State
Missing Letter Costs Cleveland $25,000
Delta Daily News
A missing letter from the Bolivar County Supervisors has cost Cleveland $25,000, and its Earth Day trash pickup event.
Recycling Coalition grants boost sustainability in local schools
Daily Journal
Each year, the Mississippi Recycling Coalition awards $500 or $1,000 grants to schools that preach and practice sustainability. In 2019, six of the nine schools receiving funding are from Northeast Mississippi as Lafayette Middle, New Albany Elementary, North Pontotoc Elementary and Tishomingo Middle as well as Armstrong Middle and Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary in Starkville were named recipients.
Tremors felt throughout Delta
DDT
Tremors felt throughout the Delta Tuesday afternoon were caused by a magnitude 3.7 earthquake recorded by the United States Geological Survey 5 miles from Hollandale at 4:26 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.
Signs point to a volcano buried beneath the Delta as the cause of the earthquake, according to information supplied by David Dockery, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, state geologist and author of “The Geology of Mississippi.”
The epicenter of the earthquake was located on the north flank of what subsurface geologists in Mississippi have named the Panther Burn Dome, a large Paleozoic horst block that has moved episodically since its postulated origin in the late Permian Period approximately 270 million years ago; the most prominent upward structural movement occurred during Late Cretaceous time approximately 66 million years ago.
The Panther Burn Dome is oval-shaped, oriented northwest/southeast along its axis, and is similar in size to that of the adjoining Lake Washington Dome in Washington County, as well as the Cary Dome located to the south in Sharkey County. It is one of six similar Paleozoic-aged structural uplifts that have been identified in the subsurface of west-central Mississippi and northeast Louisiana.
Tuesday’s quake was likely caused by very minor movement along one of the “normal” faults that formed when the Panther Burn Dome was first uplifted and a horst block was created atop the dome.
“The initial explanation for the earthquake changed from a grabin, or a down-dropped block, to a horst, or an up-thrown block, and from a syncline to a buried volcano,” Dockery said.
The region is home to at least five buried volcanoes: The Epps Dome in northwestern Louisiana; Cary, Midnight, and Panther Domes under the southern Mississippi River Delta; and Jackson Dome under Mississippi’s capitol city.
Dockery’s initial assessment of the earthquake was made using data from Louis Lyell, a hobbiest who owns a seismograph and supplies data he collects to Dockery.
“There are more refined instruments in the state not under my control and in which the data is collected but perhaps not processed in a timely manner,” Dockery said.
“Mr. Lyell is prompt to send me his seismogram so I use it.”
Information came to Dockery Wednesday via a former student, whom is petroleum exploration specialist. According to Dockery’s source, “The earthquake is located and, in my opinion, unquestionably associated with fault movement atop the Panther Burn Dome.”
Washington County Emergency Management and Sheriff’s Department responded immediately to Tuesday’s quake by quelling fears and assessing potential damages.
“The first thing I did was go outside to make sure nothing blew up and got on USGS website, and honestly for being a federal shutdown, they got it up with within five minutes,” said David Burford, Washington County director of Emergency Management.
“We sent some deputies out to work within a couple of square miles of the location – checked it out, just in case, for gas, fires and to calm folks down.”
Burford said that no damage has been seen or is expected from such a small earthquake, but that Washington County needs to have measures in place to combat potentially more dangerous quakes that could occur in the future.
“We’ve been pushing and talking about quakes, but no one seems to take it seriously,” Burford said.
“We take an all-hazard approach that covers pretty much everything other than serious things that would affect transportation.”
Washington County Sheriff Billy Barber dispatched more than a dozen deputies to assess damages and potential injures.
“We took a solemn oath to preserve peace, property and life,” Barber said.
“Our biggest task was to assure citizens that everything was okay and prevent panic.”
Barber said that he was grateful that no casualties or damages were reported, but urged citizens to remain vigilant and to be prepared for any sort of crisis.
“We know that we live in an area that has been identified as a potential earthquake zone; therefore, always have a disaster plan and keep supplies on hand in case of emergencies,” Barber said.
“Know that we are hard at work to ensure that we are prepared for any instance – any crisis.”
Schools near the site of the earthquake experienced tremors, as well.
“The whole building shook – for seconds. Although no damages to facilities have been discovered yet, we’re on the lookout for any issues that may arise in the aftermath of the earthquake,” said Lawrence Hudson, superintendent of Western Line School District.
“Earthquake drills are a part of our crisis management plan, although they aren’t practiced as much as more common drills like fire or tornado. Yesterday’s quake, however, served as a reminder that these drills are just as important to rehearse to ensure the safety of our staff and students.”
According to David Dockery, Mississippi state geologist, there have been comparable quakes in the Delta’s past.
On Dec. 16, 1931, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake shook the Batesville/Charleston area. Two earthquakes rocked Greenville in June 1967. A magnitude 3.8 quake on June 4 and a magnitude 3.4 on June 29. More recently in Sunflower County, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred Jan. 8, 1973, but was not reported to have been felt by residents leading Dockery to believe this one must have occurred much deeper in the Earth.
Flooding interrupts Mississippi hunting seasons
NewsMS
Heavy rainfall and rising river levels have caused extensive flooding along the Mississippi River.
Wildfire risks: Prevention plan getting another look in Lamar County
Hattiesburg American
As Lamar County continues to grow, its need for an evolving plan to save buildings, homes and subdivisions from wildfires continues to grow as well.
Former water association president accused of embezzling $100K
WDAM
A former president of the Mt. Gilead-Improve Water Association in Marion County has been arrested and charged with embezzling more than $100,000 from the water association.
State Government
Workforce summit joins state resources and businesses
NewsMS
Mississippi is looking to help businesses in the state. Dr. Laurie Smith, Executive Director of the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) said Governor Bryant will be hosting a Workforce Summit on January 23, 2019, where more than 600 Mississippi businesses will participate and find out how the state can best help them grow.
Regional
Weather tracking radar used to tally birds migrating across Gulf of Mexico
Times-Picayune
More than 2 billion birds migrate across the Gulf of Mexico each spring on their way to blooming food sources and breeding grounds, according to a study published Tuesday (Jan. 8). Most of these birds leave in the night, arriving on the Gulf Coast the following afternoon -- a journey that takes up to 30 hours.
Memphis collects more than 50,000 tires during 2-day redemption effort
WMC
In just two days the city collected 50,535 tires. The program’s goal is to clean up Shelby County.
National
Shutdown suspends federal cleanups at contaminated Superfund sites
AP
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The government shutdown has suspended federal cleanups at Superfund sites around the nation and forced the cancellation of public hearings, deepening the mistrust and resentment of surrounding residents who feel people in power long ago abandoned them to live among the toxic residue of the country's factories and mines.
Fiat Chrysler Warns of $800 Million in Costs Related to Emissions Settlement
Federal regulators allege auto maker used illegal software to dupe emissions tests in more than 100,000 diesel-engine pickup trucks and SUVs
WSJ
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCAU 1.52% NV has agreed to pay nearly $800 million in fines and mitigation costs, and recall thousands of vehicles, to settle charges that it used illegal software to dupe emissions tests in more than 100,000 diesel-engine pickup trucks and SUVs. in July, days ahead of the death of his predecessor, former CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Minnesota Town’s Shrimp-Farming Dreams Are Put on Ice
With incentives, South Dakota and Minnesota compete for tiny trū Shrimp and its promise of indoor shrimp farm
WSJ
A Minnesota town’s dream of becoming the shrimp capital of the Midwest is proving more challenging than expected—and not just because of the weather.
Federal judge strikes down Iowa's 'ag-gag' law that blocked undercover investigations
The Hill
A federal judge in Iowa on Wednesday struck down the state’s so-called “ag-gag” law, which barred journalists and advocacy groups from conducting undercover investigations of factory farms, slaughterhouses and other facilities.
Trump Administration Nears Release of New Overtime Proposal
Labor Department is expected to broaden reach of overtime but by less than Obama administration attempted
WSJ
WASHINGTON—The Labor Department sent its proposed overtime rule to the White House for review, which could allow the regulation determining how many Americans are entitled to extra pay when working more than 40 hours to be finished by late this year.
