Nearly 1,000 attend ex-Choctaw chief’s funeral
PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (AP) — Nearly 1,000 people gathered Monday for the funeral of Phillip Martin, the former chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Martin served as the tribal chief for 28 years until his election defeat in 2007. He died Thursday after suffering a massive stroke on Feb. 1.
The Clarion-Ledger reports that only 150 of the mourners at his funeral could be seated in Holy Rosary Catholic Church in the Tucker community. The rest stood outside shivering in the cold.
The Rev. Bob Goodyear told mourners that Martin will always be recognized for the prosperity he brought his people. The tribe operates casinos and other businesses in Neshoba County.
Saints’ victory parade to have Carnival flavor
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — No ticker tape, no convertibles, but the parade the city is throwing to honor the Saints for their Super Bowl victory will fit right in during Carnival in New Orleans.
The parade, which starts at the Louisiana Superdome at 5 p.m. CST on Tuesday, will have 10 floats donated by Mardi Gras Krewes and 12 marching bands.
The players, coaches and other team officials, will ride on floats from 10 different Mardi Gras krewes, including Rex, Zulu, Endymion, Bacchus, Muses and Orpheus. Each parade has donated use of the float the krewe’s king, queen or grand marshal rides on.
Float builder Barry Kern said on Monday it was the first parade that had floats from various krewes rolling together.
The Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Sunday night’s Super Bowl.
Leflore Co. politicians delinquent on taxes
GREENWOOD (AP) — Twelve elected officials from Leflore County owe a combined $28,000 in delinquent property taxes.
Tax records showed the bills range from less than $200 to more than $7,000 for 2009. Property taxes were due last week.
Greenwood City Councilman Johnny Jennings had the largest amount of back taxes from 2009 among elected officials. He and his wife owe $7,737.
Jennings said he plans to sell stock and pay the bill Wednesday.
Others owing taxes include State Rep. Willie Perkins, who had no comment, and Circuit Clerk Trey Evans. Evans told The Greenwood Commonwealth he’s in good shape if delinquent taxes is the worst thing people have to criticize him for.
Hearing set for police appealing salary suspension
COLUMBUS (AP) — A hearing is set for four Columbus police officers who lost a month’s salary for alleged misbehavior at the Vicksburg Military Park.
The Commercial Dispatch said the hearing is set for Lowndes County Circuit Court on Feb. 26.
Officers Wade Beard, Heath Beard, Robert Walker and Spence Wallingford are appealing a ruling by the Columbus Civil Commission, which upheld their suspensions.
The officers were suspended for 15 days after being called home from a field sobriety training course in Vicksburg. They were placed on six months probation.
Witnesses said the officers played loud music from a police cruiser and flashed their lights and sirens at passers-by in the park.
