Jackson Free Press

AT&T has agreed to end its bid to acquire T-Mobile after complaints that the merger would take AT&T from one of the largest wireless providers in the nation to a powerhouse that controlled 40 percent of the national market.

In August, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against AT&T to block the merger. Sprint Nextel Corp. and Ridgeland-based C-Spire also filed a lawsuit against AT&T.

AT&T Mississippi President Mayo Flynt said in November that the company needed T-Mobile's spectrum to provide faster service to customers and remain competitive.

Newk's Heads North

Jackson-based Newk's Express Cafe opened a location in Grand Rapids, Mich., yesterday--the chain's first foray out of the South.

Joe Curry, manager of the Michigan Newk's, said despite being in a different region of the country, the menu items at his restaurant are the same as at any other Newk's.

Newk's now has restaurants open in 11 states, including 15 locations in Mississippi.

Belhaven University a 'College of Distinction'

Colleges of Distinction has featured Belhaven University on its website as one of the "best places to learn, to grow and to succeed."

The website evaluates and profiles schools around the country on the success of their graduates, the quality of teaching, student engagement and community atmosphere. It also provides information about admissions and financial aid.

Belhaven is one of four colleges listed as a College of Distinction. In Jackson, the site has also recognized Millsaps College.

The site is geared toward high school students, parents and guidance counselors looking for colleges.

Local Flavors

My Cup Runneth Over (111 E. Capitol Street, Suite 125) moved downtown about three months ago from Ridgeland. Shonda Harris, who owns the bakery and restaurant, said she wanted to be part of the "up-and-coming" downtown area.

"(It) really sparked our interest; kind of made us want to look down this way as far as expanding the business," she said.

The move coincided with a shift from being primarily a coffee shop located in the mall to serving up more gourmet soups and sandwiches, such as the State Street sandwich, made with ham, cheddar, bacon, tomato, lettuce and thousand-island dressing. My Cup Runneth Over also caters events and offers a self-serve salad bar, a full-scale breakfast menu, baked goods and daily lunch specials.

My Cup Runneth Over is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To see a menu or for more information about the restaurant, visit mycuprunnethoverbakery.com.

Evans Brothers Get Prison Time for Fraud

A U.S. district judge yesterday sentenced Charles H. Evans and his brother, Jon Christopher Evans, for money laundering conspiracy and federal bank fraud, a statement from the FBI said.

Charles Evans was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Jon Evans was sentenced to 14 years in what the U.S. attorney's office and the FBI called "one of the largest commercial mortgage fraud Ponzi schemes ever witnessed in the state." The judge entered a forfeiture order against the defendants, and the brothers must also pay restitution.

The Evans brothers pled guilty to the charges almost a year ago. They manipulated the legal descriptions and title history of property they wanted to purchase, sometimes manufacturing false warranty deeds, the FBI statement said, allowing them to borrow more money from banks to purchase the property.

The total fraud involved more than $80 million dollars and almost 30 shell corporations, and it affected almost 50 financial institutions and local governments, the statement said.