The Clarksdale Press Register from Clarksdale, Mississippi • 1

WEATHER Thunderstorms possible tonight with a bw of 74. Thunderstorms Wednesday with a high of 90. Monday: High-93 Low -77 Rain None 3 Lee Academy begins two-a-days A Li A 5.4 feet 22? 6 Getting ready for football, Page 8A See our online edition at wvm.pressregister.com The Mississippi Rivtr registered 5.4 feet at 7 am See Page 2 for details. See Page 5 for details. fte CI 1.

gggg9g'39 STfiTE OF MS LIBRARY PO BOX 571 JOCKSON MS 3905 miKcitiiiis if rimrnn-irnrTn-iiimi- nf-l W)W City to sqy to prbDm an yp mm she said. Aside from keeping yards clean and free of standing water, the Centers for Disease Control recommends wearing long-sleeve shirts, long pants and using insect repellent with 35 percent DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when outside. Avon's Skin-So-Soft Bug Repellent does not contain DEET, according to Avon's web site. Dr. Lovetta Brown, District 1 health officer with the state Depart- See MOSQUITO, Page 2A effort to prevent officer at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, suggested that cleaning up neighborhoods would help end the spread of the virus.

Dr. Gafar Adesoji of the hospital staff recommended draining water from old pool covers and removing old tires from yards because they both hold stagnant water, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Lela Keys of Delta Community Partners in Care Inc. asked if over One boy's dream come true about pflic Public Works Director James Butler was given the go-ahead by the board to step up enforcement of cleanup ordinances. Fire Chief Sylvester Thompson said firefighters have been canvassing neighborhoods to let people know about the necessity of disposing of old tires.

Lynn Espy of the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center added that efforts are under way to provide educational forums in the community. "We don't want people to panic," Photo by Clair Itogtey Saturday when Make-A-Wish World. Calvinlenzo has sickle in the family. Calvinlenzo's mother has not worked since 1995, when she was told that he needed special attention.

A former nurse, his mother monitors his medication and secures transportation for the frequent trips to and from LeBonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis. "When he is sick, we have to go to Memphis because they are not equipped to treat him here in Clarksdale," said Bellamy. "Calvinlenzo sleeps in my bed so 1 can watch over him. He runs See WISH, Page 2A 1 t''v; Cleanup part of TOMMIEA JACKSON and JAMES JENNINGS Staff Writers Cleaning up may be an answer to controlling the spread of West Nile Virus in Clarksdale and Coahoma County, health officials say. On Monday, the West Nile Virus Committee, formed by Mayor I lenry Espy, hosted an informational meeting for health-care providers and local government officials.

Tim Mitchell, chief executive Duff gets the call By BUBBA BURNHAM Sports Editor It's official. Matthew Duff the pride and joy of Alligator is headed to play Major League Baseball. Duff, a 27-ycaPold "right-handed relief pitcher, got the news late Monday night of his promotion from Class AA New Haven, Duff to the St. Louis Cardinals. He immediately informed his parents.

"It's the news we've all been waiting for," said mom Jean Duff, who is the principal at Sherard Elementary School. "The manager called Matthew after the game (Monday night) and told him he was going to the big leagues! 1 le's catching a plane from Connecticut this morning and will join the team in Florida." St. Louis will take on the Marlins tonight and Wednesday in Miami and will be in Atlanta beginning Thursday for a series showdown between the National League's Eastern and Central division leaders. Duff's national television debut could come Thursday, when the Cardinals and the Braves clash on WTRS (cable channel 38 in Clarksdale) at 6:35 p.m. After four games in Atlanta, St.

Louis begin a crucial homestand beginning Monday. With Duffs staggering statistics, many observers believed it was just a matter of when not if Duff See DUFF, Page 2A IF By JAMES JENNING. StafrWrttm- Community activist Kerry Lee, saying he was speaking on behalf of Adrian Lark's family, went to city board meeting seeking answers. Lark was shot and killed by Clarksdale Police CapL Willie Hudson on July 21 after Lark allegedly attacked Hudson, wlio was rep-sonding to a domestic disturbance, with a knife. "In no way am 1 placing blame here, but I'm forced to ask what happened," Lee said, addressing Police Chief Steve Bingham.

"We Photo by. Lynn Espy of the Aaron E. Henry Community HeaHh Service Center discusses the West N3a Virus at Monday's dty board meeting. need some answers. "How do we decipher between rumor and Investigators have beet) tight-lipped, refusing to release any details of the mctdent tmtifme Mis sissippi Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Bureau has completed its investigation, "When the state completes the investigation, it will be given to the district attorney's office," Bingham told Lee.

"We've not received any notice from the state as to when that might be." See SHOOTING, Page 2A niss, D-Rena Lara, said. "We'd been working with our senators and representatives up there toward this goal." V---t; Funiss has been working extensively in the Mississippi Legislature to gain support for a new armory in Clarksdale. Fumiss said that lie's also been working with Adjutant Gen. James Lipscomb for more than a year on the multi-million dollar project "They've outgrown the old one which was built in the 1950s," Fur-See ARMORY, Pa-t 1 i West Nile Virus grown, abandoned lots pose any additional danger, to which Espy responded, "We are working on that today." "We will go on the lot, cut the grass and charge it to the owner." 'Tall grass has to be cut," Ades-. oji added.

Discussion regarding the recent discovery of the West Nile Virus in Coahoma County also dominated Monday's meeting of the Board of Mayor and Commissioners. Calvinlenzo Bellamy opens a gift granted his wish to go to Disney cell anemia. Calvinlenzo's mother. "He has several specialists: a lung doctor, a kidney doctor, a heart doctor and many others. "He has transfusions on a regular basis now.

And the pain is so severe he frequently has to take morphine. "His lungs are failing. 1 wish it could be me instead of him. "He is my little angel. He has outlived all the doctors' predictions.

"The doctors are telling me that all we can do now is pray. Calvin has told me he is ready to go home to be with his father." Selflessness is a trait that runs management teams to interview its Tunica employees. Some will receive offers to work at other Isle properties and Boyd said it will hire some "where availabil- ity warrants." The Isle declined to give details on any severance packages. Boyd owns Sam's Town Hotel Casino next to the The Las Vegas-based company said it has no plans to reopen the casino. Coahoma County's Isle of Capri Casino and Resort, near Lula, is unaffected by the sale.

if. New National Guard armory inches to reality By CLAIRE KEGLEY Staff Writer A dying little boy's final wish was for someone other than himself. Seven-year-old Calvinlenzo Bellamy's first wish was for a car for his mother so she didn't have to beg rides to take him back and forth to the hospital. By charter, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was unable to fulfill this wish. However, foundation officials didn't shrug their shoulders and turn away; they are sending Calvinlenzo and his family to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

"I want to see Donald, Mickey and Goofy," said Calvinlenzo. "I want to take pictures of them." Calvinlenzo suffers from sickle cell anemia a disease that claimed the life of his father when Calvinlenzo was only 4 months old. Calvinlenzo learned of his upcoming trip Saturday at a pool party thrown in his honor by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "The foundation grants wishes for seriously ill children," said Robin Kuhtz of the Mid-South Make-A-Wish Foundation. "We want to provide happiness, hope and joy to the children and their families." "I love my job," said Saba Koja, wish granter.

"No matter who you are, you can not help but be affected by the child's smile." These may be among the last of Calvinlenzo's smiles. Bright brown eyes and a charming smile hide the disease that is wrecking his tiny body. Calvinlenzo was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when he was 4 months old. Since then, he has been hospitalized numerous times. "He goes to the doctor every other day said Gloria Bellamy, model does not fit the Tunica gaming market, despite the efforts of a highly skilled and hardworking management team and work force," said Isle chairman and chief executive Bernard Goldstein.

"After many attempts to create a viable casino resort in the area, we realize that it is in the best interest of our company to make a change." The cash deal is expected to close in 60 days. Isle will retain certain personal property, including all gambling equipment, valued at $4.7 million. Isle has invited other casino By CLAY MORGAN Managing Edltof Plans for a new National Guard armory in Clarksdale are one step closer to reality. Last week, the U.S. Senate approved $300,000 for planning and design of the facility as part of a military construction funding bill.

All told, Mississippi projects will receive $109 million. The U.S. House of Representatives still must approve the bill. "This is great news that we are getting the pre-planning money from Washington," Sen. Delma Fur- dl.

Isle selling Tunica property to Boyd, closing casino A close call James Narvell Gooden and his wife, Athsicia, survey damage to the van carrying 15 family members that rolled over three times about 6:40 a.m. Monday morning just north of Lyon. All were taken to Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center and treated. Late Monday, only three were still hospitalized. Among those released were Clarksdale Commissioner Ed Seals and driver Rosie Sumlin.

They were returning from a family reunion In Grand Rapids. The cause of the accident Is under JACKSON (AP) Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. said Monday it has agreed to sell its Tunica property to Boyd Gaming Corp. for $7.5 million. Hoyd will take over Isle's 225 hotel "rooms and two theaters in Tunica, but has no plans to operate the casino.

Biloxi-bascd Isle gave its 400 employees in Tunica their 60-day notice Monday. The compa-ny'unnounced plans in March to sell its Tunica and Las Vegas casinos because they were not performing well. "Our product and business Photo -KM.