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Ole Miss left fielder Kevin Graham says his Rebels are now playing "the baseball we should have been playing all year.”
OMAHA – While the Ole Miss run to the 2022 College World Series might seem like a fairytale, rest assured of one thing – the Rebels knew they had this in them all along.
Ole Miss was one of the final teams selected into the NCAA Tournament field, spending parts of the season off the bubble entirely after a 7-14 start in SEC play. But before the season started, the Rebels were a top-five team. And, at one point during the season, the Rebels were ranked No. 1.
A midseason slide might have changed perceptions outside the program, but within it, this was still the same team that had Omaha on its mind when the spring began.
After its win over 13-5 win over Arkansas on Monday night, Ole Miss is 2-0 in the 2022 College World Series and a win away from making it to the championship series for the first time in program history.
The Rebels will play the winner of Tuesday night’s Arkansas-Auburn game on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
“This doesn’t feel like some Cinderella story to us,” said senior leftfielder Kevin Graham, who has five hits and three RBIs so far in the College World Series. “We just shot ourselves in the foot early, but this feels like the baseball we should have been playing all year.”
Ole Miss is 7-0 in the postseason, the only undefeated team left in the field. Even when things were bleak in the middle of the season – the Rebels at one point lost four-straight weekend SEC series, including a home sweep to Alabama – Graham and teammates remained positive and never lost hope.
“(We’re) definitely not an underdog. We knew we were good going into the year. … We showed it in the start of the year, and then kind of fell off a little bit there,” senior Justin Bench said. “We just stuck together, and look at us now. We’re just competitors, and the belief that we have goes a long way.”
Part of the Rebels’ confidence comes from knowing the success they had in previous years with many of the same pieces; the team made three-straight super regionals and, prior to COVID-19 shutting down the 2020 season, Ole Miss won its last 16 games and was among the best teams in college baseball. That helped provide an assuredness that the Rebels could right the ship.
“We’ve won a lot of baseball games. This group has had a great three, four-year, five-year stretch. And it’s the same group of guys that we had last year,” Graham said. “We just knew that that wasn’t going to be the way we ended this thing. And nobody internally ever doubted that.”
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Peeler, Martha Ann
Martha Ann Peeler, 87, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022, at her home in Blue Mountain, MS with her daughter and son-in-law at her side. She was born March 26, 1935 to the late Thomas Granville and Carra Belle Carter Grisham. Visitation will be at the New Hope United Methodist Church, Blue Mountain, MS (right off CR 702), Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until the Service starts at 11:00 a.m. with the burial to follow at the New Hope Community Cemetery. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, mamaw, sister-in-law, and aunt to her family as well as a devoted friend to many. She enjoyed working in her flower bed as well as her vegetable garden. She was well known for her cake baking skills, which she gladly shared creations with family and friends. She enjoyed spending her spare time reading the newspaper, watching TV college and high school sports, especially Mississippi State football and basketball, as well as listening to local basketball games on the radio. She was a former basketball player at Palmer and had been asked to play for the then famous women's basketball team, the "Redheads". She was a long time member of the West Ripley Church of Christ. She worked 27 years at Foot Caress Shoe Company until it closed. She is survived by one daughter, Jamie Johnson (Randy) of Blue Mountain, MS; one brother, Donald Grisham (Sarah) of Germantown, TN; two grandsons, Scott Johnson (Neva) of Jacksonville, FLA; Brad Johnson (Angie); and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Carl Winston Peeler. She was also preceded in death by 5 brothers, Joffre, Newton, Hudson, Douglas, and James Wayne Grisham; along with 2 sisters, Mary Frank Newby and Ruth Kent. Dr. Patrick Chapman will be officiating. Pallbearers will be: Mike Childers, Gary Dunnam, Ronnie Dunnam, Bobby Grisham, Ronnie Grisham, and David Peeler. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Martha Ann Peeler to the New Hope Community Cemetery Maintenance Fund. Donations can be mailed to Gary Dunnam @ 450 CR 702 Blue Mountain, MS. 38610 or dropped off at The Barkley Cleaners-- Gary Dunnam. Arrangements by: McBride Funeral Home, Inc., Ripley, MS www.mcbridefuneralhome.com
Martha Ann Peeler
Gary Dunnam
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Wooten, Pamela Wall
Pam Wooten went on to be with the Lord Saturday, June 18, 2022. She was sixty-eight years old. Pam was deeply respected in her community, admired by her former students, and incredibly loved by her family and friends. Pam Wooten was born February 15, 1954, in Walnut, Mississippi, to the late John and Agatha Wall. She was full of life, adventurous, and a had a heart of gold. Pam helped her mom in the café, spent time with her friends, and enjoyed her childhood home. She was a graduate of Walnut High School, where she was involved in many activities, and a cheerleader. Pam attended Northeast Mississippi Community College, participated in the Chorus, and majored in Education. She continued her journey at Mississippi State University, where she obtained both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Education. Pam first met her future husband, while student teaching for him, at Walnut High School. Pam was ahead of her time and on the cutting edge of innovative technology. She started the very first Gifted Education Program in the North Tippah School District. She gave her students endless opportunities to showcase their talents and made every student feel important. Pam hosted special banquets, creative music programs, and amazing movies of the school. She taught in every school in the North Tippah School District, received the Star Teacher Award three times, and the North Tippah School District Outstanding Educator Award. Pam was also presented with the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children Outstanding Advocacy Award twice, and the "All Bleed Red" Conference Community Leader Award. Pam was married to the love of her life for forty-seven years, Junior Wooten, and they enjoyed every moment that God blessed them with. Pam had one child, Whitney, and she was involved in everything she did. They were the best of friends and truly connected at the heart. "A full reward be given you by the Lord." ~Ruth 2:12. Pam enjoyed so much in life and made everything exciting. After retirement, she taught voice lessons, enjoyed flower arranging, and spending time with her family, friends, and beloved pets. She loved writing beautiful poetry for others, being outside, collecting antique dolls, playing the piano, and listing to wonderful music. Pam also enjoyed art, photography, and calligraphy. She was a beacon of hope to those around her, encourager of talents, and a beautiful soul. Pam was a member of Pocahontas Baptist Church, the Mississippi Association for Gifted Children, and the Southern Antique Doll Club. Pam is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, Brother, Jim Wall, Sisters, Barbara Jo Wall and Emma Wall, and a host of aunts and uncles. Her legacy will continue to live on through her family, cherished friends, former students, and incredible memories. A celebration of life will be held at McBride Funeral Home in Ripley, Mississippi at 3:00 p.m, on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service. Graveside will be at Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Steve McKee, Bro. Jesse Cutrer, and Bro. Jeremy Burnette will be officiating. Pallbearers are Eddie Jo McMillian, Josh Wilburn, Chris Colucci, Quinton Ratliff, Steven Dowdy, and Marvin Mitchell. Honorary Pallbearers are Robert Hopkins, Adam Hill, Calvin Miller, Chris Horton, Larry Cossitt, Thomas Alberson, and Shannon Wilburn. The Wooten Family wishes to thank Dr. Will Dabbs at the Oxford Urgent Care, Rebecca Hunt, RN, Mindy Quinn, FNP, and the Oxford Baptist Hospital Nurses, Doctors, and Staff for their love, encouragement, guidance, and excellent care. "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used all You gave me!" ~Erma Bombeck~ Arrangements by: McBride Funeral Home, Ripley, MS www.mcbridefuneralhome.com
Pam Wooten
Will Dabbs
North Tippah
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Sara Diggins I Austin American-Statesman via AP
AUSTIN, Texas • Police had enough officers and firepower on the scene of the Uvalde school massacre to have stopped the gunman three minutes after he entered the building, and they would have found the door to the classroom where he was holed up unlocked if they had bothered to check it, the head of the Texas state police testified Tuesday, pronouncing the law enforcement response an "abject failure."
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Pictured (from left) are NEMS Crime Stoppers Coordinator and Tupelo Police Department Sergeant David Harville along with volunteers Bob Baughn, Eddie Richey, Bonnie Popetz, and Bill Allen.
NEMS Crime Stoppers Coordinator David Harville spoke to the group of law enforcement officers gathered at the Itawamba County Development Council board room. The organization hosted a breakfast in honor of police and sheriff's department officers from across the county.
Law enforcement officers from across Itawamba County were recently honored with a breakfast hosted by Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi.
“Crimestoppers is a valuable tool and asset to us,” Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson said. “We give them information on crimes, they pass it on directly to the media. In the end, we solve a lot of crimes and that’s the ultimate goal."
According to their website, the Crime Stoppers program is a proven source that incorporates the community and media throughout the state in helping law enforcement solve crimes. It provides anonymity to citizens who call the tip-line with information regarding crimes, and it saves law enforcement agencies hundreds of investigative man-hours in solving crimes.
Tupelo Police Department Sergeant David Harville serves as the NEMS Crime Stoppers coordinator. Harville told the officers gathered that tips had led to many arrests over the last several months.
“Crime Stoppers has helped us tremendously, whether it has been property crimes or crime against a victim personally,” Dickinson said. “It’s a great group where you can get paid for doing the right thing. And that’s a benefit on every level.”
Dickinson said that in this day in time it’s a blessing for law enforcement officers to get a kind word or for appreciation to be shown to them with a meal like the breakfast that was served.
“It’s like a cool rain in the desert,” he added. “We appreciate what they do, especially those in our county who volunteer with the organization.”
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The Monroe Journal will have early deadlines for the July 6 edition to accommodate for the Fourth of July.
The deadline for retail and classified ads and legals is June 30 at 1 p.m. The deadline for obituaries remains the same July 4 at 2 p.m.
The Monroe Journal’s office will be closed for the Fourth of July.
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Amory native Raffiel Jones, third from left, poses with teammates from Mississippi State University's Unified flag football team after winning silver at the Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.
Jones poses with his parents, Kevin and Libby while in Orlando for the USA Games.
Even though the competition earlier this month at the Special Olympics USA Games was tough for Amory native Raffiel Jones and the Mississippi State University Special Olympics Unified flag football team, they came away with silver medals and a strong sense of endurance.
“I think if I can just stay motivated and not just be one team player but basically work together with my teammates, whether it’s flag football this fall or kickball or whatever the case may be...I just want us to have some fun with it and see what else goes from there,” Jones said.
The USA Games were held June 5-12 in Orlando. MSU’s Unified flag football team earned a gold medal during the Mississippi Special Olympics in Biloxi in May, which led to the USA Games opportunity.
“Opening ceremony was very awesome. It was my first time ever to experience that. It was just like the actual Olympics’ opening ceremony. All 50 states, including the Caribbean and Haiti, came out to walk the red carpet,” Jones said. “With the National Anthem and lighting of the torch, it gave me chills.”
During competition, MSU played Washington, Wisconsin and Florida but lost each game. However, the team had the opportunity to play its in-state rival, Ole Miss.
“Some of their players got hurt and they had to forfeit. We just basically played for fun, and that’s how we automatically got silver,” Jones said.
He said Wisconsin and Ole Miss played against each other, and a two-touchdown spread to Ole Miss’ advantage would have given MSU an opportunity to compete for gold.
“That would have given Wisconsin an automatic bronze medal and left us and Ole Miss to compete for gold. After we lost to Wisconsin again in the post-season, we were hoping for Ole Miss to beat them but Ole Miss also lost to Wisconsin, so Wisconsin automatically won gold,” Jones said.
Even though MSU lost to the other teams, Jones thinks the experience will help to improve his team overall.
“We played those teams for the first time. Depending on if we get other invitations in 2026 to Minnesota, I think we’ll have enough knowledge to know, ‘This is what we need to improve on in order to take gold.’ We’ve just got to take it step by step,” he said.
Like the Olympics, the USA Games are held every four years, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul will be the next host site.
In the MSU vs. Ole Miss game, Jones played on both offense and defense, getting one sack by pulling a flag, one reception, one touchdown and one touchdown pass.
“I thank my faith in Jesus Christ because it was Him and Him alone that got me to the USA Games. I can’t thank Him enough for who I am right now,” he said.
Ahead of going to the USA Games, several people, including fellow church members in Starkville, voiced support for Jones and the team.
“I’ve always appreciated the compliments but I don’t like having popularity because I’m just me. If I gained something out of this, I just basically want to be me and let the rest handle itself,” he said.
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Heath Smith was approved by Hatley's administration last Tuesday afternoon as the new head baseball coach.
Smith spent four years as the head coach at Columbia Academy, winning a state championship in his third year with the program.
HATLEY – Hatley’s new baseball coach, Heath Smith, has his eyes set on a deep playoff run and continuing the Tigers’ competitive nature in a tough division.
“My expectation is for teams to not want to play us again or take us lightly after the first game,” Smith said. “We’ll meet right before school starts to set team goals, but for me personally, my goals are to make the playoffs and win each game. We’ve got the perfect model of what we’re trying to reach ten minutes down the road. Plus, all the other schools in the county aren’t shy about going to a state championship game. If you’re not shooting for it, then what are you playing for? We’re going to talk about all the other schools in the county and what they do good because that’s where we want to get to.”
Smith, a Pine Belt native, played baseball at Pearl River Community College before attending Southern Miss to pursue a business degree with a double major in education. While living in Baltimore, Maryland, Smith got an opportunity to help coach junior high baseball for his old school, Columbia Academy in Columbia, Mississippi.
“I went to the workforce before getting into coaching when a buddy of mine called and asked if I wanted to coach junior high baseball,” he said. “I was living in Baltimore at the time, but I decided to go back to Columbia Academy to coach and teach. I remember I was out there for about an hour, and I had chill bumps and realized that I had missed my calling over the last few years.”
After two years of being an assistant coach for junior high, Smith was named the head varsity baseball coach in 2014. In 2017, he led the Cougars to a 32-10 record and won the MAIS Class 3A state championship, while his team led the nation in home runs with 61.
In 2018, Smith resigned as the head baseball coach to pursue a coaching opportunity in football at a public school.
“I was an assistant football coach as well, and I really started to focus on getting into a public school and coaching football,” Smith said. “So, in 2018, I decided that it was best to get into the public school and at the end of the year, I resigned to coach football with a friend of mine at South Forrest junior high.”
After coaching football at South Forrest for a year, Smith was a defensive coordinator at Copiah Academy in 2020.
After COVID hit, Smith decided to go back to Forrest County to be the defensive coordinator at the high school. In the spring of 2022, Smith said that he decided to get back into coaching baseball, and he was instantly drawn in by Hatley’s administration.
“Probably about spring time of this year, I decided that I missed baseball, so I started to look around and applied for two places,” Smith said. “After interviewing here, it just felt right because I liked the administration and their ability to communicate. Mrs. (Kristy) Keeton, the administrators and everyone that I’ve met here have communicated phenomenally, and I know from past situations that I wanted to be somewhere where everyone communicates well.”
Another thing that has impressed Smith so far is the high level of pride in the Hatley community.
“On top of that, the pride in the community is strong, and you can tell the people love it here,” he said. “They don’t have to bash the neighboring schools here to have pride, and that’s very important to me because I’m here to be a Hatley Tiger, and we’re going to respect everyone until they disrespect us.”
Smith said that he sees the potential that this team has, and he was impressed with how welcoming they were to him.
“The core is there with the younger guys, and the older guys have a lot of pride in Hatley,” he said. “We’re going to have to change things to fit our new mold, and I think the juniors and seniors have enough pride to want to be all in. The eighth through tenth graders that I’ve gotten to evaluate are extremely talented, so that’s also going to be good for us. So far, the kids resemble the kids at other places that I’ve coached, and the biggest thing I’ve seen that’s a pleasure is they weren’t shy to introduce themselves to me individually. There are some kids that I haven’t gotten a chance to meet yet, but I believe the rapport will be there very quickly.”
The Tigers finished with a 9-14 record this past season, falling to Kossuth in the second round of the playoffs. Smith believes the best way to further the program’s success is with persistence and honesty.
“Persistence and honesty are the keys to creating a winning culture,” he said. “I’m going to have an open-door policy, but I’ll also have an honesty policy. If someone asks me what they need to work on, I’m going to tell them straightforward.”
Smith said that he plans to be upfront and honest with his team, and he is excited to watch them grow and be the best version of themselves.
“I’m not going to be hypocritical, and if I don’t like something, I’m going to tell you,” he said. “I plan to be upfront with them as much as possible, but if I feel like things are getting to a dragging point, I’ll do something to change the tempo. I’m most excited for the opportunity to see them grow as a team, while I grow as a coach. I told the parents that my goal is to push their kids to be the best versions of themselves, and for me to be the best version of myself. We can only do that if we hold each other accountable, and I expect the kids to hold me accountable for any promises that I make.”
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Regina Butler Pontotoc Progress
Early advertising and copy deadlines are set for the July 6 edition of the Pontotoc Progress. The Progress office will be closed on Monday, July 4, for the Fourth of July holiday.
Deadlines for the July 6 paper include:
-legal notices are due by 12 noon on Wednesday, June 29;
-classfied ads are due by 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 30;
-regular retail ads are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 30;
-community and church news is due by Thursday, June 30, 5 p.m..
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Pontotoc native William Waldrop is now the associate conductor of The Phantom of the Opera. Broadways longest running hit musical.
New York's Majestic Theater is where The Phantom hits the stage 8 times a week.
The lights dim, the hush is so quiet you can almost hear the silence, the conductor steps up to the podium and then applause ripples in the air. The little white baton goes up, the orchestra begins the first dramatic notes and a female voice sings “In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came,” and thus another performance of “The Phantom of the Opera” begins.
The thrill of conducting the orchestra in Broadway’s longest running hit musical, is now under the associate direction of Pontotoc County native William Waldrop. The Phantom opened January 26, 1988 and has seen an unprecedented 13,629 performances outranking Chicago, The Lion King and Cats.
Waldrop, the son of Drew and Wanda Waldrop graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1999 and made his debut conducting the Phantom on November 5, 2021. He was also part of helping the show reopen in October of last year after more than an 18 month shut down during the pandemic.
“I felt very lucky to have a job after the pandemic shut down,” William Waldrop said. “So many in our industry lost their jobs and positions for good. To be able to be a part of such an iconic Broadway show and help reopen it to NYC (and the country and world!) was truly one of the best experiences of my career.
“Phantom has been around for so long and it is deeply connected to Broadway and the city of New York. We all felt such a sense of pride as we helped to reopen the show. In doing so, we gave our city a new spirit of hope and helped it get back on its feet. It was a very special time!”
This was his full circle of fulfilling his dream because it was seeing the Phantom of the Opera at the Orpheum in Memphis when he was in junior high school that started Waldrop wanting be a part of musicals on Broadway. This dream became a reality after much hard work.
“I received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi and a Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore,” Waldrop said. “Both of my degrees were with an emphasis in Vocal Performance, because initially I thought I wanted to be an actor/singer. However I also continued my training in piano, conducting, accompanying, opera and musical theatre during both degrees. It was during grad school when I realized my true passion was conducting and music directing for musical theatre.”
And that is a passion he gets to practice often. He is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras throughout the United States, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Long Beach Symphony, the Boise Philharmonic, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.
An accomplished vocal coach, Waldrop accompanies and advises many star clients who are performing in current Broadway productions and national tours. Also an active educator, he leads regular master classes throughout New York City for such groups as The Growing Studio, Broadway Classroom, Broadway in Motion and Broadway Workshop.
And even though he has conducted Evita, the Revival of Cats, Cinderella, On The Town and Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway, his goal has always been to lead the orchestra for Phantom. In 2019 he helped launch the World Tour of Phantom in Manila. He was the Musical Supervisor for a new production of Phantom in Copenhagen, Denmark as well as in Oberhausen, Germany. These are his accomplishments after his small beginnings at a small theater outside of Baltimore where he conducted Meet Me in St. Louis.
Waldrop readily admits he did not land where he is on his own. “I was vey lucky to have some amazing mentors during my college years,” he said. “They prepared me so well and helped me to gain all the necessary skills I would need to be a successful musician and conductor. It was a lot of hard work for sure, but I was lucky enough to meet some major music supervisors and conductors very early on in my career because of being at the Peabody Conservatory. The University of Mississippi was also an extraordinary program for me that allowed me to pursue all of my musical interests and receive a solid musical education and foundation that prepared me for grad school.”
And now that he is the associate conductor of the largest orchestra on Broadway with 27 musicians he continues to be non-stop. In fact, he has several roles as the associate conductor which include playing keyboard in the orchestra, conducting the orchestra (depending on the schedule), playing piano for stage rehearsals during the day, teaching music to new cast members and coaching/reviewing with current cast members.
But it is all in a day’s work and fun for this young man who grew up in Pontotoc.
“I have two favorite parts of putting a musical together. First—the initial music rehearsals which is when we teach and coach all of the music. This is a wonderful time when I get to help everyone learn the score and find their voice within the character they are playing.
“I often work with the director and collaborate to help the actors find the best choices for their roles."
"Second favorite part—the Sitzprobe which is German for sitting rehearsal. This is when the orchestra and cast meet for the first time and play/sing through the entire score. It is always an amazing time when we start to integrate musicians and singers together—it’s magical!”
And in the midst of all the work there are challenges even with a hit show like this one. “I think the greatest challenge with a long-running show like Phantom is finding your groove and making each and every performance special eight times a week.”
But it never grows old. “My greatest joy is being on the podium when the lights go down and hearing the audience applaud immediately before the show even starts,” Waldrop said. “As a conductor, it’s an exhilarating feeling and inspires you to help shape and produce the very best music that you can possibly make from the orchestra and the stage. I look forward to that moment each and every time I conduct. “
And does this small town boy truly enjoy the big city he now calls home? “I LOVE living in New York City!” he exuded. “There is nowhere else in the world like it. There are so many diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, incredible experiences, and amazing restaurants. Every day I see something new, even if I’m walking down the same street. I love the speed of the city, I love the people—some of the nicest on the planet!—I really love everything about it.”
So if you ever take a trip to New York and decide to take in a musical, check out the Phantom of the Opera and tell them William Waldrop sent you.
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By Jonathan Wise Special to the Pontotoc Progress
The past 2-plus-years of the COVID-19 era has caused numerous and deep disruptions to American life, some of which continue to this day despite the fact that the lion’s share of the medical crisis seems to be behind us.
It is hard to say, considering the immense loss of life and so many people who are still dealing with the lingering effects of the disease, that anything “good” came from it. However, one positive is that it galvanized a large growth in outdoor recreation, especially in the hunting realm.
In 2020, with so much cancellation of entertainment and leisure options due to restrictions on crowds, hunting numbers (as measured by license sales) jumped to their highest levels since the 1980s.
Most states reported gains ranging from moderate to tremendous. This coincided with a general explosion of interest in outdoor activities in general, as bicycles and kayaks flew off the shelves, and people flocked to state/national parks and hiking trails. These trends were driven primarily by the fact that people had free time with many less options to fill it with.
However, the increase in hunters was somewhat surprising. The other activities have been seeing steady growth in recent years, whereas hunting has been in the midst of a decades-long decline. Fishing license sales exploded during the pandemic as well. Bravo. However, people who fish already represented a much bigger part of the population than hunters.
As someone who enjoys solitude and dislikes crowds, I have been a bit bitter at times about the increase in hiking and backpacking traffic even before COVID (I’m not a biker, kayaker, etc.). More people and families, apparently even greater in number now, are enjoying the public lands that the conservation movement helped set aside for purposes including recreation.
Regardless of the temptation to be a curmudgeon, that is a very good thing. So many young kids, as well as adults, spend entirely too much time glued to a screen; therefore, the more people who spend time immersed in the natural world the better.
I hope that COVID has drawn many people to hunting as they realized they needed to frequently take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Many more non-traditional hunters (culturally and socially) have also decided to take responsibility for securing and processing their own organic protein through the hunt. This was happening even before COVID, even as overall hunting numbers trended downward. It has only accelerated as people were spooked by the supply chain disruptions that resulted in sparse grocery shelves, particularly in the meat department.
Leaders in the hunting industry, as well state game agencies, have long been concerned about the decline in hunting numbers. It is important to reverse those trends in order to ensure the longevity of our sport.
More hunters are needed to influence how hunting is perceived by the general public, most of which does not hunt, to have influence on the making of game regulations, and to generate adequate revenue (through license and equipment sales) to fund conservation projects.
It is critical that the hunting community take steps to retain the new hunters or hunters who have returned after a period of inactivity. Hunting numbers for 2021 do, unsurprisingly, show a decrease from the previous year of peak COVID restrictions. However, the decrease was slight (1.9%), and license sales were notably higher than pre-pandemic levels. Seventeen states even reported increases from 2020. Perhaps the biggest problem hunting faces centers around access issues.
As more and more hunting moves to private land through leases, many blue collar hunters’ only option is public land that seems to only get more crowded, and many states around this part of the country have a lot less of it than is common in the West. This is cited as a common reason people disengage from hunting. With the recent growth, there are no easy answers here.
It is important that hunters support any and all efforts to open up public parcels on both the federal and state levels to hunting, as well as be open to the different types of people who are now interested in the sport. It will take work to ensure this growth spurt, which has given hope to a gloomy situation, does not become a blimp on the radar.
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This Gazette photo from 1994 indicates how long Hamilton has been involved in community improvement efforts.
Hamilton, who serves on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Board, was also selected as a commissioner to help choose a new design for the state flag.
Main Street Manager Billye Jean Stroud, left, and Betsey Hamilton with her award
Hamilton selected as Mississippi Main Street Hero
New Albany resident Betsey Hamilton was named a Mississippi Main Street Hero at the Mississippi Main Street awards program in Jackson this past Thursday.
The award was given for her years of service in developing and creating assets that are vital to the life of our historic downtown.
Hamilton was instrumental in organizing a group to develop the Union County Heritage Museum, the Tanglefoot Trail, numerous preservation projects and is currently a board member with the state's department of Archives and History. She was chosen by the Governor to be on the state's flag commission to create our new state flag.
“Betsey has given back to this community for more than 40-plus years and continues at the same pace today,” New Albany Main Street Manager Billye Jean Stroud said. “Her good works have benefited New Albany Main Street and she deserves this recognition. If we could have about 10 more just like her in this community, the possibilities would be endless on what could be created to amplify our quality of life. Congratulations.”
MMSA staff presented the 2022 awards to recipients from Designated Main Street Communities throughout the state.
Other local Main Street programs receiving awards included Pontotoc County Main Street Chamber, Ripley Main Street and Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association.
New Albany Main Street was also an awards sponsor for the annual presentation.
In 2021, Mississippi Main Street's Designated Communities generated 193 net new businesses, 49 business expansions to existing businesses, 603 net new jobs, 58 building rehabilitations, and 241 downtown residential units. In addition, 95 public improvement projects were completed as well as 14 new construction projects in downtown business districts. More than $186 million was invested by the public and private sectors in 2021, and more than 28,452 volunteer hours were recorded.
Every dollar spent in this organization results in $80 of private investment, the highest return on investment of any economic activity in the state. Since 1993, MMSA has generated more than $5.9 billion in private and public investment (including more than $1.6 billion in public investment).
MMSA currently has 48 Designated Main Street Communities, five Network Communities, and 13 Associate Communities.
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Jeremy Hall, of Union County Cycles, will work with students in the Life Skills-Putting Your Best Foot Forward classes on Monday, June 27 at the museum.
Learn how to change a tire, check the oil, fluids, and tire pressure, sew on a button, iron a shirt and manners are all part of the curriculum of the class for boys on June 27 at the Union County Heritage Museum.
Jeremy Hall with Union County Cycles will have a motorcycle and vehicle on site and will facilitate the event.
Two classes for boys will be held on Monday, June 27. The first class from 10 a.m. – noon is for 4th, 5th and 6th grades and the afternoon class, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., is for 7th grade through high school.
A meal is included so that table manners can be discussed as well as social skills. The cost of the class is $10 per person, paid upon registration. Call 662-538-0014 or 601-415-7283 or email steve@ucheritagemuseum.com.
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The New Albany Main Street Association, established in 1996, is one of 863 Main Street programs across the country have earned Accredited status, Main Street America’s top level of recognition. This elite designation signifies a strong commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the effective application of the Main Street Approach™.
Main Street officials also applaud the 383 programs that have been designated as Main Street America Affiliates this year. These programs have created meaningful improvements in their communities and are on the pathway to achieving even more significant economic, infrastructural, and organizational improvements in their downtowns.
In 2021, Main Street America programs generated $5.76 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 6,601 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 30,402 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,595 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,427,729 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $19.34 of new investment back into Main Street communities.
“We are thrilled to acknowledge this year’s Accredited and Affiliate programs and their dedication to advancing economic opportunity and quality of life in their downtowns,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of Main Street America. “During another incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to respond to the needs of their communities. I am inspired by their steadfast leadership and innovative solutions to drive essential local recovery efforts, support small businesses, and nurture vibrant downtown districts.”
Statewide, countywide, and citywide Coordinating Programs evaluate, select, and recommend qualifying communities to Main Street America on an annual basis. To quality for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards. Evaluation criteria identifies communities that are building meaningful and sustainable revitalization programs, and include standards such as, fostering strong public-private partnerships, supporting small and locally owned businesses, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets. Learn more about Main Street America designation here.
Explore the 2022 Accredited and Affiliate Main Street America communities across the Main Street Network >
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In the early morning hours Friday June 10, 2022, Freddie Louis Copeland Jr was involved in a single car accident resulting in a fatal crash near Harvest, Al. He resided in Madison, Al for the past several years.
Visitation will be Friday, June 17, 2022 at Agnew & Sons funeral chapel 101 Lafayette Street in Booneville, MS from 4:30pm-6:30pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, June 18 at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church, 819 Martin Luther King Jr Street in Booneville, MS at 1;00pm. Repast to be held in the Springhill Family Life Center. Burial will be at the Oakhill Cemetery Booneville, Ms. Family and friends may sign the guestbook at www.agnewandsons.com
James L. Simpson, 79, fell asleep in death at his home early Sunday morning, June 12, 2022. He was born December 31,1942.
James and Gale were married for 58 years. He was a loving father to two children, James Bradley and Catina Nicole.
James had many interests, cows, horses and gardening. But most of all, he loved his God, Jehovah. James dedicated himself in 1968 to serving Jehovah and telling others about Jehovah's promises of a time when there will be no more sickness, pain or sorrow. He also worked hard assisting with the construction of Kingdom Halls for others to have a place for worship.
James was preceded in death by his parents; W. T. and Jewel Simpson, two brothers, Walter Thomas and Hollis Doyle. He is survived by his wife Gale, son, Bradley (Mila) and daughter, Nicki and one brother, Robert Wayne.
The family greatly appreciates the love, prayers and comfort provided by our wonderful spiritual family. Many thanks to the Kindred Hospice team for their genuine concern, loving support and guidance. Memorial services will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 112 Old Airport Rd S, Pontotoc, MS 38863 on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 2:00 pm. Those attending in person are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while inside the facility. For videoconferencing information, please call 662-586-1801.
On Thursday morning, June 9, 2022, Perry E. Principi, 60, resident of Myrtle, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at his home.
A Memorial Service honoring the life of Perry will be at 4 PM Thursday, June 16 in The Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care with visitation from 2 PM to 4 PM.
Perry was born January 9, 1962 in Memphis, TN, to the late Jake Joseph Principi and Ernestine Rucker Principi. He was a graduate of the Memphis Catholic School System and was a Lieutenant Fire Fighter for the Horn Lake Fire Department for over 15 years.
A valued friend to many, Perry loved his family fiercely and glowed with pride when talked about them. He enjoyed staying busy, working on old cars and traveling. We are certain we heard the words, "well done, good and faithful servant."
Memories will be cherished by a daughter, Deya Kent (Jason) of New Albany, a son, Jeremy Cross of Denver, CO, a sister, Becky Speed (Mike) of Starkville, two grandchildren, Audrey Tucker (Blake) and Jacob Kent (Nathalie), a great grandson, Kent Tucker, a great grandson, Clayton on the way, nephew Chris Long (Melissa), great nephew, Jed-Rucker Long and two great nieces, Noel Steele and Marley Collier.
The staff of New Albany Funeral & Cremation Care invites you to share memories at nafuneralsandcremations.com.
Lynda Stewart Coleman passed away peacefully at Magnolia Assisted Living in New Albany on June 13, 2022. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama on August 14, 1928 to Van and Florine Stewart. Lynda was a warm, friendly and loving mother and grandmother. On January 1, 1947 Lynda married David Coleman and together they had six children. She became the grandmother of 15 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson. She enjoyed spending time with her family and taking pictures each time they were together.
Lynda was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she enjoyed her Sunday School Class
United Funeral Services is entrusted with the arrangements with Charlie Davis officiating. Burial will be at Wallerville Cemetery.
She is survived by her five children, Marla Nunnelee of New Albany, Kathy Wilburn (Eddie) of Fulton, Alan Coleman (Debra) of Amory, Glen Coleman (Sharon) of Blue Springs and Susan Gafford (Tim) of New Albany; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grand children and one great-great grandson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son Paul Coleman; a son in law Paul Nunnelee; a grandson Scott Coleman and a great-granddaughter, Callie Scott
Pallbearers will be her grandsons
Services will be Thursday June 16th at United Funeral Home visitation from 12:00pm - 2:00 pm with funeral following at 2pm
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Martha Jane Goolsby Parks, 92, resident of Little Rock, AR and former resident of Memphis, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Andover Place Assisted Living.
The staff of New Albany Funeral & Cremation Care invites you to share memories with the Parks family.Robert Andrew Taylor, 36, a wonderful son, brother, father, grandson, and friend departed this life on Sunday, June 12, 2022. He was born March 15, 1986 in Memphis, TN, to Richard Taylor and Melissa Webb Miller. He was dependable and a hardworking man who was employed at Delek as a Board Operator. Robert was one-of-a-kind with a heart of gold. He was the happiest when he was making someone laugh and smile. His daughter, Livi, was his entire world. To know Robert, was to love him.
Services for Robert will be Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 4:00pm at United Funeral Service with Br. David Grumbach officiating. A visitation will be from 2:00pm till the start of the service at 4:00pm also at United. Burial will be at Macedonia Cemetery.
Robert is survived by his parents, Richard Taylor and Melissa Miller, fiancé, Catherine Pennington, one daughter, Olivia "Livi" Taylor, one sister Baleigh Bray, two brothers, Brent Taylor and Jacob Taylor, maternal grandparents, David and Carol Webb and paternal grandparents Jim and Lora McNeese, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Roy Allen Weeks, Jr., 45, resident of New Albany, passed away Tuesday morning June 14, 2022 in the comfort of his home surrounded by family following a 2 month illness.
Funeral Services for Roy will be at 1 PM Friday, June 17 in The Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral & Cremation Care with visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Roy was born November 11, 1976 in Isola, MS, the son of Judy Roberson Little (James) of New Albany and the late Roy Allen Weeks, Sr. He received his education from the J.Z. George Public High School in Carrollton, MS and continued his education in the Nursing Program at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
A member of Linn Baptist Church, Roy will be remembered as a loving son and father who raised his children to respect others. A quiet, giving outgoing person, Roy enjoyed cooking and helping others.
Memories will continue to be shared by his mother and step-father, James and Judy Little of New Albany, two sons, Robert Weeks (Aleeah) of St. Climente, CA and Cody Weeks of New Albany, two sisters, Melissa Brown (Richard) of New Albany and Sherry Martin (William) of Schlater, MS, a step-sister, Heather Little, step brother, Jesse Lemar, both of New Albany, his godson, Will Cauther and a special companion, Brad Baggett.
The staff of New Albany Funeral & Cremation Care invites you to share memories with Roy's family at nafuneralsandcremations.com
On Tuesday morning, June 14, 2022, Nickie Joe Hall Holliday Antrim, 78, resident of Dumas, passed away peacefully at Baptist Memorial Hospital- Union County following an extended illness.
Funeral Services for Ms. Antrim will be at 1 PM Saturday, June 18 in The Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral & Cremation Care with visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Ms. Antrim was born June 30, 1943 in Winchester, Indiana, the daughter of the late Earl Patrick and Dortha Keener Hall. She was a 1976 graduate of Monroe Central High School in Farmland, IN and was a valued employee of the Allied Signal Corporation for 25 years.
A Christian and 13 year breast cancer survivor, Ms. Antrim will be remember as a strong-willed lady with a bubbly personality. She enjoyed every opportunity to share quality time with her family and much adored grandchildren. Fishing, sewing, watching butterflies and birds were favorite pastimes. She will be greatly missed.
Memories will continue to be shared by a daughter, Peggy Sue Holliday of Dumas, a sister, Linda Kay Bond, three brothers, Mike Hall, William "Bill" Hall and James Lee Hall, six grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Robert Thomas Holliday and Randall Gene Holliday and a sister, Patty Hall Boyd.
The staff of New Albany Funeral & Cremation Care invites you to share memories with the family at nafuneralsandcremations.com
On June 16, 2022, Wanda Jean Harmon Grubbs was welcomed with open arms by her Lord and Savior. She was born March 2, 1934 to Lagrone and Carrie E. Harmon. She graduated from Center High School and then studied at Northeast MS Junior College where she majored in journalism and wrote and named the Beacon News Paper.
She then studied and obtained her bachelors degree in education and journalism at MS State College for Women in Columbus. After teaching school, she later worked at MS Chemical Corp. in New Albany as office manager and retired from there after 31 years of service. An avid gardener, she loved working in her yard, watching her birds and growing beautiful flowers. Crocheting was a favorite pastime as she would enjoy making projects and sharing her handiwork with others. She had a determining spirit and a wonderful sense of humor.
Her most beloved joys in life were times spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a member of New Albany Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Susan Lofton (Steven) and Holly Tidwell (Paul); a daughter-in-law, Debbie Hall; eight grandchildren, Ben Hall (Christy), Amber Pickens (Jeran), Whitney Harris (Jaco), Reid Hall, Carson Hall, Matthew Tidwell, Jacob Tidwell and Luke Tidwell; four great grandchildren, Piper Hall, Cari Etta Pickens, Colby Pickens, and Bowen Pickens
She was preceded in death by her parents and a beloved son, Robert "Bobby" Hall.
A special thanks to Encompass and Sanctuary Hospice groups, as well as her special caregivers, Michelle Graham, Sandy Johnson and Gwen Brown.
Funeral services will be at 3:00p.m. Sunday, June 19, 2022 with a visitation from 1:00p.m. until service time. Bro. William Everett, Bro. David Lamen and Bro. Stephen Ewing will officiate. United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
For online condolences and guest registry, please visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com
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There's still time to register for ICC July orientation
It is not too late to register for July orientation sessions that are scheduled for both the Fulton and Tupelo campuses of Itawamba Community College.
They include July 19 at 1 p.m. and July 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the Fulton Campus and July 21 at 5 p.m. at the Tupelo Campus.
Recent high school graduates are required to participate in one of the sessions; however, they can attend regardless of the location where they plan to enroll in classes. All students, including adult learners, are invited.
Among the advantages of attending an orientation session are scheduling classes early and choosing from a wide variety of options, including days, times and instructors. Participants will have an opportunity to connect with other new students as well as to learn more about student life at ICC. The sessions will also enable adult learners to meet with an adviser and to make the transition to college less intimidating.
Prior to registration, students must have submitted an application for admission.
To register, students should access http://www.iccms.edu/Orientation.
For more information, call (662) 862-8000 or email orientation@iccms.edu.
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The discovery that Mississippi's actual population is significantly higher than 2020 U.S. Census numbers indicate could affect future federal funding and possibly other factors, according to University of Mississippi population studies experts.
The other states undercounted by the 2020 Census are Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas; amounting to a total estimated undercount in the South of 1.85 percent. Mississippi experienced the third-highest undercount rate of 4.1 percent. Arkansas was undercounted by 5.04 percent, and Tennessee by 4.78 percent.
Census data released in late 2021 showed a dip in the state's population by roughly 6,000 people over the last decade. But with an official population count of 2.95 million, a statewide miscount of 4 percent would mean Mississippi's tally was off by about 118,000 people.
"The center is responsible for outreach related to the Census," Cafer said. "This new report doesn't change that. We will continue to monitor reports coming from the Census Bureau and help local governments navigate a new data landscape.
"We are also reaching out to complementary offices in the state to understand how we provide a robust suite of support, reaching out to our networks of (State Data Center) SDC folks to see how they are troubleshooting this.
"As always, we will work to be proactive to our constituents' needs. One of these efforts involves mapping out internal and external migration to understand population loss and gain on a micro level for better local decision-making."
"I would guess that there will be a revived conversation around redistricting," Hancock said. "For instance, it is expected that Texas and Florida may have missed out an additional congressional seat due to their miscount.
"While redistricting concerns may come up, all congressional redistricting was completed using the previously reported 2020 counts, and updates to those counts will not affect any apportionment or redistricting."
"That potential lost funding is repetitive for total loss of over $236 million to the state over the next 10 years."
Jim Steil
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Folks are gearing up for red, white and blue celebrations to celebrate July 4 beginning next weekend.
The Town of Thaxton will have their celebration starting at 6 p.m. in the park culminating with the fire works show at dark. There will be food, gospel music, activities, and "blow-up" for the kids. The fireworks will start at DARK, probably around 8:45, or somewhere in that time frame,. You will need to bring you lawn chairs and blankets. This event is sponsored by the Thaxton Baptist Church, and Fireworks are sponsored by The Town of Thaxton and Thaxton Fire Department.
The Town of Ecru will have a fire works show at 10 p.m. Sponsored by Deals Gone Wild. Park on Main Street to enjoy the show, however don’t block the Fire/Police Department entrance.
Ecru will have their first ever fourth of July parade on Monday, July 4 beginning at 10 a.m. Line up will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Patty Turk Properties. Decorate your ATVS, golf carts, bicycles, wagons and etc. All drivers of motorized vehicles will need to be licensed.
Sherman’s events will begin at 12 noon with a food truck and water slide for kids. The car show will be from 12 noon until 7 p.m. with registration beginning at 10 a.m. A parade will get underway at 4 p.m. and a cake walk at 5 p.m and the Mink Brothers Band will go on stage and play from 7:30 until 9 with fireworks concluding the event. In addition to the, the Sherman Fire Department is offering you a chance at a Henry Big Boy 45 Long Colt. Chances are $5 each or 5 for $20. The drawing will be held at 7 p.m. after the car show. You can purchase tickets from any fire department member or at Sherman Town Hall. Winner will pick up gun at Hunter’s Haven in Tupelo. Background check and Form 4473 required for pickup.
City of Pontotoc
The City of Pontotoc will once more host a parade and a fireworks show on July 4. The Freedom Parade will step off on Main Street at 10 a.m. with the parade route going around the square and back to the Jr. High Parking Lot. Decorate and ride bicycles, golf carts, side-by-sides or walk in the parade. Due to safety, children and young teenagers cannot drive 4-wheelers, side-by-sides or other ATVs.
Pontotoc Park and Recreation Director Terry Farr said that the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Howard Stafford Park will begin promptly at 9 p.m. on Monday night, July 4. Live music will begin begin at 7 p.m. featuring Sheriff Leo Mask and the County Mounties band. Some food vendors will be on site beginning at 3 p.m.
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Following the MAC Hall of Fame induction ceremony Coach Shane Montgomery (center) and his wife Suzanne were congratulated by Shane’s sisters (l-r) Beverly Cummings and Clarenda Parrish and brother Bradley Montgomery. Shane’s other sibling was his late brother Sammy Montgomery.
In 2010 Shane Montgomery (left at back) coached the Lady Vikings fast pitch team to a state championship.
Hurricane Community native and 1979 North Pontotoc High School graduate Shane Montgomery was one of five former high school coaches inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Flowood, MS, last Friday (June 17) night.
An outstanding championship coach in the sports of basketball and softball, Coach Montgomery had a remarkable 30-year coaching career at Tremont, North Pontotoc, and Ripley.
Overall, Coach Montgomery’s girls basketball teams compiled a record of 616 wins and 319 losses while his fast pitch teams won 256 games against 122 losses and his slow pitch squads finished with 278 wins and 203 losses.
In 2003 at Ripley, Montgomery’s Lady Tigers basketball team won the state championship and in 2010 at North Pontotoc his Lady Vikings fast pitch softball team won the state championship.
The day before the induction ceremony Montgomery praised the Lord for blessing his coaching career and the 1981 ICC graduate and 1983 Ole Miss graduate paid homage to his wife and many area coaches who helped him in his career.
“Well, number one it’s an honor to have two coaches from Hurricane, Mississippi, in the MAC Hall of Fame,” Montgomery said. “North Pontotoc Coach Zane Hale (2009 inductee) is in there and I always looked up to him and Viking Coach Robbie Bogue, who was my high school coach."
“When we were growing up there was coach Tom McKnight, Coach Zane Hale, Coach Robert Hooker , Coach Norris Ashley and Coach Jimmy Guy McDonald, all coaches I looked up to. They are all in the Hall of Fame. It’s something you dream about, but you really don't realize it until you’re selected to be in the Hall of Fame with folks like that."
“I knew the Lord wanted me to be a coach when I was young because that’s the only thing I ever thought about and sitting here trying to figure out what to say and you realize what the Lord has done for you,” said Montgomery, his voice cracking with emotion. "That’s what is going to be so hard tomorrow night (June 17) is talking about it all.”
“I certainly want to thank my wife Suzanne. She was with me for 29 of those 30 years. She is my right hand! I told her after I was elected, ‘we made it to the MAC Hall of Fame’!”
“And obviously the players were the biggest factor in my career. I had great kids playing for me. They worked hard for me!”
“And I had great parents (Troy and Polly Montgomery) and family,” Montgomery stressed. “My mother was a big influence in my life! She taught me how important it is to keep God in your life, to keep your family close, work hard and how to treat people."
Montgomery began his three-decade coaching career in 1983 at Tremont where he was head coach for girls and boys basketball. He led the Tremont girls’ basketball teams to 1 North half title, 5 state tournament appearances, and 2 state runner-up finishes.
He coached basketball and softball at his alma mater at North Pontotoc on two occasions from 1990 to 1997 and from 2005 to 2013.
He led the North Pontotoc girls’ basketball teams to 4 North Half appearances and one state tournament appearance while his fast pitch softball squads claimed two North Half titles, one state runner-up finish, and the 2010 state championship. He guided the North Pontotoc slow pitch softball teams to one North Half title and one state runner-up finish.
He coached basketball and softball at Ripley High from 1997 to 2005 where his basketball teams won two North Half crowns, one state runner-up finish, and the 2003 state championship. Montgomery’s Ripley fast pitch teams had five North Half appearances.
Montgomery reflected on the twists and turns of his coaching career and how God always guided him along his path.
“When I started out I applied at four or five different places,” Montgomery said. “Everyone wanted to know what kind of experience I’d had. The answer was ‘none’ because I was just getting started. Then Mr. James Reeves at Tremont came into the picture. Someone told me Tremont was looking for a coach."
“I went over to talk to Mr. Reeves and come to find out he’d been a principal at Thaxton and he knew Mr. Joel Coleman real well. Mr. Joel was my first little league baseball coach and he called him and got a good report. Mr. Coleman had a big impact on me going to Tremont. He didn’t have to, but Mr. James (Reeves) gave me the opportunity that nobody else would give me."
“My first year at Tremont was Mr. Reeves last year at Tremont. The Lord works in mysterious ways. I could not have been at a better spot than Tremont just getting started in coaching."
“Our first two years we were two students over 1A classification. So I'm starting out at Tremont. We’ve got coach Hale at North Pontotoc, South Pontotoc with Coach Hooker, Belmont with Coach (Malcolm) Kuykendall, all three Hall of Famers. I was learning to sink or swim real quick."
“After those first two years we went to 1A and we made four out of five trips to Jackson, finished runner up twice. Last year there we had all juniors and went 35-5."
“Principal Charles Davis at North Pontotoc came down to Jackson and asked me ‘do you think it’s time to come home to North Pontotoc.' That was a tough decision, but they promised my wife a job and it worked out with our son and the family situation.”
“Larry Goolsby saw me at a track meet and asked if I wanted to come to Ripley. I said naw. He kept calling. I ended up taking the Ripley job. We went to Jackson three years, won it once. Then Roger Smith wanted me to come back to North Pontotoc.
“I kept turning it down. Jordan was in about the eighth grade. He kept calling. But I knew where the Lord wanted me. And no lie, I told Suzzane, if Roger calls one more time I’m going tot take the job. I promise, 15 minutes later Roger called me again and I took the job."
“I was told you can’t win at North Pontotoc, you’ve already tried. But we went to state in slow pitch softball, got beat in the finals. Went to state in fast pitch softball, won it once, got beat once. The last year we went to state in basketball. So I had the honor of taking Tremont, Ripley and North Pontotoc to Jackson in girls basketball. It was a dream come true to win a state championship at North Pontotoc.
“The Lord put me where he wanted me.”
Montgomery was named division girls basketball Coach of the Year 10 times, the division slow pitch Coach of the Year 4 times, and the division fast pitch Coach of the Year 7 times.
Coach Montgomery has the unique distinction of being named coach of the year by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in three different sports—once in basketball, once in slow pitch, and once in fast pitch. He was named the MAC Fast Pitch Coach of the Year in 2011, the Northeast Mississippi Coaches Fast Pitch Coach of the Year in 2010, and the 2013 Northeast Mississippi Coaches Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
Coach Montgomery coached in two MAC All-Star Girls basketball games, and two times each in the MAC Slow and Fast Pitch All-Star contests. Montgomery is a loyal and longtime member of the MAC having served on the Board of Directors, the Executive Board, and as President from 2013-14.
The Mississippi Association of Coaches 2022 Hall of Fame inductees included Shane Montgomery, Jimmy Mitchell (who coached football at Pontotoc), Willie Collins, Dodd Lee and Dean Shaw.
Coach Jimmy Mitchell was head football coach at Pontotoc High from 1992 to 1996 and he led his teams to 1 district title, 1 North half championship, and one state runner-up finish with a record of 36 wins and 13 losses. Coach Mitchell retired in 2012 and passed away in 2018.
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Grand jury indicts Tupelo bank robbery suspect
TUPELO • A man who has robbed at least 10 banks since 2002 has been indicted for robbing a downtown Tupelo bank in April.
Last week, a federal grand jury handed down the true bill charging Jasper Michael Wagner, 56, of Tupelo, with taking $5,000 during the April 6 robbery of the Community Bank at 307 West Main Street. He was captured in Alabama hours later.
Wagner is in federal custody in the Lafayette County Detention Center in Oxford. He will be arraigned via video Friday morning in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jane Virden in Greenville.
A career criminal who has spent two separate stints in federal prisons for bank robbery, Wagner could face up to 20 years on the new charge.
Wagner was released from a federal prison in late 2021 after serving most of a nearly 11-year sentence for robbing three banks in three different states in a one-week period in December 2010. As part of the supervised release — commonly called probation — he was told he could not break the law or leave the area for five years.
Roughly four months after his release, he is accused of entering the Community Bank branch on West Main Street on April 6 and handing the clerk a note telling her to give him $5,000. Court documents say he walked out of the bank with around that amount in a bank bag. When he was apprehended in a Leeds, Alabama, hotel room about four hours later, he still had the bank bag and most of the money.
In a separate matter, prosecutors are still looking to revoke the remainder of his supervised release. That would force him to return to a federal prison to serve the remainder of his probation while waiting for the trial on the new charge.
Since 2002, Wagner has pleaded guilty in federal court to 10 bank robberies in seven states, from New Mexico to the Carolinas, including two in Mississippi.
The first documented string of Wagner's bank robberies began in late 2000 and included banks in New Mexico, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and two in South Carolina. He pleaded guilty to robbing seven banks and was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $59,048 in restitution.
Following his release in early 2010, Wagner stole a car in December 2010 and robbed banks in Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. He pleaded guilty to those crimes in a Mississippi courtroom. In June 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mills sentenced him to 130 months in prison, plus five years of supervised release.
Jasper Michael Wagner
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Mayor Todd Jordan is seen in this Sept. 26, 2021, photo speaking at the Celebration of Cultures.
Libby Cantrell | Buy at PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
The money for the project came from excess funds in the budget, which the city traditionally uses for capital improvement. Multiple officials noted that the project was not likely to reach the allotted $50,000. The private bathroom would be located between the mayor’s and chief operations officer’s offices, cutting a nook out of the communications director’s office. It would also be adjacent to the public restrooms.
Buddy Palmer
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Dossie Dudley Boone, Oxford
Sue Willie Hogan, Okolona
Hubert Mason Parker, Columbus
Hubert Mason Parker
COLUMBUS - Hubert Mason Parker, 70, passed away Sunday, June 20, 2022, at North Ms Medical Center in Tupelo. Services will be on Sat, 6/20/2022 at 10am at Living Faith Tabernacle 218 Shelton St, Columbus. Visitation will be on 9:30 until service time at Church. ASSOCIATED FAMILY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS SERVICE is in charge of arrangements. Our family at Associated are very grateful to have been chosen to serve the Parker family. Memorials may be made to Huntington's Disease Society of America (hdsa.org). You may leave you condolences and memories at associatedfuneral.com.
Sue Willie Hogan
OKOLONA - Sue Willie Hogan passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022 at her home in Okolona, MS at the age of 90. Sue Willie Hogan leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Rev Gloria McKinney (Wren, MS), two sons, Willie Joe Hogan , Wren, MS and Bobby Wayne Hogan, Amory, MS, and two brothers, Arzell (Thelma) Wilson of Amory, MS, and Willie Bob (Barbara) Ivy of Wren, MS. She was preceded in death by parents, Idella Thornton-Ivy and Zephaniah Thornton, husband, Henry Hogan, daughter, Mary Sue, son Henry Earl , step son, Pete Hogan, and brother, Willie James Thornton.
Services will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Union Grove UMC in Nettleton, MS at 11 a.m.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 22, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. at Union Grove UMC, Nettleton, MS and burial will follow at union Grove
Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements.
OXFORD - Dossie Dudley Boone, 68, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN. Services will be on Friday, July 1, 2022, 2:00 p.m., at Serenity Funeral Home, Oxford, MS. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 30, 2022, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Serenity Funeral Home, Oxford, MS.. Burial will follow at Oxford City Memorial. Serenity Funeral Home of Oxford, MS, is in charge of arrangements.
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To the people of Pontotoc County, 5th District, my friends and family, I would like to apologize for recent personal choices that I made. I sincerely regret how those choices reflected poorly on my personal character, my job and the people of this county. I can understand how hurt and disappointed you are given the outcome of my actions and the difficulty I have caused. I would like to thank each of you for the phone calls, texts and all the support that you have offered during this time. I ask that you continue to pray for me and my family as we move forward. Once again, I am truly sorry and humbly ask for your forgiveness.
Dan McKnight
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Markisha Birmingham, 41, of Verona, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation.
Peyton Bogan, 22, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, capital murder.
Jonathan Reed Freeman, 19, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, grand larceny, felony taking of a motor vehicle, false ID.
Marcus Nichols, 30, of Plantersville, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance.
Kerry Scruggs, 48, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a Schedule I drug, possession of a Schedule II drug.
Eddie Channing Upton, 35, no address listed, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
A clerk at the Auburn Road Dollar General said a white male tried to use a fake $20 bill. When she noticed it was a “replica” bill, she refused to give it back. She said he had more of the fakes.
A clerk at the Highway 371 Richmond Dollar General said a white male suspected of shoplifting before came into the store after 8 a.m. While shopping, he was on his phone and looking around. He went towards to door with about $70 worth of groceries in his cart. The clerk chased him out of the store. He threw the items in a blue Dodge Journey and drove away.
A County Road 373 Tupelo man said a large John Deere tractor with a planter was traveling down the road and took out his mailbox. The tractor did not stop.
A County Road 1145 Tupelo woman said she heard what sounded like someone kicking her carport door three times at 1 a.m. Deputies arrived but found no damage to the door or evidence that it had been kicked.
A County Road 452 Nettleton man said for the last two days, an unfamiliar white male has been in his yard in the early morning hours. He ran the suspect off those days. This morning at 3:30 a.m., he discovered his 1999 Ford Ranger had been stolen from his yard.
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A file photo of the Mississippi Capitol.
State should not spend public money on private schools
A newly created state grant program is at the center of a lawsuit brought by Parents for Public Schools, a public education advocacy group that believes the Legislature has violated the state constitution by allowing public dollars to be given to private schools.
The lawsuit alleges that the Independent Schools Infrastructure Grant Program violates Section 208 of the Mississippi Constitution, which says — among other things — that no state funds shall be allocated to "any school" that is not "a free school."
Regardless of the legal question, the idea of using public funds for private schools is an unfair one, especially in the case of this grant program, which the Legislature created in a way that specifically prohibits public schools from taking advantage of it.
Lawmakers funded the program to the tune of $10 million. It allows private schools to receive grants of up to $100,000 for infrastructure projects. The funding comes from federal COVID-19 dollars. Private schools would not have to repay the state.
That stands in stark contrast to the program lawmakers created for public schools. Public school districts can apply to the state for interest-free loans that have to be repaid within 10 years.
Private schools are not bad, but they are not public and should not be funded by the government. They exist based on a business model that requires tuition and other private grants to operate. According to this model, they provide educational services that stand apart from public schools and the oversight required by the state Department of Education.
In some instances, private schools are superior. In others, they are not. But that does not matter. What matters is that the Legislature is taking money that could go toward strengthening our public schools and putting them into private ventures.
Furthermore, Mississippi has a long history of not fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. Even when lawmakers set out to rewrite the formula and create another equitable funding system, they failed to come up with something they felt was better. But under-funding continued.
With this latest act, the state is putting public schools at an even greater disadvantage and forcing taxpayers to spend even more money — because the money that public school districts will use to repay state loans will come from our tax dollars.
Hopefully a judge will stay the program until the lawsuit is concluded. Even better, lawmakers should undo the program before that ever happens. At the very least, private schools should be required to pay back the money just as public schools must do.
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ABERDEEN – Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry was selected as one of 100 recipients from 40 states and Washington D.C. to be awarded funding through Lowe’s Hometowns program.
The Aberdeen food pantry will use its $65,000 in funding for several interior and exterior improvements.
This year is the first year of a five-year commitment for the company to award $100 million for community projects.
Loaves and Fishes is one of only three food pantries in the nation to be served through this year’s program. Other recipients include schools, community centers, first responder facilities and parks.
For more on this story, check out the June 29 edition of the Monroe Journal.
Efforts continue to secure broadband Internet service for Wren
Array of items available through celebrity makeup artist’s personal collection
Rubber duck hunt makes for new summertime craze
Witnessing a Cardinals’ walkoff win was a long time coming
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I’m not here to quibble with the atheists, agnostics and alternate-spirituality practitioners who answered the survey. No, I’m just flummoxed by subsets of the supposedly pro-God respondents.
You see, the survey also branched into questions about prayer. Of the 81% of Americans who conceded still believing in God, 28% said He hears prayers but cannot intervene, while 11% think God neither hears nor intervenes.
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MICHAEL GOLDBERG Associated Press/Report for America
JACKSON • The Mississippi Public Service Commission has reached a $300 million settlement with Entergy Mississippi, the state's largest electric utility.
Some of the settlement will be used for $80 bill credits or cash payments to Entergy's 461,000 customers. The commission will also use the settlement to offset future fuel price increases caused by volatility in global energy markets.
"This is literally unheard of in today's global energy crisis — to reach a settlement of this size at a time when all of our constituents are facing economic uncertainty," said Brandon Presley, public service commissioner for the Northern District.
"The ability to get cash back in (customers') hands will be an economic stimulus for the state," Presley said.
"This is going to be a timely settlement to help with rate reduction," said Brent Bailey, the central district commissioner. "As you're working through the litigation process sometimes you wonder about a settlement, but I'm glad we took this action."
The settlement stems from litigation the PSC initiated in 2017. Entergy's return on investments from the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station was inflated and led to over-profiting and customer rate increases, Presley said.
The Grand Gulf Nuclear Station was also at the center of a complaint filed by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the New Orleans City Council and the Arkansas Public Service Commission. Those entities argued that $800 million Entergy spent to upgrade its Grand Gulf hadn't improved the plant's safety record and performance compared to other nuclear power plants. The utility also overcharged customers more than $361 million, they said.
"By resolving these issues, we can focus on the long-term future of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station," said Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO, in a news release. "With natural gas prices having tripled over the last year, raising customer power bills as a result, the low-cost power we get from Grand Gulf is a financial lifeline to our customers right now."
The Mississippi PSC said it will work with Entergy to disperse the payments, either through a check or an online portal where customers can receive bill credits. Presley expects the money will reach Entergy customers' hands by the September billing cycle at the earliest.
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Ole Miss pitcher Dylan DeLucia salutes Rebels fans as he's surrounded by media following a 2-0 win over Arkansas in the College World Series on Thursday.
DeLucia performance 'Pomeranz-esque' as Rebels reach championship round
OMAHA - As Dylan DeLucia mowed down Arkansas hitters in the ninth inning, far stronger than he looked in the middle of the game, the Razorbacks looked like bit players around the Ole Miss starter in a movie with his name in lights on the marquee.
In fact, it was a lot like a sequel.
DeLucia’s complete-game shutout put Ole Miss in the College World Series championship round, and he was Drew Pomeranz-esque in the process.
DeLucia threw 113 pitches and struck out seven, while scattering four hits with no walks.
After throwing 114 pitches in the Rebels’ 5-1 win over Auburn in the opening round last Saturday, DeLucia has a 0.54 CWS earned run average in 16 2-3 innings.
Don’t be shocked if he plays a role in a best-of-three series against Oklahoma, that begins on Saturday, for the national championship.
It will be discussed, and it would not happen without a green light from trainers.
A Monday appearance would come on three days of rest.
Maybe there’s an inning in a clutch situation on Sunday.
But there is nothing else after this weekend. Any series with such finality always creates an all-hands-on-deck scenario.
It was that way for Pomeranz in 2009 when he pitched one of the most memorable games in Ole Miss history.
A year later Pomeranz would become the fifth overall pick in the draft.
But then he was a dominant sophomore pitching on two days rest in an Oxford Regional championship. The Rebels had already dropped a game to Western Kentucky.
Pomeranz gave up a run but went the distance and tied a school single-game record with 16 strikeouts. The Rebels won 4-1 after Pomeranz carried a no-hitter into the seventh.
If you have to choose one, the Pomeranz game seems more special because of the shorter rest, his immense power, the fastballs, the strikeouts.
The fastball is not DeLucia’s best pitch, and he wasn’t pleased with how he was commanding it early on Thursday.
But he commanded the slider, and the Razorbacks could do little with it.
They squared up a couple of balls in the fifth, but shortstop Jacob Gonzalez and left fielder Kevin Graham caught line drives.
It was rare hard contact against DeLucia. Fastball or not he was in control the whole way.
The Razorbacks, in their quest to emerge from the loser’s bracket with a second-straight win over Ole Miss, never reached third base.
“This shows you that there are different ways. Drew’s more of a power guy, fastball, hard breaking ball. Dylan’s three pitches, and you don’t know what’s coming. It’s on each side of the plate and totally flooding the strike zone,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said.
The Hilltoppers weren’t an average mid-major lineup. They were seasoned hitters with a fine-tuned and dangerous offense.
But Western Kentucky neither then nor now has the name recognition of Arkansas, the Razorbacks with their multiple trips to Omaha under Dave Van Horn.
As talented as those Hilltoppers were there’s something different about dominating a team like Arkansas, one who’s been through the rigors of the SEC repeatedly and often found big success.
That’s what DeLucia did.
“This was a bigger stage obviously,” Bianco said. “That was a regional final, but when you start splitting hairs and comparing yourself to Drew Pomeranz, a 10-year Big Leaguer, that’s pretty good.”
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Kyler Grissom, 16, of Belden, has been shooting target archery with a compound bow since the age of 10. Last month he represented the United States in international competitions in France and Canada. Commitment to practice and his love of the sport drive him to succeed.
Belden archer competes as part of Team USA
At full draw, concentration drives everything out. A watching crowd, the waiting competitors, a world of distraction fades to nothing amid wind, sun and shade. The arrows already flown are forgotten. Those still waiting to fly don’t exist. Fifteen pounds of tension spread through shoulders and hands grows steady.
A smooth breath lets muscle memory take over, triggering a routine Kyler Grissom has practiced a hundred thousand times.
As a child in Boulder, Colo., Kyler played all the usual team sports most boys try, but he never quite found their appeal. The first time he picked up a bow, though, everything was different.
“I took a beginner’s class at a shooting range and used a rental bow,” Kyler says, smiling. “It was a Bear recurve. The same model Katniss Everdeen uses in The Hunger Games.”
From his very first shots, he knew he was onto something special. At the age of 10, he became a boy on fire. Now at 16, Grissom has long been elite. His practice schedule averages 10 hours per week, 120 arrows per day.
His parents support him, but every single time he draws, it’s because it’s what he wants to do.
“We don’t force him to do anything,” Kevin Grissom, Kyler’s dad, said.
Today, thanks to his own driving passion and his parents’ unflagging support, Kyler competes in roughly 30 tournaments a year. He enjoys local and regional competitions all over the country.
He has represented his nation with Team USA internationally at events in the Normandy region of France and in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Qualification for the national team involved excellent performances at tournaments in Phoenix, Ariz., Gainesville, Fla., Chula Vista, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio. Last year a biennial world team trial was held in Decatur, Ala.
“My favorite thing about archery is all the places it takes me,” Kyler said. “Meeting all the different people, fellow archers from all over the country and around the world, is something very special. It’s something I wouldn’t be getting to do any other way.”
Kyler’s dad, Kevin, works for Dell Technologies in a job that, thanks to the impact of COVID-19, is now done remotely. That development itself is a key part of what allowed the family to come back to the Tupelo area, Kevin’s childhood home. Born in Texas and raised largely in Colorado, Kyler and his family moved to Franklin, Tenn., in 2017.
In Boulder, Kyler had been learning from certified instructors in the USA Archery Junior Olympic Archery Development program. That carried over to his three-year stay in Tennessee. It was there Kyler began working with Dee Falks, a top-level coach in the USA Archery program. He still works with Falks regularly at the coach’s home in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., near Nashville.
A homeschooled student, Kyler keeps up with his studies while he and his dad explore the world one archery event at a time.
“My wife is very supportive of his shooting,” Kevin said, “but the competitions make her too nervous so she doesn’t go.”
Kevin sees the commitment and dedication required for the travel involved as an investment in his son’s future.
“I tell him, ‘You get out of it what you put into it,’” Kevin said, “and as long as he keeps putting the work and the effort into it, I’ll take him to the tournaments. It’s a great way to see the country and the world. I didn’t get a chance to do that when I was a kid.
“The experience he gets from the competitions is great. Plus, the friends he makes now, he’ll know the rest of his life. This is a chance to broaden his vision and figure out what he wants to do.”
Archery competitions take many forms, and the tournaments that see Kyler step to the shooting line run the gamut of styles.
Outdoor target archery is competed at 50 meters. Indoor archery is shot on an 18-meter range. ASA Archery governs 3-D competitions, where targets are shaped like animals and are placed at a variety of distances unknown to the shooters. Field archery places targets in a mixture of sizes at distances of up to 100 yards and at a variety of elevations.
In all of these, Kyler competes using a compound bow.
Compound bow archery is not currently an Olympic sport, but it does have its own world championships and it’s included in the Pan-Am Games. It will be featured in next month’s World Games, an event supported by the International Olympic Committee and set for July 7 to 17 in Birmingham, Ala.
“The committee is gauging interest and attendance at the compound bow competitions there, and it might be included in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,” Kevin said.
In competition, Kyler shoots a PSE Supra Focus. It has a 60-pound draw with a 75 percent let-off. It has extended stabilizers fore and aft and it measures 40 inches axel to axel. He uses a peep sight over a 6-power scope and a single fibre optic pin, Black Eagle arrows and a T.R.U. Ball back tension hinge release. At 6-3, Kyler sports a 31.5-inch draw length.
He’s recently taken up bow hunting but has not yet arrowed a deer.
“I don’t see hunting as a competition,” he said. “I bow hunt for entirely different reasons than I compete. I enjoy hunting because it lets me spend time participating in nature. I enjoy competing because of the split nature of archery competition. There’s a big team aspect to it but, at the same time, you’re individually competing for yourself.”
In both competition and bow hunting, Kyler and his dad have found the welcoming and supportive nature of fellow shooters to be exceptionally warm.
“That’s really what impresses me about archery the most,” Kevin said. “There’s such a broad diversity of people shooting, and they’re all very willing to help. They’re young and old, male and female. There are touring pros and enthusiastic amateurs and, almost without exception, they’re not only willing but eager to help a new shooter learn the game.”
Kyler has gotten involved with mentoring new archers himself through the many programs at Square1 Outdoors, a youth-focused organization with shooting ranges in Lee and Prentiss Counties. While there, he’s also taken part in the shotgun sports through clay target shooting. In that, as with all other shooting endeavors, he’s found the reception willing and warm. That’s a reception found throughout the shooting sports.
To learn more about the shooting sports or to introduce a youngster to archery, rimfire, centerfire or shotgun shooting, visit square1outdoors.com.
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The Supreme Court on Friday (June 24) overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively ending recognition of a constitutional right to abortion and giving individual states the power to allow, limit, or ban the practice altogether.
The ruling came in the court's opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which centered on a Mississippi law that banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The Republican-led state of Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to strike down a lower court ruling that stopped the 15-week abortion ban from taking place.
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., shortly afterward released the following statement upon learning of the release of a Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization:
Wicker has repeatedly called on the Court to uphold Mississippi’s abortion law and overturn Roe v. Wade.
Supreme Court Overturns Roe V Wade Abortion Decision
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An accident on Highway 45 Alternate June 24 claimed the life of a West Point man.
According to a press release from Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley, Robert Grays, 68, who was employed by Falcon Construction of Columbus, was working on a paving project on the highway near Davidson Road.
“Mr. Grays was raking asphalt when he was struck by a Bobcat tractor a co-worker was operating. Mr. Grays was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, where he died at 3:24 p.m.,” Gurley stated in the press release.
The time of the accident was 11:20 a.m., and the cause of death is multiple trauma from the accident.
OSHA has been notified to investigate the accident.
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Surrounded by volunteer clinic escorts, Derenda Hancock, co-director of the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic patient escorts, better known as the Pink House defenders, gives a defiant salute as she expresses her disappointment at the U.S. Supreme Court ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade, Friday, June 24, 2022, at a news conference in Jackson, Miss. The clinic is the only facility that performs abortions in the Mississippi. However, the ruling ends constitutional protections for abortion. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Jackson’s ‘Pink House’ leaders saddened by Dobbs abortion ruling, yet determined
JACKSON • Hours after the nation’s highest court ruled that women no longer have the constitutional right to seek an abortion, leaders and volunteers at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization came to terms with the new reality: their facility will close soon.
The center, often referred to as the “Pink House” for the color on the exterior of its building, is Mississippi’s only abortion clinic. But it will soon have to close its doors.
The reason the facility will be shut down is because Mississippi has a “trigger law” on the books that will outlaw all abortions 10 days after Attorney General Lynn Fitch issues an opinion informing state officials that Roe vs. Wade has been overturned.
As of Friday evening, Fitch had not yet issued the opinion required to start the 10-day clock, but Michelle Williams, chief of staff for Fitch, said the AG’s office is currently reviewing the opinion and the trigger law.
In the interim, Derzis encouraged people to remind pregnant people that the center is still open and receiving patients. But after Mississippi is without a clinic to perform abortions, Derzis said there will be a clinic in New Mexico that can perform the procedure.
Derenda Hancock, co-director of the clinic clinic patient escorts, better known as "Pink House defenders," encouraged people to donate to abortion funds to help people who cannot afford to travel.
Abortion-mississippi
Jackson Women's Health
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In this file photo from 2017, Mooreville Middle School students watch a solar eclipse on the school's baseball field. Students at the school will soon be spending more time outdoors when the school completes construction of a new outdoor classroom thanks to the help of a grant from the Home Depot Foundation.
Mooreville school building outdoor classroom with grant
By Abrielle Carnathan Daily Journal
Abrielle Carnathan
TUPELO • Mooreville Middle School is building students and teachers an exciting new learning space ... one that's very open concept.
On Monday night, the Lee County School board voted to accept a grant from The Home Depot Foundation in order to build an outdoor learning space at Mooreville Middle School.
The total cost for the project comes out to $12,000. The school is footing the bill for the labor required to construct the outdoor classroom, while the school district agreed offset the cost of much of the building itself.
The Home Depot Foundation's grant — which totals $2,783 — will help pay for the lighting and wood products required to turn the outdoor classroom from concept to reality.
Mooreville Middle School Principal Patrick Comer said the school has been raising funds and saving money to pay build the space. Comer said he's thrilled the project will finally get underway in earnest.
Comer expressed his gratitude towards Mark Simpson with Legacy Construction, LLC, who he says he was instrumental in applying for and receiving the grant.
“I just want to thank Mark Simpson with Legacy Construction and the Home Depot Foundation for helping us get this project completed,” Comer said.
The goal for the space is to provide a different environment where teachers and students can get out of the classroom and receive a change of pace. The space is set to be built behind the baseball field.
“It’s going to be a covered pavilion,” Comer said. "On what we call our lower playground area."
While there is currently no timeline on when construction will begin or end, Comer hopes the project will be completed by the fall.
Follow Abrielle Carnathan
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Jose Luis Magana | AP
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, what is next for Mississippi?
By TAYLOR VANCE, GINNA PARSONS and SAM R. HALL Daily Journal
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade in a ruling on a case that originated in Mississippi. In doing so, states now have the right to regulate and even ban abortions.
Justices voted 6-3 in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization over a 2018 law enacted by the Mississippi Legislature that bans most abortions after 15 weeks. But nearly all abortions will soon be outlawed in Mississippi.
Mississippi is one of 14 states with a "trigger law," which will take effect 10 days after Mississippi Attorney Lynn Fitch issues an opinion that Roe has been overturned. As of Friday evening, Fitch had not issued the opinion required to start the 10-day clock, but Michelle Williams, chief of staff for Fitch, said the AG’s office is currently reviewing the opinion and the trigger law.
The 2007 trigger law only allows physicians to conduct abortions when a mother’s life is at stake or when the pregnancy resulted from a rape that has been reported to law enforcement. The law does not allow for an exception for incest.
Statistics compiled by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, show that around two out of three instances of sexual assault go unreported to law enforcement.
A majority of sexual assault survivors choose not to report the incidents to protect the household or victim from further crimes by the offender or to stop the incident from recurring again, according to statistics from the Department of Justice.
House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, at a media briefing in the House chamber said he would not advocate for tweaking the trigger law to include more exceptions and didn't know if there would be much of an appetite among the House's conservative supermajority to change the law either.
When asked if he thought a survivor of incest should be forced to carry a child to full term, the speaker said yes.
“My personal belief is that life begins at conception,” Gunn said.
State leaders now turn to post-Roe world
With Roe overturned, state leaders say they now have to do more to help mothers and young children as an increase in births is expected.
Mississippi is the poorest state in the nation, has a lack of prenatal health care, has the highest infant mortality rate in the nation and one of the highest maternal death rates.
The state’s Child Protective Service Department is also still dealing with a long-running lawsuit to address its foster care system.
Health leaders have said one way to improve health outcomes for children and pregnant women is to expand Medicaid access to the working poor and to enhance Medicaid services for mothers after they give birth.
"I am pro-life. I am also pro-child. In addition to protecting the unborn, we must also focus on other ways to support women, children, and families," Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said.
The Senate this past session passed a bill to extend postpartum Medicaid care for mothers, but the bill died in the House. Hosemann has also been open to discussing expansion of Medicaid and other ways to increase the availability of healthcare for the working poor and indigent in the state.
For his part, Gunn announced the creation of a commission to recommend “Next Steps for Life” policies that the House could pass during its next legislative session. The speaker said the commission would be made up of physicians, pregnancy resource officials and House lawmakers.
When asked if the commission would consider policies such as postpartum Medicaid expansion, the speaker said he would leave it up for them to decide.
Some of Gunn’s suggestions for policies the commission would look at are more child protection and foster care options, more affordable adoption practices and enforcing child support collection laws.
Gov. Tate Reeves, who has declined interviews with the Daily Journal and most other Mississippi media outlets, spoke to the Daily Wire about how the state will continue to work toward creating a "culture of life" that will help mothers and children.
Reeves touted investments in Child Protection Services and the Department of Human Services over the past years.
“We are making it easier to adopt a child in our state,” Reeves told the Daily Wire. “We are doing things to support — not only the unborn babies — but also those moms who are expecting and whether … they want the child or they don’t want the child — again making it easier for adoptions because we want to help every child find a forever home.”
While Mississippi has increased funding in those areas — and created a separate Child Protection Services — the work has come after federal authorities forced the state to address deficiencies.
Both pro- and anti-abortion groups say work continues
Felesha Rowland, director of client services for My Choices Pregnancy Help Clinic in Ripley, said she doesn’t believe the Supreme Court’s decision will necessarily impact the clinic.
“There will still be unintended, unplanned pregnancies, and the abortion industry has plans in place to help women get to states that still offer abortions,” Rowland said. “Mississippi and Tennessee both have trigger laws on the books, so the abortion clinic in Memphis has plans in place to transport women over the state line to Illinois, where abortion is still accessible.”
My Choices Pregnancy Help Clinic, which opened in 2006, offers free pregnancy tests, limited obstetric ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy, and parenting and pregnancy education. It serves 200 women and men in the community every year.
“We want women to make a fully informed choice when they’re considering an abortion,” Rowland said. “We’re there to help women. I’ve been in this business for 20 years, and 80 to 90% of the time, if a woman sees a heartbeat on an ultrasound, she’ll choose life. It’s vital that they’re able to make an informed decision.”
Rowland said the clinic is going to continue to walk alongside mothers and their children as the laws change in Mississippi.
“We’re thankful our state is the state that has championed this through,” she said. “We’ve taken so many steps to protect the unborn and their mothers.”
At Mississippi's only abortion clinic, leaders and volunteers at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization came to terms with the new reality: their facility will close soon.
Once the trigger law takes effect, the clinic will close. In the interim, Derzis encouraged people to remind pregnant people that the center is still open and receiving patients. But after Mississippi is without a clinic to perform abortions, Derzis said there will be a clinic in New Mexico that can perform the procedure.
Derenda Hancock, co-director of the clinic patient escorts, better known as "Pink House defenders," encouraged people to donate to abortion funds to help people who cannot afford to travel.
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I owe my career to Sue Shaw-Smith
When I was a sophomore at Tupelo High School, I lucked into the lead role in "Fools." It was a lot of fun and started my high school, college and (at least for a little while) community theatre "career."
It was through theatre that I got to know Dr. Sue Shaw-Smith, then an assistant principal at the high school and a huge supporter of the arts. She and then-theatre director Debby Gibbs told me I needed to try out for the musical, "Annie," to which I promptly — and repeatedly — told them, "I can't sing."
They both gave me the, "People always say they can't sing, and they can. You can at least be in the chorus."
And, each time, I told them the same thing, "I can't sing."
Dr. Sue Shaw (most of us called her Dr. Sue Shaw, running the names together as if they were one word, like seesaw) all but threatened me to try out, so I did.
One bar into the song, Gibbs held up her hand and stopped my audition.
"You're right," she said. "You can't sing."
I was not going to star on broadway, but a little more than a year later, Dr. Sue Shaw nevertheless started me on my true career path — inadvertent as it was.
She was working on schedules and called me to her office. Her goal was to make sure I had an off period that would allow me to work in the theatre, and she still had a spot to fill.
"You can write, can't you?" she said in a tone that sounded like a question but was really more of a statement.
"Yeah. Sure," I responded, with only an inkling that I probably should have asked why she cared.
"Good. You're going to be on the newspaper staff."
Notice she didn't ask if I wanted to be on the newspaper staff. She didn't ask if I enjoyed writing. She simply told me what I was going to do. And I while I have no idea what my alternatives might have been, I am forever thankful for her putting me in that class.
When I speak to journalism students and other groups, I often tell this story. Were it not for Dr. Sue Shaw, who knows where I'd be. Not just because of that class, but because of her influence on me.
And I'm far from the only one who can say that.
Since her death on Tuesday, July 21, the stories from former students have poured forth. She left her mark on countless people. Some of those marks were scars — no doubt — because she was one tough woman. But she was tough on us because she loved us, she knew what we could be and she would not accept anything but our best — regardless of what our best was.
She's been called "mama bear" by a few students, and that's an apt description. Fierce would be another. Loving. Hilarious. A bit crazy. All of those fit.
She was large in life and in spirit. She was a force. And I remember her daughter, Heidi, with her at the school and on some trips. This tiny, precocious child who was the center of Dr. Sue Shaws world. Watching those two together was something to behold.
But what strikes me as I have heard the stories from those who have shared her impact is how many tell of Dr. Sue Shaw forcing them to try new things or to explore interests they likely would not have done on their own. Mine is one of those stories.
God's speed, Dr. Sue Shaw-Smith. You will be missed as you were loved — greatly and by many.
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Skirting the issue on school choice
A U.S. Court of Appeals has recently ruled that North Carolina charter day schools cannot have dress codes based on a child's gender because as a "state actor," such codes violate laws on equal protection. Under the ruling, girls can no longer be required to wear dresses.
Some parents have believed charter schools are an alternative to public schools that impose woke ideology. If this court ruling stands, notes a New York Post editorial, "...it could mean, in effect, the end of charters as they exist. It provides a legal rationale for them to be brought under the thumb of the states and city educrats nationwide who are eager to handcuff charters for daring to bring educational options to students failed by traditional public schools."
One need look no further than the long list of progressive organizations that filed amicus briefs in response to this court ruling. These liberal groups include the National Women's Law Center, AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, California Women Lawyers, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Gender Justice, Southern Poverty Law Center and the National Education Association.
Baker Mitchell is the founder of Classical Charter Schools of America. In a statement about the appeals court ruling he said: "We respectfully disagree with the majority's opinion. As the six dissenting judges powerfully explain, the majority opinion contradicts Supreme Court precedent on state action, splits with every other circuit to consider the issue, and limits the ability of parents to choose the best education for their children."
The last part of his statement is key. Liberal groups that mostly favor "choice" when it comes to abortion, appear to oppose education choice for those fortunate enough to have been born. Why? Because, I think, a politically and morally progressive curriculum is the only way the left has any hope of creating a new generation of like-minded people.
This is a piece of a larger puzzle. Once, majority ruled with consideration for reasonable protections for minority opinions. Today, it increasingly appears that the tiniest minority, especially when it seeks to erase what were once called "traditional values," is allowed to rule.
I have quoted this line from the Old Testament Book of Judges before because of its contemporary relevance: "In those days Israel had no king. Everyone did as he saw fit." Another translation says "...that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25)
Can anyone say what the new standard is and according to what? Doesn't the word "standard" imply something that is easily measured, like weight, inches and gallons? Or, are we required to embrace a shifting standard (which in reality is no standard at all) that is as fluid as a public opinion poll. History is full of tragedies spawned by public opinion, from burnings at the stake, to the Salem Witch Trials, to those who inaccurately quoted Scripture in defense of slavery.
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Moss testified that she once enjoyed helping people vote. As an African-American woman, it was especially important to her, because "a lot of people, older people in my family, did not have that right." But she and her mom lost the joy of service when Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani plucked them from contented obscurity, and made them featured players in Trump's lie about an election fraud conspiracy.
For refusing to support spurious claims of voter fraud — "We've got lots of theories," he recalls Giuliani telling him, "we just don't have the evidence" — he was hit with tens of thousands of hateful, emails, voicemails and texts and subjected to weekly demonstrations at his house, where a panel truck displayed a video proclaiming him a pedophile. This, as his daughter lay inside dying of a terminal illness.
He triumphs in the end — it's Hollywood, after all — and the movie has gone on to become that classic one hates to love. It's cornier than Kellogg's, cheesier than fondue, yet, it endures because it speaks to aspirations at the very core of American identity — to be decent, to be honorable, to be brave and to be good.
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By AMBER NICHOLS-BUCKLEY Guest columnist
On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, taking away women’s constitutional right to an abortion, obliterating 50 years of precedent and putting other constitutionally-protected rights at risk, including access to birth control and same sex marriage.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued a response to this ruling, saying, among other things, that the decision has “made the nation safer for children than it was just a few short hours ago.”
I would like to set the record straight about Reeves’ statement regarding this decision.
Mississippi children are unequivocally not safe. We continue to rank among the states with the highest percentage of children living in poverty. Our state’s children are among the highest currently living with food insecurity. Our state ranks last in almost every leading health outcome, according to our own department of health. This is objectively an unsafe state for children in pretty much every social and health outcome that exists. And education? Yeah, don’t even go there.
Gov. Reeves says that in Mississippi, we will “take every step necessary to support women and children.”
Mississippi women and children are unequivocally lacking in support. Mississippi continues to have the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the country. Our state is the most dangerous state in the nation for infants. Our state is among the highest in maternal mortality rates as well. Break that down by racial disparities and the statistics are staggering, with African American women and infants dying at exponential rates.
Reeves promises to support “mothers and children through policies of compassion.”
Mississippi has historically promoted policies that hurt mothers and children in our state. Just this past spring, legislators let a bill die that would expand Medicaid coverage, extending postpartum healthcare coverage to a year. They did this despite pleas from the medical community urging them to expand these protections, especially considering that approximately 40% of maternal deaths in Mississippi in 2019 occurred after this 60-day coverage.
No one is surprised by the ruling this week. But many of us are terrified about its implications.
The most gaslighting part of Reeves’ statement? When he waxes poetic about how after today, there will be “more strollers pushed, more report cards given, more little league games played.” As if this decision is that simple.
Who pushes the extra strollers when our maternal mortality rate remains the highest in the country?
What does the report card look like when we live in a state that still refuses to adequately fund education?
Who cheers the little leaguer on, who pays for their new glove, their bat and ball, their crisp, clean jersey when we live in the state with the highest percentage of children in poverty in the nation?
I’m not naïve. It was difficult to access abortion in this state anyway. But the sheer hypocrisy of Reeves’ reaction to this ruling, the inability to acknowledge that Mississippi has never valued women’s, infants’ or children’s lives in any policy-making but instead works to keep marginalized communities in Mississippi marginalized is just too much to take.
Reeves said he wants Americans to come together, listen to each other and heal. But what about listening to the teenage girl whose forced pregnancy now ruins the future she once dreamed of? What about listening to the mother who is now forced to carry her nonviable pregnancy to term, putting her physical and mental health at great risk? What about listening to the mother of four who has no paid maternity leave or Medicaid expansion and feels ready to end it all because there are no protections in her state that will ensure the health and well-being of any of her living children, much less the child that could come of this pregnancy?
No one wants to listen to them. No one wants to help them.
This has never been so clear.
AMBER NICHOLS-BUCKLEY is a lecturer with the Department of Writing & Rhetoric at the University of Mississippi. She can be reached at nicholsbuckley@gmail.com.
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Jose Luis Magana I AP
What Mississippi needs in a post-Roe world
The U.S. Supreme Court did the right thing with its ruling in the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization case. While overturning Roe vs. Wade is shocking and disturbing for many, both conservative and liberal legal scholars alike have long admitted that the legal rationale behind the 1973 ruling was thin at best.
While Roe vs. Wade is no longer the law of the land, abortion itself is not illegal. Instead, abortion can now be regulated by the states.
In Mississippi, at least immediately, that means abortions will be prohibited except in pregnancies resulting from a rape reported to law enforcement or where the health of the mother is threatened. No exception has been made for incest. These, admittedly, will be among some of the strictest rules in the country.
But there are two things that state leaders should consider in this new post-Roe world.
The first is whether or not the 2007 trigger law that outlines abortion regulations with Roe overturned is the right answer. We know from polling hundreds of our subscribers that very few people believe abortion should be completely illegal. Instead, they want exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother. And while our polling is not scientific, it represents a large sample size for the Northeast Mississippi population that is also even more conservative than the state as a whole.
Forcing women to report rapes before they can have an abortion may sound like a good plan in theory. The thought process is that a) perpetrators should be held responsible, and b) it cuts down on false claims just for the sake of getting an abortion. However, a preponderance of the evidence tells us that victims of sexual assault and rape often never report the actions or only do so years later due to extreme emotional difficulties arising from an unbelievably traumatic experience.
At the very least, more consideration and study should be done on the exceptions. Ideally, the people of Mississippi would be able to vote on exactly what abortion laws should be. The desire to do so was overwhelmingly clear in the SurveyMonkey polling amongst our subscribers.
The second thing we must do as a state is provide more care for pregnant women, young mothers and children. Mississippi has some of the highest rates of infant mortality, problem pregnancies and pregnancy-related deaths in the nation. Our Child Protection Services and Department of Human Services are overwhelmed and lacking in resources. And too many of our people live at or below the poverty line.
We absolutely applaud and rejoice in the sanctity of life that will be preserved with the Supreme Court's ruling. However, we are not blind to the challenges those lives will face.
The Legislature must be bold in what they do next. Extending postpartum care to one year should be a must. Expanding Medicaid should be a given. Significantly increasing funding to CPS and MDHS so they can hire more case workers and support staff is a necessity. Creating more opportunities for child care grants, revisiting assistance for food, and exploring how we provide better education and job opportunities for people with young families are all parts of a larger solution.
Our state leaders have all said they want Mississippi to be the best place for children to be born and raised. They have said that being pro-life does not end with stopping abortion. Now that Roe is overturned, no more time can be wasted in providing for the most vulnerable among us.
There is much work to be done. It will be costly. But it will be worth it if we can provide for those young lives so many have been fighting to save for nearly 50 years.
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SMITHVILLE – A Bigbee man lost his life June 23 after being hospitalized from a motor vehicle accident days prior.
William Elbert Tallent, Jr., 53, was involved in a head-on collision June 17 on Highway 25 N inside the Smithville city limits. He was taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, where he died at 11:52 p.m. June 23.
The cause of death was multiple trauma from the accident.
According to a press release from Gurley, Tallent was driving a 1998 GMC pickup that was traveling north. It collided head on with a 2006 Dodge Charger at 9:34 a.m.
Tallent was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the motor vehicle accident.
William Elbert Tallent Jr.
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As time and space permits, I would like to comment on some issues that are in the news and of interest and concern to many Americans. The recent rash of acts of violence in which guns were used, especially the killing of 19 children and two adults, has renewed the debate about gun laws. By the time this letter is in print, some new legislation will have been signed into law.
Mr. Wilkinson said in a recent letter that gun laws were worthless. Regardless of whether he was being serious or sarcastic, I agree with him. Not that laws are worthless, but they are powerless to do something they, by nature, are not designed to do. Laws are for law abiding people.
Laws come into play after they are broken. They do not prevent those who are bent on evil from doing so. All those who kill innocent people have three things in common. The means they choose to accomplish their evil purpose is not one of them.
The first is their disregard for human life made in the image of God. Second, for whatever reason, they are determined to kill. Third, they don’t believe there will be any consequence for their actions here or hereafter.
Those intent on killing will kill. If one means is not available, they will find another. The statement was made that there are one billion guns in this country. If that is true, and I have no reason to question it, that means that are are three guns for every man, woman and child in the country.
If an inanimate object like a gun can go out on its own and kill, how has anyone survived when we were outnumbered three to one? Guns are not the root cause for the killing of innocent people. Most of the world’s great killing sprees, outside of war, did not involve guns.
The Nazis killed six million Jews in gas chambers. Communist regimes starved millions to death. The 9/11 terrorists used airplanes. Timothy McVey killed over 200 in the federal building in Oklahoma City with a bomb made largely of fertilizer.
Those intent on killing will find a method. For an example, does anyone think that if gas chambers had not been available that the Nazis would not have killed millions of Jews? It is an issue of the heart. Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.” – Luke 6:45.
Heart problems require the service of a heart specialist. Only God is in the heart changing business.
But don’t deal with real problems. Cloud the issues. Don’t mention the name of God in schools or the public square. There is no God. There is not right or wrong. There is nothing special about you. You are the result of some unintelligent accidental process. From goo to you by way of the zoo.
What could possibly go wrong with a lofty philosophy like that? I would like to deal with some other pressing issues, but space does not permit. When I started this, I limited myself to one typed written page. But you are intelligent and have all the resources I have, the Bible and the U.S. Constitution.
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Ole Miss players celebrate on Sunday with their national championship trophy – the first in program history.
Storybook ending: Ole Miss baseball completes Omaha dream, wins first national title
OMAHA – A week or so ago, Ole Miss senior Justin Bench insisted the Rebels weren’t Cinderella. This was a team that knew it belonged, that was supposed to be in Omaha all along, even when things were bad, he said. This team was meant for great things, 7-14 SEC start or not.
Regardless of what the Rebels knew they were capable of, they had moments where they looked like they might not make it to the postseason at all.
Four-straight SEC weekend losses — many in excruciating fashion — were brutal. The big hits weren’t coming, and the big pitches weren’t fooling anyone. But Bench and his teammates stayed optimistic.
The Rebels were one of the last teams selected into the NCAA Tournament, and on Memorial Day — the day of the selection show — players said they were happy they had a chance.
It’s been about a month since that fateful Monday, when Ole Miss learned it still had all of its goals in front of it. And on a perfect Sunday at Charles Schwab Field, this year’s sort of-Cinderella finally put on her glass slipper.
Behind a stellar start from freshman Hunter Elliott, the superstar freshman from Tupelo who has remained calm, cool and collected through all the ups and downs of a 2022 season that had its share of them, and a clutch offensive eighth-inning for the history books, Ole Miss (42-23) defeated Oklahoma 4-2 in the clinching game of the College World Series final.
Ole Miss swept the Sooners (45-24) in two games.
The Rebels finish the postseason 10-1, having outscored teams 82-25. It is the first national championship for Ole Miss in program history. Trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Ole Miss scored three runs to surge ahead, allowing senior closer Brandon Johnson to put the finishing touches on history.
It is the first national title for head coach Mike Bianco, who has been at the helm of the Rebels for 22 years. It’s also the second year in a row the championship trophy comes back to the Magnolia State, as Mississippi State won its first national title in 2021.
“There's so much to be said about how much we overcame this year, how much we had to fight through, how much we had to pick each other up and never let ourselves get too down. This story of our season is going to be told for years and years and years to come,” senior first baseman Tim Elko said. “This is the best Ole Miss baseball team in history, and it feels so good, and it's an honor to be a part of it.”
Junior pitcher Dylan DeLucia — a junior college transfer who didn’t even factor into the rotation’s plans when the season started — was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after winning both of his College World Series starts. Elko, Bench, sophomore rightfielder Calvin Harris, senior leftfielder Kevin Graham, sophomore designated hitter Kemp Alderman and DeLucia were named to the all-tournament team.
Not too shabby for a group that, for a few weeks, didn’t know if it was going to get an invitation to the Big Dance at all after falling to Vanderbilt in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
“Everything hasn’t kind of kicked in yet,” DeLucia said. “I’m just really excited, really happy for this ball club. … This is just a dream come true for me. I never thought I would be in this situation coming out of high school. It’s just truly a blessing to be here with this team.”
The hard hit balls that weren’t finding green grass in series against South Carolina and Mississippi State started finding holes late in the season, particularly in big moments: Ole Miss had 15 two-out RBIs in six College World Series games.
And as opposed to earlier in the season when the Rebels couldn’t escape the crooked, backbreaking inning on the mound, Ole Miss found ways to destroy all hope of opposing comebacks this postseason, best exemplified by freshman Mason Nichols inheriting a bases loaded jam with no outs in the championship series opener and holding the mighty Sooners to just a single run.
Winning championships takes the entire team, junior catcher Hayden Dunhurst said during an off-day practice at nearby Creighton. The key to the postseason, head coach Mike Bianco said at another point in the postseason, was your stars being stars, but, just as crucial, was getting contributions from less-heralded players.
And whether it was an incredible College World Series start for sophomore pitcher Jack Dougherty on Saturday — his first start in three months, no less — big hits from a third baseman in Garrett Wood who didn’t start a game until the super regionals, sophomore centerfielder T.J. McCants fighting injuries and season-long inconsistency to come through with key home runs in the postseason, or a usual catcher in sophomore Calvin Harris playing right field and delivering huge hit after huge hit, Ole Miss’ role players came through when the moment beckoned.
“To win at the end of the season, your stars have to show up. They've got to perform on a stage, and certainly our guys have. But to win and to move on, you need the guys that maybe nobody was expecting. On media day they weren't the guys that were in all the photo shoots and all of that,” Bianco said. “Again, they don't have to be the MVP of the tournament. Sometimes they are, but you've got to have different pieces or different ones on different nights. … That's how you get here, because it takes all of them. You just can't -— you've got to lean on your stars, but man, you need the other parts to come through for you.”
And when stars were struggling — sophomore shortstop Jacob Gonzalez was 0 for his last 12 in the previous three games before Sunday — they came through when the Rebels’ lives depended on it. Gonzalez scorched a majestic 393-foot solo home run to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning of Sunday’s game. He then tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, setting the stage for a pair of wild pitches that put the Rebels ahead for good.
“I knew if we could just get a couple base runners, a couple good at-bats, this crowd was going to get into it. We knew we could feed off that. We couldn’t have a better guy up when Jacob got that hit,” junior second baseman Peyton Chatagnier said. “It was just amazing.”
Things weren’t always easy for the 2022 Ole Miss Rebels. The story has been documented ad nauseam: they started off the year in the top-five, rose to No. 1 in the polls, then struggled mightily — Ole Miss lost 11 of 16 games from April 5 to May 1 — but righted the ship late in the season to punch their postseason tickets.
The Rebels’ faith never wavered, their confidence never dropped and, at the end of the day, they knew they had the pieces to shock the outside world.
Consider the mission accomplished.
“If you continue to work hard, you continue to push and you continue to believe, as Tim (Elko) said, you can accomplish anything. That's not some poster or some tweet to motivate you. We've all heard that. These guys have lived that this season. They really have,” Bianco said. “They've fallen down, where not a lot of people believed that they were any good anymore, and a lot of people may have been disappointed in them. And I get that. It's sports, and that's part of it.
But they didn't let that affect them. They continued to believe in one another. They continued to push. … I think people have fallen in love with them, their story and where they come from. They had a lot of people rooting for them, and not just Ole Miss fans.
“I've gotten so many texts over the last couple weeks from a lot of our rivals, a lot of the people that we compete against every single day, that says they're pulling for us, that they've fallen in love with this story and these guys. As I said at the very beginning, (I’m) very fortunate to have been a part of it and let those guys allow me to be on the ride with them.”
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Tim Elko celebrates after Ole Miss won the Hattiesburg Super Regional.
Ole Miss' veterans had experienced heartbreak. On Sunday, they stood on top of the college baseball world
OMAHA — Standing on the field, wearing a brand-new shirt that no one in Ole Miss history had ever had the privilege to wear, senior left fielder Kevin Graham really didn’t know what to say.
He was standing with his teammates, some still taking photos with a trophy that had alluded the Rebels for years, donning a “National champions” t-shirt.
For Graham and his senior teammates, including first baseman Tim Elko, third baseman/centerfielder Justin Bench, closer Brandon Johnson, among several others, Sunday afternoon in Omaha was a long time coming. Because for a group that had had experienced heartache on more occasions than they’d like to admit, this was the prize they all came back for.
“I’ve been crying for like, the last 15 minutes. I can’t look at Tim right now or I’ll burst into tears again,” Graham said. “But man, this is incredible.”
The Rebels lost in the super regionals in 2019. In 2020, Ole Miss was the hottest team in the country having won 16 games in a row before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the entire world down. And in 2021, the Rebels fell one win short of making it to the College World Series, falling to Arizona in three games at the Tucson super regional.
And that’s without mentioning a 2022 season that saw the Rebels start 7-14 in conference play and on the outside-looking-in on the NCAA Tournament after ascending to No. 1 in the polls just weeks earlier.
Sunday was a long time coming, and not just for the Rebels’ seniors. The veterans who had been around the program felt the gravity of the moment. They knew what the other side felt like.
After all this time, Ole Miss was taking home its first national title.
“I have goosebumps right now. But man, it’s special,” junior catcher Hayden Dunhurst said. “To do what we did, and to go where we were after leaving Arkansas, being 7-14 and just being in a bad spot, just sticking together. And just belief, man. As you can tell, we’re out here because we believed, but we just played every pitch and tried to win every pitch.”
Elko made a name for himself last postseason, hitting majestic home runs in the Oxford regional on one leg following an ACL injury that he miraculously came back from. He had more tricks up his sleeve in 2022, hitting five home runs in the 2022 postseason to go with 14 RBIs, each seemingly coming at a more pivotal moment.
“Me and Kev and people that maybe could have gone, we came back one more year to play with the guys sitting up here with me, and that were on the field today,” Elko said. “We came back to play one more time as a team and go for the shot to win a national championship, and obviously we did that. It feels amazing.”
As the dream of finally making it to Omaha was realized, underclassmen on the team said they were happy. Happy not just because they had a chance to win a national title, but happy because players like Elko and Graham were going to get the chance they dreamed of when they signed on the dotted line to play at Ole Miss.
There really was something to be said for wanting to get the job done for seniors that had laid it all on the line.
“Tim probably will get a statue now. For sure. I mean, he deserves one,” junior pitcher Dylan DeLucia said. “That guy is a straight legend, such a great leader, such a great captain. He taught me so much. Him and (senior pitcher Max) Cioffi kind of took me under their wings and just showed me around, showed me everything I had to do. Just kept my head on straight this whole season.”
As usual, junior second baseman Peyton Chatagnier beamed from ear-to-ear when the moment called for it, and Sunday afternoon certainly counted as one such moment. But he had a particular glow when asked about the journey he and his longtime starters had been on. He and fellow juniors like catcher Hayden Dunhurst had been along for some of the highest highs and the lowest lows in recent years just like the seniors had. Ole Miss had all of those peaks and valleys compacted into a span of just a few months this season.
This was a proud moment for everyone on the roster, of course. But it meant a little more to guys who endured a lost season sandwiched between super regional losses.
They got the job done, even when no one thought they could, would or should.
“Nobody wanted us in. People didn’t think we’d make it in. And we just kept fighting and we kept doing what we do. And it was just amazing,” Chatagnier said. "This is an incredible journey.”
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Family night at the fair is coming Wednesday, July 6 featuring the motorcycle stunts of Bryan Jackson.
Bryan Jackson - AKA #ThePreacherman and his wife Tina are the Founders of Vertical Adrenaline Motocross Ministries. He is a Multi-World Record Holder by both OWR and Guinness, and a Former Multi-Time World & USA Motocross Champion.
Residents of Eastland Texas they travel the country together doing re-enactments from his (5) World Records, along with an incredible story of 100 Years on Motorcycles in his family.
His show is very unique using rarely seen patriotic wheelie and fire performances with one-of-a-kind stunts units. Another rare and uniqueness to his shows is that they share their Gospel based testimony throughout the show on how being Christ centered has provided the platform for these incredible accolades.
Jackson said that he was was first born in 1962 and then "Born Again" as a Christian in 1972.
“I started riding dirt scooters at the age of 5 on a 1969 Yamaha 185 twin. I got my first bike for Christmas in 1971. It was a Yamaha Enduro 60 and I still have it. I raced my first race on that bike in Brownwood TX in 1972.”
His dad and mom, as well as his dad’s parents, were all into motorcycles dating back to the 1920's.
“In fact, my grandparents didn't even own their first car until the year my dad was born, which was 1935,” said Jackson. “My granddads last bike was a 1949 Harley Hummer, in which we still have. I grew up riding with my mom and dad along with my brother Terrell Jackson. It's really cool that I was born at a time to see motocross born, as it didn't come to the states until the late 60’s.”
Jackson married his wife in 1982 and had two sons, one in 1987 and the other in 1990. He took a long hiatus from racing before getting back on the circuit.
“ It was different now, and the difference was that it was more fun than ever before. Over the next several years I would get to see my boy's race and be involved with the sport to growing up and getting married or going off to college.
“But somewhere in there the way the Lord spoke to me that my children, along with many others', we're not receiving the word. For those that may not know, races are generally held on Sundays, and that takes us away from Church. Anyway, in 2000 my family and I started doing trackside ministry.”
And God is honoring his desire to do what is right.
You can see his stunts and hear his testimony in person at Family Night at the Fair Wednesday, July 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Agri-Center. Please bring a canned good for the food pantry as admission.
Motorcycles, magicians and more will highlight Family Day at the Fair
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LYNN JONES: How faith affects our freedom
Monday is Independence Day. Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” But long before Jefferson said that the Bible said it. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). God didn’t create some in His image and leave others out. He created us all in His image. There is a basic equality that we share.
There was a time when it was believed that kings and their descendants, everyone in the royal family, had a “divine right” to rule. They were seen as the “ruling class.” But you find no justification for that in the Bible. We are all made in the image of God. Jefferson said that this is a self-evident truth, “that all men are created equal.”
That means that there is a basic unity that should bind us together. It doesn’t mean that we agree on everything, but it does mean that we respect each other. We see all people, even people who disagree with us, as being persons of value and worth.
It means that we should all participate in the process of government. Because we are all made in the image of God, we have as much responsibility as anyone else to be a part of good government. Often, we don’t take that responsibility seriously enough.
When Adlai Stevenson was running for President of the United States against Dwight Eisenhower in 1952, he was talking with one of his supporters. The supporter said, “Mr. Stevenson, I believe that you will get the vote of every thinking voter.” Stevenson smiled and said, “That’s not enough. To win the election, I need a majority of the voters.”
Not everyone thinks very deeply about the issues. We all need to study the issues and give careful thought to government. We all have a responsibility to strengthen our government and to ensure freedom. We cannot delegate that to others. We are made “in the image of God,” and there goes with that great responsibility.
Since we are made in the image of God, we also need to reflect God in our lives.
I heard of a man who went up to a stranger at a convention and said, “I think I know you. You look very familiar. You remind me of someone. Oh, I know. You remind me of my heavenly Father. I’m so glad to meet you. We must be related because I’m one of His children too.”
If we are made in His image, we need to reflect His character. We need to be people of honesty and integrity. We need to reflect that character in our personal lives and in our government. When we do, life will be better, and government will be better!
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Jeffrey R. Watt, a historian at the University of Mississippi, leans against a bookshelf filled with volumes of records kept by 16th century theologian John Calvin concerning the Consistory of Geneva, which he has spent the past 35 years transcribing.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI I COURTESY
This page in John Calvin’s Consistory records from volume 16, folio 185, is dated Oct. 5, 1559. The original French text was written by hand by a scribe at the proceedings.
UM professor nears completion on transcription of 16th century theologian's records
OXFORD • Jeffrey R. Watt, a historian at the University of Mississippi, has spent the past 35 years transcribing records kept by 16th century theologian John Calvin concerning the Consistory of Geneva.
Thanks to two major grants to fund the painstaking work, he is closing in on the project's completion.
The documents provide a glimpse into the history and practices of "Protestant Rome" and are thought to reveal insights into Calvin's role as a pastor. For decades, historians have sought to turn the centuries-old, difficult-to-read manuscripts into a more legible version that would be readily available to scholars and the general public.
Watt, the university's Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Professor of History, received a grant for the high-profile project from La Loterie Romande, which operates a lottery for the French-speaking region of Switzerland. The second grant came from an anonymous charitable institution in Geneva.
"Together, these two institutions are thus providing approximately $365,000 in funding," Watt said. "Those funds should see us through the completion of the project."
The transcription project began in 1987, when Watt was completing his doctorate in European history at the University of Wisconsin. The driving force behind its creation was Watt's mentor, Robert Kingdon, one of the premier historians of the Reformation.
"Since its inception, I was involved primarily as a consultant, but I took over the leadership of this project after Professor Kingdon was incapacitated by a devastating stroke in 2008 and later passed away in 2010," Watt said. "UM, accordingly, became the project's home."
Funding from Wisconsin ended shortly after Kingdon's death, but Watt managed to keep the project going.
"The extraordinary international attention and funding for this work reflect Watt's stature as one of the preeminent scholars working on the Reformation period," said Noell Wilson, UM chair and associate professor of history. "The history department celebrates his persistence and success in landing these grants, which will allow him to complete the decadeslong project of publishing the entirety of these records in both printed and open access form online so that they are accessible by as wide an audience as possible."
Uncovering Protestant Rome
From the beginning, the goal of the project has been to make the consistory records available to a larger audience. This means publishing editions of the 21 volumes of registers that date from the ministry of Calvin, recognized as the most influential theologian of all forms of Reformed Protestantism, including the Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed churches.
"Far less attention has been paid to Calvin's role as pastor, even though his pastoral work was central to his Christian mission and consumed far more of his own time than did his work as a theologian," Watt said. "Key to his role as pastor was the Consistory of Geneva."
Under Calvin's leadership, the small city-state of Geneva – today part of Switzerland – became the so-called Protestant Rome, center of the Reformation. Created and dominated by Calvin, the consistory was a quasi-tribunal entrusted with enforcing Reformed morality.
"It could admonish and excommunicate people but could not impose any secular penalties," Watt said. "It did, however, refer many to the city council, which could impose a range of punishments."
Calvinists put a special emphasis on discipline, and the consistory served as a model for similar institutions wherever Reformed Protestantism took hold. The records show the actual interaction between Calvin and the laity and the implementation of social discipline, arguably the most important social effect of the Protestant Reformation.
Overcoming language barriers
Though recognized as essential for promoting Calvinist religiosity and discipline among laymen, the consistory's registers have scarcely been studied until recently because they are extremely difficult to read.
"Sixteenth-century French handwriting is generally hard to decipher, but the registers of the Consistory of Geneva are exceptionally challenging since the scribe was hurriedly trying to take down verbatim all that was said during the proceedings," Watt said. "We have thus far published 16 of the 21 volumes. I have been director since the sixth volume."
Several people in Geneva became fans of Watt's project and formed an ad hoc committee to find financial support for the work.
"Thanks to their efforts, we received this very generous funding, which will enable to see this project through to completion in the next five years," he said. "The grants will be used to pay the salary for the remaining five volumes for my co-editor, Isabella Watt, who has been with the project since the beginning."
The grants will also cover the costs of the project's copy editor, a native French speaker; and of Sonia Vernhes Rappaz, a colleague in Geneva who will read final versions of each volume and offer suggestions for changes in the copious footnotes.
Funds also will cover the publication costs for the remaining five volumes and all previous volumes available, providing public access online for free.
Database creation and beyond
Over the years, Watt and company have developed a database that includes information on all people appearing before the consistory. This database is housed at Ole Miss, and to date includes entries for some 16,000 people.
Part of the funding will be used to give the database a major upgrade and to make it available online.
"The consistory's efforts to promote Reformed values and moral discipline reverberated far beyond the walls of the Protestant Rome," Watt said. "These volumes have already proved key sources for scholars of Reformation history.
"Publishing the editions of the remaining five volumes and open access to all 21 volumes will vastly increase their availability to scholars and amateurs alike."
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Everybody loses in political football
Since the beginning of preseason drills, they had been pitted against each other. Offense vs. defense.
Coaches of the college football team ridiculed the offensive players when the defensive players made a great play. Players on defense were scolded when the offense scored. It went on and on until the players started forming hostile alliances. No longer did the offensive players socialize with the defensive players. Formerly friends, they now detested each other, despite having so much in common. And if you were from one unit, and were caught talking pleasantly with a player from another unit, you were quickly brought in line, and told that fraternizing would not be tolerated. They were your enemy.
Then came the first game, against the college's biggest rival.
Hours before the game, the defensive captain called his unit together for a player's only meeting — meaning, only defensive players.
"Listen, guys, we want the offense to look bad. We want the other team to score 100, and them score none," he told his squad. "So, we need to do everything we can to make them look horrible. That means putting our offense in positions where it's about impossible to score."
One of the defensive backs looked puzzled. "How do we do that?"
"We let the other team score every time they have the ball," the defensive captain said.
"Won't that make us look bad?," the defensive back asked.
"I'm not worried about us looking bad," the captain retorted. "After the game, we'll put the blame on them."
Meanwhile, the offensive players were meeting with their starting quarterback.
"Our strategy is to make the defense look like they're the worst defense in the history of college football," he said.
One of the offensive linemen raised his hand.
"I'm confused. Are we wanting to make the other team's defense look bad, or ours?"
He was quickly told to shut up and stick to the plan.
When the game started, the offense fumbled the first snap, giving the other team the ball on the 5-yard line. The defense then let the other team's offense score.
On the offense's second possession, the quarterback purposely threw an interception. When the defense took the field, their players whiffed at every half-hearted tackle attempt. The college's football team was down 14-0 within the first two minutes. At halftime, it was 66-0.
The fans were irate. They yelled at their team. Booed. Hissed.
The offense didn't care. The defense had given up 66 points in a half. The defense also seemed pleased. The offense hadn't produced a single point.
The head coach was absolutely aghast when he congregated his team in the locker room. But he had figured out what was up.
"Alright, I see what's going on here," he said to the team. "The defense is purposely doing nothing. The offense is turning the ball over every time, also doing nothing. You think you're making the other unit look bad, right?"
The players didn't say anything for a minute, then the quarterback said, "It's their fault," which sparked a flurry of finger-pointing and accusations.
"Listen, you complete idiots — YOU'RE ON THE SAME TEAM!!," the coach screamed. "The offense isn't one team, and the defense another. You're on the same team! The other team is the one you're facing out there, and they're killing you because you won't work together. Offense, you're not winning anything, accomplishing anything, if your entire goal is to make the other part of your team look bad. And vice versa. The goal isn't to beat up on ourselves. The goal is to work together to beat your opponent. You're on the same team! Don't you get that?"
College athletics actually does get it. And that's why you'll never, ever see this scenario play out on any team, in any sport, anywhere. Even little kids can understand teamwork, and that, no matter what "unit" we are aligned with, we're all on the same team. And our goal isn't to make our teammates "look bad," which is pathetic.
College football is a game. Government isn't.
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Our Independence Day celebrations have grown
With the 4th of July coming around the corner, we researched back 110 years ago to see how folk in Tupelo celebrated the holiday.
We didn’t see any reports of giant fireworks shows or concerts or days in the parks.
In fact, on July 5, 1912, The Tupelo Journal reported only two stories about local celebrations of the national birthday. The first appeared on page one and the second on page eight. Neither had banner headlines nor photographs nor cartoons.
The first carried the headline “Flag Presentation.” It recalled members of the Mary Stuart Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution as they presented a U.S. flag to the city. Now, remember, at this time newspapers gave men and women courtesy titles and referred to married women by their husbands’ names.
In the page one story, the reporter attributed the planning of the DAR program to Mrs. Jack R. Jones of the local chapter. The program, which began at 9 a.m. on July 4 at the west entrance to the Lee County Courthouse, did not last long.
Dr. W.C. Black gave the invocation that began the program. A choir of children, led by Miss Katie Topp, sang the national anthem.
Here’s the rub. The United States didn’t have a national anthem in 1912. This reporter identified the song as “America,” which likely would have been “My Country Tis of Thee,” sung to the tune of “God Save the Queen.”
The song, “My Country Tis of Thee,” of course, never achieved anthem status. However, the public considered it and “Hail Columbia” as one of two songs generally used during solemn patriotic programs.
At least the public used them until March 3, 1931, after President Herbert Hoover signed a bill designating “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the country’s national anthem.
The U.S. Navy had used “The Star-Spangled Banner” officially, beginning in 1889. President Woodrow Wilson made a practice of using the Frances Scott Key lyrics as an official anthem in 1916, but Congress did not adopt the anthem until 1930, and even then, the national legislative body couldn’t agree.
Key, an attorney and sometime poet, penned the lyrics to the song in 1814 after he watched the British Royal Navy assault a fort during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. When he saw the American flag still waving over the fort, Key knew the US had defeated the British in this particular battle. Thus, the song.
It happens that at the July 4, 1912, DAR event after S.P. Clayton, who represented the city, made a brief speech and Mrs. Jones unfurled the flag at Tupelo City Hall, the children’s choir sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The other event, a brief notice without a headline on page eight but included in other social events, occurred at the home of Mrs. Arthur Berkeley on Wednesday, July 3, when she hosted the “As You Like It” club. The item described the room in which the event was held as decorated with flags and a red, white and blue color scheme.
Apparently, the ladies gathered that afternoon to play the card game Hearts. Mrs. Berkeley had decorated the table numbers with “giant firecrackers,” and score cards in red, white and blue. After the card games, the ladies dined on salad and ice, decorated with miniature flags.
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ABERDEEN – This weekend’s Taste of Aberdeen Family Reunion, which is mostly anchored on Main Street, will feature food, arts and crafts, a car show, a Spades tournament and free live music headlined by blues artist Bobby Rush.
Proceeds from the event, being held July 1, 2 and 4, will benefit the Mayor’s Youth Council and forthcoming Aberdeen Edify Academy, which will be an enrichment opportunity for young people.
“It will be directing our younger people to enhance their critical skills in both education and sports. On the sports side, it’s actually debate and speech. We call it a sport, but it’s basically using your mouth and your brain,” said Charles Scott, who last held the Taste of Aberdeen Family Reunion in 2019.
He also wants to develop a chess team through the Aberdeen Edify Academy.
“Our goal is to not only work with our young people with character but also on how to compete at a high level,” he said.
Scott touted that most of the entertainers are local. Rush, who is a Grammy Award winner, will headline Saturday’s blues-heavy lineup.
“I met Bobby Rush at the Mississippi Municipal League conference last year. I just asked him, ‘What would it take to get you up here in Aberdeen?’ We talked for a couple of minutes, and he said he used to come up here and do a lot of fishing so he actually has a connection to Aberdeen,” he said.
Scott said Rush wants to make more contributions to the city.
“The main reason I wanted to bring it back was to separate the genres of music and also give gospel its own day so people can get out and enjoy themselves and hear some good spiritual music and go home feeling really good,” Scott said.
Saturday’s activities include a car show from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Monroe County Courthouse alongside Chestnut Street. There will also be a Spades tournament at the Aberdeen Park and Recreation Building from 2 until 5 p.m.
“One of the things we want to achieve with those two events is to throw in a grown folk variety of stuff,” Scott said.
He said Main Street will be closed beginning at 3 p.m. Friday. He encourages local businesses to be open during the event.
July 4’s events will lead up to the Red, White and Blue Bulldogs Fireworks Show.
National Anthem, Pastor Ricky Bowen
Aberdeen Mass Choir, 5 p.m.
The Sons of Gospel, 5:45 p.m.
Healing Waters choir, 6:30 p.m.
Zacarias Washington, 7:15 p.m.
First Pentecostal Church choir, 8 p.m.
Da True Disciple of Southside, Tennessee, 8:45 p.m.
Armondo Adams & Redemption, 9 p.m.
Mr. Gospel will be the master of ceremonies.
AJ Band, 5 p.m.
Big Mark Band, 6 p.m.
Swing Shift, 7 p.m.
The Crossroad Band, 8 p.m.
Bobby Rush, 9 p.m.
DJ Love Bone will be the master of ceremonies
Aberdeen Edify Academy
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For families opting to shoot fireworks to help celebrate the Fourth of July, there are safety tips to remember to help avoid an Independence Day to remember in a bad way.
“People should be respectful and only shoot fireworks where they can legally be shot. Also, young kids need to be supervised. Anyone under 16 should have a parent or guardian with them to watch. People should have a bucket of water in case something does happen so you can at least try to put out a fire. Every year, we seem to lose something to fireworks, whether it’s a grass fire or a shed,” said Monroe County Fire Coordinator Terry Tucker.
He added people should call immediately for emergency service in case anything goes wrong.
“If you do have a fire, don’t hesitate to call 911. It’s easier to call 911 back to say you’ve got it under control rather than to wait until the last minute and it has caught something else on fire,” Tucker said.
Safe Kids Mid-South, which is led by Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, advises people to attend public fireworks shows, such as ones being held in Aberdeen, Nettleton and Smithville this year, rather than to shoot fireworks on their own.
If people are shooting fireworks, though, the organization states children should not play with or light fireworks and sparklers. Children should not be near adults shooting fireworks, according to its safety tips.
Sparklers, for example, can burn at temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees. A suggested alternative to fireworks for children is glow sticks to avoid any potential injuries.
The National Safety Council also recommends close adult supervision when older children are allowed to use fireworks.
No one should hold lit fireworks in their hands, and they should never be used when while impaired by alcohol, according to the National Safety Council.
Fireworks should never be lit indoors or aimed at people, homes and flammable material.
In 2019, the Aberdeen Fire Department responded to a mobile home fire and a dumpster fire close to the Fourth of July that started due to fireworks. The mobile home was a complete loss.
Use of fireworks should be avoided during dry conditions.
“We have to be really concerned and watch the dry grass because it goes quickly. Be conscious and weather aware,” Tucker said.
People should not try relighting fireworks that don’t work.
Pets are also sensitive to fireworks, so it’s important to keep them indoors while shooting fireworks.
“Also be respectful of your neighbors as far as the time goes and quit shooting fireworks at a reasonable time and not at 1 o’clock in the morning. Don’t shoot fireworks you’re not familiar with. Make sure you read up on what you’re shooting,” Tucker said.
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Community fireworks shows in the coming days in Aberdeen, Nettleton and Smithville will celebrate the Fourth of July.
People will have three opportunities to celebrate the Fourth of July with community fireworks shows in the coming days. Nettleton and Smithville will both host events July 2, and Aberdeen will host a fireworks show July 4 to cap off the three-day Taste of Aberdeen Family Reunion.
Smithville’s Sparks in the Park, located at Memorial Park, will begin at 3 p.m. July 2 and feature live music and arts and crafts and food vendors, culminating with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.
“Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout and have people come out to listen to music, have a meal, watch some fireworks and enjoy being able to get out and be together again,” said Smithville Events Committee member Rita Shelton.
Smithville High School graduate Karrigan Callihan will sing the National Anthem, and Andrew Fox, Silas Sloan, Ethan Kellum and Plato’s Porch will perform live music.
Arts and crafts will include items such as door hangers, health and beauty products, facepainting and vinyl lettering. Food vendors will offer items, including hamburgers, cotton candy and pork skins.
People are invited to bring their own chairs and blankets.
Masonic Lodge 548 helps make Smithville’s fireworks show possible, and donations are welcome to help with the cost. In addition to making donations at Sparks in the Park, people can make contributions at Town Hall.
Orders have been taken the past couple of weekends for commemorative T-shirts, and a pewter ornament with the Town of Smithville emblem is also being sold. Proceeds benefit local events.
Looking ahead, the Smithville Events Committee will host Autumn Fest Oct. 22, a Christmas bazaar Nov. 19 and the Christmas parade Dec. 3.
Nettleton’s Fourth of July celebration July 2 begins with a 5 p.m. patriotic parade downtown. Lineup at the Nettleton High School band hall begins at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday’s patriotic parade will be the same route as Nettleton’s Christmas parade, and ATVs will be allowed to participate with some restrictions. They will be unloaded at Roy Black Park.
People may register at City Hall, and there’s a $10 entry fee for the parade.
There will be additional activities, such as entertainment and concessions, at Roy Black Park beginning at 5 p.m. and leading up to the 9 p.m. fireworks show.
The event is sponsored by Nettleton Main Street and the Nettleton Fire Department.
People are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.
Aberdeen will host its first fireworks show in years on July 4 at Aberdeen High School’s practice football field. The event, which concludes the Taste of Aberdeen Family Reunion, will also include live music.
The Souls of Blues will perform at 6 p.m., and Kween Jasira Reggae Band will perform at 7 p.m. Aberdeen Visitors Bureau Director Tina Robbins and Mayor Charles Scott will give remarks. There will also be a singing of the National Anthem to kick off the event and “America the Beautiful” to usher in the Red, White and Blue Bulldogs Fireworks Show.
“We talked about fireworks out on the river, but I always looked at the location by the school as a perfect location. That area presents very well. It’s about getting our people together on a day we celebrate and giving them a chance to sing ‘America the Beautiful’ and starting the fireworks on that right note,” said Mayor Charles Scott.
The master of ceremony for the event is James Ivory, and Masons from Sesostris Lodge #14 in Aberdeen are helping with the fireworks show.
Scott said the main setup for the event, which will include food vendors and children’s activities such as an inflatable, facepainting, rock painting and backyard games, will be closer to Bulldog Boulevard. People may bring chairs and blankets.
Smithville High School
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obits: Saturday, July 2, 2022
Dwight Fields, Bronson, Florida
Veda Levy, Corinth
Veda Levy
CORINTH - Veda Levy, 65, passed away on June 30, 2022, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Patterson Memorial Chapel.
UNION COUNTY - Phyllis "Kay" McClure Pratt, 75, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at her residence in New Albany. A Celebration of Life service will be on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 2PM until 4PM at Memory Chapel of New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care. Burial will follow at New Harmony Cemetery in Union County.
MEMO, FLAG, PHOTO, CUTSHALL FH LOGO
Dwight Fields
BRONSON, FLORIDA - Dwight Cummings Fields (O'Neill), 71, of Bronson, FL, formerly of Iuka, Mississippi, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL, surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 7118 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607, on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 4 pm. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, July 4, 2022, from 5:30pm until 8:00 pm at Cutshall Funeral Home 56 Hwy 72, Glen, Mississippi. Visitation continues on Tuesday from 11 am until funeral services at 1 pm at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Ed Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow in Hebron Cemetery. A 20-year Army veteran, Dwight served in Vietnam (Fort Courage) with F Troop 17th Cavalry, earning 3 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for valor. Upon retirement from active duty, Dwight took immense pride in his commitment to service, working at the Department of Veterans Affairs. His service did not stop there. He was deeply involved at the Gainesville VA for over 12 years with over 3,000 hours of volunteer service. Dwight was a founding member and Post Commander of American Legion Post 236 in Bronson, FL. He served as Florida President of Purple Heart Riders and was a Master Mason in the Order of Free Masons. Dwight and Judy were also longtime members of the Rolling Thunder, chapter 3. Dwight was always quick to help anyone in need, truly a selfless person who derived great personal fulfillment from service to his community. He was the life of the party, quick to laugh and joke, and could make any occasion fun. Most important to Dwight in this life was his family. He was proud to have served his country and has five children and one grandson who also served. His surviving family includes his wife, Judy, his children Lourdes DeAnna (David) Koester, Dwight Daniel (Monika) Fields, Donnie Martin (Angela) Fields, Margie Ann Fields, their mother Raquel Fields, and Michael Dwight (Tommy) Fields. The other beloved children in his life are Jason Lynch, Kim Spillane, Jenna Parker, Zuleika and Wendy Fields, and Dominique Johnson. Grandchildren include James (Jac), Evan, Zoe, Zak, Donovin, Ali, Tommy Jay, Justin, Hannah, Brandon, Andrew, Noah, and Luke. Dwight leaves his beloved siblings, Gretta (John) Green, Tom O'Neill, Kathy (Bruce) Markley, and Sherry (Russell) Wilburn. An unofficial patriarch to his extended family, he was close to and loved by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Dwight was predeceased by his grandparents, Daniel Patrick and Artie Cummings, and his parents, Martin and Margie O'Neill. The family would like to thank the UF Health Shands Hospital staff and the healthcare professionals who were there for him in his time of need.
Dwight Cummings Fields
Phyllis Mcclure Pratt
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If there is one thing that I have learned in my ten months of working as a sports reporter, there are always things going on.
Even in the month of June when school is out, people are going on vacations with their friends and family and it is 100 degrees outside, I have found myself as busy as ever covering summer athletics.
With baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball teams prepping for next season, my summer has yet to have a slow day. Even though my summer has been extremely busy, I can only imagine how these student-athletes feel, going through workouts and traveling every week just to improve for their upcoming season.
A few weeks ago, I experienced one of the most hectic days since I started working here, covering Amory football’s 7-on-7 tournament and traveling to Starkville to watch Amory baseball play in the NEMCABB qualifier games.
I definitely got some good cardio in walking from field to field to try and keep up with our four teams out of the 10 at the 7-on-7 tournament. It really amazed me to see how hard each team competed in this tournament despite the blazing temperatures.
The heat never seemed to play a factor with any team, and the only thing that was on everyone’s mind was winning the tournament. To some surprise, the Aberdeen Bulldogs were the team able to withstand the elements to win it all.
After all that running around at the tournament, I would like to thank Mrs. Zandra Conner for providing everyone with food and water while we were out there.
As soon as the tournament was over, I got a brief opportunity to wipe my sweat and take a deep breath before heading to Starkville to watch Amory baseball. With four of their key players out, the Panthers were unable to grab a win on the day, but they would get the chance to bounce back the next week.
Last Monday, Amory’s journey in the NEMCABB tournament continued as they had to play the current reigning 2A state champions East Union. With almost all of their pieces back, the Panthers looked to redeem themselves in the battle of champions.
Amory managed to shut out East Union and advanced to the second round to play Bruce. After taking down Bruce, Amory’s run in the tournament ended in the third round against North Pontotoc. The Panthers had a lot of bright moments in this tournament and proved that they still have the talent to make another championship run.
Despite how hot it has been recently with everything going on, it has been interesting to go out and see just how much a lot of our county teams have improved since last season. It has definitely given me something to be excited about when fall and winter come around.
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Houlka and three other fire departments were dispatched to the scene of a house fire on Monday, June 27.
No injuries reported after Houlka house fire
HOULKA — Fire destroyed a home, its contents and a nearby shed at 606 Main St. in Houlka Monday evening, June 27, firefighters said this week.
A woman and her dog in the house escaped unharmed, Houlka Fire Chief Derek Earp said.
He declined to release the woman’s name. It’s unclear where the woman is now staying. The Red Cross was notified of the situation.
Firefighters dispatched about 7 p.m. found the older two-floor wood frame structure engulfed in fire. The house is believed to have been built in the 1930s or 1940s.
The fire’s cause and point of origin was a grease fire in the kitchen that spread out of control. The woman and her dog were the only ones in the house at the time, firefighters were told.
“We started putting water on the house, but we never could control the fire,” he said.
Chief Earp expressed his appreciation to firefighters from Houston, Thorn and Van Vleet who helped fight the fire.
A car parked in front of the house was towed to safety during the fire.
Firefighters returned to station about midnight. After the fire rekindled, they returned to put more water on the smoldering runs about 3 a.m. Tuesday and again at 7 a.m.
There is no way forward except together
Houston Homecoming slated for Saturday
‘These are God’s People'
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United Furniture
TUPELO • One of the largest furniture employers in the state, United Furniture Industries Inc., is laying off about 300 workers in Mississippi and North Carolina.
United, which is privately held and operates under the Lane Home Furnishings brand, said that in the next two months it will close one production facility and transform two others exclusively for use as warehouse and distribution center space.
Lane will switch the manufacturing facility in Amory to warehouse only, while it will close its metal stamping plant in High Point, North Carolina, and transition its Winston-Salem, North Carolina, operation to an east coast distribution center.
The company employs more than 3,000 workers at 18 plants, offices and distribution centers in California, Mississippi and North Carolina in the U.S. and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. After the changes, the company expects to employ just over 2,700 at its 17 operations in the United States.
“The decisions to make these changes did not come lightly, and where it was possible, we have taken specific steps to transition affected employees to available jobs in other locations,” said UFI Chief Executive Officer Todd Evans. “Our industry is experiencing a drastic decrease in consumer demand. Our inventory levels remain high and new orders from our customers remain slow.
“Our team is committed to the long-term success of our company. That commitment requires right-sizing at the present time. We are confident that the product, sales, and operational plans that we have established will provide for a successful future.’’
Affected employees will be guided through the transition with information about outplacement assistance and other support services including unemployment and insurance continuation.
The announcement comes a week after Southern Furniture Industries in Pontotoc said it would be laying off about 280 employees.
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Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves speaks during a news conference, May 18, 2022, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Governor sets special election for north Mississippi legislative seat
JACKSON • Gov. Tate Reeves on Friday announced he has set a special election for Nov. 8 to fill a vacant legislative seat that covers portions of Lowndes, Clay and Oktibbeha counties.
House District 34 became vacant when Rep. Lynn Wright, R-Columbus, died earlier this month from Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“We were all saddened by the passing of Representative Wright,” Reeves said in a statement. “I pray for his friends and family, during this continued difficult time. Whoever is elected in this district will undoubtedly have large shoes to fill.”
This will be the second special election for this particular legislative seat during the current four-year term.
Former Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, was elected to the seat in Nov. 2019 but resigned from office in 2020 because of health issues with his wife, which triggered the first special election.
Since the governor has declared another special election for the legislative district, candidates will appear without a party affiliation on the ballot.
The election will coincide with the general midterm election for U.S. House members.
The deadline for candidates to qualify is Sept. 19. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in the special election, then a runoff election will be held on Nov. 29.
The winner of the special election would serve out the remainder of Wright's unfinished term, which ends in January 2024.
Lowndes County Mississippi
Mississippi Legislature
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JACKSON • The Mississippi Supreme Court shut the door on the appeal of a death row inmate, denying the request for additional DNA testing by Willie Jerome Manning.
In a 7-2 decision issued Thursday, the high court agreed with a circuit court ruling that denied Manning’s request to send 30-year-old evidence to a new laboratory for additional DNA testing. The court noted that six years of testing failed to provide any evidence to prove Manning’s innocence and that there was no proof that additional testing would be any different.
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In this courtesy photo provided by North Mississippi Medical Center, Undray Love of Houlka poses for a family photograph with his wife, Chasity, and their children. With the help of the Tupelo-based hospital, Love has largely recovered from a near-fatal injury he suffered two years ago after being thrown from an ATV.
TUPELO • Undray Love of Houlka recently had his final appointment with Dr. Joaquin Hidalgo after a four-wheeler accident literally turned his world on its head.
The past two years have been tumultuous, marked by peaks and valleys during his recovery.
“It was kind of sad,” said Love's wife, Chastity Love, of the June 6 appointment at North Mississippi Neurosurgical Services. “They have been there at every step.”
On Aug. 16, 2020, Undray Love had just finished working a six-day stretch at the Winchester Ammunition in Oxford. Love's mother came over to watch their three children so he and Chastity Love could ride four-wheelers nearby with friends. As evening came, Chastity Love asked her husband to run her home.
“We were never separated—we always rode together,” she said. “But I just had a bad feeling that I couldn’t shake, and I wanted to go home.”
Chastity Love had only been home long enough to shower when she suddenly heard banging on their door. The news was devastating: Undray Love’s four-wheeler had caught the back tire of another four-wheeler and sent him hurling headfirst into a metal trash bin.
“He was unconscious,” Chastity Love said, “and he was not breathing.” Paramedics arrived and intubated Undray Love, then the CareFlight medical helicopter flew him to North Mississippi Medical Center’s Emergency Department in Tupelo. Chastity Love also rushed to the hospital, where she met Hidalgo.
“He used big words I’d never heard of. I tried to take them in, but my brain couldn’t process them,” she said. “I was given Undray’s wallet, wedding ring and necklace. It felt like goodbye.”
Hidalgo drilled a small hole in Undray Love's skull — known as a burr hole procedure — to relieve pressure from the traumatic brain injury and inserted an intracranial pressure monitor.
“All I wanted to hear from him was that he was going to fix Undray. He told me he couldn’t tell the outcome, but he would do everything he could — and I knew that he meant it,” Chastity Love said. “That wasn’t at all what I wanted to hear, but it was everything Undray needed — someone who would work night and day to bring him back to us. I was inconsolable. Dr. Hidalgo listened to my every tear-filled plea with more compassion than most see in a lifetime.”
Sedated and on a ventilator, Undray Love was admitted to the Critical Care Unit; his wife rarely left his side.
“I wanted to be there while he literally fought for his life,” Chasity Love.
She soon met nurse practitioner Keshea Mims, who works alongside Hidalgo.
“She spoke life into that room and was a constant advocate for Undray,” Chastity Love said. “Day or night, they were at his bedside working.”
In addition to his brain injury, Undray Love also battled breathing issues. His left lung collapsed, and he developed pneumonia and a bacterial infection. Doctors brought in a specialized bed to keep Love in a prone position and help him heal.
“It was a big scary bed,” Chastity Love said. “It was a last-ditch effort for him because his lungs were in such bad shape, and it worked.”
Gradually, doctors began to reduce the sedatives that had allowed Undray Love's brain to rest and, hopefully, recover.
“I was praying that he would wake up because I didn’t believe that was the end,” Chastity Love said. “All signs pointed to ‘this is really bad.’ The brain scans showed no brain activity, but I wasn’t willing to accept that.”
After 38 days in the CCU, Undray Love moved to a stepdown unit and then to a regular room.
“On Day 42, I went down to the hospital’s Food Court to get lunch, and when I came back, Undray was rubbing his nose — purposeful movement,” Chastity Love said. “God knows when to show up and show out. Undray is a fighter, and he never gives up. I knew we were one step closer to moving to rehab.”
After 46 days in the hospital, he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Jackson. He spent one month there before graduating to outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy at NMMC’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Tupelo. In November 2021, Undray Love underwent a second brain surgery.
One of Undray Love’s goals was to drive again, and with the help of his rehabilitation team, he reached that goal last fall. Love now drives three days a week to AbilityWorks in Tupelo, a community program through the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services that provides job training and work experience.
“Undray wants to get back to work,” Chastity Love said. “He doesn’t want this to be his forever. He wants to do everything he can go get his life back.”
The Loves are slowly but surely embracing their new normal — and they are forever grateful to those who helped them get there.
“Our brains are amazing,” Chastity Love said. “Undray had to learn how to do everything again, and then he also had to remember how to do it. Unlike a broken leg or arm, doctors can’t repair the brain and they can’t replace it. There is no one answer. The only constant can be their care.”
And the Loves contend the miracle God performed and the care Undray received at NMMC made all the difference.
“The people who were brought into our lives, these are special people,” Chastity Love said. “They saw him through near death. They cheered him on and genuinely wanted the best for our family. For almost two years, they have been a constant in our lives."
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Neddie Winters, president of Mission Mississippi, a conservative racial reconciliation organization, delivers the opening prayer at an anti-abortion protest outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. The clinic is the state's only medical facility able to provide abortions on demand. Abortion rights opponents gathered outside the clinic and gave prayerful support to their cause.
Judge sets Tuesday hearing in Mississippi abortion challenge
JACKSON • A state judge has scheduled a Tuesday hearing in a lawsuit filed by Mississippi’s only abortion clinic, which is trying to block a law that would ban most abortions from going into effect.
The clinic’s leaders are trying to block a 2007 “trigger law” that only allows physicians to conduct abortions when a mother’s life is at stake or when the pregnancy resulted from a rape that has been reported to law enforcement.
The trigger ban is set to go into effect just days after the Tuesday hearing.
The clinic’s challenge hinges on a 1998 Mississippi Supreme Court ruling that said the state constitution contains a right to privacy that “includes an implied right to choose whether or not to have an abortion.”
All four Hinds County chancery judges recused themselves from the case, citing a potential conflict of interest. Their notification of recusal did not specifically outline what their conflicts were.
Mississippi Chief Justice Michael Randolph appointed Debbra Halford, a chancellor who typically hears cases in Amite, Franklin, Pike & Walthall counties, to preside over the suit.
Attorneys with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office are defending the trigger law in court. Michelle Williams, the chief of staff for the office, previously told the Daily Journal that she believes the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade was clear. Williams said the AG "will fight to sustain that victory for Mississippi."
The hearing Tuesday is scheduled to take place in Hinds County Chancery Court. If the judge agrees with the clinic’s request for an order freezing the new law from taking effect, that decision would likely be appealed to the state Supreme Court for review.
Michael Randolph
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John Gaddis delivers against Oklahoma during Sunday's decisive Game 2.
OXFORD – John Gaddis thought there was a decent chance his final moment of college baseball would be an ejection. And, given his reasoning for coming to Ole Miss in the first place, that would have been a shame.
The lefty pitcher transferred from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before the season, knowing the Rebels had a shot to do something special. Pitching in the Southland Conference didn’t yield a ton of spectators; after his first start at Swayze Field in February, Gaddis joked he was used to maybe a few hundred in the crowd, not 10,000 or more.
But with an additional year of eligibility remaining following a stellar 2021 season with the Islanders, Gaddis entered the transfer portal with a clear goal: making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. He had watched regionals and the tournament, and he wanted to be a part of that.
Adding intrigue to Gaddis’s story is the fact he wants to be an orthopedic surgeon. His father is a contractor, and while he studied mechanical engineering initially in undergrad, it was too boring for his taste, Gaddis said. Surgery, however, was different.
A biology class got Gaddis interested in medicine. He shadowed orthopedic surgeons one summer and was in.
“It was essentially a human workshop,” Gaddis said. “All the tools that I used growing up in my dad’s construction company like saws, hammers, drills. But you’re helping out a human instead of building something.”
Gaddis was accepted into medical school at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley last year. But he really wanted that final baseball experience. Gaddis said he emailed the dean and asked for deferment; it was granted.
On May 19 in the top of the ninth inning against Texas A&M, Gaddis was ejected for throwing behind a batter after tempers flared between the teams. He was given a four-game suspension, meaning that, unless the Rebels made the tournament — which was looking increasingly tenuous — his college career would end on that note. And yes, Gaddis admits he kept track of the tournament bubble on D1Baseball and Baseball America like everyone else.
“A month ago, I was like, ‘Oh my God, the last pitch I ever threw, I got suspended,” Gaddis said. “I’m going to end my career as a suspended player.”
Now, as Gaddis begins medical school classes at UTRGV on Tuesday, just a little over a week after being the winning pitcher in the finale of the College World Series, Gaddis is still in shock at how everything worked out.
From being a weekend starter to a bullpen arm to having a midseason appendectomy to winning a national championship, it has been quite the ride.
“You dream about that kind of stuff,” Gaddis said. “When you’re in the portal and you’re making all these plans, you’re hoping that kind of stuff happens. … But you never really truly think that could happen to you until it does.”
Like the entire Rebels squad, Gaddis had his share of ups and downs in 2022. He was one of the team’s weekend starters when the season began but flipped between the bullpen and rotation as junior Dylan DeLucia and freshman Hunter Elliott emerged as the team’s top-two starters.
Gaddis made 17 appearances in 2022, less than half coming as starts. He carved out his role in the bullpen as a reliable arm capable of going several innings. A bout of appendicitis then caused him to miss two weeks.
It wasn’t exactly what Gaddis envisioned when he signed with Ole Miss, but this was bigger than him. It was team success over everything.
“Once you take the self-success portion out, and you just want the team to succeed, it’s a lot easier to just be ready and do your part,” he said.
The Aggies incident nearly changed everything.
Following a home run from Texas A&M star Dylan Rock that caused a bit of jawing, Gaddis threw behind the next batter and was immediately ejected. Head coach Mike Bianco was ejected and missed the following game.
For Gaddis, it was a potentially tough pill to swallow. After losing to Vanderbilt in the first round of the SEC Tournament, a postseason berth was looking unlikely. This was how his college career ended?
“That was a thought through my head. That was a question,” Gaddis said. “We were talking about that at practice in the week from when we lost to Vandy to when we got selected … Guys are giving me crap for it, messing with me, how my last pitch ever, I got suspended for.”
As fate would have it, the Rebels were selected into the tournament as one of the last teams into the field. A 5-0 start to the postseason led the Rebels to their first College World Series appearance since 2014.
Gaddis pitched two innings in relief against Arizona in the clinching game of the Coral Gables regional. But his next two postseason appearances turned him into an Ole Miss legend.
With a 2-0 start in the College World Series, Ole Miss found itself a win away from its first berth in the championship series. The opponent for the next game — or two — depending how things went would be the winner of Auburn and Arkansas, both of whom the Rebels had already beaten in Omaha. The team watched Arkansas win and, at around 9:30 p.m. that night, Gaddis received a phone call while he lay in his hotel bed.
It was head coach Mike Bianco. Gaddis was getting the start against the Razorbacks, his first start in more than two months.
It would have been easy for Gaddis to overthink the moment at hand. But that’s not really his style. Baseball is still baseball, even if there’s 25,000 or so fans watching your every move.
“I’ll envision myself making pitches on the mound in Omaha, kind of that, versus ‘Oh my gosh, what happens if I have a bad outing?’” Gaddis said.
While the Rebels fell to Arkansas to force an elimination game, Gaddis shined, going five innings with just two earned runs against a usually potent offense. DeLucia closed out the next game, propelling Ole Miss to the final.
Sophomore Jack Dougherty got a somewhat surprise start in the opener against Oklahoma and dazzled in a 10-3 win. Elliott started Game Two and was excellent, but the game was far closer than the first matchup with the Sooners.
The Rebels trailed 2-1 in the seventh, and the bases were loaded with two outs. It was time for Gaddis to bail Ole Miss out. He did, striking out John Spikerman to end the inning. He pitched the eighth as well, surrendering a lone walk. In the bottom of the inning, Ole Miss rallied to score three runs and take the lead — putting Gaddis in line for the win.
Senior closer Brandon Johnson struck out the side in the ninth, and the Rebels were national champions.
“But he's just a tough kid, just a great kid. How about that? Kid was going to go to medical school a year ago and said, ‘Hey, I had a pretty good year, I want to try to go to Omaha,’ and he picks Ole Miss and he gets to win in the national championship game,” Bianco said. “That's another really cool story.”
Not bad for someone who almost had his career end so unceremoniously.
“I was on the top of the steps, and I’m pretty sure I was the first person to the dogpile. I don’t think I’ve ever sprinted that fast. And then I tried to position myself to where I wouldn’t be at the very bottom of the dogpile,” Gaddis said. “Then I saw (Ben Van) Cleve and I went, ‘Oh heck no, I’m not getting under that guy.’ So I was off to the side.”
Gaddis spent his Thursday driving nearly 15 hours back home to the Corpus Christi area, where he will stay for a few days before moving to Edinburg and starting medical school.
He admits it’s odd that he doesn’t have baseball practice any more, but he’s come to terms with the reality that he likely won’t have a professional baseball career. Baseball was a long chapter in his life, and now it is over. He’s leaving on his terms.
But what an ending he got.
“It feels like those two things don’t go together (me and national champion) … Those are sweet and sour. Those don’t mix,” Gaddis said. “But it takes a second to realize that, holy crap, I just won a national championship. Because you grow up watching that … You see those teams that win it all, and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty sick.’ … When you actually do it, you’re like, ‘Wow. Alight.’ It’s hard to put into words.”
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Edwards, Shelia L.
Shelia L. Edwards, 67, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022 at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born in Meridian on November 10, 1954, the daughter of James T. Lee Sr. Shelia worked at Guntown Middle School for 18 years, retiring as the school secretary. She loved keeping a beautiful home, decorating inside and out. She was fiercely devoted to her family and cherished each moment she spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Shelia leaves behind her husband of 28 years Phillip Edwards of Guntown; three children, Heath Bailey and wife, Drea of Fairhope, Alabama, Grant Bailey and wife, Robin of Guntown, and Lucas Lee of Guntown; six grandchildren, Lanna Bailey, Kelsey Lee, Brooklynn Bailey, Deklan Whitaker, Jacob Bailey, and Braxton Bailey; two brothers, James "June Bug" Lee Jr. and Bruce Lee and wife, Tonya all of Pascagoula; a sister, Leisa Havis (Rick) of Manila, Arkansas; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her father and a son, Jason Edwards. A memorial service celebrating Shelia's life will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Saltillo Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Dr. Phil Ellis officiating. Visitation will be 5 p.m. until service time Tuesday at W.E Pegues, Saltillo. Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
Shelia L. Edwards
Guntown Middle School
Phillip Edwards
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Estes, Jr., William "Billy"
William Cecil "Billy" Estes, Jr. lived a challenging but fulfilling life of 60 years. In the early morning hours of Thursday, June 30, 2022, Billy peacefully slipped away to met his Creator and rejoin his Mom and Dad for eternity from NMMC in Tupelo. He was born May 29, 1962 in Tupelo to William C Estes, Sr. and Mary Riley Estes, Billy. At 18 months and perfectly healthy, Billy suffered from an excessively high temperature which led to a life of learning challenges and motor function disabilities. He faced this with courage and discernment and was dearly loved by his family and friends. He especially enjoyed riding with his Dad until his death. Billy had a great sense of humor and much energy. He enjoyed being with his family and always remembered their names. Just two years ago as his health began to decline, he got his first cell phone which he learned to use and listen to all genres of music. This brought him much happiness. He never lost his zeal and zest for life and living. Billy was raised in Verona and attended Special education programs in Verona, at Plantersville and in Tupelo. He lived several years in various facilities run by the State Department of Mental Health and enjoyed every one of them. The family especially thanks the caregivers at Twin Oaks Group Home in Booneville and the care team at the Gregory Green House where he resided the last two years until his death. He was a member of the Verona United Methodist Church. Billy fought the good fight and now has won the victory!! A service celebrating his life will be held tomorrow at 2 PM Sunday, July 3, 2022 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors with Bro. Danny Estes officiating. Private burial will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time on Sunday only. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 2 PM Sunday and will be archived thereafter. Billy is survived by his beloved sister, Judy Estes Stewart of Nettleton; 2 nephews who adored him, Kevin Stewart (Hannah) of Guntown and Joey Stewart (Alisha) of Saltillo and their children, Lexi Reese, Kason , Peyton, Tyler and Anna Kate Stewart; his aunts and uncles, Flois Conn, Naomi Riley, Jean Riley, Betty Estes and Cheryl and Wade Holley and their families. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Riley Estes and several aunts and uncles. Memorials may be made to the Sunday Fund at United Methodist Senior Services, 2800 West Main St., Tupelo, MS. 38801.
Mary Riley Estes
Judy Estes Stewart
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McDaniel, Sharon Sharlene Crymes
Sharon Sharlene Crymes McDaniel, 78, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at her residence in Amory. She was born in Atlanta, GA and moved at a young age to New Orleans, a city she would always hold close to her heart. She graduated from East Jefferson High School in New Orleans where she met her beloved husband, Bill to whom she was married for 58 years. She worked as surgical technician at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and through many moves, she continued working in healthcare, primarily in ophthalmology, until she retired in Tupelo, Mississippi. Sharon was an avid reader, had a magical touch with gardening, and was gifted with wonderful and creative sewing and needlepoint abilities. Her family has many beautiful and cherished items made by her. Most importantly, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She always kept them smiling with her pranks, chocolate chip cookies, and quirky sense of humor. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas McDaniel, her father, Lawrence Crymes, mother, Annie Mae Crymes, and brother, Thomas Crymes. She is survived by her three children, Bill McDaniel(Rachael), Amory, Mississippi, Sherri McDaniel McDonald (Ken), Madison, Mississippi, and Brian McDaniel (Jody), High Rolls, New Mexico. Among her greatest joys were her grandchildren, Kathryn McDaniel Steele (Chris), Amory, Mississippi, Jaclyn Willow McDaniel, Amory, Mississippi, Thomas Pascal (Pace) McDonald, Madison, Mississippi, Amye Faith McDonald, Jackson, Mississippi, and Hannah Rachelle McDaniel, High Rolls, New Mexico, and one great-granddaughter, Nova Grace Steele. A private family service will be held on Monday, July 4, 2022. Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com
Sharon Sharlene Crymes Mcdaniel
Bill Mcdaniel
William Thomas Mcdaniel
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Walton, Emily
Mrs. Emily Ann Austin Walton, age 71, died Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN following a brief illness and complications due to cancer. She was born July 19, 1950 in Tupelo to Lawrence Elward and Dorothy "Dot" Anderson Austin. Emily attended Northeast Mississippi Community college where she studied art. She married her sweetheart, Donald Edward "Eddie" Walton on December 5, 1970. Emily was a long-time employee of South Central Bell and later BellSouth where she started as an operator and ended her career as a central office supervisor. She was active as a volunteer in the Telephone Pioneers of America which gave her the opportunity to participate in the 1984 Olympic Games torch relay. Emily and Eddie were both steadfast supporters of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and members of the Rolling Bulldogs. In retirement Emily and Eddie traveled extensively in their RV; from the Florida Keys to the Rocky Mountains and beyond, where they made many lasting friendships. After Eddie's death in 2015, she continued to travel with friends and her dog Sadie, especially to the Gulf Coast where she enjoyed surf fishing. Emily loved spending time with her grandchildren and going to the family cabin at Pickwick with her family. She was a wonderful and loving person, and her family and friends will miss her dearly. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. today, Saturday, July 2nd, 2022, at the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo. Visitation will be today from 10 a.m. to service time only. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming. Survivors include one son, Austin Edward Walton and his wife, Anna, of Memphis, TN, their son and daughter, Atticus and Lillian; sister, Susan Austin Carter (Don) of Tupelo; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Eddie, and her brother Douglas Austin. Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.
Austin Edward Walton
Susan Austin Carter
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Greece looks like fun, but it also looks exhausting
My girlfriend has filled me with jealous rage.
That’s because she just took a 10-day trip to Greece with her son and a friend. She sent me countless pictures of ancient ruins, the crystal clear Aegean Sea, and food that looked like it came straight from Heaven’s banquet table.
So yes, I was a bit jealous. Why did I not go along, you ask? Well, Missie planned this trip three years ago, before we ever met, and then it kept getting kicked down the road by COVID-19. Also, I don’t have that kind of money.
She did bring back some cool stuff for me, which has helped soothe the sting of jealousy. Several T-shirts, a couple of bracelets, and a necklace with a “Greek eye,” which supposedly wards off evil spirits. To my personal demons: Game on!
One of my shirts says Delphi on it. Missie bought it in – you guessed it – Delphi. I love it, but it’s a white T-shirt. The last two white shirts she bought me now have permanent stains on them – food, dirt, the blood of my enemies? Who’s to say. Apparently white clothing is nothing more than a canvas for my particular brand of Jackson Pollock art.
I’m actually kind of glad I didn’t go to Greece, because it involved a lot of walking and a lot of climbing hills and steps. I’ve been out of shape for the past six years or so, and I probably would have wound up in the ER. I guess you could say walking long distances is my … Achilles’ heel. For me, it would take a … Herculean effort. And having to do it every day? Why, that would be … Sisyphean.
Just getting to and from Greece was exhausting for Missie and her crew. They connected in Chicago on the way up, and it was a 12-hour flight from O’Hare to Athens. They did the reverse on the way back. That’s a lot of time in the air – too much time for my taste.
What do you even do for 12 hours on a plane? They were unable to sleep, so there was nothing to do but talk and watch movies. Missie watched five movies just on the flight home, and surprisingly, “Airplane” was not one of them.
“Surely you jest.”
No, I don’t, and stop calling me Shirley.
I would not have enjoyed the flight. On the other hand, I didn’t particularly enjoy being away from Missie for 10 days. It was just me and the cat, Penny Dreadful, who quickly became convinced that I was the reason for her humans being gone so long. Penny mostly ignored me, except for when she squalled at me because she needed water or wanted to go outside to search for her people.
Penny spent just part of one night in the bed with me while Missie was gone. Her first night back, Penny could not be moved from that bed. She loves her momma.
I really would like to go to Greece someday. Or Ireland, or Spain. I’ve never left the continental 48, which is a real shame. I love this country and all, but I’m kind of ready to see something different. Missie says I’ll be coming along for the next trip in two years, and she’s thinking Barcelona, the South of France, Rome, and a few other places.
I should probably start getting in shape right now.
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Hawkins wrap up 42-year career cooking for NMHS
TUPELO • Across four decades, cook Beverly Hawkins has fed multitudes from North Mississippi Medical Center.
She retired from North Mississippi Health Services' Central Kitchen on June 10 after 42 years cooking for patients.
“I just love to cook,” Hawkins said. “You give me a recipe, and I’m going to do my best.”
Her coworkers, who nicknamed her “Rev” for her ability to preach about cooking and faith, say the kitchen won’t be the same without her.
“Her cooking is the heart of Central Kitchen,” said senior lead Matasha Gates.
Hawkins, who graduated from Shannon High School, came to NMMC in 1979. When she started, she worked in the kitchen at the main unit of the Tupelo hospital, preparing meals for patients.
When the hospital system switched to a centralized kitchen, they began to use a cook chill method, so they could provide food for facilities across North Mississippi Health Services. The scale has increased tremendously. Hawkins routinely worked with kilns that could hold 40, 50 and 100 gallons.
“We used to cook day-by-day,” Hawkins said. “Now we cook for weeks at a time.”
Over the years, Hawkins had a hand in nearly every dish that came out of the Central Kitchen. Before her retirement, her primary focus was preparing the soups and sauces, including vegetable, chicken noodle, chicken and rice, clam chowder, corn chowder and chili.
Spending all day cooking at work didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for home-cooking. Feeding a large, extended family is one of Hawkins’ joys. Her family’s favorite meal is fried chicken with greens.
Her three children followed her lead. Her daughter, Ashley Gates, is a certified nursing assistant at NMMC-Tupelo. Her sons, Reginald Watkins and Clifton Gates, cook professionally.
As she begins her retirement, Hawkins plans to relax for about two months and enjoy her family. But she knows she will be back in the kitchen, cooking for large groups.
Hawkins has been married to Edward Hawkins for 19 years; they live in Verona. She has three children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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Bobby Ashley, 30, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, failure to register as a sex offender.
Justin Clark, 33, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Natchez Trace Parkway, felony possession of marijuana, driving under the influence – other.
Adrian Garmon, 44, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, improper equipment.
Jerrel Gillentine, 44, of Golden, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, possession of methamphetamine.
Jermarcus Robinson, 26, of Tupelo, three counts of false pretense, attempted false pretense, uttering a forgery.
Ira Monteel Temple, 41, of West Point, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, two counts of voyeurism.
Javeon Witherspoon, 20, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, grand larceny.
A Pontotoc woman said she had been living at her sister’s Highway 371 Mooreville house but moved out in late May. She has been trying to retrieve her belongings ever since but her sister won’t let her in the house.
A County Road 1451 Saltillo man returned home and found a front porch post had fallen over. He was not certain if someone did it intentionally or what happened.
A County Road 141 Tupelo man said while he was out of town, someone stole his 1993 Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle. Neighbors saw two unknown white males in a Toyota 4Runner load it onto a green utility trailer and leave about two weeks ago.
An Okolona woman said that her car is being vandalized while she is at work at APPMM in Baldwyn. First the windshield of her 2016 Toyota Camry was broken. Now there are several scratches on it
A landscaper said after mowing the yard of a County Road 506 Shannon house, he noticed that four windows were broken by rocks.
A County Road 231 Guntown couple said a male acquaintance showed up around 2:30 p.m. and tried to get inside. When they would not let him in, the suspect went next door to the woman’s mother’s house and sat in the yard. When deputies arrived, the suspect left. The couple said they have told the man numerous times that he is not welcome and not to be on their property.
A County Road 1205 Nettleton man said his ex-wife’s new boyfriend has threatened to beat him up. He said the threats were made while he was on the phone with his daughter.
A Garrison Street woman said her baby daddy came to her house and was causing a disturbance around 11:30 p.m. Her male friend tried to leave and the suspect followed him to his truck. She believes the suspect got a knife and stabbed the friend, who left the scene and went to the hospital. She said she did not see the stabbing, but wanted to report what she believed happened. She called police again at 1 a.m. when the suspect returned and used a baseball bat to break out the back glass of her Chevy Trailblazer.
Jermarcus Robinson
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Don't drink and drive this 4th of July
By ADAM MITCHELL, CEO of Mitchell Distributing, Shannon
As fireworks light the night sky this Fourth of July, friends, families and communities will gather together to celebrate our independence and toast to our nation’s birthday.
Wherever you’re raising a glass this weekend, if your plans involve alcohol, Mitchell Distributing reminds you to "Decide to Ride" and plan ahead for a safe ride to and from your holiday celebrations to help keep our community safe. Drunk driving is 100% preventable, so whether you choose to ride with Uber, public transportation or a non-drinking designated driver, if you drink, don’t drive.
For over 35 years, Anheuser-Busch and its network of independent wholesalers nationwide have invested more than $1 billion in initiatives and community-based programs to prevent underage-drinking, impaired driving and other harmful uses of alcohol.
In our communities, Mitchell Distributing is proud to work alongside Anheuser-Busch, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Uber to encourage everyone to “Decide to Ride” this Fourth of July weekend. Because you can’t drive drunk if you don’t drive there.
From all of us at Mitchell Distributing, we wish you a happy and safe Independence Day.
– Adam Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Distributing, Shannon
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Response to Angela Nichols-Buckley column
By BILL THURMAN of New Albany
Ms. Amber Nichols-Buckley stated in her June 26 column that Gov. Tate Reeves was wrong when he stated that overturning Roe v. Wade would make children safer. It seems fundamental that if children are not murdered in the womb they will be safer.
She stated that the mortality rate of children is high in Mississippi. I can assure her that the mortality rate in the womb is much higher with Roe than without it.
She stated that more children in our population will result in more poverty. It doesn’t have to be so. the availability of children to be adopted is so scarce that many people have to adopt from foreign countries. Without Roe, it stands to reason that there will be a greater opportunity for adoption in this country.
She states there is a “constitutional right” to an abortion. There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that would allow the federal government to force states to allow abortion, but that is what they have been doing for the last 50 years under Roe. Roe was unconstitutional.
I am an old man, and I suspect Ms. Nichols-Buckley is much younger than myself. I am old enough to remember when teen pregnancy was quite rare. I would suggest that in an earlier era, abstinence was considered wise and pregnancy was something that should be delayed until marriage. It is not just an old-fashioned idea. It is just plain common sense.
–Bill Thurman, New Albany
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Hodum
Lady Royals still harbor big expectations
NEW SITE – Lily Whitley has graduated and Chloe Chism is injured, but that hasn’t tempered New Site’s championship aspirations.
The Lady Royals won the Class 2A basketball crown in 2021 and reached the semifinals this past season. Whitley was the centerpiece of those teams. Chism is her heir apparent, but the sophomore has been sidelined this summer by an ACL injury.
That means senior Gracie Yates has been the only returning starter on the floor during summer league play.
“We’ve talked about it all summer, you can’t use any of this as excuses – your lack of playing time or Chloe being out, or whatever it may be,” coach Byron Sparks said. “You’ve got to find a way to get it done.”
Those losses have been softened by the arrival of Belmont transfer Brooklyn Hodum. She’s been handling the bulk of point guard duties this summer and is a threat behind the 3-point arc.
Hodum, a junior, averaged 6 points per game last season, and she has loads of big-game experience. She made the winning basket in the 3A title game as a freshman and helped Belmont reach the 2A final last season.
“We’re going to ask her to do a lot,” Sparks said. “We’re looking for her to be aggressive offensively. We need her to put up some offensive stats this year, which I think she’s very capable of doing.”
Hodum has fit right in, and she’s enjoying having a larger role.
“It’s been really good for me, because I’m used to relying on others and not having to step up a lot. It’s developing my confidence and everything else, my game,” Hodum said.
Chism should be back on the floor early in the 2022-23 season. The sophomore averaged 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in her first year as a starter. She can play the point or drop into the post, where Whitley was so dominant.
Without Chism to lean on this summer, the other Lady Royals have gotten more floor time and started to find their roles.
“We’ve been working really hard to fill everybody’s spots, and some of us haven’t gotten to play together before, and we’re just trying to work it out,” said Yates, who averaged 8.5 points last season. “And we’re getting our bond really strong.”
New Site Royals
Lily Whitley
Chloe Chism
Gracie Yates
Byron Sparks
Belmont Cardinals
Brooklyn Hodum
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A map of Mississippi's counties color-coding their level of COVID-19 infection on the CDC's scale, as of July 1. Itawamba County was among 31 Mississippi counties, marked orange on the map, which were rated "high" by the CDC.
According to the most recent data released by the Mississippi Department of Health, Itawamba County is among 31 counties in the state currently rating "high" on the CDC's COVID-19 community level ranking system.
That level carries with it recommendations for slowing the spread of the disease, including a return to wearing masks indoors in public and on public transportation. The high level accompanies a recent rise in COVID-19 infections in Itawamba County, with 79 new cases reported on June 21 and another 56 on June 28.
The most recent cases reported brings the total number of new COVID-19 cases in Itawamba County to 196 for the month of June. That number represents a sharp increase over recent months, as only 101 cases were reported in the county in March, April and May combined.
That being said, the recent spike in new cases pales in comparison the the spike in cases in Itawamba County and nationally in the early months of 2022. At the height of that spike, Itawamba County experienced a seven-day average of 83 new cases a day. The highest seven-day average during the month of June only reached 11 cases per day.
Neighboring counties are a mixed bag in terms of how they're fairing compared to Itawamba County's case numbers. Lee and Prentiss Counties earned the same "high" rating as Itawamba, while Tishomingo and Monroe Counties received the lower "medium" level of COVID-19 infection rate. The two Alabama counties bordering on Itawamba, Marion and Franklin, currently rate "low" and "medium" on the CDC's scale, respectively.
IAHS anglers finish 30th at World Championship
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Chinese Virginia creeper is prettier and less weedy than the native plant.
Grow plants regardless of country of origin
As much as I’d love to have an All-American garden, I just can’t bring myself to get rid of my beloved daffodils, which are not native.
Don’t get me wrong; I deeply appreciate, both intellectually and emotionally, the beauty, durability, wildlife support, and crucial role of how native plants tie everything together. But I’m a world gardener who savors foods from here (corn, pecans, strawberries, squash, blueberries), Europe (lettuce, wheat), Africa (okra, black-eyed peas, melons), South America (beans, potatoes, tomatoes), Australia (not much, other than macadamia nuts), and Asia (peaches, apples, rice).
Oh, we make exceptions for those? And for the millions of acres of lawn grasses, groundcovers, azaleas, and other highly favored native-displacing plants from afar?
To be forthright, I grow lots of plants, both from here and abroad, considered to be weedy. Not all, because some escape the garden to become seriously destructive to entire ecosystems; kudzu, Chinese tallow tree, privit, and water hyacinth come to mind. And I’m coming around to how imported ornamental pears and wisteria are disrupting big swaths of both native woodland and commercial forests.
But it’s not just those that seed or run around. Countless other over-planted species from overseas (turfgrasses, most shrubs) may not be able to go very far on their own, but are spread far and wide by horticulturists, landscapers, and home gardeners, without providing much to wildlife in return.
And on top of this, four of my five worst garden weeds are native plants. Many natives are among my favorite garden plants but require regular control (goldenrod, I’m looking at you). At the risk of further irking ecologists who argue that only non-native plants can be “invasive” I’m confounded at the time and energy I waste pulling Virginia creeper, trumpet vine, and oak tree seedlings, and spraying poison ivy. All natives with wildlife benefits, but all unwanted plants that keep invading and taking over my garden from outside my fence.
Plus, in these debates, it gets lost how when the Earth’s single land mass split into smaller continents, similar plants floated on them to different corners of the modern world. That’s why both Mississippi and parts of China have magnolias, dogwoods, pines, hydrangea, ferns, beautyberries, maples, azaleas, sweetshrub, iris, honeysuckle, hollies, and Virginia creeper.
In fact, I am planting a new-to-me “Chinese Virginia creeper” (Parthenocissus henryana), with its dark velvety green, bronze-tinged leaves with silvery veins. It’s prettier, and less weedy than the native.
Anyway, I wholeheartedly agree that it is entirely possible to have a beautiful, wildlife-friendly, ecology-sustaining all-native garden. And in general, I will always favor, plant, promote, and celebrate the benefits of suitable natives as smart-choice landscape plants. In fact, email me for a free printable brochure listing and showing how some great ones can be used in good-looking Mississippi gardens.
But I’m done being hypocritical on the topic. I grow plants regardless of country of origin and try to keep an eye on those most likely to become real problems. Until I am convinced otherwise, I am not going to stop growing nandina, mimosa, Spanish bluebells, Mexican petunia, vinca, and liriope. And even St. Augustine and azaleas, were I ever to consider them for my yard.
And because of this, though I was twice past president of the Mississippi Native Plant Society, I have become a pariah among some of my dear friends and peers who detest my stance. So, out of respect for one of the society’s main tenets – of not promoting invasive plants – I have resigned from the group.
When Chinese Virginia creeper is outlawed, only us outlaws will grow it.
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Robert St. John and his son enjoy one of many breakfasts together.
I am a fan of first lines in books. But I also like the last lines in movies. In the film adaptation of John Steinbeck’s, “Cannery Row,” John Huston — in one of the greatest film narrations this side of Morgan Freeman states, “The world was once again spinning in greased grooves.” I don’t know if that line is in Steinbeck’s novel because I probably only read the Cliff’s Notes in high school, and that was well over 40 years ago, but I know exactly what he was talking about.
My son wants to make the restaurant business a career. It’s nothing that I pushed or encouraged. The restaurant business is brutal enough for people who are passionate about our industry; it is miserable for people who are only halfway dedicated (or those who are in it just for the money). So, I set up an eight-year plan, that he— for the most part— has been following for the past couple of years.
He was to get a degree in business first. That four-year stretch of the plan is still in place, though we have called an audible. His second semester of college coincided with the onset of COVID. His college career for the next three semesters was filled with Zoom classes and challenges. Last fall he seemed to be floundering a little and he kept expressing his desire to get out and start working in the industry. “We are going to stick to the plan we agreed upon,” I kept telling him. But around Christmas, he convinced me that taking a break for a bit and working in a kitchen for a while might serve to recharge his batteries.
In 2011, I took my family over to Europe for six months. We all loved it, our lives changed during that time, and none of us have been the same since, though I think it affected the boy the most. He was struck with a severe case of wanderlust and has traveled back to Tuscany, often. So, I made a deal with him that we would skip his last year of college, if he promised that he would finish one day. I couldn’t say much because I had done the same thing.
He could work for a friend of mine in Tuscany for a few months before heading off to culinary school which would put him back on the eight-year plan.
He got a one-bedroom, third-floor, walk-up apartment in the Santo Spirito neighborhood of Florence and took a 45-minute bus ride every day to the small town of Tavernelle to work for my friend Paolo and with his mother Giuliana, in the kitchen. That was five months ago.
My wife and I spent six weeks over there in the spring while I was working hosting tours, and we got to see him often. He seemed to be thriving in that environment. He knew the area better than I, and I have spent a couple of months of every year there for the past several years. It was so refreshing to have him take us to his favorite places in Florence and introduce us to the new friends that he had made over there.
He is now ready to go off to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, in September. There, he will resume the plan that we agreed upon several years ago, and spend two years becoming a chef. After that, he will get out and work for friends of mine in the business for two years — first, in Chicago, then in New Orleans. Then, and only then, I told him he could come back to one of our restaurants. He will start at the bottom and work his way up.
I picked him up at the airport two days ago. He wanted American food. I had Popeyes spicy fried chicken waiting for him when he came through the door. It’s a tradition I have always done. As soon as I land back in America after a long lengthy Italian tour, I hit the Popeyes in the Atlanta airport before coming home.
The next morning he was up early since his internal clock was still getting adjusted to a new time zone. That was great for me because it afforded us the opportunity to go to breakfast. Our favorite breakfast place in New Orleans is La Boulangerie bakery. We caught up with news from home and abroad and talked about what he had learned and what he had experienced. We talked about the recipes he gathered while he was there, and the things he cooked in Giuliana‘s kitchen. We will be putting many of those to use in the coming days.
He was excited to come home and spend the night in his own bed and to see his mother. This morning we got up and ate breakfast at The Midtowner. He and I have eaten breakfast together all over the world. When we took the long trip, the girls always slept late, but he and I always got up and ate breakfast together. We have so many good memories of breakfast in 72 European cities over that wonderful six-month period.
Though none of those breakfasts can compare to what he and I enjoyed this morning at our breakfast joint. He wanted eggs and bacon cooked the American way. He hadn’t eaten hashbrowns in almost a half a year and was looking forward to those. He also wanted a biscuit. He typically doesn’t eat bread, or at least much of it, but he tore that cathead biscuit up in one sitting.
ROBERT ST. JOHN is a restaurateur, chef and author. Find his recipe for Pesto at robertstjohn.com.
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Living walls can be planted with annuals, perennials, herbs or vegetables.
Vertical landscapes add life to buildings
By LISA LUCIUS Contributing Columnist
The term “living wall” is one that is now being used more frequently when considering gardening. Gardeners are becoming more creative when placing plants in areas other than the garden or in containers.
However, the concept of the living wall is not new, but is found in 600 BC with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The modern living wall was invented by Stanley Hart White at the University of Illinois in 1931-38.
A living or green wall is simply a wall that is made of plants. These vertical landscapes add life to the interiors and exteriors of buildings. People often hear the term “living wall,” and they think of ivy-covered houses and other buildings. There is a difference in ivy growing up a wall and anchored in the ground, and a living wall. In the ivy-covered wall, nutrients for the plant come from the ground where the ivy is anchored. Living walls and vertical gardens, are walls, which can be either inside or outside, and may be free-standing or part of a building. This building is constructed from panels, and each contains its own soil. A wide variety of plants can be used beyond the use of climbing vines.
Most living walls are those that are placed on the inside of a structure. For these walls, there are methods which include attaching the panels to the air return of the building to help with air filtration. In the areas of light, water, and nutrients for the plants, new hydroponic technology is in place when constructing the wall. The benefits of the living wall are space and energy efficient, visual appealing, and due to the wall’s longevity, increase in property value.
Living walls can be planted with annuals, perennials, herbs or vegetables. Planting edibles can help you get crops from a tight space. The gardener should choose shade-tolerant plants if the wall gets less than half a day of sun in midsummer. The plants should be watered every day in hot weather and at least every other day throughout summer.
LISA LUCIUS, a Master Gardener, is a trained volunteer with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. For gardening questions, call the Help Center at (662) 620-8280 in Lee County or (866) 920-4678 outside Lee County and leave a message.
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Jennifer Meadows has been creating mixed-media artwork for about 12 years. She often teaches classes or hosts paint parties at the Farmhouse in downtown Tupelo.
Meadows works on a series of small canvases for the Booneville Main Street Association as part of a tourism campaign.
Rock birds are one of Meadows' best sellers at festivals. "If I'm walking one of the dogs I keep, and there's a nice-looking rock rock on the ground, I'll pick it up," she said. "There's always a good rock nearby."
Color and whimsy are central themes in Meadows' work.
This silhouette of a woman was painted over an old piece of linoleum and mounted on a canvas. Meadows made the words out of different letters she's collected over the years.
Meadows finds old globes at garage sales and thrift shops, cuts them in half, and then adds her unique touch to complete the pieces.
Tupelo artist uses recycled items, whimsy in mixed-media creations
TUPELO – Jennifer Meadows rarely sits still.
The Columbus native who considers Tupelo her hometown holds down three full-time jobs: She's the assistant to the curriculum director for the Tupelo Public School District; a dog sitter; and a mixed-media artist.
"I've always been very creative, very color-focused," said Meadows, 40. "If I could get my hands into something, whether coloring in a coloring book or making a chain from construction paper strips, I was happy – just whatever I could create and make."
About 12 years ago, she started using recycled materials to create artwork. If she found a bolt in the street or some old linoleum or some good corrugated cardboard, she'd pick it up to see how she could use it.
Pretty soon, friends started asking her if she could make things on canvas that they'd seen on Pinterest.
"I wanted to make something that wasn't exactly what they'd seen on Pinterest or wherever," she said. "I wanted to give it the Jennifer effect. I like to do things with dimension. I like to add different textures, different heights. If I find a piece of cardboard with a good ripple, I'm going to find a way to use it."
Meadows said her mind is always turning, always working, to come up with new ideas, which is how she stumbled onto one of her best sellers – her rock birds.
"I was babysitting for a young lady and we were painting rocks," Meadows said. "Something about one of the rocks looked like a bird to me."
So she began painting eyes on the rocks and added beaks and legs and glued them to real branches or twigs on a painted, framed canvas.
"No two are ever alike," she said. "I don't like to make the same thing over and over again. The rock birds are in the same series, but every one is different. The last few years, I started putting wings on them and changing the background."
About six years ago, Meadows started creating canvases with sayings on them.
"There are so many good words, so many good quotes," she said. "At first everything was real sweet and positive – 'All you need is love,' or 'Love makes the world go around.' The last two or three years, I've taken a more real approach to life with words, while still staying positive."
Some of her favorites are "I plan my whole day around the possibility of a nap," "I'll get over it. I've just got to be dramatic first," and "Stay positive. But not too positive. That's annoying."
Behind those words, sometimes barely visible and sometimes a focal point, are other words.
"I use vintage piano music in my work – that's one of the staples of my art," she said. "All the words and sayings are stamped onto music paper. I use a lot of old book pages, too. That's a very large part of my work. I've got a mini-library at my home filled with books people have thrown away or that I've found at used bookstores and thrift shops."
She also uses other recycled items for embellishment in her art, whether that's a Scrabble game tile, a button, a faucet knob, fashion jewelry or fabric.
"I've just started using fabrics in pieces," she said. "I learned to sew during the pandemic. I wanted to make a quilt, but I didn't want to make blocks of things. So I do what's called fiber-fusion – I make the design, fuse it onto a quilt, then add stitches. I'm always willing to try something new, even if it could be a total flop. It may not work, but it may turn into something super special. The possibilities are endless.""
For the past 10 years, Meadows has been taking her art to regional shows and festivals. She recently showed at the Gumtree Art & Wine Festival in Tupelo. Still to come this year are the Prairie Arts Festival in West Point on Sept. 3; the Robins Street Art Stroll in Tupelo on Sept. 17; and the Cotton District Arts Festival in Starkville on Oct. 29.
"I sold 82% of the pieces I carried to Gumtree," she said. "I know I had 235 pieces – probably more because the best ideas come to me about three days before a festival. After the 4th of July, I'll start working on my stock for Prairie Arts."
Prices for her art range from $5 to $125, and her pieces are easily recognized because the price tags are old playing cards.
"I've been doing that from the beginning," she said. "It keeps me unique, and it's a conversation starter at shows."
With two other jobs, you'd think Meadows would find it hard to make time to create her art. But that's not the case at all.
"My main workspace is at home, but if I'm dog-sitting at someone's home, I'll take supplies and use that time to be creative," she said. "I may work on my lunch break at TPSD, or if I go to my parents' house in Muscle Shoals, I take stuff with me. If I'm going to sit for any length of time, I can make a creative space for myself."
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Brandi Phillips, owner of the Wine Barn in Tupelo, started the business in Corinth in 2013.
Brandi Phillips, owner of the Wine Barn in Tupelo, sets up a store display inside her store on Wednesday afternoon.
The Wine Barn is located at 3905 N. Gloster St., next to Walmart.
Wine Barn Revisited
Wine Barn revisited: After a year, owner reopens store in Tupelo
TUPELO • Brandi Phillips vowed never to open a wine store in a retail strip center, but here she is with the Wine Barn in Big Oaks Crossing.
"It's a really good, convenient location," she said.
Her store is in fine company, with the world's largest retailer, Walmart, right next door. In fact, on the other side of the north wall of the Wine Barn is the Walmart bakery. Sam's anchors the end of the retail center.
The Wine Barn isn't new, however.
Phillips started the business in 2013 after being laid off from her pharmaceutical sales job.
"Our whole sales force got laid off," she said. "After being in the business for 10 years, I was done. I didn't want to do it anymore."
Originally from Iuka, she and her husband were in Corinth often, as it was where her mother's family was rooted.
Then on one trek through the city, she noticed a corner lot with an old yellow barn on it. She had always wanted to open a wine store, as she was a wine connoisseur herself, and the place seemed an ideal location.
"We got it for a really good price, tore down the old barn, built a new barn and started the business in 2013," Phillips said.
Her plans to open a wine-only store didn't last long, as customers came in looking for liquor as well. So Phillips began stocking liquor, albeit reluctantly.
"I got into this because I love wine, and I only wanted to sell wine," she said. "I didn't have pints for a year in Corinth, but I finally got some. But if anybody comes into the store, wine is really my specialty.
"I'll ask if they like sweet, dry, white, red, etc. I love giving recommendations. I've tried almost everyone of the bottles we have, and I'll tell what I think. I'm honest, and I'll tell you if you need to find something else."
Next to the Wine Barn in Corinth was the Flying Pig craft beer market that Phillips opened. While it was a marginal success, she opted to close it after about three years.
She sold the property with the two buildings on it in February of last year.
Phillips then took a year off before deciding to reopen the Wine Barn in a new location.
"My husband has a real job," she said with a laugh. "He supports the family, so I was able to take the time off."
During that time off, Phillips started thinking about bringing back the Wine Barn, but this time in Tupelo. The new owners of her old Corinth property told her if she ever wanted to reopen the business elsewhere they would return the signs, shelving, etc. of the store.
"I've got all my original shelving. I stained every piece of wood in the old building, the decorations and the hand-drawn wine labels," she said. "It's all here in Tupelo."
The space in Tupelo needed quite a bit of work, and it was almost like rebuilding the old Wine Barn. A couple of months of hard work to renovate the space paid off, and she opened the Wine Barn in March.
"Any liquor store will tell you it's challenging right now with ABC and all the changes that are going on," she said.
One major issue is the difficulty in getting some product from the state ABC warehouse.
"It's especially tough on stuff that everybody wants, like specialty bourbons," she said. "When they hit the state, the casinos and big stores are the first ones to get it, and that's just the way it is ... bourbon is just huge right now."
Bourbon sales have grown to around $2 billion in the U.S., accounting for nearly 9% of total spirits volume.
Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers Association, said the combination of several factors have fueled “unparalleled growth” in the bourbon industry.
First was the introduction of small-batch and single-barrel bourbons in the late 1980s and early 1990s. That started a trend of a premium bourbons that helped boost bourbon’s reputation as a high-quality spirit.
Then the global market for bourbon grew after the signing of NAFTA and the EU agreement that helped level the playing field with Scotch whisky and other global whiskeys, Gregory said.
As with any case of high demand and low supply, trying to get what everybody wants is difficult. Finding Blanton's, Willett and Eagle Rare on store shelves is an uncommon find. And don't even ask for Pappy Van Winkle, which depending on the vintage, can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
"Oh, we've had people ask, but they quit asking," Phillips said. "
But the Wine Barn has plenty of liquor and wine, and Phillips often has what a customer seeks. It's a competitive market in which Phillips finds herself, but she's confident the Wine Barn will make its mark.
"Once we get good and established and more people come to us, I think our location is key," she said. "In Corinth we had Memphis to Pickwick people, and it was the last stop for many before going into Tennessee. It was convenient. Here we're next to Walmart, and we have a lot of people — lots of out-of-towners — come in looking for something. So convenience and customer service is what will set us apart."
For now, Phillips is trying to find out exactly what her customers in Tupelo like. In Corinth, she was able to keep the most popular products in supply. In Tupelo, she hasn't reached that point yet.
"We kind of had it down in Corinth, but because the draw here is from so many areas, it's been more of a challenge to figure out what people want," she said. "We'd like to get everything, but we don't have the space."
One new feature: Customers can get a taste of a wine before buying the bottle.
"I can open a bottle of wine and let everybody have a taste, and that's really nice to be able to do that," she said.
The Wine Barn is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Sam Gilliam of Tupelo listens as he is praised for his abstract painting and use of mixed-media during the 2007 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts ceremony Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, in Jackson. Gilliam died June 25, 2022.
Tupelo native Sam Gilliam leaves a legacy of artistic innovation
TUPELO • Sam Gilliam joined the heavenly ranks of Tupelo native sons whose artistic legacies traveled beyond those small city borders. During his 88 years of life, Gilliam became an internationally renowned abstract artist who innovated modern art.
“Tupelo’s known for a lot of things, but I would say one would not automatically think accomplished African-American visual artist would be one of the things,” said Malcolm White, the retired former executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). “Sam was quite a get.”
Gilliam died Saturday, June 25. His death was announced by the David Kordansky Gallery and Pace Gallery, who worked with Gilliam in his later years. He died of renal failure at his home in Washington, the New York Times reported.
Gilliam was born in Tupelo on Nov. 30, 1933, to Sam Gilliam Sr. and Estery Gilliam. He was the seventh of eight children. He tapped into his love for art at an early age.
"Somewhere around 6, someone pointed out to my mother that it kept me quiet as I drew," Gilliam told the Daily Journal in a 2007 interview. "She said, ‘If you keep him doing this the rest of his life, you'll never have any trouble with him.' And I've been doing that the rest of my life."
Spending his early childhood years in Tupelo taught Gilliam to cultivate a lifetime of discovery, as he’d climb on his parents’ roof and look up.
"I noticed there was a much prettier world up there," Gilliam said in the 2007 interview. "Between the sky and the tops of buildings, there were a lot of things that were surprising.”
Shawn Brevard has followed Gilliam’s work for years, viewing his art in galleries in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Jackson. Seeing his photo on the front page of the New York Times on Tuesday, June 27, showcased his remarkable impact and “something that this town needs to pay attention to,” Brevard said. Gilliam’s legacy reminded her of another Tupelo legend, Elvis Presley, whose births are separated by merely 13 months.
“You got the visual art coming out of Sam, and you’ve got the musical art coming out of Elvis,” Brevard said. “(They both had) these experiences as children in this community that had a really incredibly foundational impact on their lives and their art.”
Gilliam’s family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, when he was 8, where he continued advancing in his artistry. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in fine art and a master’s in painting. In between both degrees, he entered the U.S. Army in 1956, serving two years, according to a biography from HistoryMakers, a national nonprofit that preserves African American history.
He married Dorothy Butler, who was a pioneer in her own right as the Washington Post’s first Black female reporter, in 1962. The couple had three children: Stephanie Gilliam, Melissa Gilliam and L. Franklin Gilliam. Sam Gilliam married Annie Gawlak, an art dealer and longtime partner following his separation, in 2018.
Gilliam’s art career developed in the 60s. In 1968, he changed art history with his Drape paintings, which cast aside frame borders to drop his canvases on ceilings and walls. Pieces were mostly tailored for specific spaces, making each installation unique, said Ke Francis, a celebrated Tupelo-based narrative artist. Francis followed Gilliam’s career as a major figure in American art. Gilliam’s work provided a creative and innovative way to view museum space, Francis said.
“(It’s) like you were walking into, and being completely enveloped by, the color, rather than looking at it like you were looking at a window,” Francis said. “It’s a different feeling, more like you would actually be in a forest instead of looking at a painting of a forest.”
Gilliam earned international acclaim, becoming the first Black artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale in 1972. He’d manage to have a great career despite facing barriers.
“Sam was one of the people who managed to get the work shown regardless,” Francis said. “People seemed like they were kind of forced to push their prejudices aside because the work was so powerful.”
He continued recreating his artistry throughout his career, according to Pace, with Pace founder Arne Glimcher crediting him with “explod(ing) the borders between sculpture, painting and installation” and “reinvent(ing) color and space in abstraction” in a written recollection.
“It was a very unique style that he worked in ... which is so rare in the art field, finding something that no one else has done before,” White said.
He received his flowers from his native state, receiving an honor for lifetime achievement in the 2007 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. As the MAC director at the time, White remembered Gilliam as gentle and humble despite his prestige.
Gilliam continued painting throughout his life, stopping only in death, according to the David Kordansky Gallery and Pace Gallery. While Gilliam wasn’t always a household name, Francis believes the final years of his career brought well deserved focus back to his work, showing it could last the span of time.
He leaves behind his wife, three children, three sisters and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, his family requested that donations be made to NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Rock Creek Conservancy or an art institution of the donor’s choosing.
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This attempt to divide humanity into categories of worth and less worth is reminiscent of the court's Dred Scott decision in 1857, which said Black slaves could not be citizens of the United States (suggesting they were less valuable than white people). The 7-2 decision was widely regarded as the worst decision in the court's history. Until Roe.
The word "choice" has been used by those opposed to any restrictions on abortion. If all choices are to be considered equal, then none is to be preferred. We don't apply that to any other category of life and law.
Rather than my telling her story, I will let her tell it. Her name is Crystal, and she posted this on her Facebook page after the court ruling:
"I was 19 when I found out I was pregnant with my first child.
"I didn't have any future plans. Just taking 1 day at a time. The father of my child didn't want to be involved so it was just me. Never did I think abortion was my solution. I had people tell me my life would be ruined, I would not be able to provide for my unborn child, doctors encouraged me to get an abortion. People encouraged adoption. I wanted none of that! I became a mother. My instincts to love, protect and nurture my child were immediate. I didn't have a college degree or a well-paying job. I didn't have a bunch of money. I didn't even have a car!
"Having my child set me on a path and God guided me the whole way. I am thankful to have the courage and the ability to think for myself to make my OWN decisions. I am thankful I was not easily swayed by the lies that abortion is and was the only solution. If you find yourself in a similar situation there is help! People say pro-lifers don't care about the child once the baby is born. That is a huge lie. There are SO MANY resources out there for young pregnant moms and people who choose life but need help to build a strong foundation.
"There are people who can't have children and WANT them. Adoption is a beautiful thing. Death for convenience and out of fear is not so beautiful. I know people who have shared their abortion stories with me and not one of them was because of a defect, rape, abuse. Every single one was because of fear. I want to share my story to counter the big lies told by the abortion industry. It's a business. They don't care about you or your baby. They want the money. My firstborn is 16, he is smart, funny, responsible, dedicated and I'm so lucky I get to be his mom. I am where I am today in my life because I became a mother early on. I don't regret a second of it. I have achieved so much in my life, having a child didn't hold me back, it propelled me."
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Sam R. Hall is executive editor of the Daily Journal.
Adam Robison | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM////
Notes from the Brain Drain forum
The Brain Drain panel discussion Thursday night was lively and — oddly enough — refreshing. Yes, talking policy can be refreshing, particularly when you have smart people in positions of influence who aren't afraid to speak hard truths and call out long-held notions.
The smart people on the panel were David Fernandes, president of Toyota Mississippi; Scott Waller, CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council; and Rob Hairston, projects director for the Community Development Foundation. It was my honor to moderate this discussion, which was heightened by an engaged audience that asked some good questions and followed up with interesting conversations after the event concluded.
Here are some of the highlights from the forum, which I hope will spur continued conversations around how we can retain our best, brightest and most skilled workers, not to mention recruit others — particularly those who have left the state — to come here.
Listen to what people are telling us
If there was a single thread that ran throughout the evening, it would be this: Listen and adapt.
Listen to what younger generations are telling us they want. Listen to what workers truly desire. And once you've heard them, take action to adapt current situations to meet these growing needs.
Waller, more than once, said that those in older generations — he would say as he pointed to his graying hair — have to learn to change their perceptions to better understand and relate to the generations that are coming up and starting to fill roles in our communities, businesses and organizations.
"Those who can adapt will survive," Waller said, leaving unsaid the reality that "those who can't adapt will not." That goes not only for businesses but for our communities and our state as a whole.
Three areas of focus for brain drain
OK. There are more than three. There are countless areas on which we need to focus. But if you divide these different ideas into the biggest categories possible, you'd come up with something like this:
Education. We absolutely must continue to realign our education system to produce students who are prepared to enter the workforce at all levels. That includes high schools focusing on career readiness as much as (if not more than) college prep. And it means understanding that the idea of college has to be expanded to include any post-secondary education or certification.
Business. Businesses must be flexible to meet the growing demands of our workers. Not only must we recruit new, good-paying jobs, we have to do so in specific industries like energy and technology that are becoming more and more in demand. And we must do a far better job at highlighting these kinds of jobs that already exist in other fields. For example, Toyota is a manufacturing plant, and Northeast Mississippi Medical Center is a health care facility, but both have incredible technology positions that pay good money and are in high demand.
Quality of life. People will not stay here if they don't enjoy living, playing and raising a family here. They can find jobs anywhere. What they want is a place that is home to them.
Quality of life matters most
Hairston continued to hammer this point over and over, and he's absolutely right. People want things to do, events they can attend and places they can go to meet people and enjoy themselves. A strong social life is imperative for success in battling brain drain.
Growing up in Tupelo, I remember thinking that I wanted to live somewhere bigger because there just wasn't much to do here. Coming back, there is so much more. Tupelo has done a tremendous job in that area. But, as Hairston made clear, anyone who thinks Tupelo has done enough is fooling themselves. It's hard to tell people who have done so much that there is even more to do, but that's the truth that needs to be told.
To paraphrase something Hairston said after the forum, it's not saying that the people who have worked so hard to this point have failed. They didn't fail. Hairston and others are standing on their shoulders to build the next level. Someday, a new generation will stand on this group's shoulders and hopefully build us even higher.
And quality of life does not mean just in the community. Fernandes told the story of how Toyota started listening to what their workers wanted out of shift work and made changes to allow workers more flexibility with shifts so they could spend longer stretches at home with family or friends. Sometimes it's not about pay — or just about pay — it's about the little things, like freedom and flexibility. Convincing more employers to shift paradigms on what work looks like is going to be key.
So much more...
There is no way in to cover in this column everything we discussed — much less those important aspects of this issue we didn't. But there are a lot of people who continue to work on this issue, from MEC on the state level to school districts, businesses, CDF and the CREATE Foundation on the local level.
Everyone should be a part of this conversation because there is no one solution. This is a complicated, all-encompassing issue that will require solutions big and small. Everyone has a role to play, and everyone has something to say on how we can improve.
So let's start by listening. Then let's get to adapting.
SAM R. HALL is executive editor of the Daily Journal. Contact him at sam.hall@djournal.com or follow @samrhall on Twitter.
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Now what? Holding the politicians accountable
By CATHY GRACE Contributing columnist
Now that our state leaders have expressed their overwhelming support for the Supreme Court’s ruling that reversed Roe v. Wade and that our state will be “baby focused" as far as providing positive supports for improving the lives of young children, we must see actions that match their celebratory rhetoric.
After declaring that the end of abortion as “an end to this evil in our nation,” House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, announced he will create the “Speaker’s Commission on the Sanctity of Life” to address possible resources and other issues specific to Mississippi mothers and children. In the past, the speaker has opposed the expansion of Medicaid, which is one of the main funding sources that will need to be expanded if true improvements are made to the lives of children and babies in the state. There appears to be a huge disconnect between the charge issued to the Speaker’s Commission and the previous actions of the speaker and Legislature in general.
State Rep. Becky Currie, R-Brookhaven, who authored the House 15-week abortion ban that led to the Supreme Court overturning Roe, said lawmakers should have extended postpartum Medicaid coverage and should be working to help mothers and children. Currently in Mississippi, postpartum coverage is for 60 days, only the time allowed by Medicare. Currie and many health professionals have attempted to get legislative support for a rule change to extend the coverage to 12 months.
Gunn and others have refused over and over to expand Medicare. So now what? When the Speaker killed the bill in March, he was quoted as saying, “I have been very clear that I oppose Medicaid expansion, and that I believe we should be working to get people off Medicaid as opposed to adding more people to it.”
Why is this a big deal? Five of the state’s major medical associations wrote a letter to Gunn in February that laid out the relevant data and directly stated extending the program would save mothers’ lives. According to the letter provided to the speaker and other legislators, “postpartum coverage lowers the risk of pregnancy-related deaths. Thirty-seven percent of these deaths occur (more than) six weeks after delivery, when these moms would traditionally have lost their healthcare coverage. Extending coverage to moms for 12 months would save many mother and baby lives.”
Gunn still killed the bill to expand the time a mother already on Medicaid would be covered. This would not add people to the rolls.
When reviewing the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s website, the programs highlighted for children are primarily dedicated to teens. One program mentioned for the provision of services to pediatricians, the Child Access to Mental Health and Psychiatry service, known as CHAMP, is a consultation and educational service for pediatric primary care providers in Mississippi.
According to the website, The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, in conjunction with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, has received a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to provide free and same-day telephone consultations to pediatric primary care providers in Mississippi.
The team supports primary care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) with questions about mental health care such as diagnostic clarification, medication adjustment, or treatment planning. These consultations will be offered with an educational focus and are performed primarily by UMMC child psychiatrists and child psychologists. They are not direct service providers. Direct program services such as early intervention for children with developmental delays and for children who have been diagnosed with Autism or on the Autism spectrum are also woefully under resourced.
While the issues surrounding mental health and related services for children are complex, one of the main problems is the inadequate reimbursement rate for service providers Mississippi offers to anyone serving children on Medicaid.
If Mississippi is going to be “baby focused,” the state leadership must change their previous stance on no Medicaid expansion. Making good on the new political rhetoric will take re-thinking opposition to changing current regulations related to child and family services that are anti-family, especially low- income families. Making changes in the state Medicaid’s funding is the first step. It is a big one and when it is taken, we can move forward.
Until then, babies will continue to die in unacceptable numbers and families will suffer with the inability to find help for their child.
CATHY GRACE, Ed.D, is co-director of the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning at the University of Mississippi. You can reach her at cwgrace@olemiss.edu.
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Northern District Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell speaks to a crowd in this July 31, 2021, file photo.
ROBERT SCOTT | Chickasaw Journal
MDOT Commissioner John Caldwell's petty protest wastes valuable time
There is no good excuse for Northern District Transportation Commissioner John Caldwell to have held up $100 million in federal infrastructure spending across the state — including $32.4 million in north Mississippi.
Caldwell was the lone "no" vote Tuesday on spending the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair funds. Because of state law, which still governs how these particular federal funds are spent, the three-member transportation commission must unanimously approve the projects before the funds can be spent.
Caldwell received the plans a week before the vote, but he said he needed more time to consider them. He also made some handwaving statement about "internal communications issues" but refused to explain what that meant.
We are not sure how the other two commissioners could have been prepared to vote, but Caldwell could not. Perhaps there were extenuating circumstances for which anyone could sympathize. However, when your vote is crucial to $100 million worth of projects getting started across the state, there really are no excuses for an elected official to not be prepared.
The more prominent reason, however, seems to be that Caldwell was trying to make a political statement. We understand there is tension between Caldwell and some staff at the Mississippi Department of Transportation, perhaps even with other commissioners. However, playing politics like this hurts our communities and the people who will be doing these jobs.
Politics being at play is further substantiated by the fact that Caldwell did not give any notice prior to the vote that he needed more time.
“The results of that scoring process were provided to the three commissioners, the advisory council and others a week ago,” MDOT Executive Director Brad White said. “And Commissioner Caldwell was the only one who expressed a need for more time — and he didn’t do that to me until today.”
Caldwell said he will likely vote to approve the projects at the next commission meeting.
“I don’t expect too much of a delay,” Caldwell said.
Bu with inflation and supply chain issues, even a two-week delay can be costly for these projects. In fact, the new list of projects is a lot smaller than the original list because of how prices have changed over just a few months.
We expect better from our elected officials. This kind of petty politics hurts the people he serves. It should not happen again.
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In a few days, there’s going to be a picnic with a big plate full of barbecue, baked beans and potato salad with my name on it. It’s going to be flanked by a couple of days of fireworks shows and a patriotic parade.
This glorious weekend of the year comes with plenty of wondrous ways to spend it. You could be going to the beach or the lake or you could just be enjoying the kickoff to a week-long shutdown at the plant where you work.
You could be getting ready to take the pontoon or kayak out on the river or a creek or you could just be looking forward to having Monday off with nothing to do. Whatever you’ve got planned, the Fourth of July is a mid-year treat we can all enjoy in whatever way we choose.
In the last few years, I have sort of gotten sucked in to trips to the Hobby Lobby to take in the sights. One thing I’ve learned is shortly after Easter makes its way off the shelves, it’s time for full-on Fourth of July down a couple of aisles.
I love the look of metal firecracker yard stakes, bunting and breakdancing Uncle Sams. To that matter, I’m perfectly fine starting to get into that mindset in late April. The stars and stripes are a really good look for any time of the year, and it’s sometimes hard to put away my little assortment of summertime décor – patriotic gnomes and all.
The T-shirts and hats bearing the American flag are hard to overlook walking through other stores, which again is another look that shouldn’t just be a summertime or Veterans Day thing.
Patriotic holidays vary from being reverent while remembering the fallen during Memorial Day to being celebratory on Veterans Day of those who served in the military. A weekend in July to celebrate our independence is the free-for-all wrapped up in red, white and blue.
Watching Will Smith take on aliens for my annual viewing of “Independence Day” is usually as much of a thing now as picking out Roman candles and bottle rockets from a fireworks stand was when I was young.
Seeing kids run around at a park wearing glow necklaces waiting for a fireworks show is usually as much of a thing now as being an excited kid waiting for fireworks at the air base or at the river way back then.
During the school year, the teachers and textbooks taught us about our forefathers, the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, but that summertime holiday helped develop a little more patriotism.
Like seeing an air show or hearing Bruce Springsteen sing “Born in the U.S.A.,” it’s hard to not get excited about a fireworks show, no matter how old you are. It’s things like this that steadily develop a little bit more patriotism.
In about five months, Charlie Brown cartoons and Advent wreaths will help us get into a spirit of Christmas. With Christmas and the Fourth of July (and any other holiday), there’s a much deeper origin that makes us celebrate them 2,052 or 246 years later.
With the case of these two major holidays, there’s a reminder of a lot of suffering and sacrifice that secured blessings we still have today. Christianity and patriotism are two ways we don’t forget that and how we still appreciate it. To that matter, it makes me think about the countless events I’ve attended with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
While that plate of barbecue in the next few days truly is one of my favorite meals out of the year, I don’t forget about why I’m able to enjoy it so much. I hope whenever you’re out on the water somewhere, spitting watermelon seeds or scooping up homemade ice cream, you don’t either.
Celebrate the Fourth of July however you see fit but remember you’re celebrating it for your country.
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Hill, Jonell
Jonell Summers Hill, 69, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022 at her home in Tupelo. Her passing was due to complications of dementia. Jonell was born on July 29, 1952 in Tupelo, Mississippi to the late Harvey L. and Nellie Rue Nanney Summers. After growing up in Tupelo, she graduated from Tupelo High School in the Class of 1970. Following high school graduation, Jonell attended Itawamba County Junior College where she would go on to graduate in 1972. She was a faithful member of the West Jackson Street Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hill was preceded in death by her sister, Diane. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Kirby Lynn Hill; one son, Joey (Kendrah); four granddaughters, Mackenzie, Khloey, Khaleigh, and Gracie; one step-grandson, Khalique; and two brothers, Stacy (Joahn) and Eddie (Maria). A Celebration of Mrs. Hill's life will be held at 2 PM today, Tuesday, July 4 at the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with private burial in Pontotoc City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 Noon until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Services will be officiated by Dr. Keith Cochran. For those unable to attend, a livestream of the service as well as online condolences may be found by visiting www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com. The staff of Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Jonell Summers Hill during this time.
Jonell Summers Hill
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One can never know what a word of encouragement spoken in one generation may do 50 years later. The right word at the right time to the right person can last a lifetime, or two, in this instance.
Few people need your criticism. I am frankly not even sure that there is such a thing as constructive criticism. I have never heard much of it. But there is such a thing as constructive encouragement. Hebrews 3:13 tells us to encourage one another daily.
Ponder that for a moment. It is a reciprocal word. If I encourage you, you are to encourage me. It works like a boomerang. When you send encouragement out, it comes back to you in the strangest ways as encouragement boomeranging back to you.
It may be from the person you encouraged or it may be from someone else. God has a way of presiding over all of that, but it works. Try it and you will find out.
Also, this is to be a daily habit. Don’t worry about whether it works or not or whether to do it right. Just do it. Halitosis is better than no breath at all. Start it in your own home. Husbands and wives should encourage one another. Parents and children should do the same. Incidentally, part of that is your own being willing to receive encouragement.
There are people so jaded that they interpret encouragement as strategy to get something from them. If someone encourages you, receive it in good faith and with joy.
Move on from your own house to work, neighbors, and for sure to pastors and workers at your church. Today, pastors are subject to relentless criticism. Every pastor needs a friend, so encourage the encourager and expect nothing but appreciation in return. You do not have to be the pastor’s pet. Be sensitive to people around you who need to be encouraged.
There is a great deal written today about mindfulness. A lot of this is half-baked left-winged trash. That’s not what I am writing about. I am writing about old-fashioned dime store attention to other people. Does the person in front of me need encouragement?
Life is short on this Earth. Take my advice and “live while you are alive. Forgive now those who make you cry. You might not get a second chance. It takes only a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them but an entire lifetime to forget them.”
Years ago, it was found that radio waves never totally disappear. They increase the further they go out at the inverse of square. That means they never vanish. Somewhere out there in the universe, Clint Eastwood is still talking to the bad guy to “make my day, punk,” and Betty Crocker is still making pies.
Those words will never totally go away but get fainter. Encouragement is like that.
An act of encouragement will go on and on, even as it gets fainter. There is one place it will be heard – at the judgment seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10).
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In many ways, Billy Graham belonged to the whole world. But “God’s Ambassador” always had a special place in his heart for his home country, the United States, where he lived for all 99 years of his life.
As the U.S. celebrates Independence Day, these 10 quotes are a reminder of how much Mr. Graham loved his nation and desperately wanted to see his fellow Americans know the peace and love of God.
“The secret strength of a nation is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes of the country.” —From Day by Day with Billy Graham
“We have stood tall in America in most areas, but on this Independence Day I call upon Americans to bend low before God and go to their knees as Washington and Lincoln called us to our knees many years ago. No nation is ever taller than when on its knees. I submit that we can best honor America by rededicating ourselves to God and the American dream.” —From Billy Graham’s message on July 4, 1970
“As long as we are on this earth, we possess dual citizenship. On one hand we owe allegiance to our nation and are called to be good citizens. But we are also citizens of the kingdom of God. Our supreme loyalty is to Him.” —From The Journey
“I do not see how anyone could study the history of America without recognizing religious influences that have helped mold this nation from the beginning. In no other nation’s founding documents can we find so many declarations of allegiance to God. Time after time in our history there have been appeals to the ‘Supreme Judge’ in seeking to build a new nation. This idea of freedom as a right of all men everywhere is unique among nations.” —From Billy Graham’s New Year’s Eve message in 1975
“Our nation grew strong in an era when moral standards were emphasized, and it will grow weak when we condone that which we once condemned.” —From Billy Graham in Quotes
“I believe that every problem facing us as Americans is basically a spiritual problem. Crime is a spiritual problem. Inflation is a spiritual problem. Corruption is a spiritual problem. Social injustice is a spiritual problem. The lack of will even to defend our freedoms is a spiritual problem.” —1975
“It is right and proper to honor our country, to rejoice in her liberties and to sing her praise. But this can be abused when we make it a substitute for God. We honor America but we do not worship her.” —1970
“I would challenge every deeply committed American who is qualified to think about running for political office. I do not believe that we as Christians should withdraw. We need men and women of integrity and Christian commitment who will run for political office.” —1975
“Lord … remind us today that You have shown us what is good in what You require of us; to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. We ask that as a people, we may humble ourselves before You and seek Your will for our lives and for this great nation. Help us in our nation to work as never before to strengthen our families and to give our children hope and a moral foundation for the future. So may our desire be to serve You, and in so doing, serve one another.” —From Billy Graham’s prayer during the second inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1997
“I believe America has gone a long way down the wrong road. If we ever needed God’s help, it is now.” —From Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador
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Martin, Kay Barnes
Kay Barnes Martin, 79, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 2, 2022 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer for the last year. Kay was born to the late Lawrence and Mattie Barnes in Steele, Missouri on December 31, 1942. Kay was blessed to be raised in a Christian home where her faith was firmly established. At Steele High School, she met the love of her life, Eddie Martin and they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. Kay was blessed with the gift of teaching. For over 50 years, she wrote, published and taught Bible Studies and Sunday School. She dedicated her life to the study, research and teaching of the scriptures. She was known for her dedication to prayer and was diligent and disciplined in praying for so many friends and family that she loved. Kay was a long term member of her beloved Harrisburg Baptist Church. Kay was the current president of the Lee County Master Gardeners. She loved that role and relished her friendships there. Kay loved the MSU Bulldogs and spending time with family and friends at tailgates and ballgames. She was also known among her family and friends for her homemade meals and her love of cooking. Aside from her faith, her family was her greatest joy in life. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Mattie Barnes of Steele, Missouri. She is survived by her husband, Eddie Martin of Tupelo; her daughter Paula Prather (Kelly) of Starkville and her son Brent Martin (Meredith), also of Tupelo; her sisters, Cathryn Wilson (Harold) of Tupelo and Jean Elmore (Tom) of West Point; her grandchildren, Kaylee Ragan (Colton) of Starkville, Kam Prather of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Kaleb Prather of Starkville, Case Martin of Tupelo and Josh Martin of Asbury Park, New Jersey; her great-grandchildren, Collins, Caden, Clai, and JB Ragan. A celebration of Kay's life will be 12 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804. The family is deeply grateful for the love and care provided by Sanctuary Hospice House. Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
Mattie Barnes
Steele High School
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ABERDEEN – After discussion June 24, the board of supervisors voted 4-1 to adopt redistricting plan 1 reflective of 2020 census results. Board president Hosea Bogan, who serves District 5, cast the only vote against the plan, saying he’s not happy with the option but he can move on and live with it.
“The 5th district supervisor is not satisfied with the numbers of the 5th district, and I have a lot of constituents that aren’t happy with it. [Districts] 1, 2, 3 and 4 got all the numbers they want, but the 5th District is the only odd one sitting out there. Four votes to one, with the numbers the way they look, it’s just not fair,” Bogan said.
During a public hearing regarding redistricting earlier in the month, Bogan expressed his support of redistricting plan 2, which would have given his district a 53.5 percent Black voting age population. It was noted by other supervisors during the public hearing that option would disrupt several polling places throughout the county in order to shift lines.
District 2 Supervisor B.R. Richey said the remainder of the board tried working with Bogan as best as they could.
“We came up with all kinds of scenarios to try to help you – us four. We weren’t against you none whatsoever. We all agree on everything near about it and in no form or fashion are we against you,” he said.
The approved redistricting plan has District 5 with a Black voting age population of 50.1 percent and a 46.1 percent white voting age population. With the previous county redistricting map, District 5 had a Black voting age population of 48 percent.
The county’s population is roughly 70 white and 30 percent Black.
“We’re starting to see a sign of progress where people are trying to desegregate themselves. There used to be all white neighborhoods in Aberdeen, for instance, and now it’s a mixed 50 percent in some places,” said District 3 Supervisor Rubel West.
Oxford firm Bridge & Watson submitted a third plan, which would have made District 3 a larger area bordering supervisor districts 1, 2 and 4.
In other business, supervisors facilitated a meeting with District 7 Sen. Hob Bryan and representatives from several rural water associations regarding $300 million in funds allocated through the state. He said rural water associations serving Monroe County could potentially receive $5 million.
“I encourage everyone to work long-term for what your water system needs. It’s an opportunity to do some things you’ve been wanting to do, and this opportunity isn’t going to come again,” Bryan said, saying no matching funds are required through the guidelines.
He said a collaborative meeting of representatives from all of the rural water associations will help increase their chances in being approved for funds.
The Mississippi State Department of Health is facilitating the funds. He said water associations will be rated on their applications, and items such as willingness to match funds, having a project plan already in place and collaboration with other water associations help with the point scale.
In responding to a question, Bryan said funding is not guaranteed for all applicants.
He plans to set up a meeting with rural water association representatives and a MSDH official in the coming weeks to further discuss the funding opportunity.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality will oversee separate funding for municipal water departments.
Board attorney David Houston discussed a new statute through the state regarding a permitting process for residential and major construction.
“I don’t want us to get into have an inspector. People in the county for a reason,” said District 1 Supervisor Joseph Richardson.
Supervisors approved for Houston to work on a permit.
In discussing American Rescue Plan Act projects, Houston said engineers are working on proposals for Monroe Regional Hospital improvements, noting electrical improvements seem to be more of an issue than plumbing.
The county is also working with the cities of Aberdeen and Amory for improved water service. Richardson said City of Amory Utilities Manager Mike King is working on securing solid numbers for its booster pump project.
There was discussion about a request for an additional school resource officer for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, but no action was taken.
Chancery clerk Ronnie Boozer said if higher fuel price trends continue, the road, sheriff’s and solid waste departments will be over budget by $280,000 by the end of the fiscal year.
During their input, Richardson and District 4 Supervisor Fulton Ware said they were both asked about the county observing Juneteenth as a holiday. Boozer said after talking to the audit department, it was not allowed this year since it wasn’t stated by the governor or Mississippi Legislature.
Joseph Richardson
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Taillights trace the path of a motor vehicle at the Naughton Power Plant, Jan. 13, 2022, in Kemmerer, Wyo. The Supreme Court decision June 30, restricting the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency may mean continued pollution from power plants in states that are not switching to cleaner energy. But many states are switching and experts say they'll remain free to keep cleaning up their electrical grids under the new decision.
Natalie Behring I AP
SACRAMENTO, Calif. • The U.S. Supreme Court limited the power of the federal government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants. But it's ruling didn't touch the power of the states.
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By BRIAN BROOM The Clarion Ledger
VICKSBURG • It was just a green bottle floating above a barge.
However, Billy Mitchell didn't know that when he walked by it at first, before it caught his eye.
"It was like a voice from Heaven," said Mitchell. "He's watching over his parents. I think that was a sign he's watching over them."
Finding a bottle with a message inside — it's a thing books and movies are made of. This Mississippi version would eventually unite strangers, but first it would take some detective work.
"I was shocked and excited," Mitchell said. "You hear about messages in a bottle, but I never thought I'd find one in the canal over here."
"When they walked in with it, they were so excited that I got excited, too," said Brad Babb, safety and compliance officer with the company. "My first instinct was let's play detective. Let's do this and find this kid."
Babb and others attempted to piece together the tattered message, but couldn't quite make out the name. However, they could tell the child was from Oxford, and it appeared the message could have been part of a class project in 1989. Babb called schools in the Oxford area, but made no progress. So, he decided to post a photo of the message on social media.
It wasn't long before the identity of the boy would come to light.
Dr. Eric Dahl of Oxford was at church a few days after Babb had turned to social media. He received a phone call, something he normally wouldn't answer while at church, but he was on call that evening and thought it might be someone at a hospital trying to contact him.
It wasn't. It was someone alerting him of the post on social media.
"It's astounding it happened," Eric Dahl said. "We get a message 33 years after Brian put it in the river."
"It's like something in a fictitious novel or something you'd see on TV," Eric Dahl said. "To see Brian's handwriting from when he was 11 or 12 years old — it was miraculous.
"It was a gift from on high. We're a praying family and this is a part of God's providence."
"It was just kind of incredible to me that could happen," Melanie Dahl said. "I didn't remember the whole project, so it was a surprise. The fact it was my son who wrote that 33 years ago — what are the odds of that bottle being found?"
"He was really funny," she said. "He had a very quick wit."
"If that's true, he's getting a really big kick out of this," she said.
Brian's sixth-grade teacher, Martha Burnett, still recalls the project.
"It was actually the beginning of the year," Burnett said. "It was one of the early stories in our reading book. The story had to do with the fact that over time people had put messages in bottles. We decided to do that. We decided it was a class project."
The messages were placed in bottles that were capped and sealed with wax. The class then took a field trip to Sardis Lake and tossed the bottles in the Little Tallahatchie River below the lake's dam.
In the late 1990s, one of the bottles was found and the student was contacted. To have a second bottle recovered, Burnett said, was surprising in more ways. First, that folks made the effort to find the family, and secondly, that it was Brian's.
"Brian was a very promising young man," Burnett said. "Even in the sixth grade it was obvious. It is an amazing story of an outstanding young man."
"I spent 30 to 45 minutes talking to the dad and I probably cried three times," Babb said. "He said over and over his son was his best friend. For a dad who's lost a child and being able to give that back to him, that means so much more than words can describe. We're a small family business and we all have kids. We can all sympathize."
"Once he found the parents, Brad called me in tears and I was in tears," Mitchell said. "When Brad told me he'd passed away, it sent chill bumps down my spine. It really did."
In Brian's death, the Dahls lost one of the most precious parts of their lives, but the long-forgotten message he left behind has connected strangers in a way few will ever know.
"We're trying to plan a trip down to the shipbuilders and buy them a meal and hug their necks," Eric Dahl said. "Something profound has happened that brought us together, so we wanted to do it in person. They were like instant family. To see something connect people instantly is a beautiful thing, it was typical of Brian to bring people together. It's a testament to who he is and was."
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Slater Richardson of Starkville was the men's first-place winner of the Green Street Mile on Monday morning in Tupelo. It's the third victory in the annual event for the former Mississippi State runner.
Sophie Santucci, of Tupelo, was the women's first place winner of the Green Street Mile on Monday morning.
Carla Durham of Tupelo and her dog, Charlie, race in the Green Street Mile on Monday morning in Tupelo.
By JOHN L. PITTS Daily Journal
John Pitts
TUPELO – Slater Richardson misses competitive running now that his days at Mississippi State are through.
So he gladly made the effort to be on the starting line at 7 a.m. for Tupelo's annual Green Street Mile.
After all, he's been here before.
At the finish line, the 22-year-old Richardson, who also ran at Starkville High School, was first in 4 minutes and 31 seconds. He won the 2020 race in 4:30 and also won here in 2017.
"I miss racing," he said. "We used to run here in high school and sometimes in college. I just came here to run."
Close behind was Tupelo High School runner Taylor Brown in 4:35. The top female finisher was also a Golden Wave athlete, Sophie Santucci, in 5:45.
Bright sun, temperatures in the high 70s and high humidity greeted the runners who turned out for the July 4 tradition.
Runner-up Brown, 15, had gone through "a long run" while training on Sunday. How long? "Thirteen miles," he said.
"I ran the same time today I would run in a 1600," said Brown, who finished in 4:35. "It felt good out there."
john.pitts@djournal.com
John is sports editor of the Daily Journal.
Follow John Pitts
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In this file photo from Aug. 25, 2021, Rep. Nick Bain, R-Corinth, asks a question during the legislative tax study committee hearing at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss.
State Sen. Rita Potts Parks, R-Corinth, drafted the original Name, Image and Likeness bill that was later amended and then signed into law this week.
A file photo of Rep. Lester "Bubba" Carpenter, R-Burnsville, listening to announcements at his seat in the House Chamber earlier this year during the 2022 legislative session. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mississippi Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley speaks about options last week in trying to secure broadband Internet service to the Wren area.
The historic Jacinto Courthouse in Alcorn County. The 2020 Fourth of July festival at the courthouse has been cancelled because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Courtesy: Natchez Trace Parkway
JACINTO • Under the cover of a historic courthouse, bluegrass twangs and a century of local political tradition, every Republican lawmaker from Alcorn County praised the recent Supreme Court decision eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.
But those same legislators remained divided about what should happen next in a post-Roe Mississippi.
“By promoting life, we have to sustain life,” Republican Rep. Nick Bain of Corinth said. “It’s up to us now to put our money where our mouth is.”
But other lawmakers at the annual Jacinto 4th of July Festival either remained vague or noncommittal about what policies should be advanced to improve the lives of children and new parents in a state with abject poverty and poor maternal and infant health outcomes.
One way the Mississippi State Medical Association and other groups have claimed the state could improve health outcomes is by extending postpartum Medicaid coverage for a longer period of time.
But Rep. Bubba Carpenter, R-Burnsville, said that providing more coverage for new mothers would be a “slippery slope” because it is one step closer to expanding Medicaid to the working poor - something he opposes.
“I feel like with the (Children’s Health Insurance Program) covering children and giving two months of Medicaid for the mothers, we’re doing enough,” Carpenter said.
Medicaid is a health insurance program for the needy, aged, blind and disabled. It is paid by a mix of federal and state dollars. The state’s current Medicaid policy allows eligible mothers who have given birth to receive coverage for 60 days.
Between 2013 and 2016, there were 136 Mississippi mothers who died either during pregnancy or within one year of their pregnancy's end, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Of those deaths, 86% of them occurred postpartum.
Bain remains more open to postpartum care, but he was still noncommittal on his position on the proposal.
“I think we need to have discussions and ask questions about it,” Bain said, adding that he also supported providing additional resources to improve the state’s adoption process.
House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, has been steadfast in his opposition to postpartum Medicaid extension and has openly questioned if expanded coverage of the health insurance program would lead to better health outcomes.
Even though the leader of the House has repeatedly shot down the idea, the 52-member state Senate has overwhelmingly passed the proposal several times.
Sen. Rita Potts Parks, R-Corinth, gave a blunt response when asked if she would support postpartum expansion again in the future.
“Absolutely,” Parks said.
Even Brandon Presley, the Democratic northern district public service commissioner, in a passionate speech at the festival said that being pro-life doesn't end with the recent Dobbs opinion.
While speaking on the topic of how the internet could be used to improve health care in rural Mississippi, the north Mississippi utility regulator said the state government should try to improve the lives of people who are incarcerated, seeking mental health treatment and who are battling addiction issues.
“Being pro-life is not just about protecting the unborn, which I support,” Presley said. “But it’s also about protecting those that are already born.”
After the Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade opinion and upheld the Mississippi law at the center of the suit, both the speaker and Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced they were forming separate commissions to examine which policies lawmakers should propose to improve the lives of mothers and children in the state.
Neither of those committees have met yet, but the Senate committee is expected to convene over the next few months.
Nick Bain
Bubba Carpenter
Rita Parks
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HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. • A gunman on a rooftop opened fire on an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago on Monday, killing at least six people, wounding at least 30 and sending hundreds of marchers, parents with strollers and children on bicycles fleeing in terror, police said. The suspect remained on the loose hours later as authorities scoured the area.
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Surviving an unhealthy relationship with Ole Miss
Follow LeeS
I've paid a hefty price ... monetarily and physically … for my alma mater.
I’ve even hallucinated.
Alas, I didn’t get a T-shirt.
But I’m getting ahead of myself, as it seems I have my mother Vonceil's magic.
It was the 1969-70 school year, the time of “Moonshot and Woodstock” and some two years before “Watergate and punk rock,” for you Billy Joel fans. Corinth High School hadn’t been to the basketball State Tournament since the 1958-59 season … I’m disciplined enough to refrain from additional “We Didn’t Start the Fire” lyrics.
The newly integrated hardwood Warriors, under the direction of James A. Horton, qualified for the aforementioned tournament. My mom was also pregnant with yours truly, and I escaped my prison in late April of 1970.
After a two-year drought, the Warriors returned to the coveted event. As luck would have it, my brother arrived in July of 1973. I assume my mother was pregnant with Brewster, as I’ve told him numerous times he was adopted.
Horton, who left Corinth following the 1979-80 season, would often ask my mother if she was expecting in the ensuing seasons. No such luck.
Strangely enough, CHS wouldn’t return to the State Tournament until 1987-88 – my senior year. Johnny Mitchell led the Warriors to four-straight tournaments – winning the middle two – the last in 1990-91, my brother’s senior year.
As far as the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon goes, my son McCartney, graduated with Caleb Patterson, the grandson of Carl Patterson and one of the stars on the 1972-73 team.
Long story short, my power lies within the Ole Miss baseball program. Seems the conclusion of my long hospital stays and trips to the College World Series by the flagship university have gone hand in hand.
I was very blessed to have beaten Stage III colorectal cancer after being diagnosed in the emergency room in September of 2010. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy that day to find the cause of digestive woes.
The procedure never happened. Turns out there was a pesky tumor blocking the way.
Obviously, I’m still around, and also cancer-free thanks to a Higher Power. When I say prayer works, I’m not saying that just to hear myself talk. And coworkers will attest I do like to talk, especially about Dave Grohl and/or the Foo Fighters.
There was some collateral damage, however. I had to have my colon removed in May of 2014 as scar tissue from multiple surgeries and damage from 28 rounds of radiation left it in less than “ideal" working condition. Me, myself and I (shoutout to De La Soul) looked 10 months pregnant … with twins …when I arrived at the ER.
I spent a few weeks in the hospital and even hallucinated. Some was from the good drugs I received, the other from hospital psychosis. It’s real, because I read it on the internet.
I spent a few months off work to recuperate, but I got to take in the first CWS since I was paroled from the hospital. Ole Miss played in Omaha for the first time since 1972 and the trend began.
Well, you know what I did last summer? I spent all but a couple of days from June 15 to August 20 in the hospital; hallucinations and a six figure bill were among the amenities.
The culprit was an infected mesh patch.
A few years before losing my colon, I had developed an incisional hernia from being sliced down the abdomen three times for cancer-related surgeries in a 14-month span. Enter, literally, the patch.
Turns out the patch basically broke apart, with some debris attaching to the small intestine. My abdomen was cleaned out and the holes in the intestine sutured.
Some eight days later I was back at home. That lasted less than 48 hours and a 50-plus day stretch ensued after the sutures wouldn’t hold.
After putting the program on blast for much of the season, and rightfully so, I pulled hard for my alma mater throughout the Omaha run ... and thankfully their stay this time around was "Everlong."
All my life, I'd been waiting for a natty in one of the Big 3 sports, and I got to witness it from the comfort of my recliner.
Title in hand, the Rebels are on their own as far as returning to Omaha. Don't expect any help from me as I hope I'm pardoned from any long hospital stays.
My now “hostile” abdomen agrees and/or concurs, of course.
H. Lee Smith II mans the sports copy desk for the Daily Journal.
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Tremont girls basketball takes on Hatley in an exhibition game on Monday, June 27.
Tremont sophomore Kara George dribbles the ball against Hatley during their exhibition game on Monday, June 27.
That's a number that carries some weight when one looks at the Tremont girls' basketball team.
On the one hand, it's the number of returning starters for the Lady Eagles, with neither of the returning players being seniors and one of them, Grace Gillespie, being out until at least October due to offseason shoulder surgery.
On the other hand, it's also the number by which the Lady Eagles' wins multiplied between the 2020-21 season and the 2021-22 season. Tremont went from a four-win team two years ago to an eight-win team this past season – a far cry from the one-win 2019-2020 season.
The Lady Eagles have been trending up, but seven of the team's 11 players being underclassmen – including five freshmen – maintaining that upward trajectory might be an uphill battle in 2022-23.
"Identity and leadership are the two things I've stressed to them," head coach Tona Hall said, "because you've got girls who aren't seniors and are accustomed to be young, but in comparison to the rest of the team, they're not young any more. It's going to be a long road ahead, but I'm hoping they can stick it out and see it through."
Establishing Tremont's identity will be a tall order with almost half the team making the transition from junior high ball last season to the high school level this year. It'll be a trial by fire for the freshmen who will have to step into starting roles and learn quickly if the Lady Eagles are to be successful.
The critical factor to accomplish that quick transition, Hall says, is the same as it is for any team: practice, practice and more practice to get those young players up to speed.
"(The rising freshmen's) passes are slower, and the pace of the game is so much faster to them," Hall said. "It's been an adjustment to say the least. We've played eight games this summer, and I ended up starting two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior."
Defense is a particular area of concern for Tremont. Last season, Grace Gillespie was the foundation of the Lady Eagles' defense. Her shoulder injury will keep her out of practice and games until later in the fall, leaving Hall to adjust how her team's defense functions without its bedrock from last year. But Hall hopes to the solutions she finds on defense in Gillespie's absence will give her defense some different looks to work with when Gillespie is back on the court.
"(Grace) not being on the floor, we've had to run defenses a little bit differently than we would if she was on the floor," Hall said. "So I think that will open us up to be a little more versatile when she's there."
If there's a silver lining to having so much youth, it's that those young players will see the court and have that experience to rely upon going forward from the 2022-23 season. Keeping a positive outlook will be key if the experience the Lady Eagles earn this season is to bear fruit in the future.
"I try to tell the girls all the time that it's not a sprint, it's a marathon," Hall said. "It's about taking small steps at a time. Three years ago, they won one game. The year after that, they won four. Last year, they won eight. You look at last year and eight wins doesn't seem like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things, in comparison to where they've been, it was big for them. We – and myself, more than anything – just have to look at the larger picture, and keep working our girls and keep building them to what they need to be."
Putting an eye to the future, however, certainly doesn't mean giving up on the 2022-23 season. Hall will push the Lady Eagles to compete this year just like she would any other.
"I'm going to worry about each game at a time," Hall said, "and we're looking to win."
Tremont Basketball
Tremont Eagles
Tona Hall
Grace Gillespie
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Title IX has been a game-changer for women’s sports. At the time it was enacted, only 15% of college athletes were women, and in high school just seven percent of athletes were girls. Female athletes received two percent of college athletics budgets, and sports scholarships for women were almost non-existent. All that has changed because of Title IX. Today, 44% of college athletes are women, and 3.5 million girls participate in high school sports. Title IX was truly one of the greatest advances for women in our nation’s history.
As with so many of his policies, Biden has clearly failed to consider the real-world impacts of his transgender proposal. Recently I joined my colleagues in pushing back on the President by cosponsoring the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. This bill would clarify that “sex” in Title IX refers strictly to biology. It would also make it illegal for a recipient of federal funds to let males compete in female sports. In addition, as the lead Republican on the Commerce Committee, I have requested that the NCAA provide an update on how they are complying with Title IX.
Women athletes have come too far to have their opportunities taken away. Republicans will continue to stand up to the president and defend women’s sports. Our work will not be done until every woman and girl can compete freely, fairly and safely.
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Aberdeen School Board President Jim Edwards, left, presents outgoing superintendent Jeff Clay with a certificate of appreciation during his final school board meeting with the district last week.
ABERDEEN – While one mandate that’s been in place for the past two school years has been lifted, another that went into effect in 2009 was left to be up for discussion last week.
During June 20’s Aberdeen School Board meeting, board members voted 3-2 to make masks optional rather than mandatory.
“Looking at the [COVID-19] numbers, I’d like to make a recommendation that we take our mandate out and make the masks optional effective immediately,” said outgoing superintendent Jeff Clay.
Outgoing school board member Sandra Peoples, along with Rodger Scott, voted against lifting the mask mandate. Scott asked if there will be continued procedures regarding temperature checks and social distancing for the upcoming school year.
“It’s never going to go back to normal but it will go back to as normal as we can remember prior to March 2020,” Clay said.
His letter of recommendation to the school board stated the mask mandate can be revisited in the event the number of positive COVID-19 cases increases again in the future.
On a separate topic, Tash White voiced a plea on behalf of parents during public comments for the district to eliminate its school uniform policy, which began with School Year 2009-2010.
“Uniforms are so expensive. We’re having to travel to three different cities to purchase uniforms. They’re also expensive because of wear and tear, and we’re having to replace them three or four times a year. When it’s cold, we have to buy long sleeves and long pants; they’re expensive,” she said.
White said the uniform policy impacts kindergartners through eighth-graders.
“There’s three different stores I called – one in West Point, one in Columbus and one in Starkville. I did a price quote on uniforms, and they have gone up. Last year, three tops and three bottoms were $29.99. This year, it’s $49.99. That’s for kids sizes 4 and 7, and they go up to $99.99,” White said.
It was noted the uniform policy is a matter for the superintendent to decide, and White was to meet with Clay and incoming superintendent Dr. Andrea Pastchal-Smith last week to discuss the matter.
“We refer those things to the superintendent. I’m sure they will do everything required to make an informed decision. Any decisions coming from the public are always going to be referred back to the superintendent. If terms can’t be met from that perspective, then the board is considered at that point,” said school board member Patrick Lockett.
In reporting future plans for the 89 members of Aberdeen High School’s Class of 2022, Clay said 65 plan to pursue higher education, 13 will go to trade school, nine plan to join the workforce, and two are enlisting into the military.
Members of the class garnered $1.1 million in scholarships and financial aid.
There was discussion regarding first and second reads of a few new legislative policy revisions for the district through the Mississippi School Boards Association.
While no action was taken on policies regarding the state’s medical cannabis act, Clay made a recommendation that medical marijuana not be allowed on any campus. The matter will be revisited during the school board’s July meeting.
A couple of other policy revisions dealt with the ranking, promotion and retention of students.
“It pretty much specifies the honors and highest honors and gives a more specific outline for the calculations and the actual yearly averages,” said district chief academic officer Temeka Shannon of class rankings.
In speaking about the promotion policy, Shannon said the district needs to align grade point scales through its handbook, policy and procedures.
“Aberdeen elementary is on a seven-point scale and has been for quite some time. In discussing this with Mr. Clay, we needed to specify that in the policy and we needed to specify that grades seven through 12 are on a 10-point scale,” she said.
School board member Tonny Oliver asked why there’s a difference in the grade point scales between the grade levels, and Shannon said the district’s practice has been in place for a while and most colleges are on 10-point scales.
“I think it’s something we need to consider in terms of an elementary student moving to seven to 12 when the expectations become greater. I think if we can practice on the front end what the expectations are going to be when they get to seventh grade, it may bode well for those students,” he said.
There was also a first read on an acceptable use policy for internet and technology, and school board president Jim Edwards noted it’s important for users to remember the use of electronic mail is not guaranteed to be private.
“I think it’s important to realize our school mail is not secure and it’s not private,” he said.
The school board did approve a policy update regarding informing middle school students about vocational and career opportunities offered through the district when they reach high school.
“Right now, the eighth-graders do go to the Monroe County Career and Technical Center to visit and see what’s available. We’ll have the recording arts pathway next year and possibly the aerospace academy and there may be others offered on campus,” Clay said.
As part of the consent agenda, Edwards noted the district received $10,000 from the South Monroe County Community Fund and $5,000 from Omega Psi Phi.
In recapping financial reports, he asked about ad valorem collections, which are lower than expected. He expects a potential shortfall note.
The school board approved an agreement to continue using services through Armistad Law Firm.
During his last superintendent’s input, Clay expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve the district since 2017.
“This is my 60th board meeting and my last board meeting. I’m appreciative of the board and your guidance over the last five years. I wish Dr. Smith and the board nothing but success and I wish you the absolute best. I’m thankful for my time here,” he said.
Jeff Clay
Sandra Peoples
Temeka Shannon
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AMORY – Amory School District Superintendent Brian Jones had good news to share with the school board during the district’s annual tax hearing June 23.
“We will not be requesting an ad valorem tax increase for the coming year,” he said.
District business manager Leslie Maranto explained the three-page budget report.
“The district remains in good financial condition, and I am please to present a good report. We still have ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds for another two years for us to spend," she said.
The total projected revenue for Fiscal Year ’22-’23 is $21,615,822, and the total in projected expenditures is $21,354,351.
“It’s hard to believe that it takes $21 million to run a school district,” said board president Jimmy Ann Ray.
Federal funding sources totaled $6,487,072, which account for 30 percent of the total budget. This total included $4,062,732 in ESSER funds.
ESSER funds are specifically allocated to help school districts prepare, prevent or respond to the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including learning loss and safety measures.
Last year’s allotment of $64,000 earmarked for a school nurse at Amory High School remains the same, making it possible for every school in the Amory School District to have a nurse on staff.
Funding from local sources from within the city totals $4,791,111, making up 22 percent of the total revenues. That figure includes $3,900,883 in ad valorem funds, which accounts for nearly 92 percent of that total.
State funding totaled $10,332,637, which accounts for 48 percent of the total budget. This figure includes $831,096 for teacher pay raises and accompanying taxes and benefits allocated to the district. The largest state-funded source, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP), totaled $8,630,797.
“Every year, they knock off a percentage at the top statewide across all districts. They knocked off about 10.5 percent this year, which for us was about a $1,012,090 difference that they did not fully fund us,” Maranto said.
The disparity increased a little more than $34,000 from last year.
Even though it’s not fully funded, MAEP funds still make up the largest percentage of the district’s state revenue at 43 percent.
Maranto also noted the district receives state funding for 14 nationally certified teachers, which remains the same from last year.
As far as expenditures, the instructional category totaled $9,274,074, with the largest portion going to salaries and benefits. Support services totaled $9,358,206, and the figure reported for non-instructional services was $1,169,189, consisting of mostly food service.
“Although salaries and benefits made up 64 percent of the expenditures, fuel costs more than doubled from last year, and the cost of food is also up tremendously," Maranto said.
In another matter, Jones said the Amory School District app is now live. The REMIND app that has been in place for the last year will remain active, although it will be phased out by next year.
Jones also updated the school board on a preliminary cost estimate for a new gymnasium at the high school, which he suggested be taken under advisement until he can get more details in time for July’s meeting.
“I want to make sure that we know what we’re getting into before we invest in getting plans and specifications prepared that might result in a building that we can’t afford to build,” he said.
Jones said a corporate sponsor donated $10,000 to upgrade the press box at the high school stadium.
In another sports-related matter, the school board approved increasing ticket costs for athletic events for the 2022-23 school year as follows: football tickets will increase to $8, while all other tickets to events at both the high school and middle school will increase to $7.
The district will still profit $7 from high school football games and $6 from all other athletic ticket sales due to payment of fees to GoFan. The district will still issue all-sports passes for the upcoming school year.
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obits: Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Linda Christian, Snellville, Georgia
Kay Barnes Martin, Tupelo
TUPELO - Kay Barnes Martin, 79, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 2, 2022 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer for the last year. Kay was born to the late Lawrence and Mattie Barnes in Steele, Missouri on December 31, 1942. Kay was blessed to be raised in a Christian home where her faith was firmly established. At Steele High School, she met the love of her life, Eddie Martin and they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. Kay was blessed with the gift of teaching. For over 50 years, she wrote, published and taught Bible Studies and Sunday School. She dedicated her life to the study, research and teaching of the scriptures. She was known for her dedication to prayer and was diligent and disciplined in praying for so many friends and family that she loved. Kay was a long term member of her beloved Harrisburg Baptist Church.
Kay was the current president of the Lee County Master Gardeners. She loved that role and relished her friendships there. Kay loved the MSU Bulldogs and spending time with family and friends at tailgates and ballgames. She was also known among her family and friends for her homemade meals and her love of cooking.
Aside from her faith, her family was her greatest joy in life. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Mattie Barnes of Steele, Missouri.
She is survived by her husband, Eddie Martin of Tupelo; her daughter Paula Prather (Kelly) of Starkville and her son Brent Martin (Meredith), also of Tupelo; her sisters, Cathryn Wilson (Harold) of Tupelo and Jean Elmore (Tom) of West Point; her grandchildren, Kaylee Ragan (Colton) of Starkville, Kam Prather of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Kaleb Prather of Starkville, Case Martin of Tupelo and Josh Martin of Asbury Park, New Jersey; her great-grandchildren, Collins, Caden, Clai, and JB Ragan.
A celebration of Kay's life will be 12 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804. The family is deeply grateful for the love and care provided by Sanctuary Hospice House.
UNION COUNTY - Phyllis "Kay" McClure Pratt, 75 of New Albany, passed away peacefully June 29, 2022, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Ms. Pratt was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Reba Jubert and Mary Louh McClure, one grandson, Cory King, one great granddaughter, Sailor Smith and two nephews Allan and Justin Anderson.
MEMO, PHOTO, SENTER LOGO
SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA - Linda Grace (Thorne) Christian, 75, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022, at her home in Georgia surrounded by her family. She was born November 17, 1946, to the late Charles Lynon Thorne and the late Juanita Grace Thorn of Evergreen. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville, Georgia. She was a retired school teacher with a heart of gold for her students. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir and directing children's choirs in several churches. Her grandkids became her greatest joy after retirement.
Linda was a 1964 graduate of Nettleton High School, going on to Itawamba Jr College and graduating in 1968 From Mississippi State. She and her husband were married on July 6, 1968 at her home church, Evergreen Baptist. They spent all the years following that in Birmingham, Alabama, Orlando, Florida and Atlanta.
Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday July 9, 2022 at Senter Funeral Home. Burial will be in Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday July 8 at Senter Funeral Home.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Bill Christian of Snellville, Georgia; her son, Brad Christian (Suzanne) of Marietta, Georgia; her daughter, Heather Dodd (Jason) of Cumming, Georgia; grandchildren, Ansley and Dylan Dodd of Cumming, Georgia, Annalee and Lucy Christian of Tupelo and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Lynon Thorne and Juanita Thorne of Evergreen, Father and Mother-in-law, Arlis and Maida Christian of Fulton, Brother-in-law, Tommy Christian of Tupelo and Sister-in-law, Diane Reedy of Tupelo.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.senterfuneraldirectors.com
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TUPELO • A man died in a one-car wreck after leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit through two counties.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol tried to pull over a vehicle for speeding on Highway 45 in Monroe County July 3 around 5:10 p.m. to stop a vehicle for speeding in Monroe County on Highway 45. Instead of stopping, Carlos Forshee, 35, of Okolona, sped away in his 2008 BMW 550SD. He continued north into Lee County and turned onto County Road 506 in the Pine Grove community.
While attempting to flee from the trooper, Forshee’s car left the road and hit a tree. He received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead on the scene.
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