1. Patterson back for four more
The mayoral race saw the status quo go unchanged as the incumbent Democrat George “Pat” Patterson won re-election for mayor of Oxford on June 5 by 902 votes over Independent opposer and former Ole Miss football player Todd Wade. Patterson had 2,122 total votes compared to Wade’s 1,220.
New additions are coming to the Board of Aldermen, however, after both incumbents fell in their respective races. “JP” Jay Hughes Jr. edged out incumbent Ney Williams by 35 votes in Ward 1 by a count of 485 to 450, while newcomer Robyn Tannehill had a blowout win in Ward 2 with 664 votes compared to incumbent Ernest “E.O.” Oliver’s 216.
Patterson said he believes the election showed Oxford residents’ approval of the direction the city is headed.
“It shows the people respect a positive campaign,” said Patterson, a life-long Oxford resident and an alumnus of Ole Miss. “I think the people appreciate what we have done, along with the Board of Aldermen. I look forward to working with the new Board of Aldermen and living up to the campaign promise ‘Common Sense Government, with a focus on service.’”
When asked about his plans for the next four years, Patterson said he plans to continue to work hard for Oxford and its citizens. “I’m going to put my head down, head into the wind and work like hell,” Patterson said.
2
. University of Mississippi player dies in car wreck
The Ole Miss family is still grieving over a student death as a member of the football team was killed July 10 in a traffic accident in Chickasaw County.
Park Stevens, 20, of Columbus was killed when his pickup collided with the rear of an 18-wheeler at Egypt Road and U.S. Highway 45A around 3 p.m. that afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A crowd of around 700 attended his funeral service held the following Saturday at Mt. Vernon Church in Columbus, which Stevens attended.
“Our team is hurting with the loss of Park,” said Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze. “He was a tremendous young man that was loved by his teammates and coaches, and Rebel Nation will never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stevens’ family, his friends, our team and all those he touched during his life.”
Stevens was known as humble, caring and loyal to teammates and many friends. Off the field Stevens spent a lot of time serving others through the Joy Prom, Boys and Girls Club and Special Olympics.
He attended East Central Community College for two years where he played right guard in 2012 before transferring to Ole Miss in the spring as a walk-on to fulfill his life-long dream of playing SEC football, going through spring drills as a backup offensive lineman. His hard work paid off as he earned numerous reps in the 2013 Grove Bowl.
Stevens is survived by his parents Dean and Gail Stevens of Columbus, along with with his brother, Terry Dale Cruse of St. Louis, Mo., and his sister Tina Beth Brown of Columbus.
3
. Suspect arrested in connection with bomb threat called in at Oxford Mall
Investigators with the Oxford Police Department (OPD) have made an arrest in connection with a bomb threat at the Oxford Mall on July 14. Matthew Allen, a 29-year old from Bruce, Miss., was arrested on Tuesday, July 16 as a result of the investigation. He was charged with false report of a bomb.
If convicted, Allen faces a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in a penitentiary. An email from Oxford’s Deputy Chief Kevin Stark stated Allen’s bond was set at $10,000.
“On July 16, investigators with the Oxford Police Department arrested Matthew Allen, 29, from Bruce, Miss, as a result of the investigation of the incident at the Oxford Mall Parking Lot on July 14,” Stark stated in the email. “Mr. Allen was charged with False Report of a Bomb.”
The Oxford Mall as well as surrounding businesses were evacuated after a report of a suspicious package outside of the Malco Oxford Theatre. In a press statement issued from the OPD on July 14, Stark said the responding officers deemed the package suspicious based on the circumstances.
“At approximately 6:30 p.m. the Oxford Police Department received a call about a suspicious package in the parking lot of the Oxford Mall,” said Stark the night of the report.
The area was secured and assistance was requested from the Tupelo Bomb Squad. There were no injuries to report. OPD also had the assistance of the FBI, ATF, the Oxford Fire Department and Oxford Emergency Management the night of the threat.
4
. Marshall Henderson suspended indefinitely
In a release on July 10, The University of Mississippi announced Marshall Henderson had been suspended indefinitely because of a “violation of team rules,” but it did not provide any details about the violations.
“Since the season ended, we have talked a lot about Marshall taking a greater leadership role with our team,” said Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy in a statement. “With that comes greater responsibility, and he must do a better job of living up to the high standard we expect from him and he desires from himself.”
Henderson was also reprimanded by the NCAA in June for making an “inappropriate gesture” following the Rebels’ loss to LaSalle in the third round of the NCAA tournament. He averaged 20.1 points per game last season, bombing 3-pointers from nearly every inch of the court. He helped the Rebels win the SEC Championship and advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002.
Henderson came to Ole Miss with a history of discipline problems, having been arrested in both 2009 and 2011 as well as serving time in jail after the second arrest because he violated his probation. Ole Miss said the coaches were aware of Henderson’s past when he signed with the program.
5
. Westboro Baptist Church protests in Oxford
Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., visited Jackson Avenue in Oxford on May 18.
About 15 church members showed up as part of the group’s national campaign to picket in areas they feel are sinful. The church has a flier on its website saying that Oxford residents and Rebels fans are idolizers of football. The site bashes the movie “The Blind Side” and says it furthers the sin of idolatry.
The protesters showed up on Jackson Avenue in the early morning rain carrying signs saying “USA’s Doom,” “Death Penalty for Fags” and more. The group sang pop songs but changed the lyrics to promote their cause. The songs included Maroon 5’s “This Love” that was changed to “This Lust” and Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” The picketers were a range of ages, from children to senior citizens. They live-tweeted and posted pictures throughout the protest to keep their followers informed.
About 20 Oxford residents organized a counter-protest across the street from the Westboro group, wearing “Love thy Neighbor” stickers as well as singing and dancing while holding their signs.
“We’re all just here because the community is phenomenal,” said Jade Genga, a senior BFA musical theatre major and organizer of the counter-protest. “Not because we’re idolizing our football team but because we’re proud of them and the hard work they’ve put in.”
Sparky Reardon, dean of students, encouraged the Ole Miss family to “use this as an opportunity to review the (university) Creed and remain committed to it.”
