JACKSON, Miss. On the last Saturday in January, Johnny Thomas paused as a train snaked through the heart of Glendora, Mississippi. The accompanying roar reverberated through the predominantly Black Mississippi Delta town with a population of fewer than 200 people.
“Ever heard of the other side of the tracks?” Thomas, the town’s mayor, asked. “That’s us.”
In a community where the nearest hospital is more than 20 miles away, the phrase stretches past the proverbial. More than 50 percent of residents live in poverty.
Lately, Thomas has felt pushed even further to the margins. No coronavirus vaccination sites for the general public are operating in Tallahatchie County, where Glendora is. The area’s only hospital, Tallahatchie General, doesn’t expect to have vaccines until mid-February. The nearest state-run drive-thru vaccination clinic is in neighboring LeFlore County, 30 miles away.
HOUSTON • The family of a Chickasaw County homicide victim has increased the cash reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the responsible parties.
Died: December 12, 2020. CHARLEY Pride, who has died aged 86 from complications of Covid-19, was a country singer who broke the mould several times over. His honey-sweet, easy-going voice on deep-fried classics such as Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’ and Crystal Chandelier saw him sell millions of records and become successful all over the world. He released more than 50 albums, and scored 29 No.1’s in the Country music chart. During his 3- years with the RCA label, only Elvis Presley sold more records than he did. As a black artist operating within what has historically been a predominantly white genre, his talents came to the fore during an era of institutionalised racism, and his early records were issued without a picture of him. He was only the second artist of colour to become a member of the home of country royalty, the Grand Ole Opry.
OXFORD ⢠A Tallahatchie County man, who turned himself in to police Friday, became the eighth person charged in connection with a fatal shooting in late November.
Caryale Dajuan Dogan, 29, of Charleston, surrendered to the Oxford Police Department on Dec. 11. He was later charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. During his initial appearance in Lafayette County Justice Court, bond was set at $100,000.
âIâm very proud of the work our Criminal Investigations Division did in this case,â said Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen. âThey worked tirelessly and around the clock to ensure that this crime would be solved and justice served for the victim. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Davisâ family.â