Officials are turning to the Supreme Court of Mississippi after both judges for the 23rd Circuit Court District signed recusals, citing conflicts of interest.

Prosecutor Matthew Barton says a new judge under consideration in Hernando doesn’t hold the same hard line on crime as Barton. Meanwhile, the DeSoto County sheriff says there are more to the problems than those associated with Memphis.

Hernando Mayor Chip Johnson intends to nominate Bob Morris to a municipal judgeship when the city’s aldermen meet next on Tuesday, May 7.

“Everybody is constantly focused on Memphis, Memphis, Memphis,” Tuggle said. “I will say something that’s probably going to shock you. The most violent criminals trying to get into our county are not coming from Memphis.”

With the change, Southaven residents will begin paying $17.64 for sanitation services, compared to the $12 a month they paid with Waste Connections. Some will also see their collection dates shift.

Starting Tuesday, April 23, through Saturday, April 27, the festival will offer games, rides and barbecue cooking contests. 

Keith Williams, the district’s assistant superintendent of operations, said the updated dress code concerns discrepancies between current fashion trends and expectations for attire within the educational environment. 

Lucky Dog opened Monday, April 8, at Silo Square, and the reception has been so popular that during the first days some patrons didn’t get seated. 

For the 2022-23 school year, 28.52% of DeSoto County students were chronically absent.

Relying on his experiences overseas, Justin Ash is opening an Irish pub in the Old Towne district of Olive Branch.

DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle, DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton and DeSoto County Youth Court Judge Craig Treadway were joined by detectives and public-safety experts for the conversation at Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven.

All DeSoto County graduations will be held in mid-May at the Landers Center. 

The Mississippi Legislature passed a bill allowing municipalities to allow low-speed vehicles like golf carts on public roads. Hernando officials are allowing those vehicles to operate in the DeSoto County city.

Tony Herring Jr. is charged with one count of felony vehicle theft and one count of conspiracy to commit vehicle theft, although law enforcement believes he is connected in multiple open cases. 

In his first 100 days as district attorney, Matthew Barton has initiated the first phase of his grand jury restructuring plan, created a new task force to expedite the apprehension of violent criminals and created the agency’s first-ever Public Corruption Division.

Teams competed at the DeSoto County Wings and Ribs Festival in Olive Branch April 6.

On the first episode of “DeSoto Crime Cast,” DA Matthew Barton says he plans to go after all citizens who shoot at members of law enforcement the same way he did Kyle Dodson.

“This event is really about people coming out and having a really great time in DeSoto County without having to spend a lot of money.”

The city’s aldermen voted Tuesday, April 2, to approve an ordinance that establishes a three-strike system for businesses visited by police due to an on-site disturbance.

“I hope that people are keeping score at home and try to pay attention to what’s happening to this guy,” said the DeSoto County district attorney.

Two men were arrested following a shootout and chase with law enforcement that spanned two DeSoto County cities and ended with a standoff at a Southaven warehouse. 

Related story:

Two individuals barricaded in Southaven warehouse

Hamilton Road was blocked off Monday morning as multiple law enforcement agencies from DeSoto County made the scene. 

DeSoto County supervisors boost budget for expansion of the Southaven convention facility from $35 million approved in 2021, to $84.1 million.

DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton confirmed that Jessica Tabor is currently charged with one count of capital murder.