The Natchez planning and zoning director has announced his resignation after one year in the position to take a job with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Mango Tingle will conclude his duties this month as city officials begin the search for his replacement. He joined the City of Natchez in May of last year as the chief administrator of zoning and architectural regulations. Tingle is leaving to become deputy director of the Historic Preservation Division at MDAH, a state agency where he previously worked for 21 years. Mayor Dan Gibson described the move as a promotion. Tingle’s wife, Lauren Miller, recently accepted a position as curator at the State Capitol for the Mississippi Legislature.
Louisiana legislative leaders say they plan to approve a new congressional district map during the final month of the legislative session following this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision. According to LawPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alfred, lawmakers are expected to introduce proposed maps next week. The current district map results in four Republicans and two Democrats in Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. Alfred says new maps are likely to give Republicans an additional seat. Legislative and administrative officials are considering holding the election in the fall.
In Marshall County, the Sheriff’s Office reports that a deputy survived a serious incident during this week’s severe storms, which blew his patrol car off Interstate 22 and into the median, causing it to roll several times. The deputy was able to call 911 shortly after the crash. The Sheriff’s Office described his survival without injury as a miracle given the conditions. He has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
In Louisiana, owners of vehicle inspection stations are expressing opposition to legislation that would eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker requirement. Davey Quinn of Hammond says House Bill 1095 would negatively affect station owners and reduce a safeguard against unsafe vehicles and uninsured motorists. Despite the objections, the Senate Transportation Committee approved the measure. The bill would replace the current inspection sticker with a $6-per-year QR code sticker. The House-passed bill now moves to the full Senate.
The Mississippi River at Natchez-Vidalia is at 35.08 feet and rising.
