The unfinished tale of James Otis Doss - Daily Times Leader

Page 2 • Sunday, March 3, 2013NewsDaily Times LeaderTrashing your garbage bill?Delinquencies may yield garnishments, liensBy Sheena Baker Supervisors and Clay County account is taken over by the assessed to. But one particular Lamkin discussed with the Clay County Justice Court toDaily Times Leader Tax Assessor/Collector Paige Tax Assessor/Collector’s account is still active and has board the possibility of putting determine why they aren’tLamkin, who requested further Office, which will not issue been building and building, a lien on the property or taking making payments. Based uponWhen a $10 a month garbagebill reaches a whopping quent garbage fees.past due bill is paid.Since there is no vehicle tag owed to the county.resident’s pay could be gar-action be taken to collect delin-that person a car tag until the now sitting at a fee of $2,000. civil action to collect the money findings from the hearing, the$2,000 it’s probably safe to say Each month Clay County Lamkin said most delinquentaccounts in the county resident who lives there it is no Clerk Amy Berry said usually “If there’s nothing there toregistered in the name of the Clay County Chancery nished.there’s a problem.residential property ownersAnd that particular problem receive a $10 garbage bill from are inactive, meaning no one way for the Tax Assessor/ when garbage accounts become garnish statutory authority iswas discussed Thursday by the the Clay County Solid Waste, currently resides in the home Collector’s Office to retrieve delinquent the resident in delinquencywill have a hearingSee ‘Garbage’ page 8Clay County Board of and once a person owes $40 the where the delinquent fee was that money alone.atLocal hotelreceivesprestigioushonorBy Sheena BakerDaily Times LeaderThe staff of the HamptonInn and Suites of West Pointtruly have something to beproud about, as they were notifiedjust last week that they willsoon be the recipients of theHilton Circle of ExcellenceAward.The Circle of ExcellenceAward, given out each year, isonly given to Hilton’s hotels,which rank in the top ten percentwhen it comes to productquality and guest satisfaction.Out of 676 total Hampton Innand Suites across the planet,the West Point Hampton Innand Suites ranked number 52,putting the hotel in the top 10percent. The hotels are assessedthrough periodical walkthroughsby a Hilton qualityassurance team as well as guestsurveys that are submitted toHilton’s corporate office.West Point’s Hampton InnSheena BakerCo-owner Christopher Decamp and the staff of the Hampton Inn and Suites in West Point rank in thetop 10 percent out of 676 total Hampton Inn hotels in the entire world.Co-owner Christopher Decamp “The front desk clerks meetsaid he is overjoyed by the and greet everybody with smilingfaces, our breakfast ladyexcellent guest service exemplifiedby the 20-member staff has been with us since weof the Hampton in West Point. opened – she’s here everyHe expressed his appreciation morning making sure everybody’sgetting their coffee andto General Manager TracyStyron, who has been with the breakfast food; everybody hasHampton of West Point since it gone the extra mile here,”opened in July of 2009, Decamp said. “HousekeepingAssistant General Manager is really where a lot of yourArtavia Logan, the housekeepingstaff, the front desk clerks someone checks into a dirtysurveys come in because ifand everyone associated with room they’re unhappy. If someoneis not greeted with a the hotel.smileFinally,some good newsabout money!Triangle Federal Credit Union has$18,000,000 to loan our members!• Money saving loan refinances are available. Let us compare yourcurrent payments and interest rates to ours. In most cases, wecan reduce your monthly payments and save you money.• Credit Builder Loans - $750 loans are available at 12.99% APR*for nine months to help you improve your credit score.• Unsecured Signature Loans up to $5,000 starting at 6.9% APR.*• New or Used Auto, Boat or Motorcycle Loans starting at 3.5%APR for 36 months.* Up to 72 months financing available witha minimum of $25,000. Triangle FCU charges the same low ratefor a used vehicle loan as they do a new one.• RV and Camper Loans starting at 4.9% APR for 48 months.*Up to 84 months financing available with a minimum of $25,000, andup to 144 months financing available with a minimum of $50,000.they’re going to let you knowpretty quickly. So friendlinessand hard work are the two biggestthings as well as loyalty.We have about eight peoplewho have been here from thevery beginning. They have a lotof pride in it and want it to bethe best.”The Hampton Inn and Suitesof West Point has 70 rooms,including suites, an exercisefacility, free hot breakfast andother great features for guests.Boil water notice lifted for subdivisionsThe boil water notice issued early last week has now beenlifted and according to the Mississippi Department of Health thewater is now safe to drink.The boil water notice was in effect for approximately 100residents living in the Northgate Subdivision and the SouthgateSubdivision. Residents were encouraged to boil their water dueto a break in a water line, but MDH performed tests, which indicatesthat the water is not contaminated.By Bryan DavisDaily Times LeaderEditor’s note: This storyappeared in Friday’s editionof the Daily TimesLeader, with Tim Mooremisidentified numeroustimes as Tim Brown. Weapologize for the error.The future of Mississippi’shealth care is not certain.It’s an issue that has manyfacets, and everyone will likelybe affected by the AffordableHealthcare Act whether it benegative or positive.Tim Moore, Vice Presidentfor Community Hospitals withthe North Mississippi HealthServices attempted to shedsome light on the impact ofAFA and the issue of Medicaidexpansion at the Thursdaymeeting of the West PointRotary Club.“When we talk aboutMedicaid expansion and theways that hospitals are funded,it’s a very complicated matter,”Moore began.The state capitol has beenbuzzing since the start of thenew year with a plethora ofcontroversial laws, but thosewere perhaps overshadowed bythe battle over the healthcareexchange InsuranceCommissioner Mike Chaneyattempted to set up to complywith AFA last month.Notice: Art Walk t-shirts on sale for $12at Rose’s Drug Store, Bits and Piecesand Petal PushersSpring Art Walkcoming to townBy Kathy Dyess, Clay County Arts Council, thisSpecial to the event is modeled after ArtDaily Times Leader Walks held by “Art Meccas”such Carmel, CA, and Sedona,AZ, which encourage and celebratethe arts. “We want WestPoint to become one of those“Art Meccas,” too,” said presidentMonte Brasfield.The whole day will be filledwith activities downtown surroundingthe Art Walk. The airwill be filled with music from9am-9pm. Musicians includeJeremy Klutts, Joe Jordan,Layna Shackelford, and Tim“Mookie” Wilson.Chairperson Vickie Burrishas organized this event and isdelighted with the responsefrom both artists and businessowners. “The enthusiasm withwhich everyone I have spokenwith about this event is justA mighty Spring Storm willhit downtown West Point—a“perfect” storm of Art, that is!Creativity will fill the air asmore than 50 fine artists, craftsmen and women display theirart in the first annual HistoricDowntown Art Walk, Saturday,April 13th.What better way to invigoratea spring Saturday thanbreathe in the artistic spiritwhile browsing, eating, and listeningto great music onCommerce Street? Local businessesare the hosts for the artists,as they open their doorsand artworks become displaysinside their stores and spillingonto the sidewalks for the day.A true Art Walk is all aboutthe ambiance, quality art,expanding horizons, and interactingwith artists to becomemore informed and enlightened.Of course, the artists arethrilled when a piece of theirwork is purchased and finds anew home with those whoappreciate their efforts.Sponsored by the West Point/overwhelming. The artistscan’t wait to set up and sharetheir art with West Point, andthe business owners embracedthe idea from the beginning,”she said. “Thanks also goes tothe Mississippi ArtsCommission for awarding us agrant, which partially fundsSee ‘Art’ page 8Moore: Healthcare ‘complicated’Gov. Phil Bryant denouncedChaney’s attempts to complypublicly. Both are Republicans,but the divisive and publicnature of the battle led theDepartment of Human Servicesto reject the exchange accordingto Moore.“We were the first state to bedenied an opportunity for ahealthcare exchange,” Mooresaid. “Their (DHS) positionwas that if we don’t have thesupport of the man who is callingthe shots, it will never workanyway.”Bryant’s opposition to theexchange originates from ageneral opposition to the AFA,but Moore and others like himsay that the state will have therequired exchange, whether itbe ours or one run by the federalgovernment.Moore says that the economicinvestment in the type ofexchange proposed by Chaneyis far less than investments thathave been supported byRepublican governors and lawmakersin the state for years.Moore says that the exchangestands to create around 9,000jobs in the healthcare servicesector with an investment ofaround $17,000 per job fromthe state.“I think we put a little morethan that into Nissan,” Mooresaid of the past RepublicansupportedCanton plant whichrequired an investment ofaround $84,000 per job.“There are economic developmentissues,” Moore said.“We brought Nissan and Toyotato this state, and it’s the samething here. It’s about the eliminationof jobs or the increase ofjobs.”Many Republicans supportedChaney because of the realityof the impending exchange system.However, many conservativesstill do not like the AFA orthe exchange idea.The AFA, according toMoore, has many more complicatedissues surrounding it likethe loss of revenues for hospitalscompounded by theincrease in the number of participantson Medicaid the lawwill bring.Moore says the state standsto see a 56 percent increase inthe number of insured individualsversus a 75 percent reductionin subsidies to hospitals.“When you talk aboutMedicaid expansion, you’renot talking about adding newentitlement programs to thesystem,” Moore said. “You’retalking about replacing theexisting entitlement program.Right now, as the state legislatorswork out the budget,Medicaid expansion is a hottopic, and it will likely remainso until the end of the currentsession.Moore was the guest ofRotarian James Hahn.And more exciting news…• Receive a 0.25% discount on qualifying interest rates when you apply onlineat www.trianglefcu.com.**• New Prepaid Debit Cards are available.• Platinum VISA Credit Cards are available with a 6.9% fixed rate, no annual fee,a 25-day grace period on purchases and credit limits up to $10,000.Columbus AFBColumbus434-6052126 Alabama St.Columbus329-66022330 Hwy. 45 N.Columbus327-945012036 Hwy. 182 E.Starkville338-9131* APR = Annual Percentage Rate. This APR is good through June 30, 2013. APR isdetermined at the time of loan application acceptance and is locked in at the timeof loan signing. Stated APR does not include cost of loan and/or otherinterest and fees.** Credit card and real estate loans excluded from this offer.

Daily Times Leader Sunday, March 3, 2013 • Page 3Weather ForecastFrom EMCCEast Mississippi Community College’s 2013 Higher Education Appreciation Day, Working for Academic Excellence honorees visitTuesday at the Marriott Hotel in Jackson during the 26th Annual HEADWAE Luncheon. They are, from left, faculty honoree TerryCherry, student honoree Tyler Stanley and Tyler’s mother, Carol Stanley.EMCC’s Stanley, Cherry honored at HEADWAESpecial to theDaily Times LeaderJACKSON – Dedication isparamount to academic success,but fear of running laps at5 a.m. doesn’t hurt, either.That’s how East MississippiCommunity College studentTyler Stanley summed up hismotivation to maintain a 4.0grade point average, earninghim recognition as EMCC’s2013 HEADWAE student honoree.Art instructor TerryCherry was the college’s facultyhonoree.HEADWAE stands forHigher Education AppreciationDay, Working for AcademicExcellence.Stanley and Cherry, a 26-yearfaculty member at EMCC,were honored Tuesday inJackson during the 26th annualHEADWAE awards and luncheon,along with student andinstructor representatives fromeach of Mississippi’s 34 universitiesand colleges.Special to theDaily Times LeaderWASHINGTON, D.C. –With tornado season underwayin the South, U.S. Senator ThadCochran (R-Miss.) todayencouraged Mississippians totake part in the national “Be aForce of Nature” campaign toincrease preparedness forsevere weather.“Be a Force of Nature” is thefocal point for National SevereWeather Preparedness Week,March 3-9. The campaign issponsored by the FederalRose Drug Company137 Commerce • West Point, MS • 494-33412012-2013 Bridal RegistryFebruary 9, 2013Katie Culpepper & Jeremy MowryMarch 9, 2013Morgan Hickingbottom & Ryan DolerMiranda Young & Oliver JohnsonApril 13, 2013Jamie Hodnett & Matt LeeApril 20, 2013Tremonica Robinson & Lekendrick LenoirApril 27, 2013Shemeka Jones & Julius McClentonMonique Matthews & Shedrick BradshawMay 18, 2013Hope Higginbotham and Scott JohnsonMay 25, 2013Shannon Denney & Bryan DavisLacy Riley & Josh FunderburgJune 8, 2013Katie Weeks & Adam LangleyAlkenie Moore & Herbert BaileyStanley, starting center forthe Lions’ 2012 football team,credited his coaches with givinghim the extra incentive heneeded to maintain his flawlessGPA throughout his two yearsat EMCC.“I have to thank all thecoaches for really staying oneveryone about going to class.It’s hard to roll out of bed andgo to class some days. But it’seasier when they say they’llwake you up at 5 a.m. andmake you run if you don’t go toclass,” said Stanley.The Batesville native, byway of Meridian, will finish upat EMCC this semester beforemoving on to Mississippi Statewith his twin brother Luke, amember of the EMCC baseballteam, to pursue an engineeringdegree. Stanley’s older brother,Bo, recently graduated fromMSU with a degree in civilengineering.During his time in Scooba,Stanley’s ability to balance thedemands of academics and athleticsearned the admiration ofthe faculty and staff. Athleticadvisor Brittany Wagner-Whiteworked with Stanley and allstudent athletes to ensure theymaintain their grades.“Tyler had a season-endinginjury the first football game ofhis freshman year. A lot oftimes that will shake an athleteand cause problems in theclassroom, depression andother issues. He fought throughit and earned a 4.0 GPA thatfall,” said Wagner-White.“Tyler is a special individualand has so many wonderfulqualities – just one of thembeing how intelligent he is.”Stanley said he was especiallyhumbled by the award,which is faculty-nominated,because he didn’t know he wasbeing considered until after hewas selected.“I had never heard ofHEADWAE. And I had a bunchof teachers congratulating mebefore I even got the news,” hesaid. “I knew I was doing wellMeet theCandidate Fundraiseras far as grades, but I had somuch going on with footballand class, I didn’t realize everyoneelse was noticing.”Terry Cherry, a native of SanAntonio, Texas, is a graduate ofEMCC and has been teachingart at the Scooba campus fornearly three decades.“This means a lot to me. Igreatly appreciate the honor,”he said.Cherry was nominated by hispeers for decades of unwaveringdedication to his studentsand his work.“Terry Cherry certainlyexemplifies the characteristicsof an outstanding faculty member.His award is muchdeserved,” said Dr. ThomasWare, dean of instruction forEMCC.“He’s highly talented andrespected in his field. He isvery much concerned with thesuccess of his students and heis willing to go out of his wayto help anyone at EMCC.”Mississippians encouraged to be prepared for severe weatherEmergency ManagementAgency (FEMA) and theNational Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration(NOAA).“National Severe WeatherPreparedness Week is intendedto motivate families, businessesand communities to takesteps that can help protect themwhen severe storms and disastershit,” said Cochran, whoserves on the SenateAppropriations Subcommitteethat has jurisdiction overFEMA.“The benefits of early warningsand being prepared wereevident in the aftermath of therecent tornado that tore throughHattiesburg. While propertydamage was significant, noMississippians lost their livesin that storm,” he said.Cochran, with Senator RogerWicker, last month applaudedNOAA for installing upgradeddual-polarization technologycapabilities at the NationalWeather Service (NWS)Doppler radar station inJackson. The new service hasincreased weather monitoringcapabilities of meteorologistsin Mississippi.As part of National SevereWeather Preparedness, the publicis being offered on-line “Bea Force of Nature” toolkits,which include information onidentifying potential severeweather threats, recommendationson emergency kits andcommunications plans. Itmakes suggestions for actionsthat can be taken, such as safekeepingimportant documentsand valuables, to aid in recoveryefforts.Tuesday, March 5th5:30-7:00The Ritz Conference CenterEveryone is invited to come meet Eddie!Paid for by the Committee to Elect Eddie LongstreetCLEARANCE SALE!2012 PRAIRIE ARTS T-SHIRTS & POSTERSON SALE NOW FOR ONLY $5 EACH!Full Service Bridal Registry-Wrapping & DeliveryWe carry a complete line of Dinner Ware,Glassware and Flatware from: •Vietri •Tag •ParkWe can order special gifts for all your wedding attendants.AVAILABLE AT THE GROWTH ALLIANCE510 EAST BROAD STREET • WEST POINT • 494-5121

Daily Times Leader LifestylesSunday, March 3, 2013 • Page 5Back in blackWest Point High School students are taking part in Black Out Bullying during the last dayof the week long anti-bullying campaign. Everyone wore black shirts, pants, jeans, shoesand jackets. Students participated in anti-bullying activities during the first and secondperiod classes each morning. Pictured are, front (from left) Principal Mario Willis, AliciaChandler, Mercedezes Douglas, Raven Griffin, Chrishauna Harris and Amber Summerall.Back row (from left) Jeffery Pittman, Sara Claire Farr, Tia Brinkley, Wanda Walker,Kirstopher Pernell and Latosha Williams.Submitted PhotoPennies for puppies at Church HillTheresa Bailey’s class had been saving their pennies, change, and dollars for their 100thday of School Celebration. They goal was to raise $100 for the 100th day of school to goto the West Point Animal Shelter. They raised the $100 and to accept the money and toshow their appreciation WPCCAS Director Lisa Henley brought puppies Merle and Millerin to visit with the Church Hill students. Their donation along with another donation aidedin the Heartworm treatment of another dog named Dakota, who was very sick. Picturedare, Trinity Robinson, Jaycee Hudson, Halle Poss, Jamerion Powell, Phillip Andrews, andConner Farr with Merle the puppy. Photo by Bryan DavisGospel Temple presents a day for young peopleBy Donna SummerallDaily Times LeaderNeedmore CommunityOutreach, Women of Missionand Gospel Temple M.B.Church are hosting their eighthyear of Spring Break Day.Saturday, March 16 will be aday for young people age 0 –14, to enjoy Christ-centeredactivities. The event is free.There will be jumpers, games,prizes, an egg hunt and lunchand snacks will be provided.Children do need to bring theirown Easter baskets as thesewill not be furnished. Childrenages nine and under should beaccompanied by a parent.Spring Break Day will begin at10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.Keynote speaker is MinisterStanley Mangum of TheChurch House of Refuge andFamily Worship Center. Theevent is the brainchild of ElderShelia Fair.“I was living in Memphis in2002, when the Lord put thetent revivals in my heart,”explained Fair. “The revivalswere instrumental in savingsouls. We are commissioned tobe about our Father’s business.Having Spring Break Day toreach young people in our communityis a huge part of thatbusiness. We had over 300 childrencome out last year and weexpect many more to come thisyear. Children have been savedduring spring break. We givethat glory to Jesus.”Gospel Temple is known forits yearly Thanksgiving Feastand opening the doors to thewhole community but they arealso involved with NeedmoreCommunity Outreach with theSpring Break Day. Both groupsare proud to be part of a funfilled day to let children knowthat they are important andloved. The Great Commissionis not just a Biblical term forFair and Bishop QuincyPatterson, its a way of life.“We are always looking toexpand the ministry and reachas many children as possiblefor Christ,” said Patterson. “Welet young people know they areloved. We want to celebratethem. We want to show themthat the power of love is greaterthan the love of power. God’slove is unconditional. We wantthem to come to the knowledgeof His saving grace.”Gospel Temple M.B. Churchand the Needmore CommunityOutreach Women of Missionare looking forward to seeingall the children from West Pointand Clay County come to havefun and learn about a God wholoves them.Donna SummerallBishop Quincy Patterson and Elder Shelia Fair are hard at work finishing last minute details forSpring Break Day. Ralph Yates is one of the young people participating in the yearly event.‘Cochran’ continued from page 2for good,” said SenatorLandrieu. “This bill will helpcut through bureaucracy forbusiness owners seeking smalleramounts of disaster funding,while at the same time allowseasoned business counselorsto cross state lines if they areneeded after large scale disasters.I believe that these commonsensedisaster reforms,which will not have a cost totaxpayers, will greatly benefitbusinesses impacted by futuredisasters. ”“Our goal is to make the governmentresponse to disastersmore efficient and nimble.We’re offering commonsense,fiscally responsible proposalsto make it easier for small businessesto reopen and get backto work following a disaster.This will help them keep peopleemployed, provide vitalservices and stabilize the localeconomy,” Senator Cochransaid.The Small Business DisasterRecovery Act has alreadyreceived endorsements fromthe Association of SmallBusiness Development Centersand the International EconomicDevelopment Council. It alsohas received support from theSouthwest Louisiana EconomicDevelopment Alliance, the St.Tammany EconomicDevelopment Foundation, theNortheast Louisiana EconomicPartnership, and the Bay AreaHouston Economic Partnership.The bill would clarify that,for SBA disaster business loansless than $200,000, the SBAcannot use a business owner’sprimary residence as collateralif there are other suitable businessassets available to use ascollateral towards securing theloan. This addresses instanceswhere business owners werebeing required to put up a$300,000 or $400,000 personalhome as collateral for a$200,000 disaster loan eventhough they had sufficient businessassets to secure the loan.It also authorizes SBA toallow out-of-state small businessdevelopment centers(SBDCs) to provide assistancein presidentially-declareddisaster areas. This addressesan issue that occurred afterHurricane Katrina andHurricane Sandy in 2012 wherelocal SBDCs were severelyimpacted but out-of-stateSBDCs were not allowed,because of geographic limitations,to assist as their localcounterparts got back on theirfeet. The concept is similar tohow private sector utility companiesshare linemen aftermajor disasters.In December 2012, Sen.Landrieu held a hearing toassess SBA’s response toHurricane Sandy. Many issueswere discussed, including thetwo that the bill addresses.More information can be foundhere.Our patientslose tons of weightevery year.NMMC Bariatric Center is a Center of Excellencedesignated by the American College of Surgeons.Delta Sigma Theta visits CapitolThe Clay County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority visited the StateCapitol in Jackson Tuesday, February 26, 2013 for Delta Days At The Capital (DDAC)where we spoke with various Senators and Representatives on issues such as Health Care,Charter Schools and others. During this conference, the Southern Region of Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc. awarded the “Get Out the Vote”(GOTV) Action Award for the MostInnovative Alumnae Chapter GOTV Initiative. The award was presented to the ClayCounty Alumnae Chapter represented by the President, Gail D. Akins. The SouthernRegion also presented Senator Angela Turner who is also a Delta with a Certificate ofAppreciation for her recent accomplishment. Submitted PhotoOver 16 tons so far.Since 2007, the team of specialists at NMMC’s Bariatric Centerin Tupelo has helped patients lose more than 33,000 pounds.Now that the Bariatric Center has been designated as a Centerof Excellence by the American College of Surgeons, weightloss surgery at NMMC is covered by more health plans.So talk to your doctor and weigh your options.For more information, call 662-377-SLIM (7546) or toll-free 866-908-9465.www.nmhs.net/bariatric_center

Daily Times Leader SportsSunday, March 3, 2013 • Page 7“So many guys are asking about him...Every year when we havethe reunion, without fail, somebody asks, ‘is “J.O.” coming?’”Straton “Strat” Karatassos, former MSU athletic traineron the training table, it seemedwherever James Otis went,trouble would always find him.“He always found trouble,”said McDole, who would knowbeing “J.O.’s” roommate.“There was that incident withthe baseball game, and thenthere was the time he got shot.”The baseball incident asprinted in the Mississippi StateUniversity student newspaper,“The Reflector”, on February26, 1980 reported in referenceto Doss that “…he hit a littleleague baseball player duringthe summer of 1978.”According to multiple sources,an argument ensued followinga bang-bang play at homeplate.One source said, “a little 15year-old kid got up into James’face. I guess he (the kid)thought that he was bigger thanAt some point in 1985, JamesOtis’ best friend from highschool, Ben Chandler, got a callfrom “J.O.” He was exercisinghis right to one phone call froma Houston police station.“He was out here stayingwith a girl,” said Chandler ofthe 1985 incident. “There was amisunderstanding, and he tookoff in her car. There was apolice chase, and he hit a coupleof cars [in the process].”This type of situation alwaysseemed to be the way the relationshipswent for Doss and themany women he was associatedwith during the ‘80s.According to friends, “J.O.”would find a female companionand before long, he was movingin.“He would be dating a girl,and before I knew it, they wereliving together,” Chandler said.“It would always end bad.”Whatever flame he had witha woman was eventually extinguishedin situations like theone described above.Charges were dropped by thewoman in question, but the ideaof bailing this potential footballstar out of jail did not sit rightwith Chandler, now a familyand career man.Doss walked away with onlya small misdemeanor filedunder the Houston PoliceDepartment.It was another woman whohe was, because “J.O.” senthim to the hospital.”The article by formerReflector editor Joe Dillon continuesto state that a $50 finewas paid in full by a graduateassistant of the football programto the City of Columbusfrom a concession fund, whichalso allegedly paid for his attorney.Shortly after the article printed,Dillon was impeached andremoved from his position aseditor.By the end of the 1978 footballseason, Tyler was oustedby Mississippi State after aninvestigation by the NCAA.The firing of Tyler never satwell with James Otis.“I’m ticked off and mad,”James Otis told the Times Dailyin Alabama in 1979. “I tell youthis. If he (Tyler) leaves, theJames Otis always seemed to surround himselfwith the right people, and he was a pretty niceguy himself.He somehow found trouble, and trouble veryeasily found him. His last known years weremarked by trouble.put James Otis into deepertrouble. In 1986, Doss wasaccused of “embezzlement” inLowndes County.Arraigned on May 4, 1986,James Otis was charged withthe theft of a 1986 ChevroletSpectrum from Josie AlineBrown. Stated in court documents,Doss never returned theloaned Spectrum on the predetermineddate set by the two.Doss was extradited fromNashville, Tenn. on November12, 1986 where he was pickedup along with the car whichbegan the long trial thatspanned over two years.In numerous hearings, JamesOtis failed to show, which maybe explained away as immaturity.Repeated hearings withoutDoss dragged the trial throughlate 1988.But Doss may not have beentrying to escape a guilty plea orsentencing.James Otis found himselfhelping a long-time friend inGibson at Oktoc Moor HighSchool, now East OktibbehaHigh School in Crawford. Itwas Gibson’s first opportunityas a head coach, and he relishedthe help he received from hisfamous friend.As a volunteer assistantcoach, “J.O.” was doing somethingthat he longed to do in thegame of football-coach.future is bleak for Mississippi “J.O.” on the gridiron. unit. After a spell in the hospital,his feet into the south TexasState.”Doss’ mother Laura came city.Hoping to play for the MiamiThen came new head coach Dolphins, Doss found himself to Houston and the two would Chandler had grown older,Emory Bellard, the father of the in Florida in 1982, and even eventually head home to West and he knew his football dayswishbone formation, taking the with a change of states, Doss Point where she nursed him were behind him.helm in Starkville.just could never really stay back to health.“We all grew up playing,”Rarely receiving playing away from trouble.Once reaching full strength, Chandler said. “We all wantedtime under Bellard, Doss never“J.O.” saw another opportunity to go pro. I just had to comeentered the draft for the NFL “It was 1982. He showed to get back into the professionalback down to Earth.”game. The Houston Gamblers after his senior year. But Doss me the wounds where theJames Otis knew only onewas there on the sideline in bullet went through his of the United States Football vocation.Jackson when the Bulldogs thumb and into his chest. League was a brand new franchiseIt was football or bust.defeated the nationally toprankedthat needed players, and All he told me about the“He stayed with me for aAlabama Crimson Tide shooting was that he James Otis wanted a piece of while,” said Chandler, “I got6-3.opened the door, and the action.married in ’84, and we wentSeen in a YouTube video, somebody shot him.” His contact in Houston was our separate ways.”Doss was so exuberant over theformer West Point teammate The ‘84 split would not berecovered fumble which Mardye McDole on the incident Ben Chandler.the final time the two friendsclinched the victory over that may have put his NFL dreams Chandler, played four-years encountered one another.Alabama that he grabbed the to rest.of football at Delta State Their next and final meetingfootball from his fellow teammate,University and had moved to would take place in a HoustonBilly Jackson, and held it The shooting which occurred Houston with an accounting jail in 1985.high in celebration.in Houston, Texas wounded degree.This moment of jubilation James Otis so badly that he was Doss soon came to live withwas possibly the last one for placed in the intensive care his friend who had cementedPart 3: Walk it offCourtesy of Mississippi State AthleticsJames Otis Doss set some Mississippi State football records while playing as a back and a receiver from 1977-1980.“He helped me put together aplaybook before the 1987 season,”said Gibson, “he likedcoaching, and he would’vebeen a good one.”After filing an affidavitdeclaring himself an “indigent”on February 17, 1987 and withthe continuing increase ofbond, James Otis finally madehis appearance in court.On April 4, 1988, “J.O.”finally made his plea in front ofthe judge.“I plead guilty,” said Doss.But the plea was not accepteduntil October 1988 when theJudge put a six-year sentenceinto effect because “J.O.” didnot pay the restitution, nor didhe report to his probation officeras mandated by the judge inDecember.A little luck was on the sideof “J.O.” that day, as the judgerecommended him for the“Regimented InmateDiscipline” program, out ofgeneral population at ParchmanPrison.Every indication is that thefew months he served underRID proved to be a wake upcall for the man now at 30 yearsof age.It also gave way to the 1990s,and the last few years thatJames Otis was connected withhis family and friends.Part 4: The hero, the legend, the mythIf there is one thing that canbe said about the few monthsJames Otis Doss spent in theMississippi Department ofCorrections’ RID program, itmade an impression on him.James Otis had a sentence thatdid not expire until 1994, and hehad to report to a probation officerregularly, something he hadtrouble doing before the sentencewas passed.According to sources atMDOC, James Otis Doss nevercommitted another crime in thestate of Mississippi after fullycomplying with his sentencefrom 1988-1994.When the sentence ended, itwas time for “J.O.” to move onwith his life.There would be no footballcareer in his thirties, and it wastime to go to work.He did not return home, asmany of his high school teammateshad done, to seek employment.Not that West Point lackedopportunity.“I can remember taking a tourof the packing plant (BryanFoods) back when it was open,”Tyler said. “There must havebeen six, eight or 10 of my formerplayers in there, and theywould holler at me when Iwalked by.”According to his last wordswith Ossie Jr., there was anotherdestination. It was one thatmight have involved an oil company.Wherever he went, and nomatter what became of “J.O.” henever again made contact withfamily or friends.“This is all news to me,”Tyler, who last saw James Otisin 1978 said. “I had no ideaabout him being missing. I hadno idea about all of the trouble.That was the last season I was atMississippi State, and that wasthe last time I communicatedwith him.”Losing contact with the coachis not that unusual. Not callinghis mamma, daddy or siblingsfor nearly 20 years is anotherstory.Laura Doss never filed amissing persons report with thepolice.“I always figured he wouldshow up somewhere,” she said,adding that she did not know theprocedure for filing the reportafter she realized he was missing.His announcer and friend BudBowen has made attempts tocontact Doss over the years, butlike so many others who havetried, found nothing.“I first took notice that he wasmissing when I’d call hismamma and ask about him, andshe hadn’t heard anything out ofhim,” Bowen said.His MSU trainer and closefriend “Strat” Karatassos is justas confounded.“So many guys are askingabout him,” Karatassos said.“Every year when we have thereunion, without fail, somebodyasks, ‘is “J.O.” coming?’”Karatassos says that “J.O.” isso revered by his former teammatesthat many reunions arenot complete without the mentelling stories about James Otis,his beaming personality and histremendous ability.There are some commonmyths that surround James Otisand his apparent disappearance.One is that he is in jail somewherein Texas.According to the TexasDepartment of Corrections,James Otis was purged fromtheir records, as is common, inthe 1990s, with the one misdemeanorcharge as his only runinwith Lone Star law enforcement.“He’s been zeroed out of oursystem,” a source at TDOC said.This means that if James Otisdid return to Texas, he did notrun afoul of the law.The same can be said aboutMississippi, where a onceshameful prison sentence nowoffers a glimmer of hope tothose looking for him.MDOC is adamant that JamesOtis Doss has not been arrestedfor a crime since he was releasedfrom RID in June, 1989, dispellingthe myth that he is currentlyor has since served in Parchman.There’s also the myths thatsurround Ben Chandler, his bestfriend from high school.Many say that he is the key tofinding “J.O.” That’s not so,according to Chandler who lastsaw James Otis in 1985 andreally stopped hanging with himon a regular basis years beforethat.“It’s been a long time, and I’dreally like to see him,” Chandlersaid.Law enforcement officials inTexas say that since his fingerprintsare in the national database,they would have beenmatched in the computer ifJames Otis had been founddeceased.McDole has not seen himeither, despite some who claimhe has been in contact with theformer Green Wave star.“I haven’t seen him, but I surewould like to,” McDole said.“Let me know if you find him.”Some have said he may havegone to Washington state,Alaska and even Canada orMexico.If he took a job with the oilcompany he was telling Ossie Jr.about during that brief phoneconversation, that is a strongpossibility.At this point, no one so farcan say for sure.“Every night I pray, God, letme see my son,” Laura Dosspleads.She still recalls some of thefinal conversations she had with“J.O.”“He told me, ‘mamma, when Iget everything squared away,I’m gonna get you a home,’” shesaid.In the ‘70s, James Otis was ahero.In the ‘80s and ‘90s, hebecame a legend.The past 20 years is shroudedin myth, mystery and disbelief.Hopefully this new timelineand information regarding hislife has brought hope to thosewho are waiting for “J.O.” to bethat knock at the door or thatvoice on the other end of thephone.Anyone who has informationthat may lead to James OtisDoss may call 662-494-1422 oremail the Daily Times Leader atdtleditor@bellsouth.net.Editor’s Note: We would liketo thank the Bryan PublicLibrary, the Texas Departmentof Corrections, Grace, with theMississippi Department ofCorrections, Sgt. Peters at theHouston Police Department,Mardye McDole, Bob Tyler,“Strat” Karatassos, BenChandler, Bud Bowen, BubbaDavis, Larry Gibson, the WestPoint Police Department, theLowndes County Circuit Clerk’sOffice, the Mississippi StateArchives, anyone along the waywho passed telephone numbersand email addresses and mostimportantly the Doss family.Courtesy of YouTube/Rendered by M.K. DavisThough Billy Jackson recovered the famous fumbled againstAlabama in 1980, James Otis Doss quickly took to the field toclaim the ball for his own, parading between the lines with thetrophy that allowed Mississippi State to defeat “Bear” Bryant’sNo. 1 Alabama 6-3 in Jackson.

Page 8 • Sunday, March 3, 2013ComicsDaily Times Leaderw w w . d a i l y t i m e s l e a d e r . c o mDonna Summerall: Busy, busy, busyI have to be totally honestand say that sometimes I’m at aloss for something to do. Itdoesn’t happen often, or notoften enough. This week wasnot one. I spent almost everymorning at the high school takingpictures of the kids for theanti-bullying campaign. Ithought it was a great way tomake kids think about howthey treat one another. I wasvery pleased that PrincipalMario Willis asked me to comeand was so gracious in helpingme find the right kids. I had agood time with students.I spent an afternoon withRev. Quincy Patterson andShelia Fair talking about SpringBreak Day for the kids. Thesetwo people are putting so muchof themselves into a special dayfor area children. Spring BreakDay will once again be at theEast side of town at the fairgroundsand recreation center.They are bringing the love ofGod to every child who comesto Spring Break Day.It is always great to talkwith Richard Ramsey to findout how the expanded Howlin’Wolf Black Prairie BluesMuseum is coming along. Iknow few people who are aspassionate about keeping thework and memory of someonealive who isnot a memberof their family.You can’thelp but feelhis enthusiasmand befilled with ityourself whilehe shows preciousmementos,photos,albums thathave rootsdeep into thistown and thebirth ofAmericanmusic. When he achieves hisDonna SummerallLifestyles Reporterdream for themuseum Itruly thinkeveryone willbe amazed.Theladies fromthe WestPoint ArtsCouncil hadme runningall over towntaking photosof local merchantswhoare going tobe hostingthe work ofdifferent artists during the ArtWalk on April 13. The air isbuzzing with enthusiasm aboutthe Art Walk. Cathy Dyessintroduced me to several localartists who will have their workon display. I was introduced tosome business owners I had notmet and visited their downtownshops. It is amazing howmuch downtown West Pointhas to offer. We still have morephotos to take and more peopleto talk to. Cathy may be tired ofme before we get everythingdone.Maybe some people sneer atour small Southern town. Thatwe have no taste, no culture, nounderstanding of the finerthings. I saw this week thatWest Point is overflowing withtalented artists and those whowish to spotlight them in theirendeavours, people who appreciatethe origins of music andwant to share the experiencesof a lifetime with everyone,those who wish to show ouryoung people the path to righteousnessand people who wantto show our kids how to thinkof others and their feelings. Allthese things that I saw in just anormal week make our townsomewhere really special tolive.‘Garbage’ continued from page 2then directed to put a lien property lien, which would in already been held, but efforts to Authority to move forward meeting of March.delinquent garbage accounts inagainst the property owner,” turn affect the property owner’s pay are still not being met. with collections.Since Clay County teamed Clay County has decreased,Berry said.credit rating, she said. Lamkin requested a board order The Board of Supervisors up with the Golden Triangle and there is now more thanThe only legal ramification A hearing regarding the for the Tax Assessor/Collector’s will revisit the topic this Planning and Development $200,000 in the county’s sanitationthe county has is to impose a $2,000 delinquent account has Office and the Solid Waste Monday during the first regular District in 2010 the number of fund.‘Art’ continued from page 2this initial Art Walk.” Many will want to take atmosphere at the Ritz. pop-acoustic, and blues. These accompanied by an adult purchasinga ticket. Those over 65 nesses will be coming in thethe artists, musicians, and busi-The Sally Kate Winters advantage of the special lunch Capping off the day will be a two rising stars will be performinga concert at Center are also admitted free. Tickets next few weeks. Get readyFamily Services will also be a menu created for the Art Walk concert by Starkville sister duopart of the festivities conductingtheir 4th Annual 5K fun run a live acoustic guitar perfor-HanaLena, formerly Nash evening at 7:00. Tickets are CulinArts or Petal Pushers, or ing!at the Ritz Café. There will be Hannah and Caroline Melby— Stage, Central School, Saturday can be purchased at the door, West Point—a Storm is com-and other family activities in mance by Layna Shackelford Street. Their sound is a unique $15 for those over 18. Under by calling 494-5678.the park during the day. accompanying the relaxed blend of bluegrass, country, 18 are admitted free when More stories and photos of

Daily Times Leader Sunday, March 3, 2013 • Page 9

Page 10 • Sunday, March 3, 2013Daily Times LeaderHappy Birthday Dr. SeussKids at Church Hill Elementary School celebrated the 109th birthday of Dr. Seuss Friday with by dressing up in famous Dr. Seuss characters and parading around the hallways of theschool. The students portrayed the characters in some of Seuss’ most popular books, including The Cat in the Hat, The Lorax, I Am Not Going To Get Up Today, Green Eggs andHam and more. Photos by Sheena BakerAG producers speak to Mississippi State on farmingBy Linda BreazealeDaily Times LeaderVERONA – When agriculturalproducers speak,Mississippi State Universitylistens.About 300 commodity producers,crop consultants andMSU representatives met onFeb. 21 at the North MississippiResearch and Extension Centerin Verona for the annualProducer Advisory Councilmeeting. The meeting has beenheld for more than half a centuryto give farmers the opportunityto express agriculturalneeds to their land-grant institution.“Mississippi State exists tohelp farmers and landownersthroughout the state,” saidGeorge Hopper, director of theMississippi Agricultural andForestry Experiment Stationand MSU’s Forest and WildlifeResearch Center. “This is youropportunity to tell us how wecan help you produce yourcrops.”Hopper, who is also dean ofMSU’s College of Agricultureand Life Sciences and Collegeof Forest Resources, askedfarmers to help recruit studentsto pursue degrees in agriculture-relatedfields.“A role of MSU is to producefuture agriculture leaders. Weneed you to encourage the nextgeneration to follow in yourfootsteps,” Hopper said. “Whenthey come to you and expressan interest in agriculture, don’ttry to talk them out of it. Sendthem to us. We will preparethem for career success.”Steve Martin, newly appointedhead of the North MississippiResearch and Extension Center,said the annual meeting providesMSU with the opportunityto share progress since lastyear’s meeting.“This meeting gives ourresearchers and Extensionagents the opportunity torespond to growers’ concerns,both during the meeting and inthe year to come,” he said. “Wealso have the opportunity toreport accomplishments. It’s atwo-way street.”Mike Sullivan, state farmprogram director for the FarmService Agency, and U.S.Congressman Alan Nunneleespoke to the producers.Nunnelee provided an overviewof legislative agriculturalconcerns, including the newFarm Bill, EnvironmentalProtection Agency issues, theestate tax, minimum wage andsequestration. Following theircomments, they stayed to listento each commodity group’sreport.The following commoditymeeting presenters deliveredreports:Aquaculture – Mark Koehnof Chickasaw County requestedresearch to decrease lossescaused by Aeromonos, a newdisease impacting catfish. Thegroup also requested researchon protein amounts in feedbased on fish sizes.Beef – Jacob Megehee ofNoxubee County expressed theneed for continuing forageresearch, especially seekingplants with strong root systemsthat will hold up to cattle trafficpressure. Producers also wantMSU’s help in finding a consistentwinter perennial to helpproducers cut down on feedcosts. The group requested areaeducational programs aboutpreconditioning, vaccinationprograms and handling issues.They expressed the need formore food animal veterinarians.Cotton – Joe Camp ofItawamba County requestedmore research on resistantweed management and aggressivemonitoring of resistant andnonresistant plant bugs. Thegroup also expressed the needfor a cotton breeder to work onvarieties for the Hill section ofthe state.Dairy – Patrick Gallop ofMonroe County reported theneed for MSU’s help to stabilizethe industry and make itsustainable.Equine – Eddie Turner ofMonroe County requestedmore efforts to address theCollege of VeterinaryMedicine’s costs and servicesfor horse owners. He said thegroup is pleased the universityis about to hire an equine specialistand requested assistancein promoting equine events andrecruiting the next generationfor horse ownership and activities.Forestry and wildlife –Woody Speights, a student atItawamba Community College,requested more continuing educationfor landowners andupdates on the economics ofbiomass production. The groupwants more emphasis onresearch and product development.Fruit/nuts – Gerald Jetton ofItawamba County asked MSUto assist in forming a fruit andnut cooperative to help getlocal produce into Mississippischools. Additionally, herequested that the universityhire a regional specialist fornortheast Mississippi and usethe pecan grove at the researchstation near Brooksville foreducational programs.Goats and sheep – JimmyHowell of Calhoun County saidproducers need help establishinga contact system. Specialresearch needs include parasitecontrol and forage issues relatedto browsing animals. Healso requested an agriculturalengineer to design a “goatproofhay ring” to reduce wastedfeed.Grain crops – Bobby Moodyof Lee County said the groupwants MSU to continue to workwith promotion boards to supportresearch on improved varietiesand other new products.They specifically requestedresearch on fungicide treatmentsfor corn and wheat andcontinued research on productscontaining 2,4-D.Ornamentals – Tim Burressof Union County expressed avariety of research requestsincluding downy mildew onimpatiens, rose propagationthrough grafting and blightcontrol on English boxwoods.The group also wants guidanceon composting hardwoods, aswell as lawn and garden materials.Peanuts – Roy Weathers ofLowndes County asked thatMSU place a high priority onhiring a peanut specialist.Because peanuts are a canopycrop, which promote diseases,more fungicide research isneeded, specifically on timingof applications. The grouprequested direct email updateson fungicide research.Sweet potato – Danny Clarkof Calhoun County said tip-rotdisease and variety research aretwo needs for potato growers.They also requested pest managementguidance for issuessuch as nematodes, weeds andinsects.“We need research for waysto add value to nonmarketablesweet potatoes, such as fuels orfeed -- anything that will keepus from just dumping unusedpotatoes,” he said.Swine – Byron Wilson Sr. ofChickasaw County thankedMSU for its support throughoutthe years. He asked that MSUreactivate the nutrient managementtask force, an interdisciplinarygroup to guide producersin environmental issues. Healso asked for research intoferal hog control.Turf – David Rainey ofAlcorn County asked that MSUrefill the turf specialist positionafter the upcoming retirementof Wayne Wells. Researchneeds mentioned included controlof Virginia button weed,tensile strength and use ofchicken litter for fertilizer.Vegetables – RalphHanskiewiez of Union Countyrequested research on soil diseasecontrol, farm-to-schoolcooperatives, sweet corn varietiesfor northeast Mississippi,pumpkin varieties for marketsand school tours.The annual meeting is heldannually in Verona on the thirdThursday in February.