Latest Tupelo News
Local advocate continues to champion the arts in Tupelo
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — The arts community has long been the heartbeat of Tupelo. With arts education integrated into public schools and countless outlets for dance, theater and music, Tupelo has made it a priority to make arts experiences tangible for all ages. Mary...
Body of Mississippi man reported missing found near park
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — The search for a Mississippi man reported missing last week ended when his body was found near a state park. The family of Charles “Mutton” Garner, 47, of Plantersville, said they last saw him Jan. 7. A man hunting on his land found two wallets and clothing...
Attorney recalls father’s role as prosecutor in Till case
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — Tupelo attorney Jak Smith has lived with the Emmett Till case his entire life. On Dec. 6, the Justice Department closed its investigation into the murder of 14-year-old Till at the hands of two white men, Rob Bryant and J.W. Milam, in August 1955 while visiting...
Former FBI agent sworn in as new Tupelo police chief
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — A former FBI agent is the new police chief for the city of Tupelo. John Quaka was officially sworn into the post Monday by Tupelo Municipal Court Judge Jay Weir, news outlets reported. Mayor Todd Jordan and a search committee chose him out of 26 applicants. ...
From Kenya to Mississippi: Teacher dreams of being engineer
BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (AP) — Cyprian Ng’etich, a Kenya native turned Mississippi middle school teacher, has always had his head in the clouds. With his childhood home near a hospital and airstrip built by foreign missionaries, small planes came and went often. From time to time,...
Proposal would dedicate parts of interstate to veterans
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — A board of supervisors in north Mississippi is requesting that the state Legislature dedicate stretches of highway to a former sheriff and Korean and Vietnam war veterans. Under the proposal, the intersection of Auburn Road and Interstate 22 would memorialize...
Mississippi family moves into Habitat for Humanity home
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — After nearly five years, the Garth family has finally moved into a home made just for them. “This just felt right for my family,” Nicole Garth said, standing inside her family’s new home. “This is where we decided to put our roots.” The...
Some work on Natchez Trace wrapping up in north Mississippi
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — A section of the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi could reopen by the end of the year, after being closed for repairs since early October. The parkway's maintenance chief, Greg Smith, told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that the project’s...
Mississippi food truck to feed tornado victims on Christmas
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi couple is planning to bring their food truck to tornado-slammed Kentucky to serve families on Christmas. Tupelo restaurant owners Johnny Cook and Jennifer Brignac started a food truck four years ago to feed first responders and victims after...
Mississippi girl, 9, honored for helping save brother’s life
SALTILLO, Miss. (AP) — Emergency officials honored a Saltillo Elementary School fourth grader on Dec. 10 for helping save her brother’s life. Lee County 911, the Saltillo Fire Department, the Saltillo Police Department and Saltillo Elementary School all took time to honor the...
