Politics, from a state flag dispute to area municipal elections,dominated headlines in the spring of 2001.

April

James “Jim” H. Craig III, chief of the Heuck’s Retreat VolunteerFire Department, was named as the new director of Emergency MedicalServices for the Mississippi State Department of Health in earlyApril. He replaces Wade N. Spruill Jr., who retired in October2000.

Thirteen officials from Lawrence, Walthall and Copiah Countiesand the state traveled to Washington D.C. in early April to pitchan idea to federal officials for improved economic development inthose areas. The idea called for the four-laning of Highway 27 fromthe state line with Louisiana to Crystal Springs. The four-laningwould be an addition to work being done in Louisiana to four-lane astate highway there to the Mississippi line to aid in coastalevacuation. The idea was well received and officials continued todiscuss its possibilities throughout the year.

First Bank of Monticello was robbed April 12 when a man wentinside, displayed a pistol and escaped with an undisclosed amountof money. No one was injured. No one has been charged with thecrime.

Construction began April 16 on the first eight-story tower ofthe Student Life Center on the campus of the Mississippi School ofArts.

Area voters overwhelmingly joined with state voters April 17 inrejecting the call for a new state flag. The old flag won 488,630votes to 267,812 statewide and 8,331 votes to 2,870 votes inLincoln County.

Monticello Junior High School officially changed its name to RodPaige Middle School April 18 when the new Secretary of Education, anative of Monticello, visited the school.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held April 23 for the $958,000Lincoln County Public Library expansion project. Construction begansoon afterward.

A former Brookhaven coach and teacher, LeVander German, wasselected April 26 as the new principal at Alexander Junior HighSchool. German replaced Robert Holloway, who accepted a positionwith the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. German began his postingwith the new school year July 1.

The Rev. Jerry Durr officially withdrew from the city’s mayoralrace April 29 after weeks of controversy. His eligibility wasquestioned after revelations were made of a prior felonyconviction. He was unable to receive a pardon from Gov. RonnieMusgrove for his 1973 uttering forgery conviction before thedeadline set by election officials.

May

Two people were killed and three seriously injured during a highspeed chase with law officers May 1. The chase ended when the 1999Pontiac Grand Am missed a stop sign at the top of a hill whereMcCaffery Drive joins Calvary Drive and went airborne. It burstinto flames when it struck a large tree. The three who wereseriously injured eventually recovered.

Arlustra “Pap” Henderson was chosen as the next police chiefwhile Dorsey Cameron and the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson were re-electedto Brookhaven’s Wards 1 and 3 aldermen, respectively, following thecity’s primaries May 1. Other candidates for other posts advancedto the general election June 5.

Mississippi First Lady Melanie Musgrove visited with students inMonticello May 2 as part of a tour to promote her “See the World,Read a Book” program.

The Lincoln and Lawrence County Relay for Life netted more than$66,000 the weekend of May 4-5.

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and the president and chief executiveofficer of Entergy Mississippi met with Brookhaven business andcivic leaders May 14 to promote the governor’s campaign to put anInternet accessible computer in every classroom.

Brookhaven businessman Les Bumgarner claimed the alderman atlarge post and Ward 2 Alderman Terry Bates recaptured his post inprimary runoffs May 15.

Alderman At Large Henry Newman and Ward 4 Alderman John Roberts,both mayoral candidates in this year’s elections, questioned MayorBill Godbold’s monthly mileage reimbursements, coast casino hotelreservations and other charges during a heated exchange at aregular board meeting May 15. The controversy continued until thegeneral election June 5.

The Second Annual Ole Brook Frontier Days PRCA Pro Rodeo,sponsored by The DAILY LEADER, made it way into town the weekend ofMay 18-19, bringing hundreds of cowboys and out-of-town guests tothe area.

Thousands appeared at the 27th Annual Atwood Music Festival May25-26 to see Tracy Lawrence, the Bellamy Brothers and the Kinleysperform.

A Brookhaven man was severely injured and a Sontag man arrestedon aggravated assault charges following a shooting altercationalong the Fair River May 22. The incident reignited a smolderingcontroversy centered around the use and legality of ATVs on FairRiver.

It was announced May 22 that former Congressman and Mississippigovernor candidate Mike Parker, a Brookhaven native, could bereturning to Washington in an appointed post with the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers. Parker officially received the post June 6 andwill oversee civil works projects.

June

A storm system bearing high winds and hail battered centralMississippi June 4, leaving downed trees, power lines and damagedhomes in its wake. About 36,000 electricity customers weretemporarily left without power around the area.

City elections June 5 ended several political controversies, butmany incumbents returned to office. Brookhaven Mayor W.W. “Bill”Godbold won a “milestone” sixth term while in Monticello MayorDavid Nichols captured a second term. After incumbent Wesson MayorDavid McGee decided not to run again, the town saw the emergence ofBill Tigner over a small field of challengers.

In Brookhaven alderman races, businessman Bob Massengillcaptured a landslide victory in the Ward 4 race while incumbentAldermen Tom Smith and John E. “Buddy” Allen were returned tooffice.

In Monticello, challenger Steve Moreman defeated incumbent Ward2 Alderman Ed Melzer and Ward 4 Alderman Pete Mathews recapturedhis post. Other alderman were unopposed.

In Wesson, former alderman John Welter Jr. joined the board asWard 2 alderman and marked the only change among board members.

Chamber of commerce and Copiah-Lincoln Community Collegeofficials established The Mississippi Learning Lab on the city’sparking lot near the government complex June 13. The lab providessmall business employees with computer and other job-relatedskills.

Hartwell Industries officials announced plans to close theAuburn Sportswear plant June 18. They set an August closingdate.

Jason Case was named as the new principal of West LincolnAttendance Center June 18. Case served as the West Lincoln highschool basketball coach for 11 years and was a 1982 graduate of theschool.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees Chairman Dr.James H. Stribling announced his retirement from the board in June.Stribling, 72, served served on the Co-Lin board for nearly 34years and was chairman for the past 27 years.

Authorities were investigating the death of a 16-year-oldBrookhaven girl found dead at a local motel June 26. The girl wasfound in bed by the motel attendant. An autopsy later in the weekfailed to determine a cause of death.

Danita Hobbs was named as the principal at Mamie MartinElementary School June 27. Hobbs had been serving as assistantprincipal at Alexander Junior High. She replaced longtimeadministrator Thomas Fauver, who was retiring at the end of theyear with 35 years experience, 30 of those in Brookhaven.