ELECTION UPDATE
Jennings withdraws as sheriff candidate
One of six candidates for Webster County sheriff has announced he is withdrawing from the race.
Robert C. "Butch" Jennings told the Progress-Times on Monday that he was withdrawing his candidacy for sheriff because of personal reasons. The circuit clerk's office said Tuesday that Jennings planned to submit a letter of withdrawal on Wednesday. He had qualified as a Democrat.
Jennings, of Eupora, is an investigator for District Attorney Doug Evans in the Fifth Circuit Court District.
Remaining candidates are Democrats Reuben McCluskey (incumbent) and Bill Bland, Republic Don Jones, and Independents Johnny Marlow and Clyde Morris.
Party primaries will be Aug. 5.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Website gives insight into Webster County
Webster County has a new economic development tool to work with now that a partially completed Internet site has been launched on the World Wide Web
The website - www.webstercountyms.com - is online but is only about 50 percent complete, according to Steve Anderson, executive director of the Webster County Development Council. More information and photos are to be added.
A grant from the Mississippi Development Authority helped fund the Website's development. It was designed by Bonnie Conner of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District.
"We're pleased to have it," Anderson said. "Industrial prospects can use it and it's a good resource for people visiting Webster County."
Pages which have been completed or which are still being developed give details about the WCDC; officials and histories of Eupora, Mantee, Mathiston and Walthall; demographics; building histories; benefits and incentives; and maps.
The site also has links to the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, GTPDD, MDA, Tennessee Valley Authority, Natchez Trace Electric Power Association, Appalachian Regional Commission, Webster County School District and Wood College.
Organizations may post information about upcoming programs in the site's planned Calendar of Events by contacting Anderson at 258-7535 or web.wcdc@bellsouth.net. He also encouraged Internet surfers and information seekers to log onto the site and review it, and offer any suggestions that they have to him.
EDUCATION
Superintendent candidates forum upcoming
The Vision to Action Education Committee will sponsor a community forum for all candidates for Webster County superintendent of education at 7 p.m. May 8 at Wood College's Bennett Auditorium in Mathiston. Admission is free.
Next Thursday's community forum will provide interested citizens with the opportunity to meet and hear from the candidates for this public office, and will enable candidates to have an opportunity to express their views and perspectives regarding the educational needs of Webster County and the reasons for their candidacy for this elected office.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Drug charges filed
A Webster County man has been charged with felony drug and weapons offenses. Gerald Dodd, 39, of Fame Church Road was arrested the afternoon of April 18 by Sheriff Reuben McCluskey and deputies.
McCluskey said the Sheriff's Department responded to a call that Dodd, a convicted felon, had been firing a weapon at his residence. When officers responded, the sheriff said they observed that Dodd was under the influence of some type of stimulant.
As a result, McCluskey said they searched the property and found crystal methamphetamine and 12 marijuana plants growing. Dodd was charged with possession of meth, manufacture of marijuana and possession of a firearm (a pistol) by a convicted felon. Dodd, who was already out on bond on another felony charge, was denied bond on the new charges because of the previous felony conviction.
In other felony arrests by the Sheriff's Department, Tony Mills, 33, of Bellefontaine was charged April 15 with six counts of uttering forgery. McCluskey said Mills is accused of stealing checks from J.A. Knight and forging them. Mills was being held in lieu of a $12,000 bond.
Clarence Patterson, 23, was arrested Saturday on a charge of burglary of a dwelling.
According to McCluskey and an affidavit filed by Rosie McBride, he is accused of breaking into McBride's residence on Rowe Road in the Jordan Chapel Community with the intent to steal a television and VCR. His bond was set at $5,000.
A "hold" was put on Patterson by the Mississippi Department of Corrections because he is on probation for a previous conviction, according to the Sheriff's Department.
- Russell Hood
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