INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANIC
Last Monday, the IHOP restaurant parking lot in Meridian unexpectedly caved in. According to the Insurance Journal, the drainage structure below the parking lot collapsed, but engineers are still unsure what caused it. The gap engulfed at least 14 cars. Percy Bland, mayor of Meridian, declared a state of emergency in order to allow the city time to hire engineers and retrieve the vehicles. Thankfully, no one was hurt when the parking lot collapsed. The IHOP had opened only four days prior to the incident.
WHEN THE TEACHERS START THE FOOD FIGHT
In Tunica, a fight broke out at Rosa Fort High School. This fight happened during lunchtime, but, unlike a usual high school fight, this one involved two faculty members. Assistant principal and athletic director Trosiki Pettis and football coach Edwin Norwood fought in front of students on campus. According to USA Today, the physical fight happened outside of the school’s cafeteria on Wednesday. Norwood fled the scene before the Tunica County Sheriff’s department arrived. This fight has sparked a special interest, as the football program heads to its second-round playoff game on Friday. Friday night lights or Friday night fights? We’re not sure yet.
THE GOOD OLE MISSISSIPPI
U.S. Navy veteran Chris Ring served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq before returning to his home in Tennessee. While serving overseas, Ring realized that many Americans were unaware of Gold Star Families — families who have service members who sacrificed their lives during the War on Terror. According to the Clarion-Ledger, Ring wanted to pay tribute to those families by swimming the entire Mississippi River. Ring started this endeavor on June 6, in honor of D-Day, and is expected to accomplish his mission in about a month. This effort will make him the first American and only the second person to ever swim the entire length of the Mississippi. Ring was recently in Vicksburg, where he spent an evening with Purple Heart veterans.
HONEY, WHERE’S OUR CAR?
It’s like “Dude, Where’s My Car?,” but in real life. A couple was vacationing at a casino in Mississippi earlier this week when their car was stolen. According to Nola.com, the 2006 Dodge Charger was found in a field between homes in a residential area. The car was stolen while the couple was at a movie on Saturday. Deputies found the car burning with a gas can and lighter left on the scene. Maringouin, Louisiana police chief Hosea Anderson confirmed that he found the car on Wednesday.
