Headlines Cont. – 8/2/2005

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 2, 2005

The Panolian: INSIDE STORIES – August 2, 2005

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      Batesville Junior Auxiliary members Pam Davis (front) and Ryna Smith haul school supplies onto a yellow school bus for the organization’s "stuff the bus" campaign Saturday morning at Fred’s. The school supplies helps needy children. The bus will be parked at Wal-Mart August 13.
 
Sardis man recovering after being hit by car
By Jason C. Mattox

An 86 year-old Sardis man is recovering from various injuries after being hit by a car on East Lee Street Wednesday afternoon, Sardis Police Chief Mike Davis said.

According to Davis, Reese Lowe was struck by a car when he accidentally stepped out into traffic.

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"From what witnesses told us at the scene of the accident, he walked into traffic," he said. "But, I also heard that Mr. Lowe could not see very well."

Lowe was transported by Emergystat to Tri-Lakes Medical Center where he was taken via WINGS unit to The Med.

At the Med he was treated for a broken leg, dislocated shoulder and busted nose.

"They put a rod and pins in his right leg, set his shoulder back into place and put several stitches in his nose," Davis said.

Davis said no release date for Lowe had been determined.
  

Raglan coming home; next stop Pennsylvania
Richie Raglan, a 16-year-old South Panola High School student who received spinal injuries in a May wreck, will be coming home this Wednesday, August 3, for a stay, according to his grandmother, Sue Alred.

Raglan has been in Atlanta at the Shepard Center which specializes in rehabilitation of patients with spinal chord injuries. His grandmother stated that he will go to the Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. in two weeks for further research.

Ms. Alred said Richie’s spirits are good and he was able to attend an Atlanta Braves game on Sunday. Alred expressed her wish for Richie’s friends to greet him on his return home on Wednesday morning and said that she could give a more precise time for his arrival at her 505 China Road home in Pope if friends will call her at 578-0638.
    

 
North Panola trustees consider Burkley suit
By Billy Davis

The May removal of North Panola School District principal Vivian Burkley is moving toward a $40,000 settlement with the district.

Burkley could receive $40,000 from the public school district and effectively clear her name if the school board approves the settlement at a meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Attorneys representing Burkley announced the settlement Friday afternoon after day-long negotiations with school board attorney Alix Sanders and Superintendent Robert Massey.

Burkley is represented by Leigh Ann Darby, John Keith Perry and Leon Johnson.

The school board voted 3-2 Friday to settle with Burkley when polled by Sanders, one of the attorneys representing the former principal said.

Burkley was removed from her job amid allegations from Massey and the school board of misappropriation of school funds. She served as principal at Green Hill Elementary School.

In the Release and Settlement Agreement hashed out Friday by attorneys, however, the school board would withdraw its dismissal and allegations against Burkley if she submits her resignation to the board.

The school board is further instructed that, if it is contacted by potential employers, it will state that Burkley "resigned for personal reasons and was in good standing" at the time of her resignation.

The Agreement also dismisses an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint filed by Burkley against the school district.

Reached by The Panolian, Sanders said he was disappointed that attorneys for Burkley had "run to the newspaper" with the settlement agreement, cautioning that the settlement is not complete until approved Wednesday by school board members.

Asked about the $40,000 settlement, Sanders said it was a "victory" for the school district since Burkley’s salary is in the $60,000 range and it saves the district from possible court costs.

Beginning about 9:30 Friday morning, Burkley’s attorneys met with Sanders and Massey at the school district office throughout the day, breaking only for an hour-long lunch.

The negotiation negated a planned public hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. at the North Panola High School library.

A crowd of about 15 Burkley supporters and a group of about 20 concerned taxpayers had gathered in the library in anticipation of the hearing.
 


                                         
                         
 

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