By VERNON SIKES
Herald Correspondent

Yazoo City school officials are scratching their heads over what to do about the district's high absentee rate.
During the 2011-2012 school year, there were 31,009 absences recorded in the district. With 2,650 students enrolled in the district last year, that averages out to 12 absences for each student.
“This is unprecedented,” said Jana Bardwell, who serves as the district's curriculum, testing and professional development director.
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By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor

A Yazoo City resident was previously given three months to clean up her unkempt property.
And after a tear-filled plea, Stella Cobb will be given two more after the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting this week.
The piece of property on Madison Street has been the subject of numerous complaints from neighbors. With a dilapidated house and tall grass, many are tired of the eyesore and are ready for something to be done.
Mary Houston, a neighbor of the property, asked the city board to at least keep the grass cut if they are going to continue to grant extensions.
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By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor

The tenth annual support banquet for the Oakes African American Cultural Center will be held Saturday night in an effort to raise funds for the historical site.
H.A. Scott, member of the Oakes Advisory Committee, said he anticipates a successful banquet this year.
“I think we have progressed over the previous years, and we are looking for a success this year,” he said.
Scott said attendance and support for the annual banquet has grown over the last ten years.
Marcia Arp will serve as guest speaker for this year’s event. Arp began her career with the Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer in 1986 and worked her way up through the ranks. A 26-year employee of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Yazoo City, she has extensive experience in the area of contracting and administration. She currently serves as Business Administrator at the facility.
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By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor

Tossing millage figures and utility options around, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen remained divided when it came to the city school district’s proposed budget.
An hour after a joint meeting between city and school officials, the city board voted to give the school district free utilities up to $200,000. At that time, the school district would assume responsibility for paying their own utility costs.
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