THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008 VETERANS SPECIAL SECTION See B Section “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23 VOLUME 106 • NUMBER 91 75 ¢ ESTABLISHED 1882 MCSO investigates weekend murder arrived on the scene. arrested Smith when he arrived at the MCSO is also investigating the incident where his brother, Kenneth By Don Hill Arrested in connection with the city limits about two hours after they death of Steven Lamar Hobgood, 54, Hobgood, 51, beat him with a Editor case is John David Smith, 19. Hall were contacted. Smith will be who was found dead at No.18 H Lane microphone stand and a few other said investigators from the MCSO extradited to Marion County from in Foxworth on Thursday. items. The Marion County Sheriff’s along with special agents from the Gainesville where he will face The cause of his death is “He beat him severely, causing Office continues to investigate deaths Mississippi Bureau of Investigations charges. undetermined, as the sheriff’s office trauma to the head,” said Marion in two different cases. received a tip that Smith had a friend Stringer’s girlfriend and mother of waits for results to come back from County Sheriff Berkley Hall. Joe Von Stringer, 55, was shot at in Gainesville, and was possibly Smith, Mary Kimberly Smith, 37, of the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s “Kenneth was arrested for domestic his home on 1798 Highway 98 West. going to see him. Authorities called 80 Stringer Loop, was arrested and Office. Hall said it is a good chance aggravated assault, because he beat Sheriff Berkley Hall said they are still the Gainesville Police Department, charged with accessory after the fact. Hobgood was murdered, but him with more than his hands or feet.” collecting evidence in the case, but notifying them Smith was driving She is being held in the Marion toxicology reports will confirm or Kenneth Hobgood is still being said Stringer was probably shot with a Stringer’s 2006 Dodge truck. The County Woman’s Correctional deny that cause of death. held in the Marion/Walthall pistol, and was dead about four or five Gainesville Police Department Facility without bond. Hobgood was recovering from an Correctional facility. hours before Sheriff’s Deputies THIS EDITION: HONORING OUR VETERANS JAIL DOCKKET: Page 3A EDITORIAL: Page 4A SPORTS: Page 6A-7A Members of the mock election committee at East Marion included Lane Ramshur, Janea Burton, Anesha Handshaw, Jabari Hendricks, T. J. Echols, Dimetriss CAALENDAR: Griffin and Corneshia Hicks. photo by Lori Watts Page 8A Youth react OBITUARIES: Page 10A to Obama’s • Charles McLeod, Jr. • Doris Cook Webb election • Ella Hammond • Lois N. Dearing By Lori Watts attention to make my Staff Writer decision,” Trippe said. • Peggy Dunaway Marion County holds “It definitely changed the outlook of young African • Steven L. Hobgood Columbia High School Americans,” said Chance Veterans’ Day Service and East Marion students • William Owens, Jr. Montgomery. “It made us Tuesday, Marion County honored the participated in mock believe we can do more. It Veterans who lost their lives overseas elections during the recent gives us more hope.” during a ceremony at the Marion County election season and were FOOD: Jeremy Evans said, “Many Courthouse. Avon and Catherine McCraw, eager to share their thoughts more young people paid Page 12A parents of the most recent casualty, are about the historic presidential attention and the young joined with Sgt. Nicholas Campo of the election. voters made the difference in Army National Guard in laying a wreath to In Rob Knight’s senior this election, I think. Now LEGALS/ honor United States Army Private First- American Government class young African Americans Class Chris McCraw, who lost life during at Columbia High School can see that they really can CLLASSIFIEDS: combat in Iraq. At right, the Army National two of the almost 20 students do something like that. Guard Color Guard rescues the flags after were old enough to vote for Page 14A-17A Anybody can do it. Before it high winds blew one down. Judge Virginia the first time. was like a dream, but now it’s Carlton of the Mississippi Court of One of those students, real.” Appeals was the master of ceremonies Tyler Trippe said that he felt UPCOOMING According to Lenessa and Columbia High Show Choir and that he had taken part in Fisher, the only female in the WEATHER Columbia Elementary School Chorale something very special. “It class willing to make a Chorus sang patriotic songs and the was the first African statement, this election was FRIDAY National Anthem. Judge Sebe Dale, Jr. was American candidate and my special for two reasons. “It the keynote speaker, Mike Bass played first time to vote. Different 77 / 50 was pretty historical, the first Taps and Jerron Carney gave the people were trying to get me African American and a invocation and benediction. See page 5A to vote different ways. I had SATURDAY woman on the ticket,” Fisher for more photos. photos by Don Hill to watch the debates and pay 65 / 62 See ‘Obama,’ Page 9A SUNDAY 64 / 41 Columbia raising garbage collection fees $12,000 to $15,000 per days of safety instruction on Municipal City Court approval to sponsor First MONDAY By Don Hill month just to have the waste farm equipment, horses, the Clerk Pearlee Magee asked Responder training, because 68 / 43 Editor carried out of the city, and the internet and several other the board to move Holly they have eight firemen who collection fees don’t cover items to fifth graders in McGraw, a worker in the need the training. The classes Facing an increased cost TUESDAY the expense. The city also has Marion County. Coulter said court, from part-time status to will be open to other of garbage collection, the the cost of salaries, fuel, they have been paying $500 fulltime status. The board firefighters and first 69 / 42 City of Columbia will raise maintenance and other each year, but his bill this took it under advisement. responders who need the fees by a $1 per month for related expenses. year was more than $1,200. Fire Chief Larry Ratliff training as well. WEDNESDAY households and businesses. On Tuesday, Nov. 4 board Coulter said he wasn’t said he was short two men in The Board of Aldermen “We had 273 tons of meeting, Ricky Coulter of notified of a price change. the fire department, and voted to resend the 65 / 37 garbage last month,” said Farm Bureau approached the The board voted to charge asked the board to hire Scott retroactive pay raise for city Mayor Harold Bryant. “We board about his bill from the Farm Bureau $500 for this Coulter as a new fireman. employees. The board THURSDAY are falling behind on garbage Columbia Exposition Center time, but will make a contract The board voted approved a cost of living pay 55 / 29 collections.” for the Farm Safety Days. for the next time so the unanimously to hire him. increase, but it was illegal to It costs the city from Farm Bureau sponsored two charges will be understood. Ratliff also asked the board’s See ‘Garbage,’ Page 9A THURSDAY 2A www.columbianprogress.com November 13, 2008 Downtown comes alive with Main Street festivities “We were thrilled to have By Lori Watts the drumline, mascot and Staff Writer Marion County Miss Hospitality and Junior Miss Over 100 Columbia leading the way,” Griffith citizens gathered Saturday said. “I am very pleased with morning at the courthouse to the turnout. This is a great participate in the “Let’s Go success,” she said. Walking Down Main Street,” At 4 p.m. other activities sponsored by Blue Cross sponsored by the Main Street Blue Shield of Mississippi in organization got under way cooperation with “Let’s Go in the parking lot next door to Walking Mississippi.” Heritage Jewelry on Main Marion County Junior Miss Anna Morris, Miss Main Street Columbia Street. Hospitality Mari Phillips and the Columbia High Director Judy Griffith Scores of people attended Wildcat mascot, followed closely by the CHS drumline reported that the organization the Pet High Fashion Style Erin Irwin teaches the “electric slide” to a group of lead the “Let's Go Walking Down Main Street” gave away all 50 t-shirts Show which preceded the Columbia citizens during the Main Street festivities participants Saturday morning. provided locally by BCBS Cow Paddy Bingo fund Saturday. Photos by Lori Watts for the statewide campaign in raising event. Ken Knopp of which 50 Main Street Edward Jones served as the place consolation prize. atmosphere to the outdoor Flowers, Sew Elegant, Once Saturday was equally as organizations from across the emcee. Winners of the pet Griffith reported that the venue. Upon a Time, Dazzle, busy,” Ryals said. state participated. show were Yorkie “Lillie ticket sales for the bingo had The Saturday activities Carney’s Florist, Main Street Treasures Unlimited The group began the walk, McDaniel,” owned by Jade great success again this year were held in conjunction Frames and Gifts, Swank and owner Carol Jean Myers said along the approximately one McDaniel, in the female with 495 of the 500 tickets with the annual Holiday Treasures Unlimited. that she had a good turn-out, mile route, at 9 a.m. The division, and Camille available being sold before Open Houses by many area Tina May of Polished too. “Especially considering Columbia High School Band Breland’s black lab “Blue” in the beginning of the contest. merchants that began on Looks at Merle Norman all the ballgames that were drumline helped the walkers the male division.