The Cleveland Current
CPD looking to fill up to 6 vacancies this week
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City, schools still covered
This week the Cleveland Police Department will finish its hiring process as officials look to fill six vacancies following the swearing-in of newly-elected Bolivar County Sheriff Kelvin Williams. A School Resource Officer for the Cleveland Police Department, Williams hired fellow SRO Michael Lamb and four patrol officers to be deputies.
According to CPD Chief Charles “Buster” Bingham, the officers did not leave the department in as much of a bind as one would think.
“We’re still operating like we always have,” he explained. “I’ve been asked that question a thousand times. We had two SROs and four patrolmen that came off two or three different shifts. We were able to absorb that with no problem.”
Bingham said a police captain has been able to provide coverage within the schools.
“We have coverage in the schools,” he said. “We have coverage in the streets.”
Scott Smith ready to lead hospital
Written by Michael Simmons, The Cleveland Current Editor |
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New Bolivar Medical Center CEO brings experience Scott Smith has spent the last month adjusting to his new position as CEO of Bolivar Medical Center, a LifePoint hospital, and he has high hopes for the new year. With over 20 years experience in the healthcare industry, Smith has one major goal. “Everywhere I’ve been I put a lot of emphasis on patient satisfaction, along with physician satisfaction and employee satisfaction,” he said. “If your employees are happy and your physicians are happy, obviously your patient satisfaction is going to be off the chart. I want every patient in this region that comes to Bolivar Medical Center to have a 100 percent positive experience while they’re here.” He added, “Are we there yet; probably not. Do we want to get there? Yes. And will we get there; we will.” Smith came to Cleveland from Central Mississippi Medical Center, a 429-bed facility in Jackson. But his career began in Vicksburg, where he worked 15 years at both hospitals, before helping with a merger of the two in 1997. He stayed through 2000-2001 when the new hospital was built. After that he went to work for LifePoint sister facility Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City, La.
Drug Court Graduation
Written by Michael Simmons, The Cleveland Current Editor |
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10 participants take big life step The 11th Circuit Drug Court held a graduation ceremony for 10 participants on Thursday at the Bolivar County Courthouse in Cleveland. The pews were filled with family, friends, and fellow drug court participants in Bolivar and Coahoma Counties. The event was the seventh advancement ceremony since the Drug Court was organized in 2003. The 10 graduates are among the 57 people that have graduated since the first advancement ceremony in April 2006. “This program provides an early intervention for treatment and recovery and serves as an alternative to sentencing for participants,” Drug Court Coordinator Tracy Swafford said. “Through this program the participants have been given the skills necessary to have a solid foundation in order to build a productive and meaningful life.” Swafford added that now the graduates can live “a new life absent, of course, of alcohol and drugs.” Drug Court was organized by now Senior Circuit Court Judge Al Smith. Participants must plead guilty to their crime and it is up to a circuit court judge to accept them into the program. There, the participants are under a tiny microscope and they must pay for all costs. Swafford said that over $100,000 has been paid to respected circuit clerks, costing the taxpayers nothing.
Seniors can earn $400
Written by Michael Simmons, The Cleveland Current Editor |
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Chamber offering annual scholarships For over 20 years, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce has sent local high school graduates to college with a little extra cash in the bank through its Chamber Scholarship program. Applications are now available in guidance counselor offices throughout Bolivar County high schools and parents are encouraged to have their children apply. Lucy Janoush, who sits on the Chamber’s Education Committee, said seniors who meet requirements have an opportunity to receive a $400 scholarship for college. She noted the scholarship was at one point $200, but it doubled some years ago. The scholarships are funded by Chamber members and individuals wanting to help send a kid to college. “The members that have been supporting the scholarships have been generous throughout the years,” Janoush said. “The numbers have always been substantial.” When asked why people should donate scholarships, she said, “The Chamber is focusing on the development and education of future leaders for our community.”
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