Oxford Eagle's Year in Review, part 3: July to September - The Oxford Eagle

Oxford Eagle’s Year in Review, part 3: July to September

Published 2:41 pm Monday, December 31, 2018

As we find ourselves with just one more week in 2018, it’s important to take time to look back at most impactful stories of the year.

Here is the third part of The EAGLE’s Year in Review.

Lafayette Teacher Arrested for enticement

A probable cause hearing for former Lafayette High teacher Molly Wray, right, was waived at the Lafayette County Courthouse, in Oxford, Miss. on Monday, July 16, 2018.

An arrest warrant for Molly Wray was issued on July 16, and the Lafayette County High School was formally charged with one count of enticement of a child with intent to meet for sexual purposes. Circuit Court Judge John A. Gregory issued a bond of $10,000 for Wray, who had been under investigation since June 4.

Ole Miss unveils Tony the Landshark

The University of Mississippi’s new mascot, Tony the Landshark, makes his debut at the “Meet the Rebels” fan day at the Manning Center in Oxford, Miss. on Saturday, August 11, 2018. Fans were also able to get autographs from Rebel football, soccer, volleyball, rifle and spirit squads during the event. (Bruce Newman, Oxford Eagle via AP)

The Ole Miss athletic department debuted Tony the Landshark during Ole Miss’ annual ‘Meet the Rebels’ event on August 11 as the newest on-field mascot. Tony replaces Rebel the Black Bear, who was the mascot from 2011 to 2017.

Humane Society steps away from running animal shelter

Volunteer Caroline Hamilton accepts a dog into the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Shelter in Oxford, Miss. on Wednesday, August 7, 2018. The Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society has informed the Oxford Mayor and Board of Aldermen via letter that it will not be renewing its management agreement at the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. (Bruce Newman, Oxford Eagle via AP)

The Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society announced the week of August 9^th that it will close its doors Sept. 30. This also meant the Humane Society’s animal shelter would be vacated, as well. Oxford’s funding contract with the Humane Society, and its lease on the city-owned building, expired on Sept. 30.

Fire Chief Mark Heath Resigns

Oxford Fire Department chief Mark Heath, in Oxford, Miss. on Thursday, August 30, 2018, is resigning from his position effective September 5..

Mark Heath, who was just shy of his two-year anniversary with the department, announced his resignation as fire chief, effective September 5. Heath said there were three key factors to his resignation: his health, work environment and his family.

Long-time sheriff F.D. “Buddy” East Dies

Longtime Lafayette County Sheriff Buddy East died on Saturday, September 8, 2018.

Buddy East was 76 years old and had recently celebrated 46 years serving the county as sheriff, having been elected for 12 consecutive terms dating back to 1972. He passed away on September 8, following a brief illness.

Oxford’s largest annexation goes into effect

A hearing on the city of Oxford’s proposed annexation of several areas, one of which is Thacker Heights, was healed at the Lafayette County Chancery Building in Oxford, Miss. on Monday, August 27, 2018.

The City of Oxford officially annexed an area of approximately 12 square miles on September 19, following a Sept. 10 decree from Judge Glenn Alderson. With the annexation, Oxford city limits officially expanded from 16 square miles to 28 square miles, increasing the population by 3,600 people.

Ed Meek, namesake for UM’s journalism school, posts Facebook tirade

Ed Meek’s name has been removed from the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media building, in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, December 23, 2018. (Bruce Newman, Oxford Eagle)

A Facebook post by Ed Meek, namesake for the University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism and New Media, went viral Wednesday afternoon for what apparently came as a response to a series of fistfights that took place on the Square and in The Grove last weekend. Meek’s post featured two pictures of African-American women on a night out, seemingly unaware their photos had been taken.