Ladner wants prison sentence thrown out Former Hancock County Road Manager Roger Ladner has asked the U.S. District court to vacate his sentence, claiming -- among other things -- that his attorneys and prosecutors colluded against him prior to his guilty plea last year and that he was encouraged by members of the Hancock County Board of Supervisors to go forward with activities after Hurricane Katrina that later determined to be against the law.
Ladner, 56, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison last December for his role in a "kickback" scheme that arose from ditch cleaning contracts after Hurricane Katrina. Jun 18, 2013, 19:16
Judge eyes wrongful death in Waveland Circuit Court Judge Roger Clark will decide if the city of Waveland is liable for the death of Francisco Jesus Mendoza, 33, who was killed when the bicycle he was riding was struck after a collision between a WPD police cruiser and another vehicle on Highway 90 in September 2009.
Attorneys for Mendoza's family and the other driver involved in the crash had both filed suit against the city of Waveland and Officer Daryl Russell.
Earlier this year, the two suits were combined and the charges against Russell in his individual capacity were dropped. Jun 18, 2013, 19:14
One jailed, cash given back in fraud case The Hancock County Sheriff's Office had a nice surprise Tuesday for a local family which was recently a victim of alleged contractor fraud.
Sheriff Ricky Adam and Criminal Investigator Johnny Allison personally delivered a $19,000 cashier's check to Spiers Road resident Glennon Murphy, after the man arrested for the alleged crime offered to pay Spiers back.
According to Allison, Murphy was checking his mail a few months ago, when he was approached by two men--whom was Jerry Oaks, 58, of Alabama-- who said they had been doing contract work in the area. Jun 18, 2013, 19:13
The men of Delta Co. of the 1st Division of the 26th Marines, including Gunnery Sgt. Jim Mallini, left, Jack “Monk” Klein; Prof. Marty Lewis; Wendell Wells; Pete Kukurba; Al Knight; Tim “T.C. Charron; Jim Brown; Larry Gillentine; and Gary George.
Members of Delta Co. of the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, made their annual pilgrimage back to Bay St. Louis last week to reunite, reminisce and, hopefully, heal a little bit more at the home of their one-time drill sergeant and surrogate father, Jim Mallini.
"It's a great group of guys," Mallini – better known to the locals as the long-time proprietor of Mallini Insurance Co. – said Saturday. "They went on ambushes every night. I was the company gunny (gunnery sergeant), so I made the assignments. Jun 18, 2013, 19:11
Monday morning members of the Hancock County Board of Supervisors, Friends of McLeod Water Park and the Hancock Chamber of Commerce broke ground on the site that will be the new entrance to McLeod Water Park.
Members of the Hancock County Board of Supervisors, Pearl River Basin Development District, Friends of McLeod Park and Hancock Chamber of Commerce on Monday participated in the ground breaking of what will soon be a safer and more efficient entrance to McLeod Water Park.
The new entrance will feature a turn lane into the park from Texas Flat Road and a new 3,000 square foot office that will include a Laundromat and bait shop. It will also have driver side access to the ticket window and a 1,000 square foot porch, Hancock County Recreation Director Kevin Ladner said.
Hancock County Board of Supervisors president Lisa Cowand said the enhancements will lead the park to become a shining star for the county. Jun 18, 2013, 19:10
An artist's conception from 2008, showed the proposed Jacobs Casino in Diamondhead.
The Diamondhead Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a special meeting on June 26 to consider a zoning change which, if approved, could pave the way for Jacobs Entertainment to construct a casino in the southwest portion of the city.
Jacobs Entertainment Inc., is a Colorado-based company.
In 2008 and 2009, the company pursued a similar casino venture in Diamondhead.
Jacobs had sought to rezone about 61 parcels of land in south Diamondhead from residential to C-3 commercial. Jun 14, 2013, 17:39
Judge to mull fate of DH city hall project The city of Diamondhead's plan to float a bond to purchase and renovated the new city hall complex is now in a judge's hands. Judge Jennifer Schloegel on Friday heard arguments from both the city and opponents of the plan during a short hearing in Hancock County Chancery Court.
A few months ago, the Diamondhead City Council approved securing a $1.6 million loan to purchase the city hall complex and make renovations to the facility.
The city has been using the Diamondhead Baptist Church as a city hall since the beginning of the year. Jun 14, 2013, 17:38
New leaders ready to take office Newly-minted city leaders in Diamondhead, Bay St. Louis, and Pass Christian will be sworn soon at respective ceremonies in each city.
Diamondhead will hold its inaugurations on June 25, at the grounds of the country club at 5:30 p.m.
Diamondhead's new city administration includes Mayor Tommy Schafer and Councilmen Joseph Lopez Jr. (Ward One), Blaine Lafontaine (Ward Two), Tom Sislow (Ward Three), Ron Rech (Ward Four), and Ernie Knobloch (at-large).
In Pass Christian, city leaders will take the oath of office on July 1 at city hall at 1 p.m. Jun 14, 2013, 17:37
Rebuilding slow for Ladner, Clermont piers With the recent completion of the Washington Street pier and on-going work on the Dunbar Pier, some locals have begun to ask what's going on with the Garfield Ladner Pier in Waveland and the Clermont Harbor Pier.
The county maintains three public piers: Washington Street, Dunbar Avenue, and Clermont Harbor.
The Garfield Ladner Pier, just to the east of Coleman Avenue, is maintained by the city of Waveland. Jun 14, 2013, 17:36
