021 - 02:07 PM

Misinformation has been circulating on how, when and why the Simpson County Public Schools calendar is being changed for 2021-22.
The school board discussed plans for the calendar at a special called meeting held last Friday.
The plan is to start school earlier this year with students expected to return to class on Wednesday, July 28. So far this is the earliest school opening date for the county, which has been set for the first week of August in the last few years.

Memorial Day Simpson County Country Club Scramble Winners

sfairchild

Tue, 06/01/2021 - 02:03 PM

Everyone who came out for the Memorial Day Scramble at the country club Monday had a great time. Along with food for the get together, the swimming pool was officially opened. Stephen Yelverton, president of the board, presents a check to the winning team, shooting a 13 under with a score of 59. They are Jerry McClendon, Dr. Rudy Runnels, Toney May and Bruce Williamson.

Voters walk in and out of Byram City Hall during the midterm elections Tuesday, November 6, 2018. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/ Report for America

Did the Supreme Court put Mississippi’s voter ID law in jeopardy?

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Tue, 06/01/2021 - 01:27 PM

The Mississippi Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the state’s ballot initiative process could make the state’s voter identification law susceptible to a legal challenge.

Now some attorneys are researching the possibility of challenging the law, which requires Mississippians show a government-issued photo ID at their polling place in order to vote. Meanwhile, some politicians are publicly calling for a special session to ensure the law cannot be successfully challenged.

AG Lynn Fitch Seeks Information in Sexual Abuse Case Involving an Amory High School Teacher

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Fri, 05/28/2021 - 04:33 PM

Below is a press release from Attorney General Lynn Fitch:

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office is seeking information in support of an open investigation into Toshemie Wilson who has been teaching at Amory High School for 20 years.

Toshemie Wilson, 45, was arrested and charged with child exploitation following the execution of a search warrant. He was given a $250,000 bond by Monroe County Justice Court Judge Brandon Davis. Wilson posted bond, but he has been restricted from contacting any children or any victims.

Two court filings could signal defense strategies for Nancy New, John Davis in welfare fraud case

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Fri, 05/28/2021 - 09:53 AM

Since she was arrested over a year ago for allegedly stealing millions of federal welfare dollars, Nancy New says she’s been anxiously waiting to tell her side of the story.

Now, the educator-turned-businesswoman is offering her version of events through a lawsuit she and her son filed against the firm that conducted her nonprofit’s annual audits. They blame the accountant for not accurately assessing her organization’s financial picture.

From left are: Dr. Roscoe Barnes III, cultural heritage tourism manager for Visit Natchez; Maggie Lowery, cultural programs manager for Visit Mississippi; Dr. Stuart Rockoff, executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council; and Centreville Alderwoman Felicia Williams. Funding for the project was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities.

Civil Rights Pioneer Anne Moody is Featured on the Mississippi Writers Trail

Anonymous

Fri, 05/28/2021 - 09:39 AM

Civil Rights pioneer Anne Moody is now featured on the Mississippi Writers Trail (MWT) in Centreville. Her story is shared on an official marker on West Park Street North in The Louis Gaulden and Riquita Jackson Family Memorial Park, across from the Kevin Poole Van Cleave Library.

Jasmine Cochran of Picayune speaks of coming home from a teaching position in China to care for her ailing father. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Lawmakers can set special election for ballot initiative fix at any date

brandonsup

Thu, 05/27/2021 - 04:45 PM

Below is a political column by Bobby Harrison:

Votes by Mississippians on past efforts to amend the state Constitution have not been confined to November general elections.

Various media reports and some politicians have said in recent days that the earliest that Mississippi could vote to enshrine a ballot initiative process into the state Constitution would be November 2022, which is the next regularly scheduled statewide general election.

That is not accurate. Lawmakers can set a special statewide election on any day they choose — and there is precedent.

Yvonne Moore tests Charles Holmes for COVID-19 outside of the Aaron E Henry Community Health Services Center in Clarksdale, Miss., Wednesday, March 29, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

Mississippi is testing the fewest residents per capita for COVID-19

brandonsup

Wed, 05/26/2021 - 02:59 PM

For better or for worse, all COVID-related numbers in Mississippi are falling: infections, hospitalizations, deaths, vaccinations and tests.

Ophelia Norvell, 2 of Flora and family members joined other protesters for the We are the 74 Rally held outside the Supreme Court building Tuesday in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Medical marijuana protesters call on Mississippi politicians to ‘stop the steal’

brandonsup

Tue, 05/25/2021 - 04:51 PM

Carolyn Prisock had a brain tumor removed 15 years ago, and suffers debilitating migraines and side effects from medications — one caused her to temporarily lose her eyesight.

Prisock was hopeful that the medical marijuana program Mississippi voters approved in November would offer her some relief and an alternative to pharmaceuticals she said “are like-taking poison.” But she said the state Supreme Court “pulled the rug out from under our feet.”

State leaders won’t acknowledge that young people are leaving Mississippi in droves

brandonsup

Tue, 05/25/2021 - 10:01 AM

Emma McRae, a 20-year-old native of Tishomingo, left Mississippi to attend college in Dallas, Texas.

“I needed more growth to go to other colleges than the colleges down the road,” McRae said. “Dallas is an incredible city, and it has incredible opportunities for young people. I just needed to be in a place where my viewpoints would be accepted.”

Kevin Malphurs, a 38-year-old native of Jackson, left Mississippi to find work in Columbus, Ohio.

Terry “Harmonica” Bean of Pontotoc, inside a building on his property filled with memorabilia of his two loves, baseball and music, sharing a story from his glory days as a pitching phenom at Pontotoc High School. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Down-home blues and baseball, Pontotoc’s Terry Bean could do it all

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Mon, 05/24/2021 - 10:11 AM

Sixty-year-old Terry “Harmonica” Bean is known around the world – and especially in Europe – for his down-home Mississippi blues music. In his hometown of Pontotoc, they know he plays the blues, but he is much more famous and beloved for his once-remarkable baseball skills.

Terry Bean, you say? His baseball feats in this small, hill country town are legendary.

Holmes County Consolidated School District, one of the state's most troubled districts that is under investigation by the state education department, hired a new superintendent. Credit: Mississippi Today

Holmes Co. schools, failing and under investigation, hires new superintendent

brandonsup

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 05:01 PM

The Holmes County Consolidated School District, one of the state’s most troubled districts that is under investigation by the state education department, has a new superintendent — a former principal who has never held a district-level position and has been in Holmes County less than two years.

Holmes Co. schools, failing and under investigation, hires new superintendent

brandonsup

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 05:01 PM

While efforts are in motion to help people get vaccinated, Mississippi's vaccination rate still lags behind the nation's. - Image credit to Mississippi Today

Here’s how people in the Delta are working to overcome COVID-19 vaccine transportation barriers

brandonsup

Thu, 05/20/2021 - 04:59 PM

When the pandemic first hit and halted most university operations, faculty at Mississippi Valley State University found themselves with a fleet of unused transit buses that usually took students to and from class.

The unlikely scenario became an opportunity to innovate, though, especially once vaccines started to become available in Mississippi.

The already difficult application working-class students in Mississippi must complete to receive college loans and grants could soon require an extra step. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America

Applying for financial aid is hard. A new rule could make it harder.

brandonsup

Wed, 05/19/2021 - 10:39 AM

The onerous application working-class students in Mississippi must complete to receive college loans and grants could require an extra step under a new rule proposed by the state office that oversees financial aid.

Top Students’ Accomplishments Cited

sfairchild

Tue, 05/18/2021 - 02:38 PM

Mendenhall High School Valedictorian Kathryn Grace Brewer is the daughter of Jason and Crystal Brewer of Mendenhall. Gracie is a member of the Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Technical Honor Society, HOSA, and Phi Theta Kappa. Gracie was selected to represent her class at the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Summit (HOBY) and was selected as a Future Leader of Simpson County and chosen to attend Mississippi Girls’ State (although those events were impacted by the pandemic).

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