The Daily Mississippian — 03/06/12

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DailyMississippian The

thedmonline.com

Tueday, March 06, 2012

Vol. 100 No. 262

Bus runs Concerns delay new farmer’s market over three students BY BRACEY HARRIS braceyh@gmail.com

STAFF REPORTS thedmnews@gmail.com

Hotty Toddy Taxi found itself face to face with the Oxford Police Department again Saturday morning when one of its buses ran over three University of Mississippi students. The incident happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the Oxford Mall near the Malco movie theater, according to OPD Chief Mike Martin. Officers responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a bus. “Upon our arrival, we found over 300 people in the parking lot (who were) there waiting for pickup by buses for a fraternity function,” Martin said. The fraternity function was Sigma Chi’s Groundhog Day. Martin said the officers found three people, a male and two females, injured, with all injuries listed as “non-life threatening.” Each victim was listed as having had their foot run over. Both females were transported to the hospital. One of the victims, Virginia Ragland, has yet to be released. Ragland’s foot is not broken but she is missing skin on her foot, which will require surgery, according to Baptist Memorial Hospital. Ragland is expected to miss class this week. Hotty Toddy Taxi sent three buses to pick up the passengers. Martin said when the buses arrived to pick up the passengers, the crowd rushed the bus, which resulted in the incident. The company was also shut down by OPD during a sorority formal last weekend for not having a proper taxi license. Martin said the drivers were issued citations for not complying with city or state ordinances.

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Oxford may not see a new farmer’s market until next spring. City grant writer Lynn Wilkins accepted the grant on behalf of the city at the Nov. 15, 2011 Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting, and the grant was tabled at the Dec. 6, 2011 meeting. Mayor Pat Patterson said there were concerns about the grant and that they are still working on farmer’s market ideas and how to use the grant. “It may be next spring before it gets off the ground,” Patterson said. Patterson said he approves of the new market, and he thinks it would be great for the community. He also said the plans include a veranda to provide shade and shelter from the rain. The $61,258 grant would provide two years of management for the market, but it will not cover the cost of construction. The market manager would be responsible for finding vendors, advertising and the general functions of the market. Trey McCain, a member of the advisory committee proposing the new market, said the grant was tabled due to a miscommunication between

INFOGRAPHIC BY CAIN MADDEN | The Daily Mississippian

members of the board and the aldermen. McCain said the group was formed because Wilkins saw an opportunity to apply for a farmer’s market grant. He also said the aldermen had not received sufficient information on what the grant would cover. “We thought it would be a good expansion of the markets we have in the area,” McCain said. Currently, the Lafayette area has two markets, Taylor’s and Mid-Town. McCain said the board ap-

proached Mid-Town, but they declined at the time to join with the new market. He said they are looking for a good, balanced market that would serve the vendors and the community. “When we think of Oxford we think of the university, the Grove and the Square, but that’s not really an accurate depiction of what Oxford is,” McCain said. “Oxford has a lot of people who need access to local, fresh produce and don’t necessarily have access easily.” In December, the Mid-Town market sent a letter to the

board of aldermen expressing concerns about the new market. One being that Mid-Town is a volunteer market and runs at a cost of about $2,000 a year whereas the new market would use taxpayer money to start up. Mid-Town also expressed concerns over the location of the new market and possible drainage issues that might occur. Rob Boyd, executive director of the Oxford Park Commission, said OPC met with members from Mid-Town in an See MARKET, PAGE 4

Abram trial on hold until complaint amended

FILE PHOTO | The Daily Mississippian

Former UM football player Bennie Abram

BY HOUSTON BROCK jhbrock92@gmail.com

The Bennie Abram trial is still under way, as the University of Mississippi tries to get the case dismissed. Judge Andrew Howorth will rule on the motion to dismiss soon and is waiting on the plaintiffs to amend their complaints. Abram, a former Ole Miss

University Lions Club offers free vision screenings P. 4

football player, died Feb. 19, 2010 from complications involving sickle cell trait following a football practice. Abram’s parents, Bennie F. and Erma Abram, filed a lawsuit involving 28 defendants, which includes current Chancellor Dan Jones, Athletics Director Pete Boone, former football head coach Houston Nutt and all of his staff at the time. Abram was tested for sickle cell trait following a medical evaluation mandated by the NCAA. Although he passed the medical evaluation, the results were positive for the sickle cell trait. Abram was never notified by doctors, coaches, trainers or the athletic department about his condition, according to court documents. The plaintiffs allege that Mississippi law

requires university defendants to follow NCAA standards and inform Abram of the results of his SCT test. The plaintiffs are currently working toward amending their original complaint. The judge will not look over the defendants’ motion to dismiss until the amended complaint has been filed. Representing the university is Lee Tyner, who believes the plaintiff ’s claims are inaccurate. “Mr. Abram’s death was a tragedy,” Tyner said, “But all of our employees and our sports health professionals followed all the best practices in trying to care for him.” The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Gene Egdorf, represented former Rice football player Dale Lloyd II in a wrongful death lawsuit

Diamond Rebels rise in the polls, host UT-Martin in midweek contest P. 8

following his death in 2006 from sickle cell complications. Following that case, the NCAA made it mandatory for all players to be tested for SCT. The sickle cell trait is most commonly found in African Americans and Hispanics, according to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of American (SCDAA). The association estimates that the sickle cell trait occurs in one in 12 African Americans. The original lawsuit was filed May 17, 2011 at the First Judicial District Court in Hinds County. It was not until Sept. 29, 2011 that the case was transferred to the Lafayette County Circuit Court in Oxford. The case will continue following the judge’s ruling on the amended complaint.

Kennedy, Barbee talk Thursday’s Ole Miss-Auburn firstround matchup P. 8


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