Headlines – 10/14/2002

Published 12:00 am Monday, October 14, 2002

Panolian : October 14, 2002

For complete stories, pick up the 10/15/02  issue of The Panolian


Help for Kids Possible
BY KAREN DUNN
EDITOR

BATESVILLE – Steve Gipson gets all choked up when he talks about the many things Shriners Hospital for Children does to help crippled, burned and handicapped children.

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Gipson, who has been a Shriner for the past 24 years, told Batesville Exchange Club members a little about Shriners Hospital and how it began.

"No one should have to walk alone" is the philosophy of Shriners Hospital, which is a 22-hospital pediatric healthcare system that provides no-cost medical care to children with orthopedic problems or burn injuries.

"The orthopedic Shriners Hospitals help children with problems of the bones, joints or muscles," Gipson said. "Three of them also provide rehabilitation for children with spinal cord injuries."

Four Shriners Hospitals help children who have been seriously burned, Gipson said, or in need of reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation as a result of burn injuries.


Sewage Problem Could Close School
BY JIM BEAVER
PUBLISHER

BATESVILLE – A central septic system located in Pope, which serves approximately 400 homes and the Pope Elementary and Junior High School, is on the verge of going out of business, according to representatives from Long Creek Sewage.

Edith Pratt, secretary of the sewage district and alderwoman for the Town of Pope, Amos Harrison, president of the sewage district, and Thomas Johnson, a community resource specialist from Lauderdale, were on hand to make their case with the Panola County Board of Supervisors Monday, October 14.

Johnson, serving as spokesman for the group, told county supervisors a central septic system created some 15 years ago was in terrible condition, and many customers aren’t paying their bills.

Tops are missing from the tanks and about a third of the septic tanks need pumped out – with approximately $200,000 needed in the next five years to replace, clean and operate the system.

Johnson also said there is a community center proposed for the Pope area. If that comes to reality, another $150,000 would be needed.


 
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Fairfield of Batesville resident Velma Sparks enjoys visiting with Cher the skunk. Members of Junior Auxiliary of Batesville have been educating residents of Lester Street, Fairfield of Batesville and Eureka Street Apartments about the benefits of pet therapy using Cher, a 3-year-old striped skunk who has a special permit through the Miss. Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Cher has also been used in educational and therapeutic activities in numerous Mississippi elementary and junior high schools, at Northwest Miss. Community College, and as a pet therapy tool working with abused and juvenile delinquent children through Region I Mental Health Center.

Voting Ballots Confusing
Eight Candidates Seek Seat
BY KAREN DUNN
EDITOR

BATESVILLE – Voting ballots used in Panola County can be confusing, says Panola County Circuit Clerk Joe Reid.

The ballots for the upcoming election indicate a voter can place their vote for one or two of the Chancery Court Judge candidates, Reid told Batesville Exchange Club members.

Most elected positions only allow one vote and says this on the ballot.

"That confuses some people,” Reid said. “During the last presidential election, 12,800 people voted.

"But 1,200 of them voted for two presidents," he said. "We had to disqualify their vote because of that."

Eight candidates – Charlie Gaines Baker, Gail Birdsong Barton, Vicki Wilbanks Cobb, Mitchell M. Lundy, Jr., Melvin McClure, Jr., Adam Pittman, Ted Smith and James P. "Jimmy" Vance – qualified for the two positions available for Chancery Court Judge.