SPD warns of phone scam

BRANDON, Miss. (AP) — Two candidates will contend in a March 13 runoff election for a vacant seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives after leading a four-candidate field.

Fred Shanks won 43 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election for House District 60 in parts of Rankin County, while Bob Morrow won 39 percent.

They progress to the runoff. Candidates run without party labels in special elections, but Morrow and Shanks both are Republicans. Morrow is a Rankin County supervisor, while Shanks is a former Brandon alderman.

Morris Mock came in third, while Jim Giles finished fourth. Just under 2,000 people voted.

The winner will fill the final two years of a term started by Republican John Moore of Brandon. He resigned from the House in December after being accused of sexual harassment. SDN Staff Report

The Starkville Police Department is warning citizens to be vigilant after the department has received complaints of scam phone calls.

SPD said in a press release that those calling will make requests for money for police in Mississippi or for a police foundation.

The last phone number reportedly used was (662)-661-3585.

“The Starkville Police Department nor its affiliates will request money over the phone,” the SPD release said. “We ask that you never provide any personal information over the phone, to any organization, if you're unable to verify their legitimacy.”

Anyone with any information into this or any other incident is asked to contact the Starkville Police Department at 662-323-4134 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151.