THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2011 NEWS NEWS Circuit Clerk honored for Annual Sweet Streets at retirement. Columbia Elementary. See page 2 See page 6 “Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause VOLUME 109 • NUMBER 100 ESTABLISHED 1882 every man to find according to his ways .” — Job 34:10-11 9 holiday DUIs ticketed Firemen save home 160 “hazardous” citations and Kinslow said the CPD suspension, no insurance and By Mark Rogers 91 non-hazardous citations. wrote 56 citations over the leaving the scene of a proper- Managing Editor Miller explained that the haz- long weekend. ty damage accident. ardous citations were moving “They (the citations) were Also charged Thursday by A long holiday weekend violations, such as speeding. mostly moving violations,” Columbia Police was Jennifer netted nine DUI charges and Non-hazardous citations he added. “We also made Henderson, 18, of Wiggins many other tickets in Marion include no seatbelt, no insur- numerous misdemeanor Road in Columbia. She was County. ance and no valid inspection arrests.” charged with DUI 1st, other Beginning Thursday night sticker. Marion County Sheriff's substance. and carrying into early Columbia Police Chief Jim Office deputies made five On Friday, the MCSO Monday, the Mississippi Kinslow said his department DUI arrests over the holiday charged Eric D. Jefferson of Highway Patrol Troop J in and others will be out in force weekend, the Columbia Silver Creek with DUI 1st Hattiesburg covered 10 acci- again this weekend with the Police Department made and no insurance, the MHP dents, two with injuries and New Year's holiday. three and MHP had one DUI booked Thomas Turnage Jr., made two DUI arrests, two “We have a blitz going on,” arrest in Marion County. 47, of Mississippi Hwy. 13 Columbia firefighters and South Marion firefighters drug arrests and a felony Kinslow said. “We'll have Gregory L. Barnes, 53, of South for DUI and unautho- battled a blaze at a home on Jims Road Tuesday arrest. extra people out. We'll be tar- Foreman Street in Columbia rized used of an ATV on a afternoon. Quick action by firefighters prevented heavy damage. MHP spokesman Cpl. Todd geting all sorts of moving vio- was charged Thursday night highway. On Friday, CPD Photo by Mark Rogers Miller said troopers issued lations.” with DUI 1st, driving under See ‘Police Page 8 A part of history CPD officer terminated by Aldermen By Buster Wolfe Staff Writer The Columbia Board of Aldermen voted recently to dismiss city police officer Guy Serrin because of a failure to follow departmental rules, Mayor Reed Houston said last week. The action was taken during a special meeting Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Columbia Exposition Center. The city employee holiday lunch was held earlier that day at the Expo Center. “One employee in the Police Department was terminated because The Columbia High School Marching Wildcats have been selected to march in Gov.-Elect Phil Bryant’s inaugural parade in he was not following policy,” Jackson Jan. 10. Houston said. Photos by Mark Rogers He declined to offer further details about the personnel matter. The announcement of the action CHS band to be part of Gov.-Elect Phil Bryant’s inaugural parade was delayed to provide officials excited.” time to provide notification to the By Mark Rogers McDowell said he received a call officer. Managing Editor just before Christmas from CHS Houston said he did not expect graduate Mick Bullock, who works any further action on the dismissal. The Columbia High School in the governor’s office, informing “To my knowledge, there will be Wildcat Marching Band will be him of the band’s invitation. no charges against the officer,” he helping newly elected Mississippi “Mick called and let us know concluded. Gov. Phil Bryant kick off his we’d been chosen,” McDowell The police officer’s dismissal fol- administration as part of the said. “I called the administration to See ‘Officer’ Page 8 Inaugural Parade. make sure everything was OK, and The parade steps off at 2 p.m. on we started getting the word out.” Garbage changes Jan. 10, 2012 in Jackson. The band will be one more than 25 bands, including college bands, “It’s something we haven’t done featured in the parade. McDowell before,” CHS Band Director save city money Reuben McDowell said. “We’re See ‘Parade’ Page 8 By Buster Wolfe Staff Writer The Christmas holiday that brought Foxworth woman named FGH ‘Employee of the Year’ good cheer to almost everyone has left Laird, who was born in Columbia behind an annual problem for the City By Buster Wolfe and graduated from Columbia of Columbia Department of Public Staff Writer Academy, said. “I was totally unpre- Works: extra garbage. pared.” The gift wrapping and presents' Marilyn Laird doesn’t really think Laird joined Forrest General as a packaging that is tossed aside after the of herself as “an angel,” although her home care nurse in 1993 and has been holidays mean extra volume for employer apparently does. a hospice nurse for the past 10 years. Columbia sanitation crews. Laird, who lives in Foxworth, was As a hospice nurse, she cares for Mayor Reed Houston had one sug- named the Forrest General Hospital’s patients and their families during dif- gestion for city residents. Employee of the Year with her work ficult times. “Patience,” he said Tuesday. as a hospice nurse at the Hattiesburg Laird said she is able to handle Monday was observed as the facility. what might be difficult situations for Christmas holiday in the city and Marion County offices. The award was given during the other people. “We are running our regular annual Forrest General Employee “I feel like I can help people more as a hospice nurse,” said Laird, who is Marilyn Laird, left, speaks with a patient at Forrest General Tuesday schedule, and we will be Christmas Party on Dec. 16. Hospice Services. caught up Wednesday. Hopefully, we “I was humbled and in disbelief,” See ‘Laird’ Page 8 Submitted Photo See ‘Garbage’ Page 8 THURSDAY 2 www.columbianprogress.com December 29, 2011 Reception held for retiring Circuit Clerk Loftin Retiring Marion County Circuit Clerk Jesse Loftin was honored recently with a reception. Above, retired Bailiff Carroll Bryant signs a card. Below, District Attorney Hal Kittrell speaks to the crowd assembled. Photos by Mark Rogers Retiring Circuit Clerk Jesse Loftin sits in a rocking chair presented to him during ceremonies held recently. At right is Julie Nibert from the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Free Balance testing Q Feeling off balance? Q Unsteady on your feet Q Stumbling lately If so, Come see us at The Grove Outpatient Therapy Clinic Call today to make your appointment FREE BALANCE SCREENING and FREE HANDOUTS on Home Safety Remember: Good Balance is an important way to Stay Healthy and Independent! 601-731-5717 11 Pecan Drive PRCC dual enrollment practical Columbia, MS 39429 nursing program graduates The 2011 graduates of the Pearl River Community College dual enrollment practi- cal nursing program received their diplomas and pins on Friday, Dec. 9, in a cere- mony at the Forrest County Center in Hattiesburg. Graduates include, front row, from left, instructor Matt Gatlin, Chyna Salie of Petal, LaCreisha Rattley of Lumberton, Ashley Rayborn of Purvis and Tyrice Moffett of Oak Grove. Back row, instructor Cindy Boutwell, Gabriel Rule of Petal, Anneliese McDuffiel, Taylor Magee and Morgan McMurry, all of Petal, and instructors Melissa Bryant and Susan Bedwell. As dual enrollment students, they attended PRCC while complet- 318 Second Street • 601-736-2611 ing their senior years of high school. After high school graduation in May 2011, they became full-time PRCC students. PRCC Public Relations photo Follow us during the game @ As another year dawns, we just want you to know we appreciate your business this past year and look forward to serving you in 2012. For the holiday we will be closed from Monday, Dec. 26th until Tuesday Jan. 2nd. MMEEAATT Follow The MMAASSTTEERRSS Columbian-Progress twitter.com/ColProgress 1 3 2 7 Hw y . 13 N 73 1 -22 4 4 9 THURSDAY December 29, 2011 www.columbianprogress.com 3 JAIL DOCKET (Editor’s Note: Information St., arrested by CPD, with hunting from public Monticello, arrested by unauthorized use of ATV on Zackery Lee Scott Jr., 27, printed in the “Jail Docket” charged with contempt. road, trespassing, illegal MDOC/MCSO, charged highway. 113 East Rankin St., arrest- column is solely the responsi- bility of the Marion County Andromeda Silas, 21, 48 possession of deer, hunting with parole violation. Kendrick Brent, 22, 160 ed by CPD, charged with Sheriff’s Department, the Harrison Jefferson Dr., from motorized vehicle. Gregory L. Barnes, 53, Hwy. 587, Lot 23, disorderly conduct. Columbia Police Department arrested by CPD, charged Stefon Magee, 49, 628 603 Foreman St., arrested Foxworth, arrested by Charles Bullock, 50, 130 and other law enforcement agencies listed below.Please with contempt warrant. Charlotte Dr., Picayune, by MCSO, charged with CPD, charged with DUI New Jerusalem St., report any errors to the Dre Jamarcus Lewis, 18, arrested by DUI 1st, DUS, no insur- 2nd, speeding, DUS- Foxworth, arrested by arresting agency, which will A. Moses Rd., Varnado, MDWFP/MCSO, charged ance, leaving the scene of implied, no seatbelt, no MCSO, charged with public provide any corrections needed to The Columbian- La., arrested by MCSO, with trespassing, hunting an accident (property dam- insurance, providing false drunk. Progress.) charged with burglary of a from public road, hunting age).