Special to the Chickasaw Journal
OXFORD – A Calhoun County supervisor faces federal charges that he solicited bribes from timber haulers.
Earnest M. Fox of Bruce was indicted Friday on two counts of interference with commerce by extortion. FBI agents arrested Fox on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Neither Fox nor the FBI could be reached for comment.
If convicted Fox faces up to 40 years in federal prison and fines of up to $500,000.
The indictment states that on two occasions, once in early April and then again between April 15 and June 9, Fox sought bribes. The indictment alleges that, the first time, Fox demanded a campaign contribution in exchange for the hauler continuing to move logs and leave mud on county roads. The indictment alleges Fox demanded additional payments directly to himself the second time.
MDE charges principal with cheating on state tests
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) issued an administrative complaint on Dec. 16 against Lowanda Tyler-Jones, principal of Heidelberg Elementary School in the Clarksdale Municipal School District, for violating state law by knowingly and willfully cheating on state assessments.
This is the third complaint filed as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of testing irregularities at Heidelberg Elementary School. MDE is seeking to revoke the license of Tyler-Jones.
“Our investigation has yielded evidence that Ms. Tyler-Jones directed and encouraged cheating during the 2012-13 school year,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “As I have said before, we remain committed to pursuing the appropriate disciplinary action against those who were involved in the testing irregularities.”
The complaint alleges Tyler-Jones participated in, directed, aided, counseled, assisted in, encouraged or failed to report any acts in violation of during the administration of the 2013 Mississippi Curriculum Test Second Edition (MCT2).
“Principals are charged with ensuring that all of the students in their schools receive a quality education. Cheating by a principal undermines the integrity of the school, deprives students of an opportunity to learn, and puts students behind academically. A school leader who engages in this type of conduct does not belong in any school,” Wright said.
Complaints of fraud, abuse or waste of students, tax dollars or state testing should be made to Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Internal Accountability, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS, 39205 or by calling 601-359-3052.
Two charged with capital murder in Pittsboro slaying
Two men have been arrested and charged in the murder of a Pittsboro resident.
Vintrell Bobo, 21, and Rocdriques Denton, 24, both of Calhoun City, were arrested by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department after a home invasion that left 24-year-old Kenneth Patterson Jr. dead.
Bobo and Denton have both been charged with capital murder and are being held on $1 million bond each.
The men were allegedly involved in a home invasion at 9-B Private Road 2001 in Pittsboro on Tuesday. Patterson was shot and killed.
Bobo was injured during an exchange of gunfire and is being treated at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Denton is being held in the Yalobusha County Jail.
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