Wide range of items in the local headlines
Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, February 10, 2016
A variety of topics are presented in this week’s yesterday’s papers, including positive attendance at a local event, proper planning yielding good results, an ice storm crippling town, an airline company looking to help Oxford’s airport rebound and a shooting at a restaurant being ruled an accident. Here are excerpts from 2014, 2004, 1994, 1984 and 1972.
Feb. 10, 2014
Film Festival attendance up
The Oxford Film Festival concluded Sunday, bringing in record ticket sales and creating new fans for at least one thrilled artist.
Organizer Melanie Addington said ticket revenues were about $2,000 more than last year.
That’s more people to enjoy local actor Johnny McPhail’s work. His growing acting career was recognized Saturday for being in three movies showing at the festival with the “Hat Trick Hoka” award.
Feb. 10, 2004
Office park planned at University Commons
Oxford developers are already learning to speak the language of the city’s new comprehensive plan as it moves toward formal adoption. Developer Campbell McCool justified before the Oxford Planning Commission Monday his request for a variance to city codes for his new condominium project on University Avenue.
He was granted a 10-foot ordinance so the townhouses can be brought closer to the street, which increases courtyard space and possibly saves a mature river birch.
Commissioners also approved rezoning acreage next to the University Commons on Old Taylor Road in order to make way for an office park.
Feb. 10, 1994
Ice storm cripples Oxford area
Oxford and Lafayette County bore the brunt of a winter storm that entered the area Wednesday night and was still going Thursday.
Almost 2 inches of ice sent a reminder that winter wasn’t over yet.
The accumulation forced the University of Mississippi, local schools and many businesses to close doors. Power also was out over much of Oxford.
Weather conditions were predicted to get worse in the coming day.
Feb. 10, 1984
Airline seeks local route
Flight Inc. presented a proposal to Oxford-University Airport authorities to provide service since current airline, Royale, has indicated it wants to drop the facility.
Royale has been in Oxford since February 1983, but is no longer interested due to poor passenger loads and economic reasons.
The Oxford airport currently is receiving heavy subsidies from the government and will utilize a “use it or lose it” agreement. If the airport does not bring passenger loads up to a certain amount with a new provider, it will lose all subsidies by 1988.
Feb. 10, 1972
Man shot at Benzo’s Rebel
A “playful scuffle” over a pistol at Benzo’s Rebel Restaurant on University Avenue ended in near calamity early today when a local man was shot in the forehead.
Two men grappled over a .22-caliber pistol and it discharged once.
A man in his early 20s was rushed to the hospital in Oxford and then transferred to Memphis where he was “doing real good,” the police chief said.
No charges were filed and it was considered an accident.