By Taylor Mitchell
The CNL

The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department had a busy Saturday morning when a small house fire broke out at 1312 Church Ave.

The fire started around nine o’clock and fire trucks were on the scene within minutes.

“It was a small fire,” Assistant Chief Greg Jackson said. “There wasn’t much damage done.”

The fire took place in back of the house, but smoke poured out from every side of the house. Firefighters had to climb on top of the building to allow the smoke out of the house.

Flames were visible coming out of the house, but only for a minute or two.

All candidates for municipal office in Cleveland will be invited to appear in a single room in April to address and answer questions from the city's citizens.

The Bolivar County Library System plans to host the event during National Library Week, which runs from April 12-18. The candidate night is sponsored by the Friends of the Library organization.

"We just think people need to know what their candidates stand for," said Lynn Shurden, director of the Bolivar County Library System. "This should be a very informative event for the community.

By David Johnson
The CNL

The victim of a January shooting outside a Rosedale night club is alleging he was shot with a police handgun.

Keith Johnson, 36, suffered gunshot wounds to his arm and chest in the early morning hours of Jan. 10 outside Club 21 on Bruce Street in Rosedale. Charles McNeal, a former Rosedale police officer, was charged with aggravated assault in connection with the shooting.

Johnson claims the weapon he was shot with belongs to the Rosedale Police Department.

When contacted Saturday, Rosedale police chief Isaac Morris had little to say about the matter.

"I have no idea about that," Morris said. "I have no comment on any of it."

By David Johnson
The CNL

A Shelby native will spend the next two years behind bars for his role in an attempt to bribe a Lafayette County circuit judge.

Timothy Balducci, a 41-year-old disbarred attorney, was sentenced Friday in Oxford for being the "bagman" in a conspiracy that involved former state auditor Steve Patterson, super lawyer Dickie Scruggs and many others.

Balducci pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to bribe a judge on Dec. 4, 2007.

He won't report to prison until March 25.

Celebrating the proud heritage that all Americans share, the Exchange Club of Cleveland, will dedicate a Freedom Shrine on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 1:15 p.m. in Jobe Hall on campus.

The Freedom Shrine is a collection of photographic reproductions of original documents from American History. The display includes the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, the United States Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address.

The Freedom Shrine program is designed to remind Americans that the freedom and greatness we enjoy today were not purchased easily and that these gifts must be cherished and protected. More than 12,000 Freedom Shrines have been dedicated in schools, libraries, military installations and government buildings since the program began in 1949.

By David Johnson
The CNL

Rosedale mayor Carey Estes says his city is applying for some $600,000 in federal stimulus money to be used on its sewer system.

The money is part of a $54 million package sent to the Department of Environmental Quality.

Estes said he met with county engineer Bob Eley last week to get the ball rolling on a project that, if approved, would be used to rehab the town's lift stations, fix manhole covers and replace 2,000 linear feet of sewage line. He said another $50,000 may be obtained to install a chlorination system in the city's sewage lagoon.

"Looking down the road, we're going to be applying for other things," Estes said. "We're trying to be ready."

Natalie Pierre
The CNL

Some people inevitably dreaded yesterday being Valentine's Day because it can be a financially draining experience for many in these economic times.

In some areas like Huntsville, Alabama, florists saw the huge repercussions of the economic despair on Valentine's Day as they were unable to sell anywhere near what they have done in years past.

Fortunately, that was not the case in Cleveland.

Cleveland Flower Shop manager Kathy Daniels said, “This year has been absolutely marvelous. I cannot complain at all. I have some wonderful customers and business has been amazing."

Ann Beck Parks, former bookkeeper for the Grenada County Tax Collector's Office, has pled guilty to embezzlement by a public employee and three counts of felony bad check.

Parks was sentenced on January 29.

On Count I, she received eight years, five years suspended with five years probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $11,703.36.

Parks, 36, worked as the bookkeeper for the Grenada County Tax Collector from October 2006 - October 2007. Prior to this position, she worked as a deputy tax collector for the Grenada County Tax Collector from January 2003 - October 2007.

By David Johnson
The CNL

With a little over a month remaining before the qualifying deadline, Cleveland mayor David Work says he is drawing nearer to a decision on his political future.

Thus far, Work has remained mum on his intentions to qualify to run for a second term as the city's top elected official.

The Cleveland News Leader tracked the incumbent mayor down Saturday night at a Delta State University basketball game.

"I'd say it will be within the week," Work told The Cleveland News Leader. "I haven't decided, but very soon."

Work then asked if this reporter would be available to talk sometime this week, indicating he was near to announcing his intentions.