2A • Daily Corinthian
Local/State
Friday, October 21, 2011
Suit challenges campaign finance disclosure BY EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS Associated Press
JACKSON — A federal lawsuit filed Thursday claims Mississippi creates burdens by requiring people or groups to file campaign finance reports if they spend at least $200 to support or oppose ballot initiatives. The lawsuit was filed
in U.S. District Court in Oxford by five northern Mississippi residents. They’re represented by the Institute for Justice, a libertarian group based in Virginia. Paul Avelar, an attorney for the institute, said Mississippi’s campaign finance disclosure requirements limit First Amendment speech rights and could
scare people away from political participation. “In America, the only thing you’re supposed to need to speak is an opinion. But thanks to burdensome campaign finance laws, citizens need more than just their opinions. They also need a lawyer,” Avelar said Thursday from the institute’s office. The suit is filed against
Woman telephones deputy, allegedly tries to sell drugs Associated Press
JACKSON — Hinds County Sheriff’s Office deputies say a woman who was apparently in possession of the wrong phone number repeatedly called and texted a sheriff’s office investigator, offering to sell him painkillers. Deputies said the woman was ignored as a prankster after her first Tuesday night telephone call. But she eventually was arrested after investigators arranged a meeting. She allegedly tried to sell 30 hydrocodone pills.
The woman was booked with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Sixty-one-year-old Judy Weible was being held Thursday at the Hinds County Detention Center where she was awaiting the setting of an initial court appearance. The sheriff’s office has no information available whether she had an attorney who could comment on the case. “We all thought it was a big joke, but then she got frustrated with him not responding to her
calls and she started to send text messages,” an investigator, whose name was withheld for security reasons and who was involved in Weible’s arrest, told the Clarion-Ledger. “I cannot recall a situation where someone has called a narcotics officer and offered to sell them narcotics,” sheriff’s spokesman Jeff Scott said, adding that usually the narcotics agents are the ones who initiate contact. “If it wasn’t so sad it would be hilarious,” Scott said.
Brice’s Crossroads Battlefield to dedicate interpretive panel Special to the Daily Corinthian
The Brice’s Crossroads Battlefield commission will dedicate the newly installed interpretive panel at the Bethany Historical Cemetery located within the bounds of the battlefield at Brice’s Crossroads and mass Confederate grave. The dedication will be made in a public ceremony which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. Ruth Albritton, vice-president general of the National United Daughters of the Confederacy, will be the keynote speaker. Brice’s Crossroads Battlefield Commission received a $3,000 grant from The Natchez Trace Parkway, made possible through the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative, to fund the panel and the research for interpretive material displayed there. This two-sided display, which includes a grid and list of Confederate soldiers who were mortally wounded and killed on June 10, 1864 during the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads,
enables the commission to better interpret the cemetery’s part in the battle and provide the public with information regarding the soldiers killed during the battle and the 30 Confederate soldiers who are buried in the mass grave. The second side will contain changing displays about the individual soldiers or specific aspects concerning the mass grave. For the dedication this side, will feature Chief Surgeon Cowan and his list of killed and wounded at the battle. Much of the information provided by this interpretive panel came from the extensive research that was done by Roger Hansen of Pascagoula into the identity of the soldiers killed during the battle and buried in the mass grave. In 1989 Hansen joined other volunteers to remove the 96 unknown soldiers’ tombstones and replace them with stones that identify the dead. As a result of Hansen’s 20 years of research, much more is known about
each soldier’s identity found in official records submitted by the Chief Surgeon Cowan. Edwina Carpenter, director of the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center, said visitors to the cemetery can take a brochure containing information about the mass grave to share with others. The grid, list and brochure were prepared by Dylan Hall as an Eagle Scout project. Joining the Brice’s Crossroads Battlefield Commission for the ceremony will be Hansen, Dr. Christina Smith, National Park Service officials, members of the 3rd Tennessee Reenactors and the newly organized board of directors for the Bethany Historical Cemetery who will share their vision for the restoration, preservation, maintenance and interpretation at the cemetery. (For more information, contact the Mississippi’s Final Stands Interpretive Center -- formerly the Brice’s Crossroads center -- at 662-265-3969.)
Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and Attorney General Jim Hood. Hood said he believes the state’s campaign finance law will be upheld. He said people deserve to know who is spending money to influence elections. “We don’t see any case law that indicates that Mississippi’s reporting
Associated Press
STARKVILLE — The owner of a Starkville bar and concert venue wants the city to extend hours for alcohol sales. State Theatre owner Daniel Waide says allowing his business to extend operating hours to 3 a.m. on weekends would help Starkville’s nightlife rival that of other college towns in the Southeast. The city’s current ordinance allows bars to serve alcohol until 1 a.m. on the weekends and midnight on weeknights. The Starkville Board of Aldermen took no action on Waide’s request
P.O. Box 1800 Corinth, MS 38835
during Tuesday’s meeting. Alderman Roy A. Perkins spoke against the idea, saying it would set a bad precedent and put a strain on police. Waide said extending hours of his establishment could have the same effect on revenue as that of Cowbells, a bar located in the County and operating under rules allowing it to have longer hours of alcohol sales. Cowbells, however, has been criticized by Oktibbeha County Sheriff Dolph Bryan because of the level of drunk driving to and from the bar. Perkins told Waide
that Starkville’s main attraction — Mississippi State University — is enough to draw visitors without extending bar hours. “If we stop selling alcohol, people will still come here,” Perkins said. “We can have growth and economic development without extending hours. If I could, I would vote to repeal Sunday sales.” State Theatre also will apply to the State Tax Commission to extend its hours under its current “resort status,” which it gained in the early 1990s when it was the Statehouse Hotel.
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would define life as beginning when a human egg is fertilized. Initiative 27 would require voters to show government-issued identification at the polls. Avelar said the Institute for Justice has filed similar lawsuits in recent years challenging campaign finance disclosure requirements in Colorado and Florida.
YORK: ‘God has blessed me with a great family, loyal friends and a great home county,’ recipient says CONTINUED FROM 1A
mer, Tenn., as sports editor in 1980. He collected numerous Tennessee Press Association awards before leaving the paper in 1997. He has also received Associated Press and Mississippi Press Association awards since joining the Daily Corinthian as a special correspondent in 1992. “Jeff has been an asset to the newspaper and community for the service he has provided over the years,” said Daily Corinthian Editor Mark Boehler, who also worked with York at the Independent Appeal. “He’s a pleasure to work with and an inspiration to all he has touched.”
The award recipient taught a Sunday School class for 25 years at Chewalla Baptist Church and has been editor of the church newsletter for 15 years. York managed the Chewalla softball team from 1977-2003, winning five state championships along the way. He also coached a women’s softball team from 19861995, guiding them to a state title. He was the Eastview Park Director from 19871992 and coached Little League baseball at Ramer from 1976-1985. “God has blessed me with a great family, loyal friends and a great home county,” said the award winner. “I’m unable to do a
lot of things anymore, but I can still help my church tell others about Jesus.” The winner of last year’s citizen’s of the year award was Dwight Locke for his work for the American Cancer Society through McNairy County’s Hee Haw. The 2009 recipient was Larron and Anita King for their efforts with the Lauren King Ministries. “I’m honored to be recognized as the citizen of the year,” said York. “It means a lot to me to get this award in my home county even though so many people in our county do more than me.” For more information or to purchase a ticket to the event, call Cheshier at 731-610-9574.
FLU SHOT: At risk are young children, adults 50 and older, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses CONTINUED FROM 1A “The flu shot is your best protection against the flu. ... “The flu shot is your best protection against the flu,” Mississippians should take (it) said Acting State Epidemiologist Paul Byers. “Sea- seriously and get a yearly flu shot.” sonal flu usually peaks in January through March in Mississippi, but flu activity can occur as early as December. Mississippians should take the flu seriously and get a yearly flu shot.” People particularly at risk for influenza complications include young children, adults 50 and older, pregnant women and people who have chronic illnesses. Seasonal flu symptoms
Paul Byers Acting state epidemiologist include fever, cough and often extreme fatigue, as well as sore throat, headache, muscle aches and a runny or stuffy nose. More severe symptoms and death are possible. In addition to getting a shot, the Department of Health encourages basic infection control mea-
sures such as covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when sick and washing hands frequently. Many private providers and retail pharmacies are now offering flu shots. For more information, contact the health department at 287-6121.
SEAT BELTS: Young drivers should protect selves CONTINUED FROM 1A
among the group of drivers who are most likely to be involved in an automobile crash, those ages 16 to 23. Statistics show that these younger, inexperienced drivers have a much greater chance of getting into an accident and are more likely to be killed or injured. Traffic crashes are the
number one killer of teenagers in America, said Hall. He said that’s a frightening statistic and one that could be changed if more young people would buckle up. Hall said the highway patrol and other agencies have been aggressive in reaching out to young drivers through educational programs in schools and through other methods,
but young people continue to ignore the warnings and chose not to buckle up. He said he emphasizes to young drivers that taking steps to protect themselves in a crash is a way of showing respect not only for themselves and their future, but for their family and friends whose lives could be forever changed if they are killed or severely injured.
CHRISTMAS: No animals may be used in the parade CONTINUED FROM 1A
Man seeks more hours for alcohol sales
requirements are too onerous,” Hood said. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit say they support Initiative 31 on Mississippi’s Nov. 8 ballot, which limits the government’s use of eminent domain to take private land. Mississippi has two other proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot next month. Initiative 26
float - $75; business float - $55; church/civic club/ school float - $40; and vehicle - $30. Parade participants must provide the entire length of their float (including vehicle and trailer) or the vehicle they will be
driving in the parade. There is no fee for walking participants. No animals — including horses — may be used in the parade, and only the official Main Street Santa Claus will be allowed. Participants must include a brief statement regarding their entries to
be used in the television broadcast. Registration payments must be mailed by November 4 to Main Street, P.O. Box 393, Corinth, MS 38835. For more information contact the Main Street office at mainstreet@corinthalliance.com or 287.1550.
MCGEE: Public reprimand to be read in circuit court CONTINUED FROM 1A
sion had recommended a 120-day suspension. The public reprimand is to be read in circuit court. The allegations of interference with prosecution stem from an alleged April 2008 crime in which a relative of McGee was the victim. The commission’s
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recommendation states that McGee interfered with the defendant’s attempt to post bond; that he disrupted a closed session of the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors to complain of the sheriff’s actions relating to the bond; that he interfered with the defendant’s attempts to employ legal counsel; and
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that he made inflammatory remarks at the circuit court hearing when the defendant entered a misdemeanor guilty plea. McGee is currently seeking election to a fourth term as justice court judge. He has a Republican challenger, Ken Weeden, on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
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