MONROE COUNTY

Sheriff's department

gets mobile center

n AMORY - The Monroe County Sheriff's Department's new mobile command center made its debut during the 2009 Amory Railroad Festival.

"This vehicle is a fully operational command center," Sheriff Andy Hood said. "This is a camper that was purchased by FEMA for use after Hurricane Katrina. We bought it at a government surplus auction for $2,300."

Hood said the vehicle was bought by a grant at no cost to taxpayers.

"We plan to use this for disasters, crime scenes, festivals and events," Hood said. "We plan to have the ability to patch to multiple-agency radio frequencies and be able to carry it and provide help throughout the region."

Mike Tonos 4/24/09

Stephanie Rebman 4/24/09

CHICKASAW COUNTY

Officials identify

Trace accident victim

n HOUSTON - The woman killed Wednesday in a bicycle accident on the Natchez Trace was identified as 51-year-old Esther Hagemen of the Netherlands.

Hagemen was struck by an SUV while riding her bike on the Trace In Chickasaw County. Chief Park Ranger Allen Etheridge said the family of the victim told him that she was traveling around the United States with friends.

When she was killed, Hagemen was cycling alone through Tupelo on her way to Jackson to visit friends.

Etheridge said he's not sure how long she'd been in the states or in the area.

WARREN COUNTY

Fifth-grader killed when

ATV flips atop her

n VICKSBURG - A 10-year-old Warren County girl was killed when the four-wheeler she was riding flipped and crushed her on Wednesday.

The coroner says Morgan C. Caruthers died from injuries to her chest and abdomen.

Morgan's father, Thomas A. "Tac" Caruthers, says his daughter loved the outdoors. Caruthers says Morgan was an experienced driver and was wearing a helmet.

- Monroe Journal

Daily Journal, wire report