Swine flu, slow down, helping out and pot bust

Fall can bring out Mother Nature in the form of hurricanes and the flu, but people are always there to help others impacted by disaster or just in need. And police are always there for an arrest, so be sure to abide by the new speed limit on the highway. See these blurbs from papers in 2009, 1999, 1992, 1989 and 1973.

Sept. 2, 2009

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H1N1 swine flu cases on the rise in Oxford

The number of cases of H1N1 swine flu cases are rising in the L-O-U community, but state health officials are urging residents not to panic.

At the University of Mississippi, officials said students reporting flu-like symptoms have almost doubled since last week.

Lafayette County has had eight lab-confirmed cases, according to the Department of Health.

A University Health Services official said the flu isn’t causing hospitalizations and isn’t lasting a long time.

Sept. 2, 1999

State: Drive 55 on Highway 6 Bypass

Safety issues and public concerns caused the speed limit on Highway 6 in the city limits to decrease.

The limit was changed from 65 mph to 55 mph effective immediate-ly, per the Mississippi Department of Transportation. New signs were posted from Jackson Avenue down to Highway 334.

Officials said the lanes merging on to the highway are not long enough to safely navigate into traffic going 65 mph.

Sept. 2, 1992

Churches plan drives to help Andrew victims

Area residents who want to help those affected by Hurricane Andrew can bring donations to a couple of local churches.

The Rev. Alan Cochet of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Lafayette County is leading a plan to collect goods and money to send to those struck by the storm in south Florida.

Anyone wanting to donate also can bring items to First Baptist Church Christian Life Center.

“We will have two trucks going down,” Cochet said. “I just met with the Lafayette County Ministerian Association this morning and all of the churches are interested in helping.”

Sept. 4 &5, 1989

Construction begins on local Habitat home

Even though the projected completion date was delayed, construction has still progressed quickly on the first Habitat for Humanity home in Lafayette County.

Summer torrential rains caused a month delay, but the land has been cleared and the foundation poured.

The home, just off Old Taylor Road, should be done by Christmas, and residents have been highly supportive of the cause.

“Southerners have always pulled together to help one another,” said Habitat’s Jan Robertson.

Sept. 4, 1973

Marijuana bust nets 51 pounds

An early morning raid at a house on Highway 30 East got 51 pounds of marijuana off the streets.

Two University of Mississippi students, one from Picayune and one from Falls Church, Virginia, were arrested and the marijuana was seized about 1:30 a.m.

In Oxford Monday night, another student was charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia when Oxford Police searched his apartment.