By Marilyn Miller

A truck “dying” on a small road leading onto Hwy. 80 in Dixie Inn has caused a whirlwind of questions, and concerns; most of those queries coming from parents who have children who catch a bus where the truck “died.”

Dixie Inn Alderman Nell Finlay brought up the issue at the monthly meeting of the Board of Alderman on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

“The landowner is responsible for towing a vehicle on their property…it won’t cost them a thing,” Chief of Police Jeff McNeill responded. Other than that, “there’s really nothing anybody can do about it.”

Finlay contended that the truck is blocking the view of children catching a school bus headed toward Minden. “It’s just dangerous,” she said. The issue is determining who owns the property and contacting them. But who is responsible for doing that?

No one seemed to have an answer Tuesday night, but Finlay, who is still receiving complaints from citizens, is determined to find one.

Bringing up another “touchy” subject, Alderman Lance Milligan asked Chief McNeill if he had noticed “activity under the former Super D’s liquor store drive-thru?”

Chief McNeill answered “Yes,” the activity was that of a homeless man camping out with a tent and a grocery cart, trying to make his way to Texas. “We’ve already taken care of it,” the chief responded. “I allowed him to stay there Friday night because it was raining. I wasn’t going to turn anybody out in the rain.”

“I’m not being ‘Nazi’ about it,” Milligan replied, “I know the homeless problem is bad.” Someone pointed out that a Minden church recently had to ask people to leave the grounds, and another was camped out at the Dixie Inn wastewater plant (outside the fence). “But this man was right there at the intersection (of Hwy. 80 and Hwy. 371);

In other business, the board:

• Heard the monthly and yearly Police Report. During the month of December, the DIPD made 512 traffic stops, issued 1,219 citations, made five arrests, made five Lemis reports, made 15 non-Lemis calls, made 60 building checks, 14 back-ups, 34 public assists, 43 calls for service, and no accidents.
• For the year of 2025, the Dixie Inn police made 1,685 traffic stops, issued 1,219 citations, made 15 arrests, made 74 Lemis reports, 261 non-Lemis calls, 1,089 building checks, 155 back-ups, 436 public assists, and 43 calls for service;
• Unanimously approved the purchase of a virtually new truck, and two truck bed-covers. “The police department is supporting itself,” alderman Milligan said, “I think we should do what we can to help them keep the public safe.”
• Learned from Mayor Donna Hoffoss that Ricky Smith was the winner of the Christmas ham.