Plan OK’d to improve library’s parking

B.J. Chain branch shares cramped lot

The head librarian of Olive Branch’s library praised officials for planned changes to improve the parking and traffic flow of the cramped lot.

“We’re very thankful for that,” said Suzanne Argo. “We’re thankful for anything they can do for us.”

Patrons of the B.J. Chain Public Library branch who plan to attend special programs at the library too often are late because they have been driving around to find parking, Argo said. She often hears complaints.

Mayor Scott Phillips also characterized parking at the library as “always … a problem.” He broke a tie vote last week to get a redo of the lot started.

The Board of Aldermen, with one member absent, was split in half about whether to pursue the project at this time.

Steve Bigelow, city engineer, told the governmental body that the state Department of Transportation was willing to put in new curb cuts for ac-

NEWS AND NOTES

Pond talk: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) Fisheries Bureau and Delta State University are hosting a pond management workshop in Bolivar County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at DSU’s Caylor Hall, Room 105 at Oak Street and Fifth Avenue in Cleveland. An hourlong presentation will include topics on pond design, fish stocking, harvest, vegetation control, liming and fertilization. A questionand-answer period will follow. Those interested in attending are asked to preregister at 662-759- 6444. For more information, visit mdwfp.com or call 601-432-2212. In search of crappie: MDWFP fisheries biologists are tagging crappie on Lake Washington to estimate what proportion of the population is caught and harvested by anglers. Biologists recently tagged 400 crappies, 10 inches or longer, with pink tags that look like small pieces of spaghetti. The tags were attached to the fish’s back at the base of the dorsal fin. A telephone number and a unique identification number are printed on each tag. Anglers who catch a tagged crappie are asked to call 662-759- 6444 and leave a voice-mail with their name, phone number and the tag identification number. After reporting their tag, anglers should drop the tag off at one of three bait shops located on Lake Washington: Roy’s Store, Bait-n-Thang’s or The Gator Den. Anglers who turn in a tag will receive a fishing towel for participating in the study. At the end of the study three tags will be randomly drawn and special prize packages awarded to the anglers with the winning tag numbers. All in the family: Three generations of Mitchells took first place and near-record big fish at the recent Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail event on Pickwick/ Wilson Lakes at Sheffield, Ala. In the event, more than 65 of the top anglers from 11 states were competing for cash, prizes and the opportunity to qualify for the 2014 Cabela’s King Kat East and West Championship on Sept. 19-20 on the Mississippi and Rock rivers at Quad Cities, Iowa. The team of Michael Mitchell of Albertville, Ala., and Sammy and Jackson Mitchell of Russellville, Ala., placed first with a weight of 196.74 pounds and earned $3,000. The Mitchell team also captured big fish of the event with an 86.98 pound catfish and earned an additional $700. Joey and Jerry Pounders of Caledonia, Miss., took fourth place with a weight of 113.58 and won $300. Headed to Mississippi: The 2014 Walmart BFL season continues with a Mississippi Division tournament on Ross Barnett Reservoir Saturday based out of Tommy’s Trading Post (4238 U.S. 43 North in Brandon). The anglers will likely catch a mix of prespawn, spawning and postspawn bass. Go fish: The annual Agricenter International Spring Junior Fishing Rodeo will be May 17 at Catch ‘em Lake off Walnut Grove in East Memphis. Rodeo hours will be 7 a.m.-noon. It will be divided into two age groups — 10 and younger and 11-15. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. for the 10-andyounger division with fishing from 7:30-9 and an awards program at 9:30. In the 11-15 division, registration opens at 9:30 with fishing from 10-11:30 and awards at noon. Participants must provide their own tackle. Bait will be available for sale the day of the rodeo or bring your own (no live minnows). Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish and the largest number of fish caught. Registration forms and the $8 contribution to the Agricenter educational fund are appreciated at the registration time for the appropriate age group. The rodeo will be held rain or shine, but may be delayed because of lightning. For information, call 901-757-7777. Snapper season set: For Mississippi anglers headed to Florida to fish for red snapper this season the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently set the Gulf recreational red snapper season in state waters. The season will be a total of 52 days in 2014 and will start May 24 and remain open through July 14, closing July 15. The federal season is June 1-11. Talking firearms: Bass Pro Shops stores across the country, including the Memphis store, will host Set Your Sights events Friday through next Sunday, that feature free firearms seminars covering optics and other accessories, conceal carry laws and equipment, target shooting, and gun care and safety. The event also offers free giveaways and chances to win a Savage rimfire. 22 LR rifle or a Caldwell AR-15 magazine loader. The seminars are free. For more information, go to basspro.com/setyoursights. Deer workshops: June 13-14 (Heartland Church, 385 Stateline Road in Southaven) and July 18-19 (Central R & E Center, 1320 Seven Springs Road in Raymond); featuring Bronson Strickland, associate extension professor at Mississippi State’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; workshops expanded for 2014 to include two days; registration begins at 8 a.m. with program from 8:30-5 p.m.; $95 per daily workshop or $180 for both; msudeer. com/calendar.asp or call 661325-3133. Boating education: May 3, at Corps of Engineers Field Office at Arkabutla Lake (5500 Arkabutla Dam Road); 8 a.m.3 p.m.; 662-840-5172. Youth bass fishing: May 17, 22:6 Junior Bass Anglers at Pickwick Lake based out of McFarland Park in Florence, Ala.; $140 annual fee covers one youth and one adult for year; club jersey for youth and FLW membership; 901-3550830. Game fairs: May 16-18, Robert Milner’s Duckhill Game Fair at DuckHill Kennels (duckhillkennels.com) near Somerville, Tenn. Special fishing tournaments: May 24, first Bass & Badge Fishing Tournament based out of Bay Springs Marina, 48 County Road 3495 near New Site; honors fallen Union County Deputy Clint Frazier (end of watch Dec. 18, 2013), Tupelo Police Sgt. Gale Stauffer (end of watch Dec. 23, 2013) and injured Tupelo Police Officer Joe Maher; all proceeds go to families of the officers; entry fee $80 per boat with optional $20 big fish pot and 50 percent payback; call John Tutor at 662-231-4816. Alabama Bass Trail: Northern Division, May 31, Wheeler Lake, hosted by Decatur-Morgan County CVB; June 21, Logan Martin Lake; Kay Donaldson at 855-9347425 or alabamabasstrail.org. cess to the lot while work was being done to widen Miss. 305 at no additional cost. That would save some money. Meanwhile, the county is reportedly willing to pay half of the $200,000 cost.

The county Board of Supervisors is set to decide formally on splitting the cost at its Monday meeting.

The library shares the lot with the state driver’s license renewal station and offices of the DeSoto County Health Department.

There is a curb cut in front of the health department. The licensing station and library are served by two curb cuts. MDOT would do away with those two driveways and put in two new ones feet away that are expected to be in safer spots.

The initial plan, which still may undergo changes, calls for a drive to be extended to Miss. 305 to help with the flow of traffic. While the drive would take away some spaces, a reworking of the lot would restore spaces, Bigelow said.

At least 80 parking spaces are available inside the shared lot, and the working plan bumps up the number to 106, but Argo said the library still needs more spaces.

The library is secondbusiest in the state. More than 3,000 people a week come use its services. Special programs draw in people at one time, bringing spaces to a premium. Patrons sometimes park at a nearby bank.

Alderman Harold Henderson saw the value in reworking the library lot, but he didn’t want the money spent on it right now due to other needs. He cited roads that were not being repaved because of lack of money.

He also was concerned that the working plan would not work. He said the drive extension would go right through an area pedestrians now use.

Henderson, Gil Earhart and Pat Hamilton voted against proceeding with the project right now. Aldermen Mark Aldridge, Dale Dickerson and David Wallace voted for it. The mayor broke the tie with