NEWS NOTES: Bank Merger, Oxford High, Burglary Arrests, Another Smoking Ban, Car Dealer Honored

The merger of Renasant and M and F banks will wrap up Friday with the formal transfer of accounts and the closure of several more branches.
The merger was announced in February, completing the state’s fourth largest financial institution.

Friday, a special statement on customers’ accounts will include all activity on their former M and F accounts. Customers still will use their former checking account numbers and new debit cards have been issued that will become active Monday.

The merged company already has closed several duplicative branches, including ones in Oxford and Starkville, and will close three more in Tupelo and one in Kosciusko Friday or Monday.

NEW OXFORD HIGH TO OPEN

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) — Despite a last-minute rush, Oxford High students should have a new home in January.
Contractors and architects are racing to put the finishing touches on a new $30 million high school during the next three weeks. Furniture is scheduled to start arriving Dec. 16 with teachers and administrators moving from the current 50-year-old school to the new facility during the Christmas break.

The new school’s gym still will be under construction when classes resume Jan. 7. Other athletic facilities and a fine arts center will be added later.

The new school is the first of several phases to relieve over crowding in the growing school district. Once the new high school opens, bids will be taken to renovate the old high school into a middle school.

BRUCE LATEST TO BAN SMOKING

BRUCE, Miss. (WCBI) — Smokers have 30 days to enjoy lighting up in public places in Bruce.

Aldermen in the Calhoun County town have become the latest board in the region to ban smoking in most public places.

Violators will face a $50  fine and businesses can be fined up to $300 for a third offense for allowing violations.

The ban applies to almost all businesses and all city-owned outdoor spaces. Motels can set aside up to 20 percent of their rooms for smokers. The ban takes effect in 30 days.

CLARK NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

AMORY, Miss. (WCBI) — A veteran Northeast Mississippi car dealer is in the running for one of the industry’s highest awards.
Amory’s Larry Clark has been nominated by the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association for the TIME Dealer of the Year Award to be presented next month in New Orleans

Clark has owned Larry Clark Chevrolet Buick, Cadillac GMC in Amory since 1991.

He is one of 57 new car dealers out of 17 thousand nationwide up for the honor.

The 37th annual award recognizes dealers not only for their successful business but also for dedicated community service.

Clark has long been active in Monroe County business and civic activities and played a major role in helping raise money to rebuild Smithville after it was destroyed by a April 20-11 tornado.

TWO CHARGED IN SEPARATE BURGLARIES

Burglary arrests in two different counties have area law enforcement agencies again reminding people to be extra cautious during the holidays.
John Mark Harmon, 30, of Mantachie was charged with stealing furniture and other items from a homethat was being used as a storage area in Mantachie.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen Police have charged 18-year-old Chico Harrison with two counts of burglary for allegedly breaking into the same house twice and taking a television, Playstation 3, laptop and cell phone. In both cases, most of the stolen items have been recovered.