Coila News

Five people in Mississippi have faced minimal jail time and fines within the past year for a misdemeanor crime authorities say costs the state millions in lost liquor tax revenues and threatens public health.

“I really wouldn't say for or against (increasing the cigarette tax) at this point”

Earlier this year, Gov. Haley Barbour appointed community leaders throughout the state to a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the tax code in Mississippi, making recommendations to him about possible changes in ... via Meridian Star

Meeting: Council of Governments in which representatives of various branches of government meet to discuss issues and events - April 14. via Meridian Star

“Or use Botox; then it won't move”

A 26-year-old entrepreneur from Texas was named Miss USA on Friday, besting 50 other beauty queens for the coveted crown. via The Clarion-Ledger

Dr. William Cibula was an instrumental part of the creation of the Crosby Arboretum and in his memory a trail now bears his name. via Picayune Item

The Attala County Board of Supervisors agreed to hire Mississippi Court Collections to aid in the collecting of past due fines, pending a 30-day notification of Mississippi Warrant Network. via Star-Herald

Some would argue that the best way to learn is hands on time and students at Poplarville Upper Elementary got the chance to learn about their body from the inside. via Picayune Item

“Today, I am issuing this state of emergency as a relief measure to ensure that Mississippians who have already been affected or will be affected by the rising waters will have necessary resources readily available to them”

By By Kathleen Baydala kbaydala@clarionledger.com Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour declared a state of emergency today for 33 counties because of flooding of the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers. via Madison County Herald

“I can't believe this would happen in my community, when we have been the recipient of so much goodness that has come in”

Volunteers at Dantzler Memorial First United Methodist Church in Moss Point are tucking away their tools a little bit tighter. via WLOX-TV Biloxi

“We all go to church with him at Lakeside Presbyterian”

FLOWOOD - Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers won the Democratic nomination in north Mississippi's 1st Congressional District Tuesday, defeating state Rep. via Hattiesburg American

“The governor's position on the need for road improvements has not changed, but he is willing to work with the Legislature to find acceptable solutions.”

BY BOBBY HARRISON Daily Journal Jackson Bureau JACKSON - Gov. Haley Barbour's plan to take $25 million from a special Hurricane Katrina fund to use on Toyota-related highways in Northeast Mississippi apparently ... via Djournal.com

“There's no telling how many acres are involved”

BILOXI

Man accused in home break-in

A man arrested on a burglary charge Monday is accused of entering a home while the residents were there, police said.

Police arrested John Ashala Hale, 47, of Janis Road, Biloxi, after the break-in was reported from the 300 block of Lakeview Drive. He was held at the Harrison County jail in lieu of $50,000 bond set by Justice Court Judge Albert Fountain.

rfitzgerald@sunherald.com

GULFPORT

Ten charged with soliciting prostitution Read more

“Reports that he was coming to turn himself in came from family members who had made contact with him recently.”

Promises from family members that a Hazlehurst man suspected of killing another man was en route to turn himself in at police headquarters have not materialized, Chief Byron Swilley said. via The Clarion-Ledger

“It's like taking care of another child.”

It was the ritual of the day, performed every 20 minutes or so: Men on tractors dragging the red clay of the main arena in order to smooth over a cloverleaf design of kicked-up dirt. via Hattiesburg American

“I want to work closely with the board of supervisors financially and as an administrator.”

Meeting: Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors work session What Happened: - New County Administrator Mike Sumrall was present, but did not actively participate in the meeting. via Meridian Star

“It's not good public policy for the state of Mississippi”

Statewide officials and lawmakers can't count on getting a pay raise this year if a bill passed Thursday is accepted as is. via Hattiesburg American

“There's obviously going to be a run-off, but I'm confident that I will be in it and do well in it.”

The noisy room deep in the innards of Jackson's Hilton Hotel went suddenly silent Tuesday night as Gregg Harper answered his cell phone. via Meridian Star

“The tribe has many acres of property scattered across the state, and we are evaluating the best use of all these lands”

The chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians says no decision has been reached on what to do with the tribe's land in Carroll County. via The Clarion-Ledger

“There is absolutely no authority under Mississippi law for that”

A judge's announcement that he will appoint a special master to oversee new elections in Wilkinson County may be challenged, the attorney for one of the parties said Friday. via The Clarion-Ledger

Mayor Johnny DuPree on Tuesday will again present his Progress Hattiesburg plan to the City Council. via Hattiesburg American