Kemper County News

Temp: 80.0 F Heat Index: 85 F Being her normal self, Juanice Evans is smiling, mingling with Kemper County residents, and snapping pictures at the Fourth of July ceremony at the courthouse square.

The Kemper County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual July 4th Celebration and Veteran's Service today at the Kemper County Courthouse in DeKalb.

There are 11 county/regional jails scattered around Mississippi. With them, the Mississippi Department of Corrections has created its own cottage industry.

Efforts are being made to help protect area rivers, lakes, and streams from pollution that originates at chicken farms.

The Mississippi Public Service Commission recently rejected Mississippi Power Co.'s request for an expedited approvals process for its proposed $2 billion coal burning plant, which would be built in Kemper County if the commission approves.

Revitalization is underway for the heart of Kemper County. Officials marked the grand opening of a new senior citizens center Wednesday.

Three west Alabama residents have been charged in a dragging incident in east Mississippi.

From the first NAACP branch in Mississippi that was chartered in 1918, Mississippi's conference has grown into one of the strongest state conferences of the organization in the nation.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $70 billion in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, $11 billion of which will modernize our nation's electric grid utilizing 'smart-grid' technology.

Efforts are underway to address alleged gang activity in schools. Kemper County High School invited a former gang member to speak to students Tuesday.

The state Court of Appeals has upheld a Kemper County woman's six-year sentence for DUI manslaughter in a 2006 fatal accident.

The Mississippi Public Service Commission will hire two consultants as it prepares to decide the fate of a planned $2.2 billion power plant in Kemper County.

Attorney General Jim Hood is seeking a detailed public disclosure of Mississippi Power Co.'s planned $2.2 billion power plant in Kemper County and utility regulators will hold a hearing Tuesday on the request.

State Attorney General Jim Hood is asking the Public Service Commission to delay approval of Mississippi Power Company's $2 billion coal burning plant in Kemper County until several legal questions he raised about the project are answered.

Wife arrested for murder of husband By Brian Livingston blivingston@themeridianstar.com A Kemper County woman was charged Wednesday in the Tuesday shooting death of her husband.

A shooting Tuesday night in Kemper County has turned into a homicide case. The Kemper County Sheriff's Department says 52-year-old Earnest Johnson was found shot multiple times at his residence Tuesday evening, and his wife Minnie Johnson, called 911 and said she was the one who shot him.

A shooting in Kemper County Tuesday night sent one man to the hospital. It happened on Fannie Jack Road off of Highway 39 about five miles North of DeKalb around 5:45 p.m. Officials believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic incident.

I have contacted members of the Public Service Commission in reference to the proposed Kemper County lignite project.

Gov. Phil Bryant will appear live via the Star Web cam at noon today at www.meridianstar.com. Click on the "Live Video" link.

Classes will resume Tuesday in Kemper County, following its Easter break. Due to concern about alleged violence at the high school, district officials say extra precautions will be taken.