Oxford July 31, 2016

nday news so s Su rd’

Oxf o

ce ur

Sunday EDITION

Volume 3 | Issue 30

oxfordcitizen.com

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Inside 3 News

Lafayette High School band prepares for football season.

6 Lifestyle

JOHN DAVIS

University of Mississippi Chancellor Jeffery Vitter will be the featured speaker of the First-To-Know Breakfast sponsored by the OxfordLafayette Economic Development Foundation.

Vitter to speak at First-to-Know Breakfast

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

University of Mississippi Chancellor Jeffery Vitter has been invited to share his wisdom and experience he has gained during his first eight months with Ole Miss as the speaker at the Oxford-Lafayette Economic Development Foundation’s First-to-Know Breakfast.

The breakfast is being held at the Oxford Conference Center on Friday, August 26 at 7:30 and will be catered by Taylor Grocery.

Elected Officials are considered honored guest and they as well as EDF members at the Business Investor level and above are eligible to receive a free pass to the event.

General admission for the public is $15 payable at the door.

The EDF tries to put on the First-toKnow Breakfasts quarterly, but it often works out to only about three a year. The events have been taking place on and off ever since the EDF’s founding and is usually a well-attended event.

Vice President of the EDF Allen Kurr is organizing the breakfast that Vitter will be speaking at. When looking for a speaker for

these events, Kurr said that the EDF looks for a person who is able to come in and adequately inform those in attendance of the different factors currently impacting the Oxford economy. Other speakers could be business leaders, politicians, deans and anyone else who has substantial knowledge of or who could have a significant impact on the local economy.

“We’re excited to hear form the chancellor because the university is so tightly knit with the economy here in Oxford and they way in which we’re growing,” Kurr said.

“We’re experiencing such a fast rate of growth here and a lot of it has to do with the growth at the university. Chancellor Vitter is a key player in the role of that development.”

In a statement to the Citizen, Vitter said that he was excited to be speaking at the breakfast to share his experiences from his short time at the university so far.

“I’m looking forward to sharing experiences and insights from my first eight months as chancellor with the community at the First-to-Know Breakfast,” Vitter said.

“We’re excited about the upcoming academic year and the prospects for contin-

ued economic development that will benefit our community and region, and it’s always great to talk with business leaders and others from the community about our goals and aspirations.”

Kurr said that he is very much looking forward to Vitter’s speech next month. During his time with EDF, Kurr said that he has met some really interesting people and including Rep. Trent Kelly, who spoke at a First-to-Know Breakfast last year.

“I think my favorite one so far was the one we had with Trent Kelly,” Kurr said.

“That was a big deal. With he and his staff being willing to work with us and set that up and come in, we really appreciated that.

He gave us a great update on what was going on in Washington, especially leading up to an election year.”

Those wishing to attend the event must RSVP with Rosie Vassallo who can be reached at rosie@oxfordms.com or 662234-4651. Kurr said that Rosie can also be contacted if anyone wishes to make their business a featured sponsor of the event. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

University Ave bridge to be completed in September.

11 Sports

Rebels’ Kizer could be even better in 2016.

13 Sports

Mullen looking for a winner at QB to lead Bulldogs.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 2

Duncan looking forward to marching season with Lafayette High School band

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

The Lafayette County High School band is looking forward to a successful year under the direction head band director Kelly Duncan.

This is Duncan’s fourth year leading the LHS band.

Before coming to the district, he was at Itawamba Agricultural High School working with their band program for 10 years. He said that he enjoyed his time at Itawamba, but when an opportunity arose to come to Lafayette, he and his wife chose to make the move. Duncan’s wife Lauren is also a director for the band. Her parents were the band directors at Lafayette until they retired in 2008. After they left, another band director served until 2012. The year before the Duncan’s stepped up, another one of Lauren’s family members oversaw the band until she and her husband finally took the helm in 2013.

Duncan said that he had never originally set out to be a music educator. He had tried a few different career fields, but none of them ever felt right. He began working with his own school band as fifth grader and stuck with it for the entirety of his academic career, being the first person in his family to pursue music in a school setting.

Duncan said that he had really great band directors over the years that, unbeknownst to him at the time, were

silently pushing him toward this career path. Eventually he realized that he this was where he wanted to be, and he has been in the field ever since.

The band director said that his love for his job comes from much more than music. Duncan said that the best thing about his job is the ability it gives him work with students for several years and watch them mature as both performers and as people.

“I love being able to see them grow,” he said. “I love being able to help them with life things too, music is just a part of it. We’re one of the few types of teachers that get to see kids for seven years straight. We really get to see them grow up form 11-yearolds that can barely hold a horn to 18-year-olds getting college scholarships.”

The show Duncan and the band are planning for this upcoming marching season will center on what it is like to be an American soldier. The music, marching and visuals will tell the story of a young man as he decides to sign up for the military and serve his country. Patriotic music blares in the beginning and flows into several bouts of the famous “Reveille” wake-up call to signify each morning that our solider wakes up for basic training.

As the show goes on, it takes on a slightly darker tone as the band blasts an arrangement of “This is War”

by 30 Seconds to Mars. The color guard will have flags reminiscent of fire. Once the smoke is cleared and the battle is over, the band will begin to play “I’m Coming Home”

by Skylar Grey. The show ends with a reprise of the first song, bringing the show to a close on a patriotic high note, so to speak.

Duncan said that the show is so far coming together well and that he and the students have enjoyed working on it and are looking forward to debuting it for the public.

This year’s band has a total 85 kids participating. This number is up from last year and is expected to continue growing over the next few years. This year’s beginning band, which is separate from the high school band, has a total of 108 kids participating. Duncan said that those kids who choose to move up to the high school band will be a welcomed addition and will continue to grow the program.

Duncan said that he is so far very pleased with the 85 kids he is working with right now. He described them as hard working and willing to accept the challenges the music and drill are putting to them. Several of the players in this year’s band are young, but Duncan said they are adaptable and willing to put in the work to make this year’s show the best it can be. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

Lafayette School Board approves budget

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Local, state and federal funds have been sorted out and organized to provide the Lafayette County School District its budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The board approved the budget on July 21.

The largest source of district’s income this year, comprising 52 percent the budget’s total, will be coming from the state.

These are things like cafeteria funding from the state, funding for vocational education, money received through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) and other sources through the state government.

Lafayette County’s allotted money from the MAEP received a significant increase this year due to the school’s recent increase of students attending the school.

The second largest source of the budget comes from local revenue sources. This funding comprises 39 percent of the district’s budget and includes any money collected from taxes, cafeteria sales, fundraisers, tuition and more. Tuition in this instance comes from the district’s fairly new Pre-K program, which is fully operational, but does not yet qualify for federal funding.

Federal sources make up the third and smallest source of revenue for the

school district, comprising only 9 percent of the overall budget. This portion of the budget is comprised of funds acquired through federal programs, federal cafeteria money, money from the Tennessee Valley Regional Housing Authority and a few more. Of the money the school district receives in the federal budget, 15 percent of a portion of that money must be used for professional development. This means that each year the school district is getting an amount of money that they are required by law to spend on conferences and advanced training for teachers and administrators.

Projections are showing that the district will be obtaining $175,824 more than they intend to spend during the upcoming year, according to their budget packet put together by the district business manager Mark Brown. He explained that the total sum of that money will not necessarily be left over at the end of the upcoming school year. These are projected numbers and have the potential to be more or less than what the district is expecting. Brown explained that if there were any shortages in one part of the budget, a portion of this excess would be moved to sort it out. Only after everything is balanced and every section

of the budget is covered will there be any possibility for excess.

“Anything that is remaining in the budget will roll over into next year’s,” Brown said. “However, for federal money, we have to expend it and request reimbursement. If we don’t expend it, we will not receive reimbursement. So, we will not necessarily be left with the full excess projected here.”

Breaking the budget down into specific areas of expenditure, the majority of the district’s funds, 72 percent will be going to paying for the salaries and benefits of all the district’s employees. Several million dollars less than that, the second largest portion of the budget will be going to what is titled “Purchased Services.” This category constitutes only 8 percent of the overall budget and includes insurance, utilities, repairs, required travel, meals and new construction or renovations that will be required of the district throughout the school year. In a close third behind that category, still clocking in at 8 percent of the budget, is the money the district has set aside for their “Supplies” category. This includes anything the district may need in terms of instructional, maintenance or transportation supplies. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 3

LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL BAND After a morning spent on the football field learning drill, the Lafayette County High School band rehearses music in the band hall Thursday afternoon to prepare for their upcoming marching season. The band has 85 students participating this year who are preparing a patriotic show to unveil this fall. For more information on the band and what their working on, turn to page 2.

PHOTOS BY CHANING GREEN

Oxford OB/GYN Associates Joining Dr. Julie Harper, Dr. Glenn Hunt, and Dr. Gregory Patton

1204 Medical Park Drive Oxford, MS 38655

662-236-5717 Fax: 662-234-4016 Phone:

Get to know Dr. Mize: • Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, MS • Internship and Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS • Hometown: Paris, MS

Dr. Mize specializes in robotic surgery. Her clinical interests include adolescent and pediatric gynecology, obstetrics and contraception.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 4

OBITUARIES

Proud Larry’s announces last of summer lineup

IRENE GREEN

BY CHANING GREEN

Irene Green, 96, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Oxford Health and Rehab. Funeral services were scheduled for Saturday, July 30 in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley with Bro. Bobby Jones officiating. Burial was set to follow in the Pine Flat Cemetery in Lafayette County.

NEWS WRITER

EDNA FAY ODOM Edna Fay Goodwin Odom, 90, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at Shearer Richardson Nursing Home in Okolona. Visitation is planned for Monday, Aug 1 from 1 until 2 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley. Services will follow the visitation in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Jody Gurley will be officiating.

read more and find exclusive content online

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

The end of the summer booking season is closing out and Proud Larry’s has just a few more shows left before they being their anticipated fall lineup.

Will Kimbrough will be playing at Larry’s on August 5. Kimbrough is a singer/songwriter from South Alabama. Some of the songs he has written have been recorded by musicians like Jack Ingram and Jimmy Buffett. In 2004 the Americana Music Association named Kimbrough Instrumentalist of the Year.

The multi-instrumentalist has several albums to his credit. His latest album was released in the fall of 2013 and is called “Sideshow Love.” The album is comprised of 12 tracks that explore relationships and love. Kimbrough’s website says that he is well versed in the styles of folk, blues, gospel, country, rock’n’roll, punk rock and jazz. The cover for the show will be either $8 or $10.

cana with “Southern influence for days.” On the ticket to perform with King is folk duo Kelly and Jesse and Kelley Pinion who will be playing the opener. The cover for this show will be $5.

Popular bluegrass band Whiskey Shivers will performing a free show at the venue on Monday, August 15. The band is stopping in Oxford on their way to New Munster, Wisconsin as apart of a tour the band is doing across the Southeast, Southwest and up the East Coast, touching a couple states in the Midwest. The Austin-based bluegrass band has received widespread critical acclaim in major publications like L.A. Weekly, Rolling Stone, Washington Post and NPR. Their website says that their goal is to put on a show that is so much fun to SANDY CARSON be watching that “people Austin-based bluegrass group Whiskey Shivers are set to perform a free concert at Proud put down their phones, Larry’s on Monday, August 15. pick up their drinks and start dancing.”

The next performer former Shane King. King now based in Oxford. He chaning.green@journalinc.com coming up after Kim- was born in Greenville and performs original music in Twitter: chaningthegreen brough will be local per- raised in Cleveland, but is the style of folk and Ameri-

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

PAGE 5

NO HASSLE, HASSLE, NO NO GIMMICKS, GIMMICKS, NO NO GAMES GAMES NO

RIGHT PRICE GUARANTEE!

BARNES CROSSING BARNES CROSSING HYUNDAI-MAZDA

HYUNDAI-MAZDA

2016 Hyundai Sonata

2016 Hyundai Sonata S TA R T I N G M SRP

21,780

$

S TA R T I N G M S R P

21,780

$

2 5 / 3 8 C I T Y / H I G H WAY M P G

$ 2,,0 00 00 0 Rebates + 0 $2 0..9 9% % APR for up to 60 months

2017 Santa Fe Sport $

2016 Hyundai Tuscon

Rebates + 0 . 9 % APR for up to 60 months

2 5 , 3 5$ 02 , 0 0 0

S TA R T I N G M S R P

22,700

2017 Santa Fe Sport

2016 Hyundai Tuscon

S TA R T I N G M S R P

$

2 5 / 3 8 C I T Y / H I G H WAY M P G

S TA R T I N G M S R P

$

S TA R T I N G M S R P

25,350

20 0//2 28 8 C CI IT TY Y//H HI IG GH HW WAY AY M MP PG G

$

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: $ 24 49 9 per month for 24 months $2 with $2,449 due at lease signing or 0 0..9 9% % APR for up to 60 months, w.a.c + up to $1,250 Cash Back or up to $2,500 Cash Back

22,700

2 6//3 33 3 C CI IT TY Y//H HI IG GH HW WAY AY M MP PG G 26

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: $ $1 19 99 9 per month for 24 months, w.a.c with $2,999 due at lease signing or 0 0..9 9% % APR for 60 months, w.a.c or $500 Cash Back

2016 Hyundai Azera

2017 Hyundai Elantra S TA R T I N G M S R P

S TA R T I N G M S R P

17,150

$ $

$

34,100

2 0 / 2 8 C I T Y / H I G H WAY M P G

2 6 / 3 3 C I T Y / H I G H WAY M P G

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: $ 2 4 9 per month for 24 months with $2,449 due at lease signing or 0 . 9 % APR for up to 60 months, w.a.c + up to $1,250 Cash Back or up to $2,500 Cash Back

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: $ 1 9 9 per month for 24 months, w.a.c with $2,999 due at lease signing or 0 . 9 % APR for 60 months, w.a.c $500 Cash Back 2 //2 Y G W M 0 29 9 C CI IT T Y//H HI Ior GH H WAY AY MP PG G 20 LIMITED-TIME OFFER: $ 29 99 9 per month for 36 months with $2 $2,199 due at lease signing or 0 0..9 9% % APR for up to 60 months,

2 29 9//3 38 8 C CI IT TY Y//H HI IG GH HW WAY AY M MP PG G

PAYCATION SALES EVENT

2016 Hyundai Azera

2017 Hyundai Elantra 0 0..9 9% %

APR for up to 60 months, w.a.c + $1,000 Summer Sales Cash

w.a.c. + up to $1,000 Cash Back O OR R up to $2,000 Cash Back

THESE PRE-OWNED SPECIALS HAVE GOT TO GO!

S TA R T I N G M S R P

S TA R T I N G M S R P

17,150

$2010 Hyundai Santa FE

2015

GLS stk#V0606A

9,999

ONLY $

2011

Chevy Equinox LT

VW Passat

2009

4 Door. stk#P11761

Silver, Only 42k Miles. stk#V0498

14,999

ONLY $

2012

34,100

$ Ford Focus SE

TOYOTA CAMRY SE

5,534

ONLY $

2013

Chevy Malibu LS

2 9 / 3 8 C I T Y / H I G H WAY M P G

PAYCATION SALES EVENT $ 0 . 9 % APR for up ONLY $ to 60 months, w.a.c 11,991 12,863

WHAT A DEAL! stk#PS1855

ONLY

Sharp, Silver. stk#S1747

+ $1,000 Summer Sales Cash

2015

Toyota Camry LE

2007

WHAT A DEAL! stk#51794

14,887

ONLY $ 2009 Chevy

Silverado 1500

Honda CRV EX-L

Local Trade. stk#S1899

13,508

ONLY $

2006

Cadillac Escalade

2 0 / 2 9 C I T Y / H I G H WAY M P G

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: $ 2 9 9 per month for 36 months with ONLY $ for up$12,299 to 60 months, $2,199 due at lease signing or 0 . 9 % APRONLY 14,900 12,996 w.a.c. + up to $1,000 Cash Back O R up to $2,000 Cash Back

Silver. stk#C1093

LT, V8. stk#C1048

ESV, All Wheel Drive, Black stk#P11564

ONLY $

BARNES CROSSING HYUNDAI-MAZDA 3983 NORTH GLOSTER • TUPELO, MS 38804 • 662-844-1383

bchyundai.com plus tax, title and fees

plus tax, title and fees

All prices plus title, tax & doc.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 6

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

University Ave bridge to be completed in September

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Construction on the University Avenue bridge passing over Gertrude Ford Boulevard is expected to continue through the first week of September.

The bridge sits on the campus of the University of Mississippi and was originally constructed in 1940.

The current work on the bride is being done in order to upgrade and strengthen it using with newer technology while dramatically increasing the life of the bridge. Once construction is complete, the bridge will be able to handle a higher amount of traffic in terms of weight, thus allowing a wider variety of vehicles carrying more weight to pass over the bridge.

In an email to the Citizen, University Architect Ian Banner said that the work being done will not only update the bridge, but also make sure the structure’s load capacity is increased to the point to where it will be able to withstand heavy

CHANING GREEN Construction on the bridge is being overseen by Tupelo-based The University Avenue bridge that sits on the campus of the Uni- company Century Construction and Realty. Once completed, versity of Mississippi over Gertrude Ford Boulevard is currently the bridge’s load capacity will be increased to the point of undergoing renovations to extend the life of the structure. being comparable with a highway.

construction equipment.

Banner said that there is expected to additional construction traffic on campus next summer during the building of a roundabout on Chucky Mullins Drive.

Steel plates are being added to the bridge along with other many other materials intended to make the bridge stronger. Certain modifications are also being made to give the structure the ability to expand and contract during sharp

changes in weather, while simultaneously adding a level of flexibility to the bridge that will allow it to withstand more traffic without the bridge cracking or experiencing extreme levels of stress. David Horton is the Vice President of Century Construction and Realty, the company handling the project. He described the current capacity of the bridge is “lightweight” and said that the completed structure will be able to withstand signifi-

cantly more weight and weathering once they are finished.

“We’re putting steel plates on each side of the beam of the bridge,” Horton explained while pointing schematics that showed plates going over the top and bottom of the core of the bridge. “This will reinforce and strengthen it.

That’ll let it carry up to 80,000 pounds on a load, legally. That’s about what a regular highway can carry.”

Cory Hall is the superintendent over seeing the project. He said that in addition to the structural improvements to the bridge that will make it stronger, it will also look better once construction is completed. The crew has plans to strip all the paint off the bridge and apply a new coat that will improve the bridge’s ability to stand up to the elements, increasing the life of the bridge an additional 50 years, according to Hall. The

current paint job on the bridge is lead-based. In order to safely remove it without any risk to the public or workers, the bridge will have to be contained during the process to prevent any of the old lead paint from getting into anything it should not before it is properly disposed.

Renovations on the bridge officially began in early July.

The bridge remains partially closed, allowing two-way, one-lane traffic on one side of the bridge while the other side undergoes construction. Pedestrians are also free to traverse the bridge using the sidewalk on the side of the bridge that is not being renovated at the moment. Gertrude Ford Boulewhich runs vard, underneath the bridge, has been completely closed and impassible since July 6, and will remain so until August 20. The construction on the bridge will be completed on September 7, before the first home game. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

DOSSETT PRE-OWNED SPECIALS 2015 DODGE RAM 1500 SLT

QUAD CAB, STK# UV6287

22,900

$

2015 BMW X3

LEATHER, NAVIGATION, LOADED, STK# UV7173 $

2012 HONDA CIVIC EX

2011 GMC ACADIA 2003 GMC YUKON DENALI

DENALI, LOADED, STK# UV7218

STK# UV7289

7,988

$

29,000

2012 TOYOTA AVALON

2015 CADILLAC SRX

2012 DODGE RAM 1500 4X4

23,500 2011 BMW 128I CONVERTIBLE

STK# UV7149

LUXURY, STK# UV6045

LARAMIE, CREW CAB, LIMITED, STK# UV7029

37K MILES, STK# UV7241

17,900

2005 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE

33,000 1988 CHEVY CORVETTE

65K MILES, STK# UV7164

SHOWROOM CONDITION 36K MILES, STK# UV2920

$

$

27,500

$

13,900

$

$

19,500

$

31,000

2014 BUICK ENCLAVE 24K MILES, LOADED, STK# UV5328 $

31,000

STK# UV7261 $

$

BIG 4 www.DossettBig4.com

2013 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

XLE, STK# UV7184

STK# UV6312

LIMITED, STK# UV7278

42,000

$

24,900

2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS

2016 GMC ACADIA SLT

2014 NISSAN SENTRA

STK# UV7153

STK# UV7249

STK# UV7230

STK# UV7212

18,500

2014 BUICK ENCORE FWD, STK# UV6984 $

2015 CHEVY SUBURBAN

30,500 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE

$

18,995

*ALL PRICES ARE PLUS TAX & TITLE. FINANCING WITH APPROVED CREDIT.

DOSSETT

13,900

2013 TOYOTA SIENNA

$

$

$

33,900

$

11,900

2015 CHEVY TRAVERSE LTZ STK# UV7170 $

31,900

$

18,900

2014 CHEVY CRUZE LS STK# UV7166

12,900

$

www.DossettBig4.com

SOUTH GLOSTER TUPELO, MS

Call 662-842-4162 or 888-892-4162

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 7

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 8

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

Eileen Saunders

Weesie Biedenharn

Cell: 662.404.0816 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: eileen@tmhomes.com

Cell: 662.638.5332 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: weesie@tmhomes.com

403 Woodland Hills $450,000

Blake Thompson

Executive home on a hill with circular drive and fountain. Tons of entertaining space both inside and out. Master bedroom down, 3BD/2BA up plus a bonus room/game room. Private library/office for work or study with built-in cabinets. Intercom, lots of storage. Stainless steel grill, pergola, patio, raised beds to grow herbs & veggies.

MLS#136311. Call Eileen Saunders- 662-404-0816.

Cell: 662.801.7014 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: blake@tmhomes.com

131 Country View Lane$144,900

Amanda Wymer

COUNTRY VIEW VILLAGE Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, open floor plan in the downstairs. Just a few minutes from the shops and restaurants of Jackson Avenue as well as the University campus. FNC Park is very near as well. MLS#135383 Call Blake Thompson - 662-801-7014.

960 Frank Smith $212,000

BATESVILLE - Two homes for the price of one.

Cottage style home located on 27 acres between Oxford & Batesville. First home has a wide porch overlooking the large yard & woods. The second home is approx. 2300 sf & barn. Property also features a pond. Live in one house & rent the other. MLS# 135913.

Call Blake Thompson - 662-801-7014.

Cell: 662.832.7685 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: realtybyamanda@gmail.com

Cell: 662.801.0878 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: caroline@tmhomes.com www.youroxfordhome.com

$272,500

GARNER HEIGHTS Charming, secluded 3BD/2BA home in the heart of Oxford! Peace & privacy in the middle of town. The floors are a combination of hardwood & ceramic tile in the living/kitchen areas & carpeted bedrooms. Nice closets & storage space. Come take a look and make this yours! Less than a mile from Campus & 1.5 miles from the Square. MLS# 135551 Call Blake Thompson – 662-801-7014.

Vic Sullivan

Cell: 662.228.6025 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: vic@tmhomes.com

135 Yancy Dr.

Caroline Felker

316 Kelly Lane

$165,000

BRUCE - This lovely wood and & home is located in one of Bruce's nicest neighborhoods boasting wood floors throughout, open floor plan on main level & tons of closet space.

The lower level offers a cozy family room with a gas fireplace. The wooded lot is located on a stunning lake with lots of deck space to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Includes access to the neighborhood pool. MLS# 136109.

Call Amanda Wymer- 662-832-7685.

Polina Wheeler

Cell: 662.401.4632 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: polina@tmhomes.com

149 Northpointe Dr. $229,900

NORTHPOINTE 4BD/2.5BA brick home in one of Oxford’s finest areas. Meticulously cared for, with several sophisticated upgrades. Very private professionally landscaped backyard overlooking a pond. Great floor plan. Spacious walk-in closets. Beautiful view out of every window.

MLS#135528. Call Polina Wheeler – 662-401-4632.

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

PAGE 9

Stan Abel

Paula Crum

Cell: 662.816.9363 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: stana@tmhomes.com

Cell: 662.701.7789 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: paula@tmhomes.com

15 CR 2016

$649,500

OXFORD - The DEAL OF A LIFETIME! Imagine a Southern country lifestyle while sitting on the wrap around porch where you can view your fully stocked ~3-acre lake located on a total of 33 beautiful landscaped acres. Large pasture areas for horses or other livestock.

MBR with sunroom (Main) plus 3 BRs, 2 full and 3 half baths, 10' ceilings, red oak hardwood, granite counter tops/kitchen, all built in extras, jenn air double oven/stove, washer/dryer, separate apartment studio/barn. MLS# 136263. Call Paula Crum- 662-701-7789.

Sanders Edmondson

Thaddeus Hooper

Cell: 662.889.8046 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: sanders@tmhomes.com

Cell: 601.934.0572 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: thaddeus@tmhomes.com

3018 Highlands Circle$575,900

THE HIGHLANDS - A professionally decorated, custom built home w/ open floor plan (City of Oxford Schools); every BR has a bath, 4BR, 4BA (2 down & 2 up), stainless appliance pkg, hardwood floors, 10’ smooth ceilings, 8’ solid wood doors, kitchen opens to the Keeping Room, built-in bookcases, stone fireplace, Wet Bar, breakfast area and large screened porch that includes a fireplace Access to ~80-acre Trophy Lake & ~30-acre Park. MLS#136291. Call Paula Crum662-701-7789.

Nicole Cain Wright

Cell: 662.617.5744 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: nicolec@tmhomes.com 212 Byars

$80,000

Calhoun City - Perfect home on corner lot with lots of shade trees. this 4 bedroom, 2 bath home is perfect for a growing family. close to restaurants, shops and schools. Don't miss this one. All information thought to be correct. MLS# 136428 Call Nicole Cain Wright – 662-617-5744.

941 Hwy 9N

$174,900

BRUCE - Spacious split level home with swimming pool and pool house. Could be used as an In-Laws Suite or great for a college student. main House features 3 possibly 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. 2 of the bedrooms are currently being used as master suites. Pool house with 1BR/1.5BA. Great sized living room with small kitchenette and game room that be used as a bedroom. MLS# 136185. Call Nicole Cain Wright – 662-617-5744.

104 Denton St.

$118,500

BRUCE - 5 bedroom, 2 bath on 4 lots close to the school and the park. New roof 2015, two 2 vehicle carports and a storage building. Outside playset to remain in the fenced back yard. MLS# 135910. Call Nicole Cain Wright – 662-617-5744.

Melinda Wells

Cell: 662.829.9536 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: melinda@tmhomes.com

308 West Veterans Ave. $99,000

CALHOUN CITY – Great 3B/2BA starter home on a corner lot with mature shade trees.

Spacious rooms & hardwood floors in all bedrooms. 2 car carport. Partial basement with additional crawlspace. MLS#135328 Call Nicole Cain Wright – 662-617-5744.

40 CR 409

$182,500

CALHOUN CITY - Beautiful 3BD/2.5BA, traditional ranch home located on a huge 2 acre lot. 2 car attached garage & amazing bonus area in a detached 20 x 30 building that is heated & cooled. Bonus area makes a great play area for the kids or a heated shop/studio.

MLS# 135467 Call Nicole Cain Wright – 662-617-5744.

327 E. Countiss St.$199,000

BRUCE - Located in town but feels like you are in the country. 4 bedroom, 3 full baths, large den and a wet bar. 3 car carport and oversized garage for large RV with storage. MLS# 135840.

Call Nicole Cain Wright – 662-617-5744.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 10

Martin Mesecke

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

Sam Smallwood

Cell: 662.771.1155 Office: 662.842.3844 Email: martin@tmhomes.com 210 E. Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804

Cell: 662.401.0759 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: sam@tmhomes.com

605 Saddle Tree Cove $640,000

Danny Flowers

STEEPLECHASE - Proposed construction - Plan features a triple split design with 4BD/3BA, open floor plan is great for entertaining, large family room & rear porch area. The bedrooms are away from the main area of the house which allows privacy. The master bath has split areas for him & her, large shower & walk thru closet to access the laundry room. MLS# 135687. Call Martin Mesecke – 662-715-1111.

Cell: 662.816.7294 Office: 662.234.5344 Email: danny@tmhomes.com

Cell: 662.488.5720 Office: 662.842.3844

Email: merisa@tmhomes.com 210 E. Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804

88 CR 186

Chanda Cossitt

Merisa Baker

$144,500

Quiet summer or weekend getaway cabin.

Less than 9 miles from campus. Approximately 1/2 mile from Coontown Crossing boat launch. 1.11 acres. MLS# 135707. Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294.

Cell: 662.871.7222 Office: 662-842-3844

Email: chanda@tmhomes.com 210 E. Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804 1620 Jackson Ave E$1,850,000

ABBEY LANE - Walking distance to the Square! Amazing custom built home w/ Subzero, Wolf appliances. Every single detail is custom. 3BR/3.5BA w/ formal living & dining, keeping room off kitchen, Butler's pantry w/ sink & dishwasher, separate guest home w/ apx 500 sf, 2BR/2BA, den & small kitchen.136416. Call Chanda Cossitt- 662-871-7222.

1703 University Ave. $685,000

Prime Oxford location, seconds from the square. Was previously Embers/My Guys. Perfect commercial spot.

MLS#136308.

Call Chanda Cossitt- 662-871-7222.

1418 Murphey Ridge Rd. $309,000

BATESVILLE - Spacious custom built home sitting on 1.5 acres with beautiful pond views. 4BD/3BA, office and flex space. Large kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite countertops and Italian tile floors. Walk out balcony with French windows. Living room has a fireplace and great views. MLS# 136165. Call Merisa Baker- 662488-5720.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

PAGE 11

AND THE

AROUND SQUARE BEYOND JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

Football has returned to the area, state, nation

F

ootball season has returned to the area.

Well, a lot of us say that football never leaves us, but there is a big difference between spring practices and the summer drills that are set to start.

High school football players have been busy the past two months preparing for the heat of August. There are no more two-a-day practices anymore because the players are able to train for so long during the summer.

When Johnny Hill was first coaching at Oxford in the late 1980s, getting in condition meant starting in August. It wasn’t that long ago when the players really had to run extra in order to get ready for the heat.

Now, we have 7-on-7 tournaments and two-hour lifting sessions, that also including running, for the players for six to eight weeks in order to get in shape. It’s more ideal, to me, for the players to train during the summer than to try and cram everything into about 18 days at the start of August. Heat exhaustion has been taken seriously by the two local coaching staffs in the past, and one of the best ways to avoid those type of situations is to have the kids in shape before the pads go on.

High school football provides some of the best memories for those that take part. That goes for the cheerleaders and members of the band that act as support units. Oxford’s band was out in the heat, tuning up, last week while the football players got into condition on another field. School may have been out the past eight weeks, but there has been a lot going on the two different campuses.

Workouts have gathered in a number of athletes, and hundreds of summer games were played in a number of sports. Athletics now is non stop. Some may think that could be a bad thing, but keeping a young athlete busy with these kind of activities is a better alternative from my vantage point.

It will be the first season for Chris Cutcliffe as head coach of the Chargers. He played quarterback for OHS a decade ago, and he has been on the staff, so he’s familiar with the current players, and the tradition. The Chargers TURN TO FOOTBALL PAGE 12

JOSH MCCOY/OLE MISS ATHLETICS

CeCe Kizer scored 14 goals in her first season with the Ole Miss soccer program in 2015. As a result, she was named SEC Freshman of the Year.

Looking for More Rebels’ Kizer could be even better in 2016

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

If CeCe Kizer is even better than what she was in 2015, then the rest of the SEC better look out. Ole Miss soccer advanced to its first appearance in the “Sweet 16” last season in part to the output of Kizer, who was named SEC Freshman of the Year.

The Overland, Kansas native finished with 14 goals, which ranked third in the SEC, and 18th nationally in total goals. Kizer also had seven game-winning goals, which ranked fourth in the nation, while her 29 total points ranked her in the top five in the SEC. Kizer, like the rest of her teammates, have been working towards the start of the 2016 season. Summer drills open on Wednesday, and Kizer wants to keep building from the success she had last year.

“I want to do everything I can to help the team and I think team wise, we want to

build from last year. We don’t just want to have that one season where we just made it to the Sweet 16 and not do as well,” Kizer said. “I think we’re focused on one game at a time and getting our way back into the NCAA Tournament, and the SEC Tournament as well.”

Offseason workouts have gotten Kizer stronger, and faster. She felt like she would be a completely different player because she has a year under her belt.

“I worked a lot on getting stronger on the ball. Also finding ways to get the ball in the middle and find gaps just because (Ole Miss coach) Matt (Mott) wants me to get even more touches on the ball than I did last year,” said Kizer who played club soccer in Nebraska this June. “Most of July, I’ve been lifting and running and going out and working on my shot. We want to have a great season again. We are so close, and I think we’re going TURN TO REBELS PAGE 12

CeCe Kizer is looking forward to playing Texas A&M and Mizzou this season.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 12

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

NO MONEY DOWN. PERIOD. JOHN DAVIS

High school football players have been running all summer in the effort to get into shape for the upcoming season.

Football FROM 13

have a tough schedule at the start, but it should make them better as the year moves on, and really prepare them for the playoffs.

Michael Fair is also entering his first year at Lafayette.

He’s got more experience than Cutcliffe as a head coach, but he is still learning his roster and trying to figure out some of the remaining parts. Fair has been praised by his players. They like his style, his energy and no one can question his success. Expect good things for the Commodores in 2016, and beyond.

Ole Miss will be starting summer drills as well. Chad Kelly leads the Rebels at quarterback this season.

Rebels FROM 13

to be just as good this year.”

It was hard for Kizer to really pinpoint the moment when college soccer just clicked. During the preseason, she focused on playing her game. The rest fell into place.

“I knew that I at least wanted to play some and then once we had our first exhibition game, I think during that game, I played really well and that helped boost my confidence going into the rest of the season,” Kizer said. “From there, it just kind of took off.”

Kizer may just be a sophomore, but she is a leader and hoping to assist the talented cast of newcomers like Madison Meador or former

Could he be the first Heisman Trophy winner for Ole Miss? If he can key the team to some more big wins and keep the Rebels in the hunt for an SEC Championship, absolutely he can win the Heisman. Kelly had a fantastic season on the field in 2015, and he could be even better this year, especially if he cuts the turnovers down even further. The last seven games of 2015, Kelly did a great job protecting the ball.

Turnovers decided last year’s matchup with Alabama. If Ole Miss wins that battle again this year, it’s hard to believe they won’t be in that one all the way to the end. Of course before the Rebels tangle with the Tide, they have a big opener with the Florida State Seminoles in Orlando.

We will know early just how

good this team can be.

The NFL has already started training camp, and there a lot more Rebels to keep up with in the professional ranks. I’m interested to see how Laquon Treadwell, Robert Nkemediche and Laremy Tunsil all perform this season. I’m pulling for Cody Core, and some of the other former Rebel players, to stick with teams. Core was an unsung player in regards to the Rebels the past few seasons.

Treadwell is No. 11 and playing for the Vikings, in case anyone didn’t remember. Nkemediche is No. 90 with the Arizona Cardinals.

Tunsil is No. 67 and set to play guard for the Miami Dolphins.

Lafayette High standout Alley Houghton. Kizer played against Meador, who is from Ballwin, Missouri, several times in the past.

“She’s good. She’s strong and a really good defender and knows her position really well,” Kizer said. “I’ve heard good things about Alley in that she’s very technical and just does great things and can finish really well. Matt has been telling me to take them under my wing and to help them and reassure them because it is difficult coming into a college team not knowing really what to expect. I’m going to be there and help them through the whole preseason and regular season as well.”

Two matches that Kizer is looking forward to are home against Texas A&M since the

Aggies beat the Rebels in the NCAAs. Kizer’s entire family will be there to watch.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” she said. “And probably Mizzou just because last year we didn’t do as well as we wanted to in losing. That was the school was probably the next on my list to go to. I’m excited to play them again because I definitely think we can beat them.”

Living in Oxford has been a lot of fun for Kizer over the past year. She and other teammates love eating at Ajax “all the time.”

“I love it so much. The people are amazing. It’s so fun to play soccer at such a great school and so amazing to be a part of,” she said.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

0

$

DOWN PAYMENT. SECURITY DEPOSIT. DUE AT LEASE SIGNING. FIRST MONTH’S PAYMENT.

GREAT SELECTION

NEW 2016 Honda Accord LX

239

$

GREAT SELECTION

NEW 2016

Honda Civic LX

229

$

Rear Camera / Bluetooth / Automatic / 4 Door

PER MONTH*

OR 0.9% | 60 MO.

GREAT SELECTION

NEW 2016 Honda Odyssey SE $ MO.* MO.*

Rear Camera / Bluetooth / Automatic / 4 Door

359 0.9% | 36

OR

MO.

DVD Player / Automatic / Alloy Wheels

712 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO 842-4162 or 1-888-892-4162 www.houseofhondatupelo.com *Payments are a lease program, plus tax and title. $0 Down Offer is for qualified lessees, with approved credit. 0.9% and 1.9% APR is through American Honda Finance, with approved credit. Lease is 12,000 miles per year through American Honda Finance. All offers with approved credit. See dealer for details. Offers end 07/31/16.

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

PAGE 13

Mullen looking for a winner at QB to lead Bulldogs FIRST LOOK

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Someone will play quarterback for the Mississippi State Bulldogs when they open the season against South Alabama on Sept. 3.

Who it will be remains to be worked out in summer drills that begin in less than a week.

MSU has been a consistent winner under head coach Dan Mullen, but the Bulldogs rose to new heights the last two years thanks to the play of Dak Prescott at quarterback.

Prescott helped lead MSU to 19 wins, with 10 coming in the SEC. Last year, his final in Starkville, Prescott threw for 3,793 yards and five touchdowns. He completed 66.2 percent of his passes, which was the second-best in the SEC for starters. MSU ranked third in the SEC in total offense last season, and averaged 35.1 points per game, a figure that was fifth out of 14 teams in the league.

Those are stats that will be tough to live up to for the Bulldogs, who play three of their first five games on the road.

Nick Fitzgerald, Damian Williams, Nick Tiano and Elijah Staley are the four quarterbacks on the MSU

Mississippi State roster. Williams and Fitzgerald have the most experience of the four, although Williams redshirted in 2015 after playing as a true freshman in 2013, including his start in the Egg Bowl.

At SEC Media Days two weeks ago, Mullen gave his thoughts on finding that quarterback.

“I will be a happy guy to name a starting quarterback and find somebody that has separated themselves from the other three, throughout the summer, whether it’s all of the extra work they put in over the summer, if it happens in the first week of training camp, great. If it has to happen game week, fantastic,” Mullen said. “I think the most important thing for me is, in looking at quarterbacks, is finding a winner, finding a guy that just has that ‘it’ about him winning,” Mullen said. That’s one of the hardest things to find when you’re out there re-

cruiting is that guy that has that ‘it’ personality, and Dak certainly had it.”

The good news for fans of MSU is that all of the tailbacks from 2015 are returning. Brandon Holloway leads a trio that includes Aeris Williams and Ashton Shumpert at the position.

Holloway finished with 413 yards, while Shumpert and Williams combined for four touchdowns. Dontavian Lee and Nick Gibson are two other running backs that could push for time as well.

The Bulldogs return three starters on the offensive line, including senior center Jamaal Clayborn. Wide receiver Fred Ross, also a senior, is the top pass catcher back. He finished with 88 catches for 1,007 yards and five touchdowns last year.

Mullen felt like having a veteran receiver like Ross on the outside helps complement a younger or less experienced quarterback.

ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen will not have the dependable ability of Dak Prescott at quarterback this coming season.

“If you have some veteran wide receivers and a young quarterback, they have to take some of the onus and responsibility of trying to make life easier for that quarterback. And also building up confidence,” Mullen said. “You know, I think we’re going to have some throws, I hope not many, but our young quarterback will make mistakes, make some bad throws. The receivers are the ones that got to go over to the quarterback. A lot of times it’s the other way around, the quarterback going to the receiver

and saying, ‘Keep your head up.’ We’re going to go, make the drop and come right back you to. The receiver says, ‘Don’t worry about that. Keep coming to me, keep coming to me, I’m going make plays for you.”

Mississippi State returns seven starters on defense.

Linebacker Richie Brown is back after making 109 stops in 2015. A.J. Jefferson is the leader on the defensive line.

He has 13.5 tackles for a loss, with five going for sacks, in 2015. Others that return include safety Kivon Coman, who had 76 tackles, line-

backer J.T. Gray, who made 65 tackles and safety Brandon Bryant, who finished with 63 tackles and three interceptions.

Peter Sirmon was hired to lead the Bulldogs’ defense.

He will coach linebackers along with his role as defensive coordinator. Terrell Buckley and Maurice Linguist are also new additions to the defensive coaching staff.

Westin Graves is back to handle the place-kicking duties for the Bulldogs. He was 15-for-18 in field goal attempts, and 52-for-54 on points after touchdown.

Logan Cooke is also back as MSU’s punter. He averaged 42.2 yards per punt last season, with 16 landing inside the 20-yard line.

The Bulldogs open their SEC slate at home against South Carolina on Sept. 10.

It comes a week before their first road test at LSU. MSU travels to Alabama on Nov. 12 and Ole Miss on Nov. 26.

They have back-to-back road games in the middle of October, one at BYU and the other at Kentucky.

Auburn, Texas A&M and Arkansas visit Starkville this season, along with Samford on Oct. 29. john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

Summer work has pleased NWCC’s Parker

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Summer workouts are in the books for the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers.

Exams from summer classes have also been over for over a week. It’s the calm before the storm for head coach Benjy Parker, who is entering his first season leading the squad.

There is only a certain amount of time the coaches get with the players during the summer. Individual workouts have gone well, Parker said, and so has pass scale or 7-on-7 work.

“We get a little time, not like we will when we come back, but it’s been good and we are able to get some stuff done,” Parker said. “It’s been good to start evaluating some of these guys. It’s been a good summer.”

The Rangers won the NJCAA national championship this past season. It was a dream year in a lot of

ways, and Parker has been trying to get the newcomers in the kind of shape it takes to repeat as a champion.

“We bring them in July and they’ve been working hard and been doing a great job,” said Parker, who will have to replace a number of starters, including quarterback Gardner Minshew this fall.

There are a lot of things that Parker is learning being the head coach. He gained administrative experience as a defensive coordinator, but there is still nothing like being in charge of a program.

“I haven’t had much time to coach. I’ve learned how to manage my time and prioritize my time and things like that. We’re kind of keeping the same format we have the last couple of years,” Parker said. “The transition has been easy.

Our other coaches have been doing a good job. They’re working hard, the players are working hard.

We’re excited to bring them back

COURTESY NWCC ATHLETICS

Benjy Parker is entering his first season as the head coach of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers. and it won’t be long before we’re playing Hinds and we open up our season.”

Quarterback Shea Chism was praised by Parker for they way he has worked in the summer. Clay Holgersen, a transfer from Memphis, was also added at the posi-

tion to take over for Minshew. Tyler Allen was another signal caller that has been in Senatobia competing for the starting job.

“They’re all doing a great job, working hard. It’s a new (offensive) system and there are a few things that are different,” said Parker, who hired Stan Hill away from Oxford to coordinate the offense. “To my knowledge, meeting with those guys, they have done a good job of picking up the concepts and the terminology. I think they’re getting better everyday.”

Two former Oxford High standouts, KT McCollin and Michael McGhee, are with the Rangers. McCollin played there as a freshman, while McGhee came to Senatobia from North Alabama. Parker said both had already affected the program in a positive way, a full month before the first snap of the ball.

“They’re great guys who do the right thing. They play hard and they’re accountable and they go to

class,” Parker said. “They’re good for us every single day. I can’t say enough about both of those guys. I think both are going to have real good years and be good players for us. They lead the right way.”

J.R. Burns is back at center for the Rangers, and Parker said he was a good leader to lean on. Defensive back Wesley Bush,from Noxubee County, is back, and Parker was expecting him to be a good player in 2016.

“We got a lot of guys that we think are going to step up and be really good. We’ll see about that,” Parker said. “Until we get pads on and put them out there in that environment where they hit each other and that kind of stuff, we’ll see who will step up. But there is no question that we have a lot of great players that are doing the right thing. And that’s always a great sign.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

PAGE 14

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 15

662-234-7711 2128 W. Jackson Ave. • Oxford, MS 38655 www.johnsonsfurnitureonline.com

PAGE 16

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016