The Greenwood Commonwealth from Greenwood, Mississippi • Page A001

Sports: Rivals GHS, Elzy to clash Friday, Page 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------T HE REENWOOD ommonwealth GREENWOOD, MMISS. DECEMBER 227, 22012 1116th YYEAR THURSDAY gwcommonwealth Online edition WWEEAATTHHEERR Increasing clouds, 30 percent chance of rain. Lows in upper 30s. SSTTAATTEE NNEEWWSS Alleged serial killer from Mississippi pleads not guilty in Las Vegas. PPaaggee 44 PPaaggee 44 Read by more than 20,000 people every day By BBOB DDARDEN Staff Writer With re-election looming in 2013, Greenwood Mayor Carolyn McAdams says she has a number of projects in the pipeline with Phases I and II of the linear park at the top of the list.

The park, which uses the old rail bed of the Columbus Greenville Railroad, runs from downtown to U.S. 82. Converting the rail bed into a vibrant community-friendly environment will enhance the whole city, she said. Also, in January, McAdams will present a proposed 2 percent local lodging tax to the City Council. The proposed tax will require approval by the entire seven- member council be applied only to guests who stay in Greenwood hotels and motels.

It would be used to fund tourist development projects within the city. If approved by the council, the measure next would go before the state Legislature for a vote and then to the desk. If citizens gathered 1,500 signatures from eligible voters, the measure would be subject to a referendum during the general election in June, she said. McAdams said revenue from the lodging tax could be used to support local projects such as the refurbishing of the Russell Building downtown. The city acquired the structure in December 2010.

The mayor has said for some time that the building, if renovated, would fill a need if made into a downtown convention center. McAdams also said seeing the Baptist Town revitalization through to its conclusion is also in the cards for 2013. ought to be ramping that up. All the key components are in she said. In January, Emily Roush Elliott, an Enterprise Rose Fellow with the Enterprise Community Partners will begin a three-year fellowship working specifically on Baptist Town.

McAdams said the pace is slower than she would like, specifically referring to the placement of in the historically significant black community. Linear park tops list WASHINGTON (AP) Progress toward avoiding the seemed stalled today, as the top Democrat accused Republican House Speaker John Boehner of acting in dictatorial ways that prevent a solution to looming tax hikes and spending cuts. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, speaking in the Senate chamber, said the nation appears headed over the cliff because of a lack of progress in negotiations as the Dec. 31 deadline nears. Deadline looms, no deal in sight By HHOLBROOKMOHR Associated Press JACKSON More than 25 people were injured and at least 70 homes were damaged in Mississippi by the severe storms that pushed across the South on Christmas Day, authorities said Wednesday.

Damages have been reported in 12 counties and officials continue to assess the situation, but there have been no reports of fatalities in Mississippi, Mississippi Emergency Management spokesman Storms injure 25, destroy 70 homes McAdams AP Audrey Boykin salvages personal items from the caved-in home of Dorothy Dixon in Centreville on Wednesday. A tree fell into the home, but no one was home at the time except for Dixon's dogs who were unharmed. AP Chan Chapman, left, and his son Shannon move a trunk from the destroyed home of family friend Iris Loper on Wednesday in the Maxie community near Brooklyn, Miss. Tornados tore through the community on Tuesday, leaving three people with minor injuries and destroying several homes. Reid LEFLORE JOBLESSRATE Leflore rate of unemployment for November for the past five years: 2012 .10.8 percent 2011 .12.6 percent 2010 .3.1 percent 2009 .12.6 percent 2008 .8.3 percent Staff RReports Leflore jobless rate last month edged closer to getting below double digits.

The unemployment rate in November was 10.8 percent, according to figures released today by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. That was down from revised rate of 11.7 percent and the November 2011 rate of 12.6 percent. The jobless rate in Leflore County has been above 10 Jobless rate falls to 10.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------See LIST Back Page ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------See STORMS Back Page ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------See CLIFF Back Page Staff RReports APillow Academy sophomore, injured in a one-vehicle accident Monday morning on Money Road, remained in stable condition today at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, according to a hospital official. Mary Margaret Henderson, according to Facebook postings from her aunt, K.K. Henderson Kent, was to have surgery this morning.

The surgery was delayed because of concerns involving the condition of the young lungs. Henderson Kent could not be reached for an update this morning. According to Henderson Kent, Mary Margaret was traveling Monday with her brother, Pillow senior Steele Henderson, delivering Christmas presents when Steele apparently lost control of the pickup they were in. The vehicle rolled several times. Steele was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident, but Mary Margaret She was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled, Henderson Kent told the Commonwealth Monday.

Mary Margaret and Steele are the children of Molly Henderson. PAstudent in stable condition By JJEANIE RRIESS Staff Writer Troop of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, located in Greenwood, reported the lowest number of traffic citations in the state during the Christmas holiday period. Trooper Tony Dunn of Troop which covers 10 counties including Leflore County, said there is more than one way to look at the numbers, though. can look at it like people are getting the message and slowing down, but it could also be that a lot of people were pulled over but not many people got tickets because of the he said. not saying everybody does this, but some troopers want to take money out of pockets before he added.

According to state Highway Patrol statistics provided by Dunn, Troop made 405 citations over the period beginning last Friday at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight Christmas Day. Overall, the state reported 5,601 citations. According to Dunn, 217 of the citations reported by Troop were hazardous, meaning that has to do with actually driving the vehicle, like reckless driving or There were 147 non-hazardous citations, including driving without a license or insurance and other minor offenses. There were 23 DUI-related arrests made in the district during the holiday period and 111 in the state.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol has reported Local MHP troop writes fewest tickets ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------See HOLIDAY Back Page JOBLESS Back Page.