The Cleveland News Leader is pleased to announce that its
new and improved website has been launched.
Readers can go to www.clevelandnewsleader.com to visit the site.
The site features a comprehensive look at local news, sports and community events, as well as threads and message boards for reader comments.

The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor confirmed through its top investigator on Friday that the agency is conducting an ongoing investigation inside the Bolivar County Tax Assessor's Office.

Lisa Shoemaker, a spokesperson for the department of audit, confirmed the investigation on Dec. 5. The Cleveland News Leader printed Shoemaker's confirmation on Dec. 7.

However, the newspaper learned last week that misinformation regarding the nature of the investigation was spreading throughout the community. Several citizens told the newspaper that they understood that the audit department was simply doing a routine, regularly-scheduled examination inside the tax assessor's office.

Tax assessor Nancy Havens has not made public comment on the matter.

Obama's plan puts 4-laning of 8 up front

“The advent of a new presidential administration next month could spell good news for communities all over the country.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to implement a stimulus package in which public infrastructure projects will be addressed.

In the forefront of these infrastructure projects will be road projects.

Cleveland businessman Danny Barfield has announced his candidacy for the city board of aldermen.
Barfield told The Cleveland News Leader on Friday that he will run for aldermen in Ward 5. The Ward 5 seat is currently held by Paul Janoush, who has yet to declare his intentions.

Ten years of service to the community and the schools have not gone unnoticed by the Cleveland School Board of Trustees.

This past Thursday, School Board Trustee Lindsey Meador sat in his last board meeting, as he will be stepping down at the conclusion of this term.

He was recognized by the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland School District for his contribution to the Cleveland School District and the community as a whole.

MOUND BAYOU - The community of Mound Bayou is re-gathering themselves this week after harsh weather conditions this past Tuesday.

With many parts of Bolivar and Sunflower County actually feeling the affects of the storm with tornado warnings, heavy winds and massive amounts of rain, Mound Bayou got some of the worst when it came to flooding.

ROSEDALE — Rosedale Mayor Carey Estes won a second term in Monday’s municipal election
Estes defeated former mayor Johnny Todd 364 votes to 256 votes.

Delta State University President, Dr. John M. Hilpert, was elected the 2009 Vice Chair of the Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) at the annual conference held in San Antonio, Texas.

The Cleveland School Board gave its cautionary approval to the formation of a Christian girls club at Cleveland High School.

A student club known as the “Girls of Grace” raised questions at the board’s monthly board meeting Thursday.

Although the board approved the new club at Cleveland High School, it approved it only as long as the Christian girls’ group obeys set guidelines.

Questions were raised when Jamie Jacks, the attorney for the school board, found a Supreme Court case on a similar club in a different district.

Delta State University celebrated its 82nd Commencement on campus Saturday inside Walter Sillers Coliseum.

More than 4,000 friends and family, along with Delta State faculty and staff, gathered to honor the accomplishments of 401 graduates.