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School days bring memories of ‘first’
School days. School days.
May 1940 when Adolph Hitler’s Nazis invaded Western Europe; when the first bombs fell on England.
Here, in Tupelo, Warren G. Parson, a 17-year-old student at George Washington Carver School, already had his experience as a newspaperman. He served as the local society correspondent for The Chicago Defender, an African-American owned and operated weekly newspaper out of the Windy City.
The Defender came to Tupelo via the Rebel, a passenger train run by the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio. Pullman porters would toss off bundles of the newspapers before the train reached the depot — the only way during the days of Jim Crow the local black folk could get their social news.
This particular month of 1940 marked another feather in the fedora of young Parson. The first edition year book of the “Carver Eagle,” published by the senior English class of George Washington Carver High School, rolled off the presses. Parson’s name appeared at the top of the staff’s list in the yearbook as the inaugural editor-in-chief.
A few days ago, the staff of the Oren Dunn City Museum hosted the teachers of gifted classes from the Tupelo Public School District. Dana Maharrey, a teacher who attended the in-service event, donated a photocopy of this amazing piece of history.
Fifteen students, other than Parson, served on that first yearbook staff. Juanita A. Kirksey, an English teacher, served as their faculty adviser.
We know little of this obviously talented young man after his yearbook work. Parson’s US Army enlistment record from World War II that he joined the armed forces on Jan. 20, 1944. Members of the military fought enemies on both fronts, Europe and in the Pacific. His enlistment records show he had three years of college behind him. At the time of enlistment, Parson lived in Fulton, Ga.
The yearbook staff dedicated the first edition to Professor S.L. Ratliff, the school’s principal. He took the helm from A.M. Strange, who founded the Lee County Training School that later became the George Washington Carver High School. Ratliff’s tenure as principal began in 1933. He survived challenges when the school building burned just after the fall session began in 1935. For years, Ratliff and the community worked to see construction of a new building, hailed later as one of the best in the state of Mississippi.
They also dedicated the book to their English teacher, Juanita Kirksey, and wrote, “This publication is her ‘Brain Child.' We were successful in this project because of her help and guidance." Kirksey exercised her leadership outside the classroom as well. The Chicago Defender noted her service as president of the Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church YWCA and other activities in the neighborhood.
Twenty-three years old when the students made the dedication, Kirksey lived most of her life, except for the time away from Tupelo to earn a bachelor’s in English from Tougaloo College in Jackson and a master’s from Tennessee A&I State College in Nashville. The institution became Tennessee State University in 1958. She died in December 1991.
A third dedication included Professor A.M. Strange, who founded the Lee County Training School that eventually became George Washington Carver High School. At the time of the yearbook’s publication, Strange had taken a position as president of Okolona Industrial School. He would die three years later, the result of a stroke.
The yearbook has photographs of each of the faculty members and seniors with anticipated goals. For example, Parson’s favorite subject was English. In addition to serving as editor of the yearbook, he was captain of the football team, president of Problems of Democracy Bank Club and vice president of the English Club. He planned to further his education at Morehouse College and Howard University.
Underclassmen did not have individual photographs, but their names appeared in this first edition, along with group pictures of the class officers. Each class lists a who’s who. Just before the advertisements, the book lists, with photographs, athletes, band members and other clubs.
The book will not be displayed here at the museum because it is a copy. However, we will scan in those pages and make them available digitally at orendunncitymuseum.com sometime in the future. Keep up with our activities on our Facebook page and through Twitter.
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Jon Tatum, left, and Hunter McCool, along with McCool’s retriever River, routinely enjoy good waterfowl results on public waters in Mississippi. Those governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as the state’s public wildlife management areas are home to excellent hunting.
Waterfowl opportunities abundant, demand strategy
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Hunting ducks on public water adds competition with other hunters to the challenge. Those who do it well say that measure of difficulty makes success much sweeter in the end.
Billy Campbell and Dennis Loosier, from southwestern Arkansas and eastern Texas respectively, teamed up several years ago and set out to learn the waterfowl game on their own. By necessity, their studies were conducted almost exclusively on waterways and flooded ground open to anyone who cared to visit. Their pursuits took them to public land in eastern Texas. What they’ve learned there over the years has made them excellent hunters. It’s also reinforced the best qualities of their human natures as well.
“So much of the waterfowl hunting you see depicted on TV is done on private land, and so much of that is only focused on filling limits,” Campbell said last week at the Delta Waterfowl Duck Hunters Expo in downtown Little Rock, Ark. “Duck hunting isn’t about the limits, it’s about the journey.”
Campbell’s hunting activities and shared knowledge have become very popular in the Instagram, podcast and streaming video worlds. His Instagram account, @thefowlhunter, has more than 37,000 dedicated followers. He and Loosier, on Instagram at @dr_duck, will co-host a series this fall focused on public land waterfowl hunting. Titled “Black Cloud,” it will stream on the OTT service Realtree 365.
“Dennis and I have hunted together for a long time, and there are five things we can say are essential to our success,” Campbell said.
High five of duck hunting
“Success begins with and depends upon preparation,” Campbell said. “You need to be prepared when you hit the woods. On private land, you’re hunting spots you’re very familiar with. On public land, you have to get out of your comfort zone. You’ll run into people at the gas station, at the boat ramp, and you could be headed to the same spot, competing for holes. You better be prepared and know where you’re hunting, how your hunting, the number of decoys you need. You need to show up prepared and, if it’s not working, slide on down the road to another spot.”
“You have to have a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C at least,” Loosier said. “You need to have a list in your mind of what hole you’re trying to get, find the shortest route and go in as early as possible. Duck hunting is like any other sport. When you win, it’s great. When you lose, you shake hands, go home and try to make it better next time. You have to be prepared mentally, have the right attitude and use it to your advantage.”
In Mississippi, as in most states, each Wildlife Management Area is subject to its own unique set of rules regarding bag limits, hours of entry and exit and more. It’s critical to know the rules specific to the area you’ll be hunting.
“The next key to success is humility,” Campbell said. “It’s important to not be stubborn. How many times have you gotten to your spot, set your decoys a certain way, lined out the shooters in a certain way, only to watch the ducks you’d planned to be hunting landing in another spot out of range? The ducks you’ve been scouting all week may be doing something different that morning. You can’t be too proud to move, and do it quickly. Some of our best days hunting have been 120 yards from where we thought we were going to be hunting that day.”
“That’s part of why I like to scout on foot,” Loosier said. “Boats move ducks. They swim before they fly. If you scout with a boat, you very well may move the ducks off of their spot before you see them fly, in which case you’ll be planning to set up, not in the spot they want to come to, but in the spot you pushed them to before they flew and you saw them.”
“If you spend time on public land, you’re going to have to learn to make adjustments,” Campbell said. “Be willing to make the small changes whenever you need to.”
The third key to success, Campbell said, is scouting.
“If you’re going to hunt an area, you have to do the legwork,” he said. “We’re often asked what we’re looking for when we scout. We’re just looking for ducks. We want to find birds in good numbers, see which way they’re coming in, then slide out and go find more birds.”
“I want to watch the birds for a while and see where they’re coming from, see how comfortable they are in that hole,” Loosier said. “If they’re chasing each other around, talking a lot, they’re comfortable. If the next birds coming in dive bomb in, they’re comfortable. If, even with live birds in the hole, they circle around 10 times before they land, they’re educated. I want to see what direction the wind is blowing, know how many guys I’ll be hunting with, decide where everyone will stand and where the decoys will be put out. It’s a lot easier to do all this in the daylight than at night.”
All birds have sharp eyes, ducks especially. Campbell lists concealment as another of their five keys to success.
“You need to dress so you can hide,” he said. “More than just camo, which is critical, understanding how the sunlight and shadows play on a hole is vital. Ducks can see the tiniest thing. Think about how your face looks shining up out of a stand of dark timber.”
“If you’ve got ducks flaring, figure out what about you and your fellow hunters the ducks are seeing,” Loosier said. “Ducks don’t flare off of decoys. Make sure someone’s not standing in direct sunlight, shining their face up to the sky.”
Finally, the two list the directive to love your neighbor as indispensable to public land waterfowl hunting.
Love your neighbor
“On public ground, you don’t know who you’re going to run into,” Campbell said. “They aren’t all going to act the way they ought to. You can’t control the way your neighbor acts, but you can control the way you act.
“Dennis and I have been doing this a long time. There’s nothing more valuable than relationships. When you get to the spot you wanted to hunt and find someone already in it, smile, shake their hand, tell them you hope they hammer on them all morning long. Then pick yourself up and move. Go to Plan B and move all the way down the road.
“There are a lot of different directions you can go in your life, but if you know you’re doing what’s right, it goes a long way. As hunters, we’ve all got to stick together, treat each other the way we’d want to be treated. If you’re on public land, you’re going to have to deal with it.”
“When we were starting out, a lot of hunters we ran into were really rude,” Loosier said. “I told myself, if I’m ever in position to change that, I’m going to and, thank the Lord, I think I have.”
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Qualifying begins next week for local school board seats
School board seats in three local districts will be included on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, and qualifying begins Aug. 10. The deadline to qualify is Sept. 9.
According to Monroe County Circuit Clerk Dana Sloan, districts 1 and 2 of the Monroe County School Board, District 1 of the Nettleton School Board and a special election for a seat on the Okolona School Board will be on the ballot.
All seats are non-partisan.
To qualify for the seats through the Monroe County Circuit Clerk’s office, those interested must be qualified voters in the district they seek election and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Also, candidates must have resided in the district they seek office in for at least two years preceding the date of the November election.
People interested in running for the seats must present petitions signed by 50 qualified electors of the district in which they’re seeking office. After the signatures are certified through the circuit clerk’s office, candidates can sign their statements of intent.
All header information, which includes the name of the person and his or her intentions to run for the school board seats, must be completed on each page of the petitions prior to obtaining electors’ signatures.
There is no qualifying fee for the school board seats.
Dana Sloan
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State-funded EEF cards help teachers with classroom needs
Through an annual program authorized by the Mississippi Legislature, teachers throughout the state were set to receive an allowance earlier this week for classroom needs ahead of the new school year.
The Education Enhancement Fund (EEF) Procurement Card Program provides allotted amounts in excess of $700 locally this year for eligible teachers to help prepare for the new school year.
“Our teachers are very appreciative, not only for the amount they are receiving, but for the fact that they are getting access to the funds to begin the school year. This is a huge help to those who need to purchase items for their classroom immediately. They now have the opportunity to use less of their own money to get started. Teachers are very resilient, resourceful and willing to purchase items on their own. We want to try to limit their personal purchases as much as possible,” said Nettleton School District Superintendent Tim Dickerson.
The cards totaled $730 for most school districts serving Monroe County students. Monroe County School District Superintendent Dr. Chad O’Brian said the district’s allowance for teachers is $743.
“We encourage our staff to use all of it. Unused money remains with the state if we don’t use it,” he said.
The program has been in existence for a number of years, but districts received more this year compared to previous years.
“This is a benefit for all teachers and also all districts with the increase that we have for those cards,” said Aberdeen School District Superintendent Dr. Andrea Pastchal-Smith. “It’s a great motivational tool. They know exactly what they need as classroom teachers, so they have that opportunity to purchase materials for their classrooms early and be prepared for those students to come into the classrooms. What we focus on, number one, is improving achievement and making sure the classrooms are engaging in community learning.”
Amory School District Superintendent Brian Jones said teachers received their EEF cards on or before Aug. 1, per Senate Bill 2422.
“The cards are for classroom supplies for the upcoming school year. These funds are exempt from state taxes," he said.
These funds supplement but do not replace other local and state funds earmarked for the same purpose.
“We’re certainly in need. We have staff that have invested substantially out of their own pockets for the benefit of their students. This will go a long way to get the year off to a good start,” O’Brian said.
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Brittany Barbee, assistant dean for student affairs at the UM School of Law, prepares a display and table of information for World Mental Health Day. The law school is being honored for its efforts to promote student wellness and prepare them for life after graduation.
CHRISTINA STEUBE I OLE MISS
Ole Miss law school wellness program receives national praise
By Christina Steube University of Mississippi
OXFORD • It's no secret that the study and practice of law is difficult and stressful. In a 2021 study, 69% of responding students from 39 law schools reported needing help for emotional or mental health problems within the last year.
The University of Mississippi School of Law has made mitigating these negative statistics and actively helping law students in all areas of life part of its mission. The school's Student Wellness Program is among three national recipients of the 2022 E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award.
The award committee was impressed by the "robust, multi-dimensional wellness program aimed at helping students thrive both in law school and after graduation, noting that the University of Mississippi School of Law was at the forefront of the legal community to address law students' well-being and mental health," said Stephanie Villinski, committee chair, in the official award letter.
"The Standing Committee on Professionalism commends the University of Mississippi School of Law for implementing an innovative and effective program well worthy of emulation throughout the nation."
Brittany Barbee, assistant dean for student affairs at the law school, said a lot of people have contributed to the program over the years. They, too, share in the credit for its success.
"It means so much to us to be able to share this good news with them," Barbee said. "We look forward to continuing our wellness program and making it even better."
The award is part of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Professionalism. Officials from the school were scheduled to accept the award at the ABA Division of Bar Services and the National Conference of Bar Presidents Joint Awards Luncheon on Friday in Chicago.
Judges found the school's wellness program provides students with well-being resources and programming in an exemplary and innovative way.
"Being a law student is challenging – you must be able to navigate many different stressors throughout the course of your studies," Barbee said. "If we can provide students the tools necessary to maintain their wellness in the midst of those stressors, then they will be well-prepared both personally and professionally for the practice of law."
The top prize is a coveted, reserved parking spot in front of the law school, with two runners-up receiving unlimited passes to the university's recreation facilities. The goal each semester is to have at least 10% of the school's student body participate, but some semesters, response has been much higher.
The counselor position is held each year by a fifth-year doctoral student in clinical psychology, who is also a licensed therapist. The counselor's office is housed within the law school, making the service accessible and convenient for students who want to walk in or make an appointment.
Demand for counseling services has been high, but students in waiting are referred to other local mental health clinics and practitioners. This past year, the counselor also held a training session for faculty and staff on ways they can help students who may be in crisis.
Some studies indicate that students of color and other underrepresented groups can be even susceptible to well-being damage from the stress of law school. In response, the Ole Miss law school has incorporated a variety of approaches to diversity, equity and inclusion programming in recent year, including monthly "Diversity Discussions" hosted by student organizations.
Meredith Crockett, a second-year law student from Wilmore, Kentucky, is a past winner of the Wellness Challenge. She said she has benefitted from the program.
"Law school is notorious for the academic rigor of the courses, but also a unique set of measures like class rankings, internships and extracurriculars that weigh heavily on the psyche of law students," she said. "In the fall semester of my 1L year, my mental health began slipping in a way I had not experienced before.
"As silly as it sounds, the goal of winning the wellness challenge encouraged me to prioritize my mental health and do the basics of drinking water, exercising and spending time with friends and family when my mind told me to do the opposite," she added.
"Wellness exists in every size body, every income range and different levels of ability," she said.
Crockett said that by defining wellness as a holistic practice — a combination of diet, exercise, spirituality, community and self-care — encourages everyone to take part in practicing wellness.
"I would encourage everyone in my class to join the wellness challenge and see all the different ways the stressors of our day-to-day lives become more manageable when we are all collectively taking care of our bodies, minds and souls," she said.
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Henry Adams was shot and killed in October 2017.
Ojerrin Burress
Quindaris Burress
TUPELO • Two brothers have admitted their guilt in the 2017 shooting death of a Baldwyn car dealer at his home.
“As you get closer to a court date, the defense can get anxious and start to worry,” District Attorney John Weddle said. “His attorneys were in court this week preparing for trial, and we were in court. It turned into a conversation about a possible agreement.”
Adams’ daughter, Lesley Adams Berry, has worked closely with his office as they prepared the cases and got ready to prosecute.
“I am happy with the outcome. It’s the best outcome with what they had to work with when folks are not willing to talk,” Adams said. “There will always be holes. I don’t think we will ever know exactly what happened that night. That’s something I will have to deal with, and that’s tough.”
“Either dad opened the door or they bum-rushed him,” Berry said in a 2021 interview. “They went looking for money but only got $10-$20. And they shot and killed him anyway.”
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Abernathy, Pamela
Pamela Abernathy, after a long struggle with complications of a brain tumor, departed this earthly pilgrimage to return to her Creator. Pamela died at Sanctuary Hospice House on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 at the age of 51. Pamela was born in Memphis, Tn. on Nov. 17, 1971 to the late Tommy Abernathy, Sr. and Ann Norwood Abernathy, who survives. She lived most of her adult life in Northeast Miss. Pamela spent many years as a nursing assistant in the Nursing Home Industry. She had a love and respect for the elderly that lasted the whole of her life. Pamela was devoted to her longtime best friend and paw partner, Lulu. At Pamela's request, there will be no formal service. For those who desire, they may register and express condolences at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com Pamela is survived by her mother, Ann Abernathy and her only brother, Tommy Abernathy of Tupelo. She is also survived by her longtime companion and special friend, Mitchell Ashmore. Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
Pamela Abernathy
Ann Norwood Abernathy
Tommy Abernathy Sr.
Mitchell Ashmore
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James (Jimmy) Cooper Long, a lifetime resident of Tupelo, MS, returned to his heavenly home on August 3rd, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. The family would like to thank his amazing caregivers from the Magnolia, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, Charleston Place, and Comfort Keepers, along with Dr. Ken Harvey, for their love and care. Jimmy now has blessed relief from the cruelty of a disease he valiantly fought for many years. Jimmy graduated from Tupelo High School in 1961 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1965, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduating, he returned home to join his father, Charles, at McCullough, Long, McCullar, now known as MLM Clothiers. Jimmy's motto, "Dress better than you have to" spearheaded his knowledge and talent in the clothing industry, evolving MLM as one of the finest men's specialty stores in the southeast. He was the "General" of the Silver Circle Buying Group, which allowed MLM to offer their customers premier clothing lines and fabrics from all over the world. Jimmy's customers loved gathering at MLM and enjoyed listening to his numerous stories of life, love, and family. He had the gift of making everyone feel special and like they were his BEST friend. He enjoyed getting to know everyone who graced the door of MLM. He had a positive impact on so many young men who worked at MLM over the years. He loved his family well and was passionate about gardening, his many dogs, fishing, the arts, and his business. His large personality was matched only by his larger heart. Jimmy's involvement in the community included the Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, where he was the recipient of their fundraising roast, The Boys & Girls Club Dancing Like the Stars, Tupelo Children's Mansion, where he was an honoree, Downtown Mainstreet Association, The Bank Corp South Community Board, The founder of The Crazy Jimmy Marathon (now the Tupelo Marathon), and instrumental in the Gum Tree 10k Road Race and the Charlie Close Tennis tournament. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo. Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon H Long, their children Melissa Chambers and husband Alexander Chambers, Susan Pierce and husband Gene Pierce; five grandchildren Mary Morgan Burks and husband Taylor Burks, Jack Chambers and wife Caroline Chambers, Charlie Chambers, Anna Kirk Presley, and Maggie Chambers; two great-grandchildren Gravlee Burks and Lucy Burks and his two sisters Patricia Cook and Claudette Campbell; mother-in-law Mary H Putnam; brother-in-law Bryan Hawkins and wife Brenda Hawkins; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles H Long and Sue Long Skeoch; maternal grandmother Verna Cooper Watson; paternal grandparents Mose and Clara Long. A Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating Jimmy's life will be held at 12:30 PM Thursday, August 11, 2022, from the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. Rusty Keen and Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM-12:00 PM on Thursday in Wesley Hall with a reception to follow the service in Wesley Hall. A private family committal will be held Wednesday, August 10th, at the family plot. The services may be viewed online at First United Methodist-Tupelo's Facebook or Holland Funeral Directors Facebook at 12:30PM on Thursday. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends. Memorials may be made to Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, P. O. Box 1821, Tupelo, MS. 38802, or to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
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Williams, Roland
Roland Malcolm Williams, 75, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at the NMMC in Tupelo. He was born on February 12, 1947 in Lee County to parents James T. Williams and Lula Mae (Lansdell) Williams. He was a member of the Nettleton Church of Christ. He was the owner of RW Ceiling Company and Soak Up The Sun Tanning Salon and he had worked at Cooper Tire in Tupelo and also at Marvin's in Verona. Roland loved to garden, hunt, fish and watch sports on television. Funeral services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at the Nettleton Church of Christ with Bro. Matthew Irvin and Bro. Marshall Eubanks officiating. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Cox) Williams of Nettleton; two sons, Wade Williams of Amory; Casey Williams of Petal; two brothers, Gaylon Williams (Gail) of Tupelo; Rex Williams (Cheryl) of Virginia; one sister, Patricia Dodson (Benny) of Virginia; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, James and Bobby Williams, two sisters, Dorothy Kitchens and Brenda Nell Anglin. Pallbearers will be Bruce Williams, Nickey Williams, Mark Williams, Matthew Williams, Lance McCuller and Danny Kennedy. Visitation will be on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Nettleton and will be on Sunday before the service from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Nettleton Church of Christ. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.tisdalelannmemorialfh.com.
Roland Malcolm Williams
Nickey Williams
Nettleton Church Of Christ
James T. Williams
Eubanks
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OXFORD — Spring was somewhat of a crash course for Ole Miss sophomore quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Dart began his career at USC but transferred following the 2021 season. He, of course, chose to continue at Ole Miss and arrived on campus for the spring semester.
Dart was among the highest-rated players in the transfer portal and was considered one of the biggest signings of the offseason. But he didn’t necessarily have the best spring.
In addition to turnovers in practice — which was a problem for both Dart and sophomore Luke Altmyer, head coach Lane Kiffin said — Dart had an up-and-down Grove Bowl, completing just 11 of 30 passes for 166 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with an additional 66 yards on the ground.
But nearly four months have passed since then, and Dart is more familiar with Ole Miss on nearly every possible level. That includes football and being a regular college student who packed his bags, moved across the country midway through his freshman year and had to make new friends for the second time in a year.
“I feel a lot more comfortable now. It was almost like a flashback to my freshman year at USC, you know? You’re just coming into a brand-new place, brand-new culture, with brand-new guys,” Dart said. “You’re trying to find your fit around the team, you’re trying to just build relationships with other people. And then on top of that, then you’re trying to get the football side of things.
"All that just takes a little bit of time. For me to say, compare it to how I feel now vs. how I felt in spring, I feel a lot better now for sure.”
New co-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. says he has seen a more comfortable version of Dart in recent months, too.
“Over the summer, he did a great job of making sure to continue to watch everything from the spring, learn from his past mistakes, take that and grow,” Weis said. “And so, I’m really excited to watch throughout fall camp to see how he improves each and every day.”
Dart and Altmyer are splitting reps with the first-team offense in practice at the moment. That’s nothing new for Dart, though; the Utah-native didn’t receive his first full scholarship offer until a few weeks into his senior season at Corner Canyon High School.
Dart said he worked with top recruits but was never mentioned in the same breath as they were despite feeling he was on their level. He also had to earn his early playing time at USC, where an entrenched quarterback was ahead of him on the depth chart.
Dart has had to earn his accolades — which included Gatorade National Player of the Year his senior season of high school — and has no expectation of being handed the starting quarterback job without having earned it.
“I’ve always been somebody that really tried to work and strive after the things that I want,” Dart said.
Expectations are high for Dart. He did, however, just turn 19 and is still just a college sophomore. When he does eventually figure everything out, though? Sophomore tight end and fellow USC transfer Michael Trigg thinks it’s a scary proposition.
“Honestly, once he’s fully comfortable, I know it’s wraps,” Trigg said. “So, I’m not really tripping on him, honestly.”
Quinshon Judkins impressing
Freshman running back Quinshon Judkins has a crowded backfield to maneuver if he wants to get carries, with TCU transfer Zach Evans, SMU transfer Ulysses Bentley IV and junior Kentrel Bullock are all vying for touches as well.
But Judkins began turning heads in the spring and has continued to get better. And it’s catching the attention of his backfield mates.
“He’s literally the most improved in the room. For him to be (so young), that’s crazy,” Evans said. “That boy’s explosive, he has a stiff arm on him. He has a bright future.”
Bentley shared similar sentiments.
“He’s going to be good. He’s going to be a good running back for a while. Man, I like him. He runs real hard,” Bentley said. “So, it’s competitive in the room, so I have to get going, too.”
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49ers fall to Troy at Mid-South Regional
Tupelo fell into the losers bracket of the American Legion Mid-South Regional in Pelham, Alabama.
The 49ers lost to Troy (Ala.) 3-1 on Friday afternoon. They will face Jefferson City (Mo.) at 10 a.m. Saturday in an elimination game.
Tupelo (34-2) was held to five hits and didn’t score until the fifth inning, by which point Troy had already taken a 3-0 lead. Reigh Jordan tossed five innings to earn the win, allowing three hits with four strikeouts and three walks.
J.W. Armistead took the loss despite a strong outing. He gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out 10 in seven innings.
Brooks Bryan led Troy at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs.
Reigh Jordan
Brooks Bryan
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CRIME REPORTS: Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022
Shannon O. Bramlett, 33, no address listed, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, first degree murder.
Darick Moody, 19, no address listed, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, first degree murder.
Randy Joe Satterwhite, 34, of Verona, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections probation violation.
Joshua B. Thomas, 25, no address listed, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, embezzlement.
The following reports were filed Friday by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
A County Road 600 Shannon woman walked outside in the morning and found an abandoned blue Chevy Lumina that had run off the road and took out 40 feet of vinyl fencing.
A County Road 300 Shannon man said he left his car near the intersection of county roads 506 and 300 around 11:30 p.m. to get in someone else’s car. When he returned at 6:40 the next morning, his blue Chevy Lumina was gone. He did not know who took his car.
A County Road 272 Shannon woman saw a white male riding a horse around 11 a.m. The unknown man told her he was running from the law and rode off, heading south. She felt it was suspicious and called 911.
A Highway 371 Richmond woman started getting texts from an unknown person saying they saw her, described her vehicle and where she was at the time. The person refused to say who they were. When she called the number, a man answered.
A Highway 6 Plantersville man said within the last three months, he has lost or misplaced his Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol.
A Highway 6 Nettleton company said overnight, someone removed the catalytic converter from a Chevy work truck. They found three reciprocating saw blades in the immediate area of the truck.
A Saltillo woman said there was a white Toyota Corolla parked in front of her mother’s Bent Grass Circle house that is for sale. She called 911 back to say the car belonged to someone doing work at the neighbor’s house.
A County Road 231 Guntown man, 24, said he has been talking to an individual on social media and they have been exchanging photos. He received a message today saying he had to pay or they would release the pictures to friends and family.
A Euclatubba Road man said two males pulled into his driveway at 3:45 a.m. They appeared to have a “bucket that was on fire.” The suspects got back in their car and left heading south.
The manager of the Love’s Truck Stop on McCullough Boulevard said he had to fire an employee due to a conflict a few days earlier. The former employee got upset, threatened physical violence toward other employees, knocked items off of shelves and shouted obscenities.
A Parkwood Grove woman said overnight, someone entered her unlocked vehicle and stole her purse and wallet, which contained her debit and credit cards, and the key fob to the car.
A male entered a West Jackson business, confronted a female worker and became very aggravated. The owner told him to leave and he refused, until she said she was calling 911. After she filed a police report, the man contacted the business wanting to know why the police were called.
A West Main Street Walmart employee said a female scanned and paid for several items but did not scan or pay for two children’s toys – a baby doll and a Nerf gun worth a total of $53.94. The items were recovered and she was cited for shoplifting.
The South Gloster Taco Bell said a man in the drive-thru got aggravated with employees and came inside. He was irate and cursing. The man then walked around the counter and struck a female employee in the throat before exiting and driving away in a gray Chrysler.
A Lumpkin Avenue man said when he got home, his girlfriend was drunk. They got into an argument because she was drunk. She went outside and cut all four tires on his Ford Expedition and then cut the saddle and seat on his Yamaha motorcycle.
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Q. My wife and I have plans to enter the mission field as soon as we have paid off our debt and get a full emergency fund in place. We only have about $12,000 in credit card debt left, and we don’t own a home, but my father does not want this debt to stand in our way. He has offered to pay off the credit card and make it a loan where we would pay him back over time. It is a tempting offer, but we both feel strange about accepting it. What do you think we should do?
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Googe
BNA Bank in New Albany recently announced the following promotions:
• Tyler Basil to Vice President of Business Development. A graduate of New Albany High School, Tyler received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from Mississippi State University and graduated from the Mississippi School of Banking in 2021. During Tyler’s six and a half years with BNA, he has served as the board chairman of the Northeast Mississippi United Way division and president of the Kiwanis Club.
• Drew Dodds to Vice President of Business Development. A graduate of New Albany High School, Drew attended Northeast Community College and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Mississippi in 2015. During his 7 years at BNA, Drew has served as a member of the Tupelo Young Professionals, Community Development Foundation (CDF) and the Mid-South Region BNI Elite group.
• Kristin Norwood to Vice President of Human Resources. A graduate of Itawamba High School, Kristin received training in Business Management at Itawamba Community College, Leadership Development though Northeast Community College, certifications in Development Dimensions International and earned certification in Professional Human Resources. Kristen has 12 years of human resource experience and was the owner of a retail store in Tupelo.
• Tina Orman to Vice President of Mortgage Loans. A graduate of Pontotoc High School, Tina earned an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting from Itawamba Community College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi. During her 21 plus years at BNA, she has received additional training with H&R Block and awarded Senior Tax Analyst.
• Witt Spencer to Vice President of Mortgage Loans. A graduate of New Albany High School, Witt earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi. Prior to his arrival at BNA in 2016, Witt worked in the financial industry for 7 years.
• Ellen Staten has been promoted to 1st Vice President of the Mortgage Department. She is a graduate of New Albany High School, the University of Mississippi, and the Mississippi School of Banking. Ellen is a member of the New Albany Pilot Club, the New Albany Garden Club and is an Associate member of the New Albany Junior Auxiliary.
• D’ann Tanner has been promoted to 1st Vice President of Collections. A graduate of Myrtle High School, D’ann attended Northeast Junior College and South Florida Community College. D’ann joined BNA in 1990 after 4 years of prior experience in the financial industry.
North Mississippi Medical Center has announced the opening of North Mississippi Plastic Surgery and welcomes New Albany native and plastic surgeon Benjamin Googe, M.D., to the medical staff.
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Scott Reed
Scott Reed: Appearances can be deceiving
My brother is a good golfer. He has played all his life and has a good game. One year he set a goal of shooting even par over nine holes. Not an easy task. In golf you score each hole, but you tally up your score after nine and 18 holes.
One day I was playing with him, and he was one over par at the end of the first nine. Then he birdied the 10th hole to make him even par. That score is even more impressive than being even par after nine holes, but you don’t tally up your score after 10 holes so he couldn’t see that score of 36 that he wanted. He exceeded expectations, yet failed to reach his goal.
Start dates and end dates matter with numbers. There is an old adage in our business, “If you torture the numbers long enough, they will tell you anything.” In May of this year, the financial news outlets were reporting that the end of April marked the worst four-month start to the equity markets since 1940. It was a true statement, and it made a lot of investors nervous. The news didn’t mention that the equity markets had a much worse start to the year just two years previously at the start of the pandemic. The equity markets were down 32% in just 12 business days but rallied before the end of April of that year.
July of this year saw the S&P 500 finish up 9.2%, which was the best one-month performance since a November 2020 gain of 10.75%. Those numbers are not so outstanding, but if you said that it was the best July on record since 1939, now that’s impressive. The financial news outlets know that they have to keep your interest, and they will couch their numbers in a way that keeps you tuned in. That is why it is so important to keep your perspective when you hear pundits throwing around numbers to get a reaction from their viewers. We call it “white noise,” and white noise can be very bad for your financial health.
Someone asked me last week if we were going to have a recession. Well, that’s a bit difficult to answer. A bear market is easy. It is defined as a 20% drop in the stock market from its top to its current value. We made it into bear market territory weeks ago. An official recession is different. It is decided by various factors that are analyzed by eight economists with a think tank called the National Bureau of Economic Research. The last recession started in November of 2007 and ended in March of 2009; however the “NBER 8” didn’t actually declare that we were in a recession until December of 2008, 13 months after it actually started and only four months before its end.
The point is that in so many cases by the time you figure out what to do you have already missed your chance to have done it. I don’t know if we are going to have a recession or if we will have a soft landing. I don’t know if interest rates are going to come back down to previous levels anytime soon. I could make a case for any of those things to happen ... or not. I do know that the global markets seem to be acting pretty normal right now and down markets are part of the normal process.
Legendary investor John Templeton said, “The four most dangerous words in investing are, ‘It’s different this time’.” Don’t let all of the white noise out there make you believe that its different this time.
Scott Reed, CIMA, AIFA, PPC, is CEO of Hardy Reed LLC in Tupelo
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Republican Gov. Tate Reeves addresses the crowd at the pavilion in Founders Square at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Miss., Thursday, July 28, 2022. The fair, also known as Mississippi's Giant House Party, is an annual event of agricultural, political, and social entertainment at what might be the country's largest campground fair. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Gov. Tate Reeves digs a deeper hole
Greenwood Commonwealth Guest editorial
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves needed to explain why he "called the dogs off" the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation for being one of the top beneficiaries in the state's massive welfare scandal.
Reeves has acknowledged taking the USM Foundation off the initial list of defendants in a civil lawsuit designed to claw back a chunk of the $77 million that the state auditor's office has said was either misspent or stolen. He then had the attorney handling that lawsuit, Brad Pigott, fired when Pigott tried to subpoena the communications of USM Foundation board members and others regarding the $5 million in welfare money that went toward building a women's volleyball facility.
Reeves said his office, in overruling the wishes of Pigott and the Department of Human Services, used an "objective process" in determining who would get sued. The named defendants, according to the governor, had to have been identified as receiving payments that were labeled as "waste, fraud and abuse" by a third-party forensic accounting firm hired by DHS or were the subject of criminal charges.
Admittedly, the USM Foundation did not meet the first criteria. It should be emphasized, however, that the forensic auditing firm was limited in what it could review because it didn't have access to all the records, including those involving the funneling of welfare money by Nancy New's nonprofit, the Mississippi Community Education Center, to the volleyball project.
There was at least one other inconsistency in Reeves' explanation. The DHS lawsuit included defendants who were not part of the forensic audit's limited findings and who have not been charged with a crime. One of those is Brett Favre, the former NFL quarterback who has several entanglements in the welfare scandal.
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It's normal for boy play to be rough at times
Q: Our soon to be 5-year-old son enjoys playing with his 14-month-old brother, but there have been three times recently when the baby has started crying and when I check, big brother has a guilty look on his face. So far, the baby has suffered a scratch under one eye, a red mark on his face where a ball hit him, and a bruised forehead from falling over. When big brother is banished to his room for these incidents, he is more upset about being punished than about hurting his brother. His lack of remorse bothers us. As a result, we've put baby brother off limits for a time. Are we expecting too much?
Let’s face it, folks, when a 5-year-old boy and a 14-month-old boy interact on a daily basis, the younger one is bound to experience occasional pain. This is the almost inevitable consequence of having two boys, and you are going to go slowly insane if you assign yourself to the impossible task of preventing this from happening. For at least the next three to four years, until the physical disparity begins to level out, the younger one will experience more play-related insult than the older one. In and of itself, this isn't bad. It's just the way it is. Boy play tends to be rough at times. Furthermore, the fact that big brother even wants to play with a 14-month-old is a good sign, an early indication of a growing relationship. Count your lucky stars that signs do not point to early resentment on the part of your first-born.
JOHN ROSEMOND is a family psychologist. Find him at parentguru.com.
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Lemon balm is somewhat invasive, so it's best grown in a pot to contain it.
Marsha Donaldson
Lemony plants have variety of uses
By MARSHA DONALDSON Contributing Columnist
When life hands you lemons, what are you going to make?
If you think lemonade is your answer, think again! In today’s culinary world, there are many “lemony” plants besides the lemons that grow on trees. Most of these are herbs, and include lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon mint, lemon thyme, and lemon verbena. All impart a lemon scent and flavor to one degree or another, and have a wide variety of uses, from food to medicine.
The leaves and flowers of lemon balm can be added to soups and salads, and they can even be used to make a sorbet or pesto. If making tea, it is best to use the fresh leaves, as the dried leaves lose much of their volatile oils after six months. As a member of the mint family, it has the propensity to be slightly invasive, so growing this amazing herb in pots would solve that problem
Lemongrass is a culinary herb used extensively in Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cooking. Even though it looks like grass, one sniff as you brush across the leaves will convince you of its lemony aroma! Lemongrass is an essential ingredient in many soups, curries, stir-fry dishes and desserts.
Just as there are many varieties of mint such as apple and chocolate, there is a lemon mint. Lemon mint can be used in the same way other mints are used in making teas and in cooking. This mint is particularly refreshing when used as an ingredient in desserts and as a garnish. Chewing mint leaves is always a great way to cleanse the palate and aid digestion, especially after a heavy meal.
Lemon thyme, sometimes called citrus thyme, is an evergreen, low-growing perennial plant that is also a member of the mint family. Once established, it is drought tolerant and used as a landscape plant in some cases, especially in rock gardens and walkways.
Most of these lemony herbs have medicinal values as well, but it is important to become familiar with any side effects, warnings or drug interactions if using tinctures, capsules, or essential oils made from them. It is best to inform your physician, or work with a qualified medical professional familiar with herbal medicine. However, when used in teas or in cooking, there is little risk of side effects.
MARSHA DONALDSON, 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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DENNIS • James Lewis is always looking for a deal.
But he's not buying things just for the sake of buying – he only gets what he needs, but he never, ever pays full price. And his bargain-hunting ways have him a prestigious designation: the nation's biggest cheapskate.
The "America's Biggest Cheapskate" contest is sponsored by Ollie's, the nation's largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the retailer is the perfect vehicle for Lewis, who was introduced to Ollie's about seven years ago.
"I was already saving hundreds of dollars a year; had I known about Ollie's earlier, I could have been saving thousands," he said.
To enter the nationwide contest, entrants had to submit an original response describing how they save money, their best money-saving hacks and why they believe they’re worthy of the title “America’s Biggest Cheapskate.” All entrants also had to visit an Ollie’s store and submit a photo from their visit.
Ollie’s has selected the 10 finalists, and nine will receive a $400 Ollie’s gift card; the grand prize winner will receive $4,040 cash, and the winner will be announced next week.
James hopes he wins the title of "America's Biggest Cheapskate," but even if he doesn't he won't change his buying habits.
"I think being called a 'cheapskate' is a badge of honor," he said. "I'm trying to save money and I'm not buying a bunch of junk. It's good quality stuff when I do it. I'm not going to get a pile of stuff I won't use."
And while "cheapskate" is an acceptable term, Lewis said "frugal" may be a little better on the ears. Either way, the bottom line is the bottom line.
"I think we should be frugal in all aspects of life – whether it's our time, talent or treasure," he said.
Lewis doesn't buy anything without having first researched what he's needing to buy. He'll look first on the internet to find the best deals. He won't jump at the first thing he sees, however, choosing to dig a little deeper.
Of course he frequents thrift stores and flea markets as well.
"I'll still offer a lower price for something even though I know they're already low," he said. "I think a lot of people are wasteful these days, and it's like a throwaway generation. But if I see something really good and I can really use or know somebody that can really use it, I'll ask for it."
Lewis lives by a code:
"It's really simple," he said. "I just like like good things cheap."
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Potts Camp native Dr. Holley Muraco is pictured with two dolphins at the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport. Muraco is a renowned dolphin expert, who's research and techniques are used around the world.
Dr. Holley Muraco
Dr. Holley Muraco, pictured with a walrus.
Dr. Holley Muraco, works with an orca.
Dr. Holley Muraco in the Arctic.
TUPELO • Dr. Holley Muraco, a world-renowned dolphin expert, developed her love of animals decades ago in rural Marshall County.
Muraco, 47, grew up on a farm in Potts Camp, a small town in Northeast Mississippi. Even as a kid, she was obsessed with animals. "Everything that crawls or creeps," as she described it.
Muraco said she never came across an animal she didn't want to be near, touch or learn about.
"My parents, bless them, let me bring home every little broken critter to try to save it," Muraco said. "And everything that needed to be bottle-fed, they knew they could hand it over."
Having spent her career traveling the world to research dolphins and other marine animals, Muraco has returned to Mississippi where she's served as director of research for the Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport since 2019.
Becoming a marine biologist
Most kids with a passion for animals are told that they should become veterinarians.
So that's the path Muraco took.
Having already attended Northwest Community College for two years, she transferred to Mississippi State University where she enrolled as a dairy science major as a junior.
That year, someone suggested it would look good on her application to veterinarian school if she had experience with animals other than cows and horses.
Muraco had heard about the dolphins at Walt Disney World and the research being done at the park, so she applied for an internship there.
"For whatever reason, I was selected," Muraco said. "And I still, to this day, can't tell you why that happened, why they thought a dairy science major from Mississippi would be a really good marine biology intern, but they did."
She was one of six interns to spend six months at Disney World's EPCOT working alongside the park's biologists with dolphins, manatees, sharks and other marine animals.
That's when she came to a realization.
"There's nothing wrong with being a vet, but there's a big world out there," Muraco said. "There's a lot of careers that you can do, and so that's when I switched to Biology and decided to take a different path."
Muraco graduated from MSU in 1998, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She went on to earn a PhD in Animal Physiology with a focus on bottlenose dolphins from MSU in 2015.
Traveling the world for work
Muraco worked briefly for a marine life facility in Gulfport before it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Deciding she needed to be in a place with more research, more involvement and more opportunity, she moved to Orlando, Florida, where she spent around five years as a trainer at SeaWorld, along with Disney World's Animal Kingdom.
"That's where I really was able to see all of the different projects, philosophies, thoughts, what we need to be working on from a conservation standpoint," Muraco said.
She and her husband, Mike Muraco, director of the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, moved from there to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she worked at a dolphin facility.
Muraco has also lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico; Napa, California; and Guangzhou, China.
During her time in California, Muraco did research with walruses, and at one point the British Broadcasting Corporation, also known as BBC News, sent a production company to interview her.
"The next thing I know, they said 'We want to make a documentary about your research,'" Muraco said.
The resulting one-hour documentary, titled "Walrus: Two Tonne Tusker," was released in 2013 as part of the "Natural World" series and featured Muraco living with various Native American tribes in Alaska and studying wild walruses in the Arctic.
Muraco later spent several years working with zoos and aquariums across South China to develop and lead projects related to the reproduction, welfare and behavior of their animals.
While there, she conducted the first artificial insemination of a polar bear in China in 2019, the result of months of research, testing and international collaboration.
It wasn't the first time she made waves in the scientific community.
Muraco has previously developed a new, minimally invasive artificial insemination technique for dolphins that has been used around the world, from the Netherlands to Bermuda.
It's a strange niche, she admits, but learning so much about dolphins from aquarium research has helped her to better understand wild dolphin reproduction.
As a child, Muraco never imagined where her passion for animals would eventually lead her. There's something to be said for taking chances, she said. Trying new things and saying yes to opportunities has worked in her favor.
Mississippi research and inspiring the next generation
When an opportunity presented itself, Muraco and her family moved back to Mississippi.
She's worked as the Mississippi Aquarium's Director of Research since 2019.
"I have enjoyed an absolutely incredible career, I have been able to do some amazing things, and I am ready to give back in the form of helping my state," Muraco said.
The aquarium is building a robust conservation and research program that will not only benefit the animals in its care, but will in turn help the state's wildlife.
The Mississippi Sound, an approximately 113 square mile area of saltwater separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a series of islands and sand bars, is home to many wild bottlenose dolphins — yet relatively little research has been done on them.
That's part of the reason she's passionate about building an environmental, behavioral-based ecology program to study Mississippi's marine life.
"Every time I take the boat out into the Sound, there's so many dolphins I'm like, 'Can you believe this?'" Muraco said.
It's one of a handful of places on the entire planet home to as many dolphins and we take it for granted, she said.
"We need to understand them," Muraco said. "We need to make sure that we are continuing to provide them with a good habitat."
Another reason for bringing her expertise back to Mississippi is to make dreams come true for children in rural areas who grow up thinking that they want to be a marine biologist.
"Mississippi needs marine biologists just as much as any other coastal state, yet somehow there's a disconnect there," Muraco said. "I want to build a program that allows students experience and opportunities. And there's no reason why we can't have that here."
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Justice Dawn Beam
Believe there is good in the world
By DAWN BEAM Guest columnist
"Believe there is good in the world."
These words are some of the first words I see each day as I wake up. They hang on the wall of my home and are a constant motivation to me. Today, after a long day of navigating the uncertainty of life as my precious mother (soon to be 80) struggles with the terror of cancer, these words give me comfort and motivation to move forward in an uncertain world with the certainty of this ± we all have the ability to “be the good.”
Today Mom worries about not just her own health but that of our country. Born in the 1940s, Mom remembers a day when things seemed much simpler and “American values” was a term everyone understood. As Momma just went on and on about all that is going wrong, I encouraged her to stop and pray and give thanks to our God who holds her life and the world in His hands. He is all things good! We can get upset about things we cannot control, or we can bow to the King who has a perfect plan for all of us.
My name is Dawn Beam, and believe it or not, I am the only female justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Sometimes I have to pinch myself as I drive into the court parking area to realize I am not dreaming. Since February 2016, my goal has been to “be the good” for our state, especially our families and children. I co-chair the Children’s Justice Commission, which works at the state level among the three branches of government to improve our child welfare system. If you listen to the national news daily, you, like my sweet Momma, are probably worried about what the world is coming to.
My message today is simple — be the good. In Mississippi I see great things happening all around. Since joining the Court, we have reduced the number of children in foster care by 62% — now that is a bunch of people doing good. We are leaving children safely in their homes and bringing in resources to help stabilize the home and equip parents to better care for their children. In Harrison County, they have gone from 792 children in foster care on Jan. 1, 2019, to 284 children in foster care on July 1, 2022. That is a 64% reduction.
One key to reducing children in custody has been the community stepping up to provide resources to meet the needs of these families. In Harrison County, they have a huge building full of donated items cleaned and organized with care by volunteers. When child welfare calls come into the Child Abuse Hotline, child protection personnel no longer have to remove kids until resources are obtained by the parent. Instead, resources such as food, beds and clothes are being donated and brought into the home, and services related to mental health, parenting skills and the like are provided so that we can leave the family together.
Research shows that children do better if they remain in their home, and we provide services to address needs. This could not be done without lots of people being involved in “being the good.”
I urge our state leaders to work together to develop vital technology to connect resources with the many needs in Mississippi. Other states are doing this, and we can, too. Not only will technology help us meet needs of your neighbors, but it also has a way to keep the score by measuring needs met and lives changed.
To my fellow Mississippians, I urge you to believe there is good in the world and to do your part to be the good. Each of us has a gift or skill that can be used for good — mentoring, tutoring, encouraging, and on and on. Contact your local service providers and ask how you can volunteer.
Pray, and I promise you God will open your eyes to the needs He has prepared you to meet.
A judge once told me, “Your greatest joy will come in serving others.” That is so true. It’s a win-win. When we meet the need of someone else, the gift of hope is received by both parties. Believe there is good in the world — be the good!
JUSTICE DAWN BEAM is an associate justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court. She resides in Sumrall with her husband, Stephen Beam. They have five children and one grandchild.
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Courtesy Mississippi State athletics
Bill Russell stands courtside at The Boston Garden in 2013.
A vote for GOAT who's not LeBron or Jordan
Before there was the modern day GOAT discussion there was Andy and Barney’s neighborhood goat which, honestly, should have ended the discussion.
How can any goat that swallows dynamite and survives not be the greatest of all time?
Still the discussion rages on social media, often framed with NBA players and with LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the leading contenders.
Neither gets Bailey Howell’s vote.
Talk like this is great for social media clicks but can’t be taken seriously. There are too many factors that make comparing different eras of play near impossible.
There is a shrinking number of NBA fans who saw the things Bill Russell did on a basketball court, much less witnessed them live and was an active participant in many of the same exploits.
“He was the most valuable player that ever walked on the court,” Howell said.
Howell, a Mississippi State All-American in the late 1950s who went on to a 12-year NBA career, played four years with Russell and the Boston Celtics.
Russell died last week at the age of 88.
In a 13-year career with the Celtics, Russell was a part of 11 championship teams including eight-straight at one point.
For the last two championships, he was also the head coach as he served as player-coach and was on the floor for more than 40 minutes most nights.
He held that role for three seasons, the first being the same season Howell arrived after a trade with Baltimore.
Russell was a five-time MVP, a 12-time all-star and an 11-time All-NBA selection either first or second team.
A 6-foot-10 center, he averaged 15.1 points and shot 44 percent for his career.
But it was his rebounding and defensive tenacity for which he was best known.
“He had 41-inch sleeves. His arms extended so long,” Howell said. “He had great athleticism, great timing and was a very good leaper. He was the best defensive center and rebounder the game has ever witnessed.”
Players like that make the guys around them even more confident.
For Howell, that meant he could go all out defensively, get up in his opponent’s face and not worry about giving up a layup with a quick step and dash to the rim.
“When that happened, Bill was always there,” Howell said.
Russell was also known for his social activism during America’s contentious 1960s.
He was part of a boycott of an NBA exhibition game in Lexington, Ky., after two black teammates were denied service at a local coffee shop in 1961.
In 1963 Howell was getting ready for his fifth season with Detroit, which drafted him with the No. 2 pick in 1959, when Russell conducted an integrated youth basketball camp in Jackson in response to the shooting of civil rights leader Medgar Evers in June of that year.
“It was just something I felt I had to do,” Russell told The Seattle Times in 2011.
Russell received death threats while in Jackson. In the South in the 1960s, he was playing with a different kind of dynamite than the Mayberry goat.
Russell’s social stance was not a divisive issue for the Celtics, Howell said.
“It was all about basketball, winning basketball games and winning titles if we could. That was the focus,” he said.
Howell, a six-time all-star, averaged 16.3 points and 8.1 rebounds for his career.
After a four-year run in Boston, he played one season in Philadelphia before retiring.
“It was the best time of my career, with the Celtics of course,” says Howell, 85, who has lived in Starkville for many years. “I was able to play on two NBA championship teams. Everybody wants to win that ring. It would have been nice to spend my whole career there.”
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Alabama head coach Nick Saban, right, greets Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Breaking down Ole Miss football's 2022 SEC schedule
OXFORD — Part Two in the Daily Journal's schedule breakdown is an in-depth look at Ole Miss' SEC slate in 2022.
Oct. 1 vs. Kentucky
The Rebels and Wildcats played a thriller in 2020, a 42-41 Ole Miss win in overtime in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky went 10-3 last season and were picked to finish second behind defending national champion Georgia in the SEC East in the media’s preseason poll.
The Wildcats return dynamic quarterback Will Levis, a preseason third-team All-SEC pick and star running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., a preseason second-team All-SEC choice. Levis threw for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2021 and added nine rushing touchdowns. Rodriguez rushed for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Kentucky will replace two coordinators, as Sumrall is at Troy and former offensive coordinator Liam Coen took the same job with the Los Angeles Rams. Rich Scangarello will run the offense while Brad White — the other co-defensive coordinator last year — will call the defense.
Oct. 8 at Vanderbilt
The Commodores were picked to finish last in the SEC East — they did curiously received a first-place vote, however, which feels more like an accident than anything — but Vanderbilt hung tough with Ole Miss last season in a 31-17 Rebels win.
Vanderbilt went 2-10 in Clark Lea’s first season and the numbers, were as bad as expected: just under 16 points per game scored, nearly 36 points per game surrendered. Mike Wright will start at quarterback, and he had a solid showing against the Rebels a season ago, totaling 302 yards of offense.
Oct. 15 vs. Auburn
This is the start of the Rebels’ gauntlet end of the season. Auburn took down Ole Miss last season at Jordan-Hare, a game where quarterback Matt Corral was carted off the field with an ankle injury before eventually returning to action. The Tigers still have head coach Bryan Harsin despite a strange offseason, but quarterback Bo Nix (three total touchdowns vs. Ole Miss in 2021) is at Oregon now after three years on the Plains.
Running back Tank Bigsby returns, however, after running for just under 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. Bigsby ran for 140 yards and a touchdown in Auburn’s 31-20 win last season. The Tigers started last season 6-2 but lost their final five games. Former Texas A&M quarterback appears to be the most likely candidate to take over for Nix.
The Tigers were picked to finish last in the SEC West.
Oct. 22 at LSU
LSU lost in Oxford last season 31-17 with head coach Ed Orgeron already a lame duck. The Rebels led 31-7 after three quarters and ran for 302 yards in the game.
The Tigers are now led by former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, but expectations in Year One are realistic — they were picked fifth in the SEC West, one spot behind Ole Miss. Kelly went 113-40 with the Fighting Irish and took them to the CFP twice and to a BCS National Championship game.
Last year’s starting quarterback Max Johnson is now at Texas A&M, but Myles Brennan and Garrett Nussmeier return. The Tigers also added Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels. LSU also gets wide receiver Kayshon Boutte back after missing the last seven games of the season. Boutte is a preseason first-team All-SEC pick. Pass rusher B.J. Ojulari led LSU with seven sacks last season and is a preseason first-team All-SEC pick
Oct. 29 at Texas A&M
Ole Miss took down the No. 11 Aggies 29-19 last season in what was arguably the biggest win of 2021, given Texas A&M’s lofty ranking and the fact College GameDay was in town. The Aggies scuffled a bit down the stretch last season, losing two of their last three before having their bowl game canceled.
The Aggies brought in one of the most heralded recruiting classes of all-time and were picked to finish second in the SEC West but are widely considered a top-10 preseason team. Johnson or Haynes King will likely be the quarterback, and star running back Devon Achane returns after running for 910 yards (seven yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. Achane is a preseason second-team all-conference pick.
Nov. 12 vs. Alabama
Alabama is the preseason No. 1 by nearly every publication, and for good reason — the Crimson Tide return two of the best players in the country in Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young and pass rusher Will Anderson. Alabama defeated Georgia in the 2021 SEC Championship game but fell in the CFB title game rematch to the Bulldogs.
The Crimson Tide dominated Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa, Alabama last year, taking a 28-0 lead into halftime after a few fourth-down conversion tries didn’t go the Rebels’ way. Ole Miss last defeated Alabama in 2015, the second of consecutive wins for the program over the Crimson Tide.
Alabama’s top rusher and top two receivers from last season are gone, but that generally doesn’t tend to stop the Crimson Tide from putting up points.
Nov. 19 at Arkansas
The Rebels and Razorbacks played a game for the ages in 2021, a wild 52-51 Ole Miss win that came down to a failed two-point conversion try by Arkansas with no time left on the clock. The teams combined to score 41 points in the fourth quarter.
Arkansas put up 676 yards of offense, including 411 yards of offense and six total touchdowns from quarterback K.J. Jefferson, who returns. Star receiver Treylon Burks is in the NFL now; he had 136 yards receiving and a touchdown last year in Oxford.
In addition to Jefferson, the Razorbacks also return star defensive back Jalen Catalon and linebacker Bumper Pool, who were preseason first-team and second-team All-SEC picks, respectively.
Nov. 24 vs. Mississippi State
The Egg Bowl never disappoints.
The Rebels took down the Bulldogs 31-21 in Starkville last season, Ole Miss’ second-straight win in the rivalry. Mississippi State returns quarterback Will Rogers, who threw for 4,739 yards and 36 touchdowns a season ago. Leading receiver Makai Polk (1,046 yards, nine touchdowns) is gone, as is cornerback Martin Emerson — a third-round pick by the Cleveland Browns.
Mississippi State was picked to finish second-to-last in the SEC West, just ahead of Auburn. This year’s game is in Oxford, where the Rebels won 31-24 in 2020. Ole Miss leads the all-time series 64-46-6 (including forfeits and vacated games). The Rebels are 22-13-3 against the Bulldogs in Oxford.
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Malik Heath, then a Mississippi State receiver, motors along the sideline for a 56-yard touchdown pass on a catch-and-run against Tennessee State last year in Starkville.
Heath is a senior wide receiver for the Rebels from Jackson who prepped at Callaway High School. He began his college career at Copiah-Lincoln City College and was a four-star prospect. He played the last two seasons at Mississippi State, where he caught 71 passes for 749 yards and eight touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Heath entered the transfer portal in January. He wound up at Ole Miss, a decision he knew was going to ruffle some feathers and potentially make some people mad. But at the end of the day, it was the best fit for him and his career.
“I just liked the offense. I think Lane Kiffin is a great play caller, (wide receivers) coach (Derrick) Nix is a great coach. They push me every day,” Heath said. “At first I was skeptical about it, just committing over here, because of the rival school, and all that media and all of that. But I just (had) seen a lot of folks doing it, so I just said, ‘Why not?’”
It was a little awkward telling Rogers — his quarterback at Mississippi State and a Mississippi native himself — and his other former Bulldog teammates his decision.
“(Rogers) just said we’re still brothers,” Heath said. “All of them will stay my brothers, but you know they’re going to be in my head when it’s time to play.”
Heath has looked the part thus far in the first few days of fall camp, getting significant offensive reps with sophomore quarterbacks Luke Altmyer and Jaxson Dart and the first-string offensive line.
Heath said one of the things he likes about the Ole Miss offense is the types of routes within the passing game. While Mississippi State threw the ball a lot, many were shorter passes — Rogers averaged 9.38 yards per completion in 2021 (110th nationally) compared to 12.78 for Ole Miss’ Matt Corral (45th nationally) — the Rebels throw the ball down the field more, which is a receiver’s dream.
It hasn’t been the smoothest transition for Heath, however, according to head coach Lane Kiffin. During Saturday’s practice, the receiver had to take a second to catch his breath on the ground — a moment that was made public by Kiffin’s internet-famous dog, Juice, via Twitter. Heath rallied, however, and shined toward the end of practice.
“Malik has had an adjustment period but has really flashed and made some really special plays. (He) actually came back after that period and scored a touchdown, long touchdown, on the last play of the day.
“He has a very high ceiling. A lot of work to do still.”
Helping make Heath’s transition to Ole Miss easier is his preexisting relationship with senior wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, who prepped with Rogers at Brandon High School.
“Malik, he reminds me a lot like (former Ole Miss receiver) Braylon (Sanders). Always has good energy. There’s never a negative day when Malik’s around,” Mingo said at SEC Media Days. “So, he brings good energy to the receiving room, and he brings a dog mentality.”
Heath would be lying if he said he hadn’t already thought ahead to Thanksgiving’s Egg Bowl showdown against his former teammates and coaches. Given his career, Heath said it is a relief that the game is in Oxford rather than Starkville this year.
“I ain’t got to hear the crowd, cowbells, and all of that stuff. I’ve been thinking about (the Egg Bowl) ever since I came," Heath said.
Callaway High School
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In Mississippi, like Kansas, the state Supreme Court has said the state Constitution provides a right to an abortion.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, ignoring the Supreme Court ruling, recently said, “I don’t think we need a constitutional amendment in Mississippi because we have a state statute which speaks to that. The only abortion clinic that operated in our state is now closed. I don’t know that it has to be in the Constitution.”
At the very least, by ignoring that Supreme Court ruling, a precedent is being established in the state that the Mississippi Supreme Court can be, well, ignored.
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Patrick Semansky I AP
NEW YORK • The Justice Department's effort to block the merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster isn't just a showcase for the Biden administration's tougher approach to corporate consolidation, it's a rare moment for the publishing industry itself to be placed in the dock.
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Nina Lyashonok I AP
KYIV, Ukraine • Four more ships carrying agricultural cargo held up by the war in Ukraine received authorization Sunday to leave the country's Black Sea coast as analysts warned that Russia was moving troops and equipment in the direction of the ports to stave off a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Ukraine's nuclear power plant operator, Energoatom, reported that Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which is located in the country's southeast, came under Russian fire late Saturday. It said the shelling damaged three radiation monitors around the storage facility for spent nuclear fuels and that one worker was injured.
"Every principle of nuclear safety has been violated" at the plant, Grossi said Tuesday.
The Joint Coordination Center, which is responsible for managing the deal, said that three cargo ships that left Friday passed their inspections and received clearance Sunday to pass through Turkey's Bosporus Strait on the way to their final destinations.
According to Marine Traffic, the ship changed its status Saturday to "order," meaning it was waiting for someone to buy the cargo - 26,000 tons of corn for chicken feed.
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Abortion-rights activists protest outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Jose Luis Magana i AP
Pro-life doctors challenge board’s decertification threat
By Valerie Richardson The Washington Times
Donna Harrison, CEO of the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), blasted the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) for its July 7 statement on “misinformation and disinformation and medical professionalism.”
“The threat by the pro-abortion American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology to cancel the board certification of tens of thousands of OBGYNs who educate their patients about the peer-reviewed, evidence-based facts concerning abortion is an unprecedented intrusion into the doctor-patient relationship,” Harrison said in a statement.
“Eligibility to gain or maintain ABOG certification may be lost if ABOG determines that (physicians) do not meet the standards that they have agreed to meet and that the public deserves and expects,” the statement reads.
“ABOG considers the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation that may threaten the health of the patients who place their trust in its (physicians) to be a violation of medical professionalism,” the board said.
“ABOG’s statement plainly seeks to intimidate diplomates who may offer opinions or testimony that state legislatures or courts may rely on in examining abortion regulations,” Hacker said. “It is a naked attempt to prevent these diplomates from exercising their constitutionally protected rights.”
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TUPELO – For the first time since 2019, the annual benefitting the Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic will be held in person.
This year, Joey Hutto will be the honoree. His friends, family and colleagues will get to roast and toast him at the BancorpSouth Conference Center. A social hour begins at 6 p.m., and the program and live auction at 7 p.m.
The online auction has already begun at roastandtoast22.givesmart.com.
The roasters for the 20th annual roast will be John Wheeler, David Carlisle and Robin McGraw.
The event helps to fund the clinic's operating budget each year so it can provide free medical dental, and pharmaceutical care to uninsured, working residents of Lee County. Physicians, nurses and pharmacists volunteer their time and expertise to care for the patients. The clinic opened in November 1992.
Tickets and sponsorships are available by calling the Good Samaritan Free Clinic office at (662) 844-3733.
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Pontotoc's Nic Townsend had 462 receiving yards before being forced into quarterback duty halfway through last season.
Today it’s wide receivers. Maybe not as deep a group as quarterback or running back, but we’ve got plenty of good ball-catchers around here, the kind of guys who can flip a game on one play.
5. Winn Navarette, North Pontotoc
As a junior, Navarette caught 41 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns – in eight games. Last season against Houston, he caught a 30-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-15 with 1:18 left in the game for the winning points.
Navarette is a sharp route runner and has a knack for getting open. And he doesn’t drop many passes.
4. Nic Townsend, Pontotoc
Townsend was forced to play out of position last fall when quarterback Conner Armstrong was injured six games into the season. In those six games, Townsend made 30 catches for 462 yards and five touchdowns.
His biggest catch came in the season opener when he hauled in a 7-yard TD pass as time expired to beat Shannon, 33-32.
With Armstrong now healthy, Townsend is primed for a big senior year.
3. Hastin Nelson, Baldwyn
One of the biggest breakout stars of 2021, Nelson caught 34 passes for 786 yards and nine touchdowns – in eight games. He’d have easily reached 1,000 yards if not for a foot injury that cost him five games.
He averaged 23.1 yards per catch and had a knack for beating defenses deep.
Just 140 pounds last year, Nelson has packed on some weight in the offseason.
2. K.D. Gibson, Tupelo
While his numbers weren’t mind-blowing – 26 catches for 529 yards, seven TDs – you have to remember that Tupelo was breaking in a new quarterback.
It was actually two quarterbacks for a while, until Jeremiah Harrell emerged as No. 1. And now that the job is his, I expect you’ll see Gibson have more chances to show off his skill set. For one thing, he’s fast, which is why he is sometimes used in the run game. And it’s why he’s such a big downfield threat.
1. Braylon Burnside, Starkville
You might recall seeing this name when I ranked defensive backs. But receiver is where Burnside makes the biggest impact, and there’s a lot to like about him.
He had 709 yards and seven touchdowns on 41 catches last year. The junior is a four-star prospect with offers from Florida State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Oregon and many others.
Oh, and he has a tremendous nickname: “Stonka.”
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AMORY – Monroe County School District officials are taking proactive measures to ensure their schools remain safe.
During their July 28 meeting, members of the MCSD Board discussed the ways they're making their schools safer for both students and teachers. These include training of staff to handle active shooter events and monitoring students’ activity on school-issued laptop computers.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will conduct an upcoming active shooter training at the Advanced Learning Center for both law enforcement and staff.
Superintendent Dr. Chad O’Brian said the district has acquired the means to monitor keystroke activity on students’ devices when accessing the internet. Assistant superintendent Billy Tacker emphasized that screenshots are transmitted to school administrators and IT support staff to help strengthen the filtering in place for accessing online content.
“The system is going to be a lot stricter than we might be because they’ve got to be on the safe side," he said. "Any content that the (vendor) feels may be a threat to someone, whether cyber bullying, pornography, whatever, a screenshot will be sent to the administrator for his review. There is no longer a question of whether a student searched for the content – the keystrokes tell. The process is live now."
School board member Chris Markham questioned whether employees' computers are monitored in the same way. Not currently, Tacker replied.
Markham said every computer on the school district's campuses needs to be monitored the same way.
“There are different steps for different computers and users,” Tacker said.
O’Brian said grants continue to help pay for school resource officers (SROs) in the amount of $10,000 match per officer up to a maximum of $50,000. An officer with a vehicle will be stationed at every campus.
Markham repeated his request to have two SROs at Hatley instead of just one due to the larger student population. O’Brian will discuss the concern further with Sheriff Kevin Crook.
“I think the general consensus is that they caution about the necessity of having a second SRO at Hatley,” he said.
Markham emphasized the fact based on enrollment that the Hatley SRO has nearly twice the number of students to serve opposed to other district campuses.
“If he says we still need only one, I’m extremely disappointed. This is the least we can do,” he said.
Managing gate sales
School district business administrator Tracy McCollum reported a change in business practices to keep cash on hand from athletic gate receipts rather than depositing the money and withdrawing it again for the next game.
Markham took issue and asked what authority others have to tell a school how to run its business. McCollum said the issue lies with the lack of a paper trail of checks on file to obtain cash needed for game operations.
“If they can’t find checks, they can’t get more change, and checks have to be board-approved. Most schools keep gate change on hand between games,” she said.
School board member Butch Palmer recommended looking into getting a safe for Smithville for keeping gate change for ticket booths to upgrade security to match the other schools.
“I don’t feel comfortable with a locked filing cabinet,” said school board president Linda Bickerstaff, who supported his recommendation.
Markham asked for the school board to determine the appropriate amount of gate change for each school to keep on hand. O’Brian said the decision on that matter would be best left up to the bookkeepers.
“Somebody needs to figure out what should be an adequate amount. Hatley and Hamilton don’t need to keep the same amount on hand. The fan base at Hatley is a lot larger than Hamilton,” he said.
Markham furthermore advocated a move toward electronic ticket sales to replace cash. O’Brian countered that the public was already polled about the matter, not to mention advice was sought from the state attorney general’s office.
“We’ve been told that we cannot go all electronic because of an opinion issued that you are denying access to public events by going strictly electronic. You have to have a gate in addition to providing electronic service,” O’Brian said.
Markham complained that insufficient information has been released to keep track of revenue from gate receipts.
“Since I’ve been on the board, I’ve been trying to get the information about how many tickets were sold at what amount so that we can break it down to see what amount of change was taken out and what was paid to referees and divide the remaining sum by the number of tickets sold. We’ve never been able to get clear information. What we have gotten is so vague that it would take an accountant to figure it up,” he said.
O’Brian said the numbers reflect paid attendance but not season ticket holders or others attending with passes.
McCollum maintained that the report provided to the board contains the information requested.
Board member Tracey Cockerham suggested formulating a spreadsheet to summarize transactions for every gate for each game played.
Bickerstaff noted that the request was made for a simplified financial report.
“It will help for us to read (and understand) it a little better,” she said.
In other business, the school board approved expenditures for repairs at campuses, including plumbing repairs to the restrooms at the Hamilton football field, a new cooler for the Hatley cafeteria, sewer repairs, a new air conditioning unit at Smithville and a replacement panel for the yard sign at the Advanced Learning Center.
Monroe County forester Michael Hughey updated the school board on 2022 income/expenses from management work on school trust lands. According to his report, the actual net income to the district for timber sales for fiscal year 2022 totals $225,895.25.
Bickerstaff asked to take Hughey’s report under advisement for any action required at the next regular meeting.
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Monroe County School District requesting increase in ad valorem taxes
AMORY – For the upcoming fiscal year, the Monroe County School District will request an additional $250,000 in ad valorem taxes, compared to last year while keeping its projected mills the same. During a July 28 budget hearing, Monroe County School District Business Administrator Tracy McCollum explained details of the Fiscal Year ‘22-’23 budget.
“Our ad valorem tax request for operations went up approximately $250,000 to a total of $5,045,648, compared with $4,795,615 last year. Our assessed values increased again this year,” she said.
The total expected revenues and other funding sources total $20,377,236, and expenditures equal the same amount.
State revenue for district maintenance totaled $14,182,166, or 55.19 percent of the total, most of which came from Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) funds that were up $670,000 for a total of $12,254,150. Money earmarked for teacher pay raises under MAEP totaled $12,254,150.
Teachers will receive pay raises averaging more than $4,500 across all certification levels.
“We had anticipated a loss in Mississippi Adequate Education Program revenue this year due to decline in enrollment, but student costs increased which increased the MAEP formula calculation which resulted in an increase in funding. It wasn’t as much as it could be had our average daily attendance (ADA) been higher. If our ADA doesn’t increase, we will see a loss in MAEP revenue,” she said.
McCollum noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the district was not held accountable for ADA figures for the last couple of years but will be for the 2022-23 school year.
Local revenues for district maintenance totaled $6,026,444, or 23.47 percent of the total revenue figure. The largest portion of the local revenue comes from ad valorem taxes, which is budgeted to be $5,045,648.
Federal revenue for the district totaled $5,718,944, or 21.34 percent of the revenue total. The largest portion of the total came from the American Rescue Plan Act, including Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER) funds totaling $3,111,047, followed by reimbursements from the United States Department of Agriculture for $1,215,000.
School board member Chris Markham asked about the balance of the district’s rainy day fund.
“We are at 31 percent of our total funds and we are required to have seven percent,” she said.
Markham was gratified about the amount.
“We have a lot more than we need, so we’re in good financial condition,” he said.
The budget will be adopted at the next regular board meeting set for Aug. 9.
Tracy Mccollum
Mississippi Adequate Education Program
Chris Markham
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In this file photo from February 2021, University of Mississippi students take notes during a class on the Oxford campus. University officials have announced that they have raised a historic $1.2 billion as part of its current fundraising campaign — the largest in the school's history.
OXFORD • The largest fundraising campaign in the history of Mississippi universities, Now & Ever: The Campaign for Ole Miss, just secured $1.2 billion toward its $1.5 billion goal.
Elevating the total is more than $150.6 million in gifts – the second-highest fundraising year on record – during the University of Mississippi's 2022 fiscal year that closed June 30.
"We're energized, inspired and truly grateful for this outstanding response to our monumental and historic campaign," Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "The tremendous generosity of our alumni, friends and donors plays a significant role in how we transform lives and improve the communities, the state and the world around us.
"It also fuels the extraordinary academic achievements and unprecedented triumphs we are experiencing right now at Ole Miss."
This generosity reflects well on the Ole Miss family, said retired Maj. Gen. Leon Collins of Madison, one of the campaign co-chairs with his wife, Debra, and Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, of Memphis.
"I am so excited about the possibilities for our university," Collins said. "With our baseball team winning the College World Series, it just goes to show what quality facilities can produce. We are well on our way to meeting our goal but now is not the time to rest. Now is the time for everyone to be part of something very special.
"There is no better time to be an Ole Miss Rebel."
"There's something for everyone to support in this campaign, from innovative programs and student scholarships to faculty support and new building construction," Leigh Anne Tuohy said. "I encourage alumni and friends to find an area they are passionate about and consider making an investment."
"Students are the reason we exist, of course, but having this campaign enables us to concentrate on elevating student success, expanding preparation for successful careers and making it possible for more students to earn their degrees on time," she said. "We will extend our expertise in student retention, now above the national norm at 88.2% for freshmen to sophomores, to all years that students are here.”
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Both Magnolia State rivals in the Southeastern Conference made an appearance in Monday’s USA TODAY coaches poll, the first of the 2022 season.
Ole Miss was ranked No. 24, while Mississippi State received 19 voting points. The Bulldogs got the 11th-most votes of teams outside the top 25.
The Rebels were one of six SEC teams ranked Monday. No. 1 Alabama, No. 3 Georgia, No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 21 Kentucky and No. 23 Arkansas were all ahead of Ole Miss.
Ole Miss finished 2021 at 10-3 after an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, where it lost to Baylor.
Mississippi State cracked the top 25 briefly last season but will not start the 2022 campaign in the rankings. The Bulldogs finished 2021 with a 7-6 record, losing to Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl.
Ole Miss’ 2022 season begins at 3 p.m. Sept. 3 against Troy in Oxford. Mississippi State opens with Memphis at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 in Starkville.
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Firefighter shortage highlights, again, need for rural plan
You can add a growing shortage of volunteer firefighters to the known list of rural issues. Last week the Daily Journal documented problems facing Lee County.
“There are several departments throughout the county that are just not getting the response because they don’t have enough volunteers,” District 1 Supervisor Phil Morgan told the Journal.
“My concern is the fact that we’re getting to the numbers where it’s not safe anymore for the firefighters,” Marc Flanagan, Lee County’s fire coordinator, said. “If there’s a chance of a rescue, someone has got to go in, and you can’t make entry with two people on scene.”
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JACKSON • Rep. Jason White, the second-in-command in the state House, is openly asking individual House members to support him "in a future run" to become speaker of the House, one of the most powerful positions in state government, according to several state lawmakers.
White, currently the Speaker Pro Tempore of the 122-member House, appears to be laying the groundwork at a time when current House Speaker Philip Gunn is being quiet about his future plans.
Rep. Fred Shanks, a supporter of White’s, told the Daily Journal in an interview that White is shoring up support a future run, which could be as early the next four-year term that begins in 2024.
“He has asked people for support in a future run,” Shanks, a Republican from Brandon, said. “But I don’t think Jason would run against Speaker Philip Gunn.”
Two other Republican lawmakers, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid publicly discussing internal GOP discussions, also confirmed that White is whipping votes for a future run as speaker.
White, a Republican from West, did not respond to a request for comment.
It’s unclear if Gunn, a Republican from Clinton, will seek another four-year term as the leader of the House, but it's notable that White — a year out from the 2023 Republican primary — is openly courting GOP lawmakers to back him for a future run.
Gunn has not outright said what his future plans are and chose not to specifically address them at the Neshoba County Fair earlier this month.
“Right now, I’m the speaker, and we’re working hard to make sure that we do things in the Office of Speaker in the House of Representatives that move Mississippi forward,” Gunn said. “Today, that’s where I’m at, and I'll always look to see if there’s another area of service that may open up.”
Unlike a statewide office, the 122 elected House members choose from within their ranks on who the speaker should be. If Republicans maintain a supermajority in the House, then conservative representatives will meet in a private GOP caucus meeting to elect the speaker.
After the House members vote on a speaker, the entire House will weigh in during a pro forma vote at the beginning of the 2024 legislative session.
White hails from a district that encompasses Attala, Carroll, Holmes and Leake counties, but if he’s chosen as the new speaker, it could have implications across the state.
The speaker of the House is one of only three people in Mississippi government who wields massive power to set the legislative agenda by appointing lawmakers to lead committees and deciding which legislation dies.
White may be from the Mississippi Delta, but it appears he already has the backing of some northeast Mississippi lawmakers.
“I definitely support him for speaker when Philip (Gunn) doesn’t run,” Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, said.
White, 49, was first elected to the Legislature in 2011 as a Democrat, but he switched to the Republican Party in 2012.
White, according to the Mississippi Legislature’s website, attended Mississippi College and Mississippi College School of Law.
Mississippi House
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VISIT TUSCON I COURTESY
Hotel Congress bills itself as an "urban, historic, rock 'n roll hotel." The interior of the hotel still features the same style it did when notorious gangster John Dillinger was captured there in 1934.
This promotional image from Visit Tucson features cyclists biking their way through the beautiful Sonora Desert.
Pima Air and Space Museum features roughly 400 different aircraft.
Robert Glynn I COURTESY
Biosphere 2 is the world's largest controlled environment dedicated to studying the effects of climate change.
The desert landscape that surrounds Tucson is known for its painterly sunsets.
By DAVID HITT
Toto, we’re not in Starkville anymore.
Of all the destinations on Mississippi State’s away game schedule this year, none are more starkly different from Starkville than Tucson, Arizona.
Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is home to the Arizona Wildcats. Those making their way west from Northeast Mississippi to watch the Bulldogs play will experience a weekend in a place where the landscape has a few more cacti and the cuisine has a few more chili peppers, but they’re both beautiful in their own way.
“To the fans headed out to Tucson for the game, I say ‘Get ready to experience a beautifully lush desert filled with amazing food, attractions, and people,’” said Cindy Aguilar, PR and Communications Manager for Visit Tucson.
We’ve compiled a few must-visit spots for those in Tuscon for the weekend, although — like the desert itself — the city is vast and beautiful and features far too many wonders to see in just a couple of days.
El Charro Café
This year marks a full century that Tucson locals have been eating at El Charro. It’s not only the city’s oldest restaurant, it’s the oldest continuously operating Mexican restaurant in the United States.
The food is a Tucson take on the flavors of the Sonora region of Mexico, and El Charro is the birthplace of the chimichanga – the story goes it was accidentally invented there when a burrito fell into the fryer.
El Güero Canelo
When a hot dog wins one of the nation’s most prestigious food awards, that’s got to be a good hot dog.
In 2018, El Güero Canelo won the James Beard Award for American Classics for its Sonaran Style Hot Dog, a bacon-wrapped hot dog served in a Mexican version of a baguette. The menu also offers burritos, tacos and more, but you’ve got to try that hot dog.
Bobo’s Restaurant
If you need a touch of home in the middle of the desert, Bobo’s can set you up with some breakfast comfort food worthy of a Southerner – eggs and sausage and a mess of biscuits and gravy (no grits, but you can’t have everything in life). But if you want something uniquely Tucson, try their bigger-than-the-plate banana pancakes.
Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale for your breakfast or brunch, check out Prep & Pastry. It’s a place where the biscuits are accompanied by duck-fat sausage gravy and the “Beni” features goat cheese hollandaise.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Located in the Saguaro National Park, a visit to the Desert Museum is a great way to experience the local flora and fauna around Tucson, combining the experiences of a zoo, botanical garden and national history museum into two miles of paths that are home to 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants.
Mercado San Agustin
Mercado San Agustin and the nearby MSA Annex offer two opportunities for shopping, with open-air walkways lined with small local shops and restaurants.
Pima Air and Space Museum
If you’re interested in airplanes, you’ll want to include this on your itinerary.
Pima features about 400 different aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner, as well as relics telling the story of the space race to the Moon.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Home to more than 20 telescopes that have given scientists a better understanding of our cosmos, Kitt Peak is one of the reasons that Tucson has laws to ensure the night skies there are as dark as possible. Even if your trip doesn’t include a visit to the observatory, be sure to find time to get away from the lights and gaze at stars you won’t see back home.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, the Hotel Congress bills itself as an “urban, historic, rock ‘n’ roll hotel.” Its original phone switchboard at the front desk is still in use and the website lists which rooms are most haunted. The interior reflects the same style as when bank robber John Dillinger was captured there in 1934.
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Richard Shotwell I AP
NEW YORK • Olivia Newton-John, the Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with such hits as "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want" and won countless hearts as everyone's favorite Sandy in the blockbuster film version of "Grease," has died. She was 73.
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Betts Beasley , Lottye
Lottye Betts Rye was born in Rye Bottom in Monroe County, Mississippi near Hamilton on October 9, 1932 to the late Carl and Gladys Betts Rye. She grew up there on the family farm where the virtues of hard work, respect, tenacity and fortitude were taught her by her parents. Lottye Betts, as she was appropriately called all her life in the grand Southern tradition honoring her matriarchal heritage, was studious and engaged and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1950 with honors. She met the dashing John Ray Beasley in 1952 while attending college at MSCW. After she waited for him to return from a tour of duty in the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, they married on July 16, 1954, a union of almost 64 years until his death on June 28, 2018. Lottye Betts graduated from MUW and later obtained a Master Degree in Educational Counseling from MSU. She spent the next 35 plus years completely devoted to her students as a classroom teacher and ultimately, School Counselor in the Tupelo Public School System. Her dogged belief in the value of a good education spilled over into her style and approach to teaching students. Never easy but fair and understanding, she was beloved and respected by all her students. In l964, the Beasley's purchased a large track of land in West Lee County overlooking Coonewah Creek which ultimately became the High Forest neighborhood. They maintained a large portion of the purchase as a working family farm that became known as Cedarscape. The grounds were a major occupation site of Chickasaw Indians. John Ray and Lottye Betts developed a strong interest in and respect for Chickasaw Indian heritage and became local authorities on Chickasaw lore and history. So significant were their contributions to the historical integrity of the Chickasaws, they were awarded honorary membership in the Chickasaw Nation. In 2004, much of the property was deeded to the Archaeological Conservancy, which now is owned and managed by the Chickasaw Nation. Lottye Betts was a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served as Regent of the Mississippi Chapter of DAR for 3 years. She was most proud that her 3 granddaughters followed in the DAR tradition. A Steel Magnolia, there was little she couldn't do. Always busy with a project, she was a promoter of grand causes. Super strong willed and stubborn in a good way, Lottye Betts quick wit, rare good heart and her strong belief in the good in everyone made her a wonderful friend to many. She loved big celebrations and parties where she was always the "hostess with the most!" She traveled the world and loved the beaches of Florida so much so that she made her last trip there 2 weeks ago. She loved to shop for family and friends. A lover of literature, she had a remarkable home library and thoroughly enjoyed reading all genres of books. A wonderful Grandmother, she doted over all her grand's and could substantially keep John Ray in his place with great comebacks in a sophisticated way. The Beasley's were charter members at Wesley United Methodist Church. With her legacy profound and enduring, Lottye Betts will long be remembered as a giver of her time, talents and resources to others, fully engaged and devoted to family and community and always completely in tune with the rhythm of life and the enhancement of all humanity. Cedarscape, their family land, will remain forever a tribute to two wonderful lives well lived. A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Today Tuesday, August 8, 2022 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Rev. Dr. Bryan Collier and family members speaking. The family suggests everyone wear red, her favorite color. Private family burial will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 PM- service time on today at Holland Funeral Directors, which is honored to be serving their friends. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Livestreaming at 2 PM Tuesday. Lottye Betts is survived by her son, Rickey Malloy "Rick" Beasley(Kathy) of Tupelo; Her grandchildren, Zach Beasley(Rachel), Casey Beasley(Amanda), Jenni Beasley Long(Matt), Katie Crenshaw(Jonathan) and K'Ann Spears(Ben). Her great-grandchildren, Sydney, Colby, Hayden, Cohen, Cedars, Kelon Rymes, Edie and Linnie Ann; three nieces, Jean Barnes(Paul), Jane Clark(Tony) and Judy Cappel(Eric); her nephew, Gary Wayne Beasley of Pontotoc and the mother of her grands, (Zach,Casey and Jenni)- Debbi Hall(Gary) of Tupelo. She was preceded in death by her parents, the love of her life, John Ray Beasley (2018), her beloved daughter, Eva Ann Dorris in 2006 and her brother, Franklin. Memorials may be made to the Chickasaw Inkana Foundation, P. O. Box 1307 Tupelo, MS. 38802.
Lottye Betts Rye
John Ray Beasley
Chickasaw
Gary Wayne Beasley
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James (Jimmy) Cooper Long, a lifetime resident of Tupelo, MS, returned to his heavenly home on August 3rd, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. The family would like to thank his amazing caregivers from the Magnolia, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, Charleston Place, and Comfort Keepers, along with Dr. Ken Harvey, for their love and care. Jimmy now has blessed relief from the cruelty of a disease he valiantly fought for many years. Jimmy graduated from Tupelo High School in 1961 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1965, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduating, he returned home to join his father, Charles, at McCullough, Long, McCullar, now known as MLM Clothiers. Jimmy's motto, "Dress better than you have to" spearheaded his knowledge and talent in the clothing industry, evolving MLM as one of the finest men's specialty stores in the southeast. He was the "General" of the Silver Circle Buying Group, which allowed MLM to offer their customers premier clothing lines and fabrics from all over the world. Jimmy's customers loved gathering at MLM and enjoyed listening to his numerous stories of life, love, and family. He had the gift of making everyone feel special and like they were his BEST friend. He enjoyed getting to know everyone who graced the door of MLM. He had a positive impact on so many young men who worked at MLM over the years. He loved his family well and was passionate about gardening, his many dogs, fishing, the arts, and his business. His large personality was matched only by his larger heart. Jimmy's involvement in the community included the Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, where he was the recipient of their fundraising roast, The Boys & Girls Club Dancing Like the Stars, Tupelo Children's Mansion, where he was an honoree, Downtown Mainstreet Association, The Bank Corp South Community Board, The founder of The Crazy Jimmy Marathon (now the Tupelo Marathon), and instrumental in the Gum Tree 10k Road Race and the Charlie Close Tennis tournament. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo. Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon H Long, their children Melissa Chambers and husband Alexander Chambers, Susan Pierce and husband Gene Pierce; five grandchildren Mary Morgan Burks and husband Taylor Burks, Jack Chambers and wife Caroline Chambers, Charlie Chambers, Anna Kirk Presley, and Maggie Chambers; two great-grandchildren Gravlee Burks and Lucy Burks and his two sisters Patricia Cook and Claudette Campbell; mother-in-law Mary H Putnam; brother-in-law Bryan Hawkins and wife Brenda Hawkins; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles H Long and Sue Long Skeoch; maternal grandmother Verna Cooper Watson; paternal grandparents Mose and Clara Long. A Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating Jimmy's life will be held at 12:30 PM tomorrow Thursday, August 11, 2022, from the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. Rusty Keen and Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM-12:00 PM on Thursday in Wesley Hall with a reception to follow the service in Wesley Hall. A private family committal will be held today Wednesday, August 10th, at the family plot. The services may be viewed online at First United Methodist-Tupelo's Facebook or Holland Funeral Directors Facebook at 12:30PM on Thursday. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends. Memorials may be made to Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, P. O. Box 1821, Tupelo, MS. 38802, or to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
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Kara Fleming
Kara Fleming takes her 4-H communication skills to the next level
Jane Chamblee Pontotoc Co. 4H Agent
4-H teaches life skills, respect, and communication skills to create successful members of every community. The development of communications skills is one of the most important skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member, and a leader. 4-H provides youth with the ability to enhance and develop strong writing, reading, and presentation skills. This provides youth with the ability to become good communicators as well as allows them to accept roles of responsibility in their communities and enhance their contribution to society.
Kara Fleming has been a 4-H member since the age of nine. She is the daughter of Sherry and Ron Fleming. Kara graduated from South Pontotoc High School this past May and plans to begin school at Itawamba Community College in a few weeks. She is committed to becoming an effective journalist. Kara says, “I dream of becoming a successful journalist because I want to make a difference in the world by keeping the public informed about pertinent news.” From a young age, family members and friends recognized her “never meets a stranger” personality.
Her pastor, Brother Terry Baber says, “I have known Kara her entire life. Kara is a brilliant, engaged, and creative student. She is an exemplary role model who seeks to do her best in each task to which she is assigned. Kara is a positive influence on those around her and meets each challenge with enthusiasm and vigor.”
Kara describes herself as a humble achiever. She recalled one of her proudest experiences in high school that happened in her College and Career Readiness class during an assigned job interview. “I felt relatively good about my responses to the interviewer’s questions. After completing the interview, I was, even more, pleased to hear the teacher compliment me on being a “people person” and that I have an “aura that draws attention”. Her comments sealed my decision in choosing journalism as my college major.”
During her years in 4-H, she competed in multiple contests that contributed to her skills. At the 4-H Club Congress in June, Kara competed with her team in Consumer Judging. This competition encourages youth to make wise financial decisions. They practiced making decisions and giving reasons for their choices. Kara and her team members, Marlee Hoing, Amy Priest, and Leah Reid won first place in the state. This “win” qualified them for a trip to compete in Denver, Colorado at the National Western Roundup in January 2023.
Kara received the Jamye Curry Scholarship at the Senior Recognition and Awards Banquet in May. She is a deserving young scholar, a woman of unimpeachable character, and a commitment to family and community. She demonstrates a strong work ethic while challenging her peers to excel and stay informed on important issues. Kara sums it up this way, “I know some of the steps in achieving my goal may be challenging, but I am willing to persevere through the challenges to succeed as a journalist who represents my community with integrity.”
Kara is just one of the Pontotoc County 4-H success stories. During the next few weeks, I plan to introduce other 4-H members who are serving the community and learning about compassion, responsibility, and making a positive change in the community. If you want to learn more about joining 4-H, call the Pontotoc County Extension Office 662-489-3910, and ask for Jane Chamblee, your 4-H Agent.
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Sean Bolen, 50, of Booneville, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, possession of methamphetamine.
Larry Cody Thomas Cruse, 29, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, two counts of possession of methamphetamine.
Michael Dallas, 45, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of explosives.
Terrell Franklin, 19, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, burglary of a dwelling.
Timothy Carl Frisbee, 50, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, failure to register as a sex offender.
Reginald Fuller, 33, of Montgomery, Alabama, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, careless driving, driving with a suspended license.
Judith Nicole Marks, 43, of Shannon, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of explosives, disorderly conduct.
Jeremy Stephan McGee, 29, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of methamphetamine, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance.
Dayton Rogers, 40, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug.
Thomas Scott, 34, of Guntown, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, possession of methamphetamine.
Roger See, 56, homeless, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug.
A Highway 178 Mooreville man said someone stole his Honda four-wheeler. He thinks the man he got the ATV from is responsible, since that person wanted to back out of the trade just after it was completed.
A County Road 1410 Mooreville woman, 68, lives with her 90-year-old mother. She said the mother threatens her on a regular basis. Today the mother threatened to get a gun and shoot her.
A woman renting a County Road 1820 Saltillo house said her landlords showed up and told her she had to leave the residence. When she asked for a legal eviction notice, the couple became very angry and demanded that she leave.
A County Road 249 Shannon man said a male acquaintance showed up at his house around 9 p.m. beating on the door and the side of the house. The suspect does not have permission to be on the man’s property.
A County Road 506 Shannon man said he was mowing his yard around 8 a.m. when a man drove around to the back of his house. He confronted the subject, who said he was looking for his dog. The man told him the dog was not there and told him to leave.
A County Road 154 Shannon man said he and his brother got into a physical altercation. He said the brother pulled out a pistol and fired a shot about 5 feet away from him. He said the brother then went inside the house and started to “destroy the residence.” Deputies talked to the brother in the house. He had calmed down and there no damage to anything inside the house.
A Little Harp Trail Lake Piomingo man, 19, had a friend over at the house. His father does not like the friend and a verbal altercation ensued. The man left the house and called 911.
A County Road 122 Nettleton woman said a Hispanic male showed up at her door after 1:30 a.m. and was running around her yard. Deputies arrested the 28-year-old suspect and charged him with trespassing.
A Chesterville Road man said someone went to the shed at the end of his driveway and stole his packages. He said it has happened multiple times.
A County Road 746 Plantersville woman said a female acquaintance showed up at her house around 9:15 p.m. and knocked on the door. When the woman’s daughter opened the front door, the acquaintance ran past her, went to the woman’s room and started a verbal altercation. She told the suspect to leave several times before she finally did.
The following reports were filed Monday by the Tupelo Police Department.
A woman said she left her car unlocked while shopping in the West Main Walmart. When she returned, her wallet containing $200 cash along with her credit and debit cards was gone. When she tried to use her Cash App card at a gas station, it was declined.
The Premiere Athletics owner said security cameras showed a member “using the gym facilities in a reckless manner” around 3 a.m. The man moved a 45-pound plate and it broke a window. The suspect then started throwing things around the gym.
A West Main Street apartment manager showed up for work to a foul smell. Someone left a dead cat in a garbage bag outside her office door. Several residents identified the man who left the cat.
A man took his wife to the hospital to have surgery. Hospital security alerted him that someone had broken into their car. The rear passenger window was broken, and his wife’s $800 purse was stolen along with several credit and debit cards. While police were taking the report, the man got an alert that a debit card was being used at the North Gloster Walmart.
A woman said her car was parked on Rankin Boulevard when a man driving a Chevy pickup backed into her Honda Accord. There was damage to the right rear door.
A man said he was on Carnation Street when a friend he only knows by a nickname asked for a ride home. After he dropped the friend off, the man noticed his cell phone was missing.
An officer on patrol at 3:30 a.m. spotted a car parked on the hillside at The Orchard on Coley Road. The car was still running and the driver slumped over the wheel. The driver admitted consuming several beers earlier in the night.
A man said he and his ex-wife were arguing over the contents of his phone. She said, “I’ll show you something.” The next morning, he discovered his car had been keyed, leaving scratches in the hood and both driver’s side doors.
A couple checked into a North Gloster hotel around midnight. When they left the next morning, the center console was open. They later realized the husband’s Springfield Armory pistol was missing from the glove box. The wife said she thought she locked the car, but there were no signs of forced entry.
A Grant Street man said his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend knocked on his carport door around 11:15 p.m. When no one answered the door, the suspect took a wooden welcome sign and began hitting the man’s car, damaging the windshield, the driver’s door and the driver’s side mirror. Three of the tires had also been slashed.
A woman said she went through the drive thru at the Barnes Crossing Taco Bell and forgot to get her debit card. When she realized the mistake the following day, she contacted the restaurant and returned. The manager said they had the card, but set it down somewhere and could not find it. She was advised to cancel the debt card as soon as possible.
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Ripley QB Ty Long makes a throw in Monday's season-opening practice. The junior signal caller completed 45.9% of his passes for 796 yards, 9 TDs and 4 interceptions a year ago.
RIPLEY • It’s a new season and a new offense for third-year Ripley head coach Perry Liles.
A year ago, the Tigers (9-3) rode the wheels off of first team All-Area running back Immanuel Griffin, who rushed for 1,602 yards and 20 touchdowns on 230 carries.
Now, the offensive burden shifts to junior QB Ty Long and a much-improved passing attack. Long completed 45.9% of his passes for 796 yards, 9 TDs and 4 interceptions a year ago, but that production is expected to skyrocket in the 2022 season.
“Losing a dog like (Griffin) can hurt you, but it can also help you a little bit because now other people have to step up and get better,” Long said in Monday’s season-opening practice. “I think this more-balanced offense will create more scoring opportunities.”
Liles’ offense averaged 25.8 points per game last season, leaning on the run game and a strong defense (18.2 ppg) to win games.
The defense is expected to be stout again with nine returning starters, so the onus for Liles and his staff has been to find ways to improve the offense over the offseason. The derived plan has been to spread things out and sling the ball more via the pass.
So far, it’s worked.
“I think we’ve done a better job coaching them. We’ve got an actual plan in place to throw it,” said Liles. “During 7-on-7 (in the summer) I thought we had a lot of success against some really good competition.”
The new-look offense works because Ripley returns junior wideouts Michael Turner (8-194-3) and C.J. Martin (9-200-2). Martin led the team with 200 yards and 2 TDs, while Turner followed with 194 yards and 3 TDs.
Others juniors like Jaki Holmes and Keegan Strong round out the room with loads of speed.
“It’s a really strong pass-catching group,” said Liles. “We feel really good about getting the ball in their hands and letting them make something happen.”
Last season’s ground-and-pound attack was good enough for a second-round playoff appearance in Class 4A, but with tons of experience and talent on the Tigers’ roster, they hope to exceed the mark they previously set.
“Last year we kind of surprised a lot of people, but this year everybody is coming for us,” said Long. “We want everybody’s best shot.”
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Pen pals: Mississippi Writers Guild opens Tupelo chapter
TUPELO • Writers in Northeast Mississippi have a new opportunity to hone their craft with a community of fellow wordsmiths.
The Mississippi Writers Guild recently opened a new Tupelo-based chapter, the first of its kind in the area. The chapter will meet on the first Saturday of every month at the Lee County Library.
Meetings are free to attend and are open to all writers or those interested in writing.
Meredith Biesinger, head of the Tupelo chapter, said the nonprofit Mississippi Writers Guild has never had a Tupelo chapter. She’s excited to spearhead efforts to form a community of writers within the city.
“It’s a really neat opportunity to open that up to writers in our area,” she said.
During each of the chapter’s hour-long meetings, attendees will have opportunities for workshopping, networking, and sharing ideas with fellow community members. Meetings also include a new guest speaker each month, ranging from local authors and publishers to yoga instructors to help with writing posture.
Biesinger emphasized the community building aspects of the guild. Meetings allow writers a place to connect and bounce off each other and a place to network with people who have hands in many projects.
“I think when we go through that creative process we go through, it’s great to have people around you who are like-minded and support you,” Biesinger said.
The guild also holds an annual Mississippi Writers Guild Conference, which Biesinger says they plan to begin again in spring of 2023.
The Guild’s Board of Directors comprises renowned Mississippi writers, as well as a Board of Advisors which is composed of the chapter heads. Members of each board are involved with different writing projects across the state.
The Mississippi Writers Guild began in 2005 and currently has nine chapters across the state. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Chapters range from the south, the Jackson area, the Hattiesburg area, as well as, now, more of north Mississippi.
“Our goal is for there to be a Mississippi Writers Guild chapter in every area of the state,” Biesinger said. “Writers need other writers — a dedicated community to celebrate (and commiserate) with.”
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HATLEY – With more than a decade of experience in the classroom, Hatley High School’s new principal, Seth Lee, is ready for the next step in his career – administration.
“After serving as a classroom teacher for over 10 years, I felt like I was at a point in my career where I was ready to take on new responsibilities and a new role. I was very excited when the opportunity arose to serve as an administrator at Hatley,” he said.
Lee gives credit to the professional mentors in his life who helped to prepare him for his new responsibilities.
“While I have not served in an official administrative capacity in the past, I have been fortunate enough to work for some wonderful administrators at both Amory and Nettleton,” he said. “Each of my former administrators was gracious enough to take me under his/her wing and begin introducing me to the responsibilities involved in serving as a principal.”
Lee is grateful for the warm welcome he has received at Hatley.
“All of the administrators at Hatley have been so welcoming and supportive as I have been transitioning into my new position,” he said.
Lee shared his vision for the new school year.
“My vision is to work together with the teachers to build strong, positive relationships with our students to support them as they strive to achieve their goals,” he said. “We are blessed with wonderful teachers at Hatley, and I’m so excited to be able to work alongside them each day and to watch them empower our students to do amazing things both inside and outside the classroom.”
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Mary Haynes, Nettleton
James (Jimmy) Cooper Long, Tupelo
NETTLETON - Mary Lucille Wilson Haynes was born August 3, 1943, to Easley and Pinkey Lue Wilson. She confessed hope and faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and became a faithful member of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. She received the greatest birthday present gaining her wings on her birthday August 3, 2022. While at New Prospect she sang in the gospel choir and was a member of the missionary society. She was united in Holy matrimony to Robert Haynes Sr. and to this union three children were born.
She was affected by polio at an early age however, she did not let this stop her from accomplishing her goals. Her hobbies included quilting, cooking, and spending time with her family.
She was a 1963 graduate of West Amory High School. Afterwards, she graduated from Foster's Cosmetology School in Ripley, MS. Then became the first beautician in Wren, MS. She was also employed for several years at Amory Garment.
She leaves to cherish: one son, Robert (Tonette) Haynes, Jr., one daughter, Pamela Haynes of Wren. Four grandchildren: Kayla Haynes, Maya Haynes, Lauren Haynes, and Cameron Haynes. Three Greatgrands: Brayden Brunson, Mason Haynes, and Dakota Lucas. One sister: Iola Davis of Wren. Three brothers: Andrew (Estelle) Wilson of Tampa, FL., Bobby Wilson of Detroit, MI., and Willie (Gloria) Wilson of Nettleton, MS. Godchildren: Mario Parks, Jada Bell, and Asya Joy.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Haynes Sr., her daughter Robbie Haynes, parents Easley and Pinky Wilson, sister Josephine Fields, and brothers James Wilson and William Wilson.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, August 10,2022 at 11 AM. Services will be held at New Prospect MB Church cemetery. She will lie in state from 10:30-11. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-5 at the funeral home with a wake from 5-6. Westbrooks Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
BOONEVILLE - Terry Youmans, 65, passed away on August 7, 2022, at Starkville Manner in Starkville. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Patterson Memorial Chapel.
James (Jimmy) Cooper Long
TUPELO - James (Jimmy) Cooper Long, a lifetime resident of Tupelo, MS, returned to his heavenly home on August 3rd, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. The family would like to thank his amazing caregivers from the Magnolia, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, Charleston Place, and Comfort Keepers, along with Dr. Ken Harvey, for their love and care. Jimmy now has blessed relief from the cruelty of a disease he valiantly fought for many years.
Jimmy graduated from Tupelo High School in 1961 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1965, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduating, he returned home to join his father, Charles, at McCullough, Long, McCullar, now known as MLM Clothiers. Jimmy's motto, "Dress better than you have to" spearheaded his knowledge and talent in the clothing industry, evolving MLM as one of the finest men's specialty stores in the southeast. He was the "General" of the Silver Circle Buying Group, which allowed MLM to offer their customers premier clothing lines and fabrics from all over the world.
Jimmy's customers loved gathering at MLM and enjoyed listening to his numerous stories of life, love, and family. He had the gift of making everyone feel special and like they were his BEST friend. He enjoyed getting to know everyone who graced the door of MLM. He had a positive impact on so many young men who worked at MLM over the years. He loved his family well and was passionate about gardening, his many dogs, fishing, the arts, and his business. His large personality was matched only by his larger heart.
Jimmy's involvement in the community included the Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, where he was the recipient of their fundraising roast, The Boys & Girls Club Dancing Like the Stars, Tupelo Children's Mansion, where he was an honoree, Downtown Mainstreet Association, The Bank Corp South Community Board, The founder of The Crazy Jimmy Marathon (now the Tupelo Marathon), and instrumental in the Gum Tree 10k Road Race and the Charlie Close Tennis tournament. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo.
Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sharon H Long, their children Melissa Chambers and husband Alexander Chambers, Susan Pierce and husband Gene Pierce; five grandchildren Mary Morgan Burks and husband Taylor Burks, Jack Chambers and wife Caroline Chambers, Charlie Chambers, Anna Kirk Presley, and Maggie Chambers; two great-grandchildren Gravlee Burks and Lucy Burks and his two sisters Patricia Cook and Claudette Campbell; mother-in-law Mary H Putnam; brother-in-law Bryan Hawkins and wife Brenda Hawkins; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Charles H Long and Sue Long Skeoch; maternal grandmother Verna Cooper Watson; paternal grandparents Mose and Clara Long.
A Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating Jimmy's life will be held at 12:30 PM tomorrow Thursday, August 11, 2022, from the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo with Rev. Rusty Keen and Rev. Dr. Raigan Miskelly officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM-12:00 PM on Thursday in Wesley Hall with a reception to follow the service in Wesley Hall. A private family committal will be held today Wednesday, August 10th, at the family plot. The services may be viewed online at First United Methodist-Tupelo's Facebook or Holland Funeral Directors Facebook at 12:30PM on Thursday. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.
Memorials may be made to Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, P. O. Box 1821, Tupelo, MS. 38802, or to First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
Wilson Haynes
Godchildren
Robert Haynes Sr.
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In this file photo from June 2022, Abby Hall shares the history of Elvis Presley's birthplace with young participants in this year's BECOMING Experience. Elvis fans can celebrate the life and music of their favorite performer this weekend during the annual Elvis Presley Fan Appreciation event at the Birthplace in Tupelo.
King's Tribute: Elvis fan event set for this weekend at the Birthplace in Tupelo
TUPELO • Elvis fans will celebrate the life, music and legacy of the rock and roll legend this weekend at the place where it all began.
The Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation will host its annual Fan Appreciation Day event at the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo this Saturday, Aug. 13. The event is held annually around the time of Presley’s death.
Roy Turner, Executive Director of the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation, said fans of The King’s music will have plenty to enjoy during the event.
“We are planning a day full of fans, food and fun,” Turner said in a press release.
Festivities will kick off with a brief ceremony on the Birthplace grounds at 10 a.m.. The rest of the day will be for experiencing everything “Elvis” — from his humble birthplace house, to his boyhood church, to the unique museum experience.
As part of the event, ticket prices to the Birthplace are heavily discounted. Tickets for adults will be $10, good for all venues. The charge for tickets for children 7 to 12 is $5, and children 6 and under are free.
Food trucks will roll up to the grounds at 11 a.m. to serve hungry fans. At 2 p.m., Elvis Tribute Artists David Lee will perform live in the auditorium, followed by well-known Tupelo Elvis Tribute Artist Jack Curtis at 3:15 p.m. Tickets will be free and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets will only be available in-person beginning at 9 a.m.
Throughout the day, there will be live music in the amphitheater featuring groups performing a variety of genres (all of which Elvis performed) including country, rock and gospel.
Throughout the day, attendees will have the chance to win a treasure trove of door pries to make any Elvis fan envious. These including compact discs, collectable booklets and pictures. Visitors can register free for the drawing for a $250 Special Pink Basket. Guests will also have the chance to win a free weekend stay in Tupelo inside an Elvis-themed Airbnb. A neighborhood supermarket will also give away a basket packed with Elvis fan favorites.
For more information, contact Turner at 662-841-1245.
What: Elvis Presley Fan Appreciation Day
When: Saturday, Aug. 13, beginning at 9 a.m.
Where: Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo
Who: Live music will include performances by two popular Elvis Tribute Artists — David Lee and Jack Curtis — plus live music from a variety of genres, including rock, country and gospel.
More info: This annual celebration of the life and legacy of the King of Rock and Roll will feature a little bit of everything for the fervent Elvis fan, including a treasure trove of Elvis-themed door prizes. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for kids ages 7-12. For more information, call 662-841-1245.
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HUSBAND'S ALCOHOLISM NOW PITS HIM AGAINST TEENAGED SON
DEAR ABBY: Sometimes when my husband, "Tom," drinks he becomes volatile. A month ago, after being out drinking, he came home very late. I made a joke that upset him and he started yelling and calling me names. I have learned that when Tom gets like that, it's best to just agree with him.
On that occasion, it didn't work, and he began breaking things. Our teenage son "Eric" was so scared he called the police. When the police arrived they told my husband who had placed the call and interviewed each of us separately. After they left, Tom called Eric ugly names, told him he was done with him and hasn't spoken to him since. If they are in the same room, my husband won't look at him or talk to him.
I don't know how to fix this. I worry about how this will affect Eric. He tries to avoid his dad now and goes to his room when he hears his dad come home. -- BAD BEHAVIOR IN TEXAS
DEAR BAD BEHAVIOR: Your husband may blame his abusive outbursts on his drinking, but as you can see, he's well aware of what he did after he sobers up. Eric was right to call the police because, after "breaking things," his father could have gone after you.
This unfortunate situation will not improve until Tom faces the fact that he's a problem drinker, swears off the sauce and gets help. By not insisting upon it, you have cast yourself in the role of his enabler. For your sake and Eric's, draw the line. (The healthiest person in your household appears to be your son.)
Talk to Eric. Let him know he did nothing wrong. There are programs for families of alcoholics that can be accessed by visiting al-anon.org/info. Attending Al-Anon meetings would be beneficial for you and Eric, regardless of what your husband decides about drying out.
DEAR ABBY: My husband's daughter has "borrowed" money from us on countless occasions when she couldn't pay her bills. She has never made an effort to repay it. She was recently included in someone's will, and the bequest was sizable. Prior to receiving her inheritance, she had asked to borrow money to buy three major appliances. Because it would be several months until the estate would be settled and it was a large sum that we really couldn't afford to lose, we required her to sign a promissory note. She mailed us a check when her funds arrived, but now she's cut off all communication with us! We have tried to resume normal relations with her to no avail. Should we keep trying? -- IGNORED IN THE EAST
DEAR IGNORED: So your husband's daughter is offended because you made her sign a promissory note before handing out (more) money you couldn't afford to lose? In light of the fact that she hasn't repaid you for all the other monies you helped her out with when she needed it, what you did was sensible.
Rather than accept that in the past she has behaved irresponsibly, which is why you asked for the guarantee of repayment, she's blaming YOU?! Instead of beating your heads against a stone wall trying to have a relationship with your husband's deadbeat daughter, you would be better off biding your time until she once again needs something.
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Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. enters the Lafayette County Courthouse for a hearing in Oxford, Miss. on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Herrington has been charged with murder in the case of Jimmie “Jay” Lee.
Bruce Newman I Daily Journal
Judge denies bond of 23-year-old-suspect
Timmy Herrington, 22, of Grenada, is charged with first degree murder in the death of Jimmie “Jay” Lee, 21, of Oxford, whose body has not been found.
Following a nearly six-hour long preliminary hearing on Tuesday in Lafayette County Circuit Court, Judge Gray Tollison ordered Herrington held without bond.
“Based on the evidence presented, there is probable cause that a felony was committed and I agree that the case should be bound over (to the grand jury),” Tollison said. “As to bond, the proof is evident and the presumption great that the defendant committed first degree murder. Bond is denied.”
Authorities have said little about the case, even following Herrington's arrest more than two weeks ago. But during the preliminary hearing, Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Kilpatrick laid out most of the state’s case against Herrington.
Officials said the two men had a casual sexual relationship, but things went awry. Investigators claim Herrington strangled Lee and then disposed of the body. Oxford police detective Ryan Baker said the men “hooked up” in the early morning hours of July 8, but an argument ensued following the sexual encounter. That led Lee to leave and to block Herrington on social media.
During a Snapchat exchange where Herrington used a new account that Lee did not recognize, the men appeared to reconcile. At 5:54 a.m. Lee said that he was headed to Herrington’s apartment.
Two minutes later, Herrington allegedly Googled, “How long does it take to strangle someone?”
Lee messaged Herrington at 6:03 a.m. to open the door because he was there. It is the last action of a man who was very active on numerous digital social platforms.
During Baker’s three hours on the stand, he detailed a myriad of surveillance videos around that show Lee leaving his apartment.
Authorities believe Herrington drove Lee’s car to the Molly Barr Trail apartment complex. Minutes after the car was parked, Herrington is seen on video running from the apartment. He was picked up by a friend at a nearby gas station.
Later that morning, Herrington drove a box truck to his parents’ house in Grenada where he was seen picking up a long-handled shovel and a wheelbarrow.
Herrington was arrested on July 22 after being interviewed at the Oxford Police Department. During a simultaneous search of his apartment, a cadaver dog from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office reportedly alerted four times to the smell of decaying flesh — three times in the bedroom and once in the kitchen-living room area.
Authorities have still not found Lee's body, but believe he is dead.
“In 2022, you don’t need a body. It’s not the 1870s,” Kilpatrick said, noting that prior to July 8, Lee was extremely active on social media and called his mother multiple times per day. “We have proved that he is no longer with us.”
She feels Lee’s body has been disposed of somewhere between Oxford and Grenada.
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Hays, Velma Louise Gambill
Velma Louise Gambill Hays (96) passed away Monday, August 8, 2022 at the Meadows in Fulton. She was born on April 25, 1926 to the late John Henry and Annie B. Cox Gambill and was the oldest of 8 children. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Baldwyn. She enjoyed reading, traveling with her brothers and sisters, spending time with her grandchildren and taking care of children. Louise dedicated her life to her God given talent of taking care of children. Early in life she took care of her brothers and sisters, then to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. After retiring from the bakery business and returning to Mississippi in 1979, she opened a daycare in Baldwyn touching the lives of many families in the community. She also served as a nursery worker at First Baptist Church for many of those years. Services are 2 pm Thursday, August 11, 2022 in the Baldwyn Chapel of Kesler Funeral Home with Rev. David Blackwell, Bro. Bryan Horner and Rev. James Edward Gambill officiating. Burial will follow in the Kirkville Cemetery. Visitation will be 12-2 pm Thursday at the funeral home. She is survived by her sons-in-law, Bill Grimes and Larry Litewski; her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Hays; her grandchildren, Cherity H. Blackwell (Gerald), Scott Shisler (Julie), Rob Litewski (Amy), Caryn Block (Dave), Jonathan Litewski and Meg Richardson (Brian); 18 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren, her brothers, Jim Gambill (Candy) and Arthur Gambill (Juanita); her sisters, Annie Mae Strange (James), Geneva Hall and Mary Lou Cherry (Randy); her sisters-in-law, Charlene Gambill and Jane Gambill and 40+ nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, LW Hays; her sons, Calvin W. Hays and Paul Henry Hays; her daughters, Carolyn Grimes and V. Sue Litewski; her grandson, Calvin W. Hays, Jr.; her parents, John Henry and Annie B. Cox Gambill and her brothers, John W. Gambill and John Robert Gambill and her brother-in-law, Jimmy Hall. Pallbearers are Michael Johnson, Ethan Scott, Gerald Blackwell, Tim Strange, Rob Litewski, Jonathan Litewski and Dave Block. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandson, great-grandsons and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the nursery, children's class or the youth group at First Baptist Church of Baldwyn. Condolences to the family may be made online at www.keslerfuneralhome.com.
Marilyn Hays
Annie B. Cox Gambill
First Baptist Church Of Baldwyn
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Hudson, Herbert
Herbert Collins Hudson, 89, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto. He was born June 27, 1933 in Pontotoc County to Thomas H. and Mary I. Franklin Hudson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a longtime employee of DuPont in the engineering department and retired from the flight department of FedEx. He loved his church and church family of Graceview Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Gatlinburg, TN and surrounding area. He loved his family and spending time with them. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by family and friends. Graveside services will be at 10:00a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Etta, MS. United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Lewis Hudson of Southaven; his son, Bryan Hudson (Debbie) of Olive Branch; a step-son, Thomas Holloway (Jennifer) of Dallas, TX; a brother, Leighton Hudson (Diane) of Walls; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Darryl Hudson; a sister, Lawanda Martin; two brothers, Loyd Hudson and Tommy Hudson; and a half-brother, Bill Carwile. For online condolences and guest registry, please visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com
Bill Carwile
Loyd Hudson
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Mississippi State wide receiver Jaden Walley reaches for a pass during a recent practice.
Rogelio Solis/AP
Jaden Walley emerging as leader for Mississippi State
STARKVILLE — Jaden Walley is never late.
It’s one of the attributes Austin Williams sees in his fellow Mississippi State wide receiver: Whether it’s practice or a team meeting, a treatment session or recovery, Walley is always on time.
Going into his junior season in Starkville, Walley has begun to make the transition from young player to leader, and his teammates have noticed.
“He’s grown a ton,” Williams said. “He’s really matured into a leader. He works really hard.”
It remains to be seen if that growth will translate into production for Walley, a junior from D’Iberville.
After one of the best seasons by a freshman wide receiver in Mississippi State history, Walley’s production took a slight step back in 2022 instead of the expected leap. Walley totaled 718 yards on 52 catches as a freshman but had just 628 yards — as well as six scores — last season.
Part of that drop-off was due to a deeper wide receiver room led by Cal transfer Makai Polk and featuring another standout freshman in Rara Thomas.
Inside receivers coach Drew Hollingshead on Tuesday noted Walley’s total production thus far — over 1,300 yards and eight scores in just two years.
“That’s really impressive, but just like everybody else, there’s always something you can get better at, right?” Hollingshead said.
That’s what Walley and the Bulldogs’ inside receivers have been trying to do all preseason, gearing up for their Sept. 3 season opener.
“I’ve got a pretty experienced group of guys who have played a lot of football,” Hollingshead said. “For me, it’s really just finding something to work on every single day. Those guys know the offense. They know what to expect. It’s the little things, the details within routes, that we can always get better at.”
Walley has his own goals for 2022. The Bulldogs wideout had games of 9 (LSU) and 3 (Alabama) receiving yards in 2021 and hopes to erase those poor showings from the ledger.
“I just want to be more consistent, catch more balls, be a better team player,” Walley said.
He’s part of the experienced crew Hollingshead mentioned on the inside. Williams is in his sixth year with the Bulldogs, while Jamire Calvin is also a graduate student.
The three are joined by Christian Ford — who has been limited at practice — and Starkville’s Rufus Harvey, entering his redshirt sophomore season.
Harvey wore a yellow no-contact jersey at Tuesday’s workout but made a couple nice catches toward the end of practice.
He could be poised to see more action after totaling 39 yards and a touchdown on five receptions in five games last season.
“Rufus is really good, man,” Hollingshead said. “He’s got good ball skills — probably one of the better sets of ball skills on the team. We used him a little bit last year. (He’s) a guy who comes to practice every single day, and he flashes. We’re trying to find ways to get him the football, and today you kind of saw that, which is good.”
Besides freshman Jarnorris Hopson, Walley isn’t much older than most of his position-mates.
But he still plans to keep showing up on time — and everything else he can do to be the leader he hopes to be.
“I try to lead by example as much as I can,” Walley said. “I feel like a lot of guys follow me and try to do some stuff that I do as far as being a good team player.”
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Gonzalez encourages county teachers to go "All In"
Union County School District hosted Gian Paul Gonzalez and he shared his All In" philosophy with the faculty and staff as a motivation in the classroom and the community. Pictured from left - Union County Schools Superintendent Russell Taylor, Gian Paul Gonzalez, Union County Schools Assistant Superintendent Windy Faulkner.
Photo courtesy of Windy Faulkner
The Union County School District teachers and administration hosted to Gian Paul Gonzalez as their motivational speaker on Tuesday and he encouraged them to go "All In" with their students.
Gonzalez stressed that All In" is not just a catchy phrase, not just a slogan, but it is a lifestyle that is to be lived out each and every day. He shared how this impacted his life and how his audience can follow suit and experience it in their lives and those they teach as well.
Gonzalez shared how it all got started for him back a few years ago in his home state of New Jersey.
"Normally, I work as ninth grade world history teacher, but just a crazy course of events that God had planned, I definitely didn't, he said. "I got asked to speak to the New York Giants a number of years ago for a chapel service and I thought it was a little bit of a prank.
"Why would they call for a history teacher to speak to their football team, but they said 'no we want you to speak to our football team' so I went and spoke to the team. I talked to them about being "All In", about totally committing, not necessarily to just football, but more as men in their community, men for their families.
I asked them what if you committed unconditionally and saying 'I'm going to give my best even in my profession if I have a contract next year or not, I'm going to give everything' and of course, it was a chapel service so I equated it to the Bible and that's what God asks us to do."
Gonzalez said the crazy thing about it was that they took his words to heart on the football field, winning every game after that and they went on to eventually win the Super Bowl that year against the New England Patriots.
"They decided to put 'All In' on their Super Bowl championship shirt and they they put inside their Super Bowl rings and before I knew it, different teams were calling up," Gonzalez said. I was working with the Portland Trailblazers and then the Arsenal Futbol Club from London in the English Premier League.
"Then corporations like Wal-Mart and General Motors were like 'hey will you talk to us about being All In' and like I said, I'm just a ninth grade history teacher."
Gonzalez said he did not expect any of this, but his heart is in helping communities, especially students and teachers because he feels that is one of the most important parts of our communities.
"I know the past couple of years have been difficult for everybody, especially being an educator, I know it's been hard for our students," he said. "Really, I just want to encourage these amazing individuals that are here in the meeting to keep going.
"You are already giving so much, but don't give up. I know it gets hard and you go home and wonder 'Am I making a difference' and that's not just for teachers, but so many of us in our communities want to do more than work a job. We want to make an impact and so I just want to encourage them today.
"It is a privilege to be down here in Mississippi, I was at Amory yesterday, getting to speak to their school and I go later today to speak to Webster (County) and share with them."
Gonzalez also had other speaking engagements at Petal and Enterprise schools. He speaks to faculty and/or students, depending on what the districts request.
"It's just a privilege getting to share and hopefully be an encouragement," Gonzalez said. "It's not all sunshine and roses, you're not going to wake up everyday and say 'I want to give my best' because we all have personal things that are happening.
"I challenge and encourage my listeners to start at home, so they can start from the inside. That way they can say 'I'm doing it for my son or my daughter or my spouse' then they can work outward and say 'I'm doing it for my classroom or for my job or my employees or clients.'"
Gonzalez says he doesn't we have to be really talented, but just show up everyday and give our best.
He shared that we all need to strike a balance in our lives so that we are "All In" for not only our jobs, not only for our teams, but also for our family.
"John Maxwell has a great quote, 'If you think you are a leader and turn around and no one is following, you are just out for a walk' and I took that to heart," Gonzalez said. "That is the true test to leaving a legacy, that people will be able to benefit from years after we are not involved."
Union County School District
Carey Wright
Gian Paul Gonzalez
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Dr. Dwalia South
Tina Campbell Meadows
Pictured here is the 1960 blue Volkswagen Beetle.
Southernism: Gas Pains
By Dr. Dwalia South
Breathes there a man with mind so dead that he doesn't realize that gas prices are astronomically high...the most we have endured in our lifetimes? An easy but wrong-headed explanation would be to place the blame on the Biden administration for our painful experience at the gas pump right now. The truth is that fuel prices have always been inextricably linked to the overall health of the world economy.
Several factors are to blame. The slow national recovery from the Covid pandemic, creeping inflation, and Russia's horrible attack on Ukraine. Their invasion has led the US and many of its allies to impose sanctions against Russia, which included a ban on Russian oil. In 2022, gas prices have soared to rates higher than seen in decades, and have impacted the economy of every developed nation in the world.
This has happened time and again in my lifetime. In the 1970's and early 80's there was a giant global recession. Unemployment here spiked from 5% to 9% in 1975, and peaked at 10.8% in 1982 during the Reagan presidency, the highest rate since the Great Depression of the 1930's.
American drivers went from paying $0.36 per gallon of gas at the pump in 1970 (the equivalent of $2.70 per gallon in today's dollars) to $1.19 per gallon in 1980 (equivalent to about $4.25 per gallon today.)
While gas prices have recently peaked at well over $4 a gallon, pause to remember the meteoric rise in prices after the Iraq War and the national recession which occurred during the George W. Bush presidency.
When Clinton was president in 1998, the average US gas price was $1.06. Fast forward to 2008 during the Bush administration, the average gas price was three times higher at $3.27/gallon. During that 10-year period, just like today, many factors were to blame, including the North American natural gas crisis, the start of the war in Afghanistan, 9/11 and the beginning of the Iraq War, the housing market crash of 2008 and the beginning of the “Great Recession.”
What's really frustrating these days is that even now that the pandemic restrictions and travel fears have abated somewhat, most folks still can't go anywhere because of the ridiculous prices of practically EVERYTHING! The average worker is now making a few more dollars per hour, but not enough to cover rising costs of food, fuel, building materials, housing ...well, you know the drill. As individual citizens, there isn't a blessed thing we can do to fix it.
I recently recalled having written an article in 2005 for our Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association about my feeble attempt to reduce my personal 'gas pains' at the pump. I'd like to share it with you now.
GAS PAINS / A REDUX
I tooled into the clinic today on this already steamy August Thursday to find a patient at the back entrance laying in wait for me. This happens to small town doctors more mornings than we'd care to think about and can either be a bane or a blessing. Sometimes it is a patient who could not get past the receptionist for an appointment. Sometimes...it's someone who wants special treatment without the hassle (or cost) of an office visit. This morning it was a familiar patient in neatly pressed overalls bearing his wife's warm cheesy-chicken casserole, a big sack of homegrown tomatoes, and a yellow-meated watermelon fresh from his field. These “farmers bearing gifts” mornings have a tendency to start your day off with a smile.
“Well, Doc...what are you a doin' driving that pregnant roller skate to work? Does the Medicaid not pay you enough to buy gas?” asked Mr. P. winking broadly. “I didn't see yore red truck so I thought you was gettin' some beauty sleep this morning.”
Mr. P. was referring to the little blue Volkswagen Beetle that I had driven to the clinic each day since gas had hit two dollars and fifty cents a gallon a couple of weeks ago. I asked my husband to get the Beetle out of the barn and repair the carburetor, a task he had been putting off for months.
“Hello, Mr. P,” I played along, “No, that old guvmint is trying to starve us country doctors out. I shore am glad you brought us our dinner. Payday is not 'til tomorrow!”
Of course, he knew better, but was satisfied with my answer. I appreciated him and he appreciated me.
Truth be known, even though I do count myself among the ranks of 'poor country doctors,' I am quite some ways from actually being poor. Truly poor people are among those folks I am privileged to serve each day. Yes, I can still afford to buy gas for my 4 wheel drive '98 Dodge Durango, but somehow I guess I just wanted to make a statement of protest.
About 10 years ago an eccentric elderly patient gave me, as a gift of love and gratitude, his old 1960 VW Beetle. The car was not in running order and of course it had not been cranked in God only knows when. To give you an idea of its condition, the back floorboard was rusted completely through and he had jury-rigged several old plaid flannel shirts into makeshift seat covers tied over the rusty springs. My husband and I had restored the car from stem to stern with the welcome help of a J.C. Whitney Volkswagen parts catalogue.
It is a 20-mile round trip to my clinic and back each day.
My regular truck gets about 16 miles to the gallon, if I'm lucky. I like to tell folks that my little electric blue VW is “45 years old, and I drive it about 45 miles an hour and I get at least 45 miles to the gallon.” I filled the tank up the other day for a 10-dollar bill, and the gas hand has moved only infinitesmally since.
Two weeks and four gas price hikes ago, I filled my SUV up for 53 dollars. Can you relate?
My blue Bug has no air-conditioner and no CD player. It still has a 6-volt battery and doesn't even have a working radio. The four-on-the-floor shift is still a novelty to me and requires that I think constantly about the driving experience. But all in all, I think it is a fair trade. People pass me on the highway and look at me ponderously as I putter along. I wave real big and smile. I arrive at work with a windblown look, but along the way I have actually heard birds singing, startled dogs barking and finally and regretfully understood the words that go along with the 'whump-a-whump' of the boom boxes of our misguided youth. I have smelled the new mown hay in the fields, the sweet and welcome sweat of horses standing in a pasture near my office, and savored even the honest whang of distant but fresh cow patties. If you were lucky enough to be reared on a farm, you know these are far from unpleasant olfactory sensations.
In other words, when I arrive at my workplace, I am alive and I have shared in the experience not only of my journey into town, but of those patients who struggle to buy the gas to come and be doctored by me each day. I have a renewed appreciation and joy for this trip we call life and a fresh reminder that it's about much more than just the destination...a fair trade, indeed.
*From the book Una Voce, copyright 2011.
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Itawamba County school bus drivers (pictured front to back) Shelia Clayton, Vickie Windham, and Shelia Ray not only run regular routes, but drive day-long routes taking students back and forth to the Itawamba Career and Technical as well as delivering credit recovery and fast-track students.
“It’s HOT on that bus!”
“You ain’t kiddin’. We like the winter much better.”
“You got that right. You can always put on more clothes, but there’s only so many clothes you can take off!”
When it comes to driving a school bus, the jovial conversation between Shelia Clayton, Shelia Ray, and Vickie Windham moves along at full speed, much like the well-oiled yellow giants they navigate daily. Clayton’s comment concerning clothing and the hot weather brought on some head-nodding,’ knee-slappin’ laughter among the three. It was as if she was reading her co-worker's minds. The trio knows the routine all too well and they know bus routes. They should. Collectively they have over four decades of experience, and they are on them ALL DAY LONG.
“We’re back and forth all day. We don’t go home after dropping the kids off in the morning. We’re on the buses for the entire day,” Ray said.” After the vo-tech run, I try to find a shade or a cool spot to park and wait til the next run.”
Ray’s been driving a school bus for nine years. After making the drop for her regular route at Tremont Attendance Center, she picks up high school students and heads to Itawamba Career and Technical Center. Still referring to in its previous context, “the vo-tech,” Ray makes three runs a day to the center. After the drops, she sometimes parks in a church parking lot under a shade tree or behind the alternative school and waits for her next run.
Itawamba Attendance Center is Clayton’s daily destination. Not only has she been driving a bus for 12 years, but she’s also a full-time substitute driver, makes three trips to the technical center daily, and drives for credit recovery and fast-track students.
Of the three, Windham is the veteran driver with 23 years of experience. Once her bus riders are dropped off at Mantachie High School, she begins her two daily trips to the technical center in Fulton. She’s been making that run for 13 of her 23 years. She also drives for credit recovery students and the alternative school.
Like Ray, both Windham and Clayton simply find a spot to park and wait until it’s time to roll again.
When it comes to how things have changed over the years, the three are once again in agreement. It’s a tough job with a lot of changes.
“Basically, everything has changed,” Windham said. “It used to be more relaxed, and you were able to interact with the kids more. We can no longer discipline or ‘get onto’ children, we do write-ups and turn them into the office.”
“The respect is not there,” Clayton added. “And it’s not just the kids, too often it’s many of the parents.”
Ray agreed with the pair’s comments.
“In the past, if you got in trouble on the bus, you were in trouble when you got home, it’s just not that way anymore,” Windham said.
The three agreed that one thing hasn’t changed, the importance of safety when it comes to driving a bus and the responsibility that other drivers should take seriously when on the road.
“There are more cars, more traffic on the roads. We have to be on our toes all the time. You would be surprised at the number of people that pull out in front of a school bus,” Ray said.
“One thing I’ve noticed is that traffic does not pay attention to our amber lights when they are flashing,” Windham said. “They are a warning to drivers to slow down because the bus is getting ready to make a stop and drivers are not doing like they should."
Windham said today’s drivers use hand signals with children more so than in the past. Holding their hand up showing them when to stop or wait and motioning them to come ahead.
“We talk to the kids and make sure they understand the signals,” she said.
When it comes to what parents can do help bus drivers, their three-fold answer is simple…talk to your children.
“Talk to your kids about bus safety, about staying seated on the bus, and to be mindful of traffic,” Windham said.
“Teach them about respect,” Ray chimed in.
They agreed that everyone has a part to play when it comes to children arriving safely at school.
“It’s hard to watch the kids and watch traffic,” Clayton added with Windham and Ray in agreement.
“And it is HOT on that bus.”
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By LEE ADAMS LetsGoICC.com
Itawamba Community College has announced the hiring of Taylor Boggs as the head coach of the Indians golf program.
Boggs was the Student Academic Coach at Delta State University, where from 2018-20 he served as graduate assistant coach while earning his master’s degree in sports management.
He has also spent time with the Mississippi Golf Association, where he helped with tournament operations and is familiar with the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) after spending a summer as an Athletic Advisor intern at Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2017.
As a player, Boggs was a standout for Itawamba Agricultural High School where he helped them win three Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championships in 2009, 10 and 11.
After high school, Boggs signed with the University of Louisiana Monroe where he played two seasons before transferring to ICC to earn an associate degree. Boggs then transferred to Mississippi State University where he completed his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology: sport studies business.
Boggs, who took over ICC’s golf program in June, will look to build on last season’s success with two golfers qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Gulf District Championship.
For more information on ICC Golf and the other 10 intercollegiate athletic programs, follow ICC Athletics on Twitter(@LetsGoICC) and visit LetsGoICC.com
Maccc
Maccc Golf
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The air traffic control tower at the Tupelo Regional Airport will receive an upgrade thanks to a $1.4 million federal grant. The tower has remained largely the same since its construction more than 20 years ago.
Tupelo Airport to get $1.4M grant to renovate tower
TUPELO • In 2001, an air traffic control tower was built at Tupelo Regional Airport after years of lobbying. For more than 20 years, the tower has done what it was designed to do – provide a safe and orderly flow of traffic in the airport's vicinity for thousands of commercial, private and military flights.
But other than some minor improvements over the years, the Tupelo tower hasn't had any major renovations done. That's about to change however.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will provide the airport $1.4 million grant to renovate the tower. Tupelo was among 56 airports nationwide that qualified to receive the money. Only 20 airports were picked to split $20 million.
"We're pretty excited about that," said airport executive director Joe Wheeler. "This is probably more satisfactory than any grant I've gotten in a long time. That tower has some serious issues, and this grant will help fix them. Good on our team, our staff and everybody who pitched in, including the tower guys and our congressional delegation."
Wheeler said most of the equipment in the tower, like the radios and weather, is outdated and needs to be replaced. All the equipment will be updated and brought up to standards to increase safety.
"This also will help the tower be more energy efficient," he said.
The process of updating the tower began several years ago with the previous airport administration, but it was a matter of receiving a grant to get the work done. That finally happened this year in a very competitive environment, with every airport in the nation vying for funds for various projects.
"Back when the airport started looking at this project, they were looking at a cost of $500,000," Wheeler said. "Once we got the engineers in to see what all work needed to be done that number ballooned to the point where the FAA wanted to know what was going on. I showed then them the engineering writeup and then it made sense to them."
The airport originally asked for $1.6 million, but with the bulk of the money being provided, the airport can find funding elsewhere and start the project soon.
The tower work will complement other safety measure being undertaken at the airport that includes new LED lighting for the runway and precision approach path indicators and new markings for the runway.
Work expected to begin sometime later this year due to lag time in equipment in supplies.
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Testimony provides peek into the events before and after Jimmie 'Jay' Lee disappeared
Testimony during the preliminary hearing for Timothy Herrington, who is accused of killing Ole Miss student Jimmie "Jay" Lee of Oxford provided an alleged timeline leading up to Lee's disappearance:
Lee texted his mother at 2 a.m. to wish her a happy birthday. She texted back and 7 a.m. and did not hear from him. When she used the app the two used on a regular basis to track each other’s movements, it could not locate his phone, which was presumed turned off.
Cameras show Lee leaving his apartment around 4 a.m. to go to Herrington’s apartment. He returned home around 4:40.
Lee and Herrington begin talking on Snapchat at 5:17. At one point, Lee said to Herrington, “Now you’re just trying to lure me over to beat my ass of something.” When Herrington finally agreed to reciprocate a certain sexual act, Lee agreed to come over. Lee’s digital profile stopped at 6:03 when he asked Herrington to open the door.
Herrington is then seen in Walmart looking at large rolling garbage cans. Instead, he purchased a roll of duct tape at 6:49.
Lee’s car is seen on video at 7:18 driving past Rainbow Cleaners. It is seen on Jackson Avenue at 7:21. At 7:25, the car pulls into the Molly Barr Trail apartments. It is later found parked on the backside of the complex.
A Black male wearing a gray hoodie is seen on camera running from the complex about nine minutes later. The jogger later flags down a white Kia to get ride. Oxford police pull over the Kia two minutes later for speeding. Herrington was identified as the passenger.
Herrington owns a small moving company with a partner. Herrington picked up the company box truck and drove to his parents’ house in Grenada. At 10:45, a security camera across the street showed Herrington loading a long-handled shovel and a wheelbarrow into the truck and leaving.
Police picked up Herrington and carried him to the police station July 22. During a 17-minute portion of the interview played in court, Herrington admitted to having a relationship with Lee and that they had an argument. He said Lee later returned for a follow-up liaison and then left.
While police were interviewing Herrington, a search warrant was conducted on his apartment. Cadaver dogs from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office alerted four times. The same dogs alerted to the rear cargo area of Herrington’s Ford Escape as well as to the drivers seat and rear of the moving van.
OXFORD • Shortly before an Ole Miss student went missing on July 8, the man accused of killing him Googled, “How long does it take to strangle…
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Katherine Farese
The Mississippi Supreme Court recently made two new appointments and reappointed one member to the Commission on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.
New appointees are attorneys Helen Morris of Cleveland and Katherine K. Farese of Ashland. The Supreme Court reappointed attorney Marcus A. McLelland of Petal.
Chief Justice Mike Randolph signed the appointment order on July 27 for the unanimous court. Appointees’ terms began Aug. 1 and continue through July 31, 2025. The nine-member Commission has supervisory authority over the administration of rules regarding continuing legal education requirements for attorneys in the state of Mississippi. The Supreme Court sets the rules for CLE training.
Morris practices law with Morris and Associates in Cleveland. Her practice includes loan closings, title examinations, wills and estates, family law, negligence and medical malpractice. She is a part-time Chancery Court family master, handling child support and involuntary mental health commitments. She serves as board attorney for the Bolivar County Council on Aging, the Bolivar County Community Action Agency and Delta Green Partners. She was board attorney for the City of Mound Bayou for five years, and served for a year as a part-time public defender for Bolivar County. She served as secretary and treasurer of the Bolivar County Bar Association. She was an officer in various PTAs, and was president of the Cleveland Central High and Middle School booster club. She is a graduate of the University of Houston, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1985. She earned a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1993. She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1994.
Farese is an associate attorney at Farese, Farese & Farese, P.A. in Ashland. Her practice includes family law and criminal defense. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi in 2016, and her Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2019. She served as Executive Editor of the Mississippi Law Journal. She was a member of Moot Court Board, Dean’s Leadership Council, Women’s Law Association and Christian Legal Society. She was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2019.
McLelland has served on the Commission since 2019, and served as Commission chairman 2020-2021. He is a partner in the law firm of Holmes & McLelland PLLC in Petal. His practice includes personal injury, criminal defense and family law. He also serves as part-time public defender for juvenile delinquency cases in Lamar County Youth Court. He graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2000 with a degree in radio and television broadcasting, then worked in broadcasting in Orlando. He worked for an international school in Yokohama and Tokyo, Japan. He earned a law degree from Louisiana State University in 2010, and was admitted to the practice of law that year. He serves as Cubmaster for his children’s Cub Scout Pack.
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Philly Cheese steak with onions and peppers and fries from B'z Kitchen ($7).
RIPLEY • B'z Kitchen at Buzzz'd opened for business on Monday, Aug. 1. located at 830 City Ave. South. At the back of the building, the innovative restaurant — a converted shipping container — is the only one of its kind in Ripley. It features walk-up or drive-thru window service.
B'z menu items include burgers starting at $4.25, salads ($9.50 each), a BBQ plate ($6.50), a variety of sandwiches ($5-$6.50 each), tenderloin ($6.50), nachos and fries ($9). Friday Fish Plates include fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies ($10 and up). Hamburger steaks and chicken strips are popular menu items ($12 each).
B'z Kitchen also offers a variety of sweets, including ice cream floats, hot fudge cake, and strawberry shortcake ($4.50/ea).
Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 8 pm. on Friday.
For more information, check out Buzzz’d’s Facebook page or call (662) 672-7796.
B'z Kitchen
Fish Plate
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A bell, featured outside of the Bethlehem Baptist Church building in Falkner, was dedicated to in memory of Elaine Vivian Patrick Simelton on Saturday, July 23.
Elaine Vivian Patrick Simelton is seen here standing with the bell years ago. Simelton died on March 26, 2021, before the bell's restoration project was completed.
FALKNER • For what seemed to be ages, Falkner’s Bethlehem Baptist Church’s bell served as modern-day telecommunication device alerting the community to these events and thereby uniting the community.
Elderly members of the church recall childhoods marked by worshippers being called to church by the ringing of the bell. Many from that bygone era have since passed away, and, although unconfirmed, it is believed that the bell was rung for joyous occasions, such as weddings or births.
Lifelong church member, Ebert Gillard, recalled that many years ago, as a little boy, he would hear his mother say, “Pretty soon, you’ll be hearing the bell ring” when there was a death in the community—and, sure enough, it would soon ring.
The bell fell out of use for many years, but was not forgotten by Elaine Vivian Patrick Simelton. It became her personal mission to have the bell restored. After many years of Simelton’s impassioned first-Sunday pleas to her church community to financially support the bell restoration project, the project commenced.
This past year, the bell’s restoration began, but Simelton died on March 26, 2021, before its completion.
On Saturday, July 23, the bell was dedicated to Simelton, whose lifetime of service impacted and unified both the church community and the community of Ruckersville.
Originally from Eufaula, Alabama, and reared in the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, Montgomery, Alabama, Elaine Vivian Patrick Simelton met and married her husband, Eddie Hugh Simelton, a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, while he was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. 75 years ago, the young, newly-married couple relocated to Falkner.
Simelton’s daughter, Miriam Anderson, recalled a story about her mother’s transition from life in the big city of Montgomery to rural life.
“She said that when they pulled up to Falkner, she saw the long, grey wooden buildings, and saw a couple waiting with a horse and buggy. She asked my father, ‘What’s the horse and buggy for?’ To which, he replied: ‘That’s Maw Cynthia and Paw George, that’s how we are going to get home,’” Anderson said.
Having been accustomed to city life, the move to the country was a huge adjustment, but there’s a lesson in the story, according to Anderson.
“It’s a testament to how love can help someone make a challenging transition,” she said.
Not only did Simelton have to adjust to a slower pace in the country, but she also had to adjust her educational path. Prior to her move to Falkner, Simelton attended nursing school in Alabama, but there were no opportunities for her to continue her nursing program once the couple relocated to Falkner.
Simelton pivoted, enrolled in Rust College, and studied elementary education. A proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in Montgomery. Washington, who had served as president of the Tuskegee Institute, was one of her educational icons.
Andersen explained Washington’s impact on her mother’s life.
“‘Cast down your bucket’ was Dr. Washington's belief that people should make the most of any situation they find themselves in,” Anderson said. “She took that to heart and lived by it.”
Soon after becoming an alumna of Rust College, Simelton began a career in education which led her to hold various positions held within the Ruckersville Community and the Tippah County School System.
The Simeltons raised their six children in the Ruckersville community, instilling in their children a love for God, family, and country.
Far from her early beginnings in Montgomery, Simelton became an instrumental part of her newly claimed hometown. Not only was Simelton dedicated to her family, but she was also dedicated to Bethlehem Baptist Church and the Ruckersville Community, and often referenced both endearingly as “my people.”
She was a pillar in her church and community, having served as President of the Usher Board, a Sunday School teacher, deaconess minister, Rose Missionary circle leader, a delegate to the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, and also served as a liaison and agent in the securing of the land for a new church edifice.
Her seemingly tireless community efforts included hosting the first Veterans Day program, 4-H volunteer leader, acting as TCDC secretary, and establishing an annual bazaar in which proceeds were used to support the renovation of the Old Ruckersville Colored School, where the bell hung during the years Simelton taught there.
“In 1969, integration caused the school to cease to exist, and the bell was moved to the church,” Anderson explained.
An accident caused the bell to be taken down about 15 years ago. By that time, Simelton channeled her lifelong cultivation of pride in the origin and nexus of African American life as the director of the historical room at the Ruckersville TCDC, and was largely responsible for the funding and curation of the room’s artifacts. Through her work, she promoted self-love and pride by reminding the African American community to always pay homage to their ancestors by remembering their roots, thereby strengthening the community.
“Mother felt strongly about restoring the bell, because the bell was a symbol of uniting the community,” said Anderson.
A year or so ago after her death, Simelton’s wish became a reality. The platform where the bell is now hung was the steps/porch from the previous church structure. Before the old church was demolished, Simelton asked for the porch and steps to be saved to hang the bell. Not only was her request was honored, but the structure was dedicated to her memory. Jimmy Gunn, Tippah County District 1 Supervisor, spoke at the dedication, praising Simelton for “literally being involved in everything because she believed in her community.”
“We are awestruck, and words can’t express how honored they are that Bethlehem Community Church and the Ruckersville community chose to honor my mother in this fashion,” Anderson said. “The mere fact that they dedicated this structure, as well as the bell project, leaves us speechless. To our knowledge, no one has been honored in this manner -- especially a female, and we are so proud that her life impacted people in the community to the extent that they would honor her.”
Simelton's legacy, represented by the bell, signifies commitment to community unity. At the end of the dedication ceremony, there was a call to service.
“My mother was a modern-day Proverbs 31 woman in every respect,” Anderson said. “She was an icon, and there was no one like her. If all of us were as half as committed as my mother was to serving our community, our community would be awesome.”
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During the City of Fulton's August 2 regular board meeting, a local businessman presented his research and potential business plan seeking to open a marijuana cultivation and/or dispensary within the city.
Steve Franks, owner of the former L & R Grocery building appeared before the board equipped with copies of research as to how the revenue would benefit the city. Quinn stated that Franks's intention was to grow the product in the building, not sell it or process it.
“Well, in time,” Franks told the board. “First you got to have a product to sell. Nobody in the state has a product.”
Franks stated that he had spent two years on this project including travel to Denver, CO, Biloxi, and Florida. He told the board that he purchased the property on South Adams with the assumption that he could use it for any purpose that he chose and had considered a cold storage facility with 126 units. That plan, he said, would gross approximately $180,000 a year, but he added, that in the marijuana business, the potential gross is $67 million a year.
“That’s a big number,” Franks told the board. “That projection comes from four individuals from Colorado that are in business and came here and looked at the property.”
Franks went over his research concerning the growing season, the potential net, number of jobs, and the potential $1 million in tax revenue the city could lose if he is barred from opening a marijuana facility.
Quinn told the board that in Franks's situation as owner of the former L & R Grocery building, both Senter Funeral Home and Charleston Place Senior Living Facility were less than 500 feet from his property, where he is seeking to open a potential dispensary and/or cultivation site.
City Attorney Lee Dulaney told the board that Franks could apply for a special exception after the ordinance is approved and run in the paper. Both businesses, Senter and Charleston would have to agree to allow it according to Dulaney.
“The state law does not include funeral homes,” Franks said. “Do you really want to bar that property from participating?”
Ward I Alderwoman Daisy Stone told Franks the board would likely stand by its current ordinance of marijuana facilities being 1,000 feet from protected places which the city added funeral homes and nursing homes.
Franks ended by saying he would likely move his business to a different location.
Quinn told Franks the city has to consider everybody and that is a very thin line they had to walk.
After approval by the board, a public hearing concerning the city’s marijuana ordinance will be held on Aug. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
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Michele Sheeks
Jason Collum Publisher, Red Bay News
RED BAY | More than two months after being brutally attacked by a pack of vicious dogs south of Red Bay, the victim has died and now the dogs’ owner, previously charged with manslaughter in the death of the second victim, will be facing more charges.
Michele Sheeks, 44, died Tuesday, July 12, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson from her injuries. She had been hospitalized after being critically injured in the attack on April 28. Sheeks was attacked as she walked along a section of Hwy. 11 near Crumpton Road, south of Red Bay. Nearby witnesses heard the attack and ran to Sheeks’ aid. She was taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo and then flown to UMMC, where she remained until she succumbed to her injuries Wednesday.
Sheeks’ death follows that of Alabama Department of Public Health employee Summer Beard, who had gone the next day to the home of Brandy Dowdy to investigate the attack on Sheeks. Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said Dowdy wasn’t at home at the time of the second attack, and it wasn’t until late that afternoon that Beard’s body was found near her vehicle where she, too, had been fatally attacked by the dogs.
The dogs were euthanized on site that evening, and Dowdy was arrested and charged with manslaughter under Emily’s Law. She had also been charged in Sheeks’ attack, and those charges will now be upgraded to manslaughter as well.
“In light of the multiple tragic deaths in this case, our office intends to seek additional, more serious charges when this matter is presented to a grand jury later this year,” said Assistant District Attorney Jeff Barksdale. “Possible additional charges that could come out of grand jury include upgraded counts of violating Emily’s Law, an additional count of manslaughter and one or more counts of extreme indifference murder.”
Dowdy was picked up again on July 10 by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department on unrelated charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and drug paraphernalia-1st offense. Dowdy had been out on bond for the first charges of manslaughter, but that bond was revoked following her latest arrest, and she has remained in custody at the Franklin County Detention Center following the latest arrest.
“Dowdy’s bond was revoked at the request of our office in connection with her arrest early Sunday morning for possession of methamphetamine,” Barksdale said. “It is the position of our office that Dowdy should remain jailed pending trial.”
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Members of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office run a drill last week at the Advanced Learning Center in how to respond to an active shooter call. Throughout the day, law enforcement was tested in how to eliminate the threat of shooters through the mock exercise.
Monroe County Chief Deputy Billy Richey, left, explains the exercise before deputies take turns responding to a mock active shooter situation inside the Advanced Learning Center.
Brad Jernigan loads a training pistol with sim rounds.
Afternoon participants of the exercise pose for a photo.
Spent simulated round shells are pictured on the floor at the ALC's hallway.
Richey and Zack Wilbanks demonstrate techniques to approach a shooting suspect.
Deputies prepare for the exercise.
BECKER – Monroe County deputies and officers from local police departments trained on how to respond to an active shooter call Aug. 4 in a reconstructed scenario to May’s Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas.
The all-day force-on-force training at the Advanced Learning Center was a refresher ahead of the start of the new school year.
“We wanted to make this training for what happened at Uvalde. These guys are supposed to be trained and ready for this at all times. When something happens in Uvalde, it doesn’t wake us up to the fact that we need school security and more training but as scenarios come out differently, we’d like to follow those up and train on those scenarios,” said Sheriff Kevin Crook.
He said building layouts and actual scenarios could change, but last week’s training was no different from any other active shooter scenario on school campuses. Crook said law enforcement has been trained on most campuses in Monroe County.
In addition to deputies and school resource officers, investigators and transport officers participated in the training.
The exercise included simulated rounds and physical and mental conditions to make it as realistic as possible. Law enforcement had to force through the pain of being shot with the simulated rounds to overcome the active shooters. Techniques used by the Monroe County SWAT team were implemented in the training.
“You’re going to have some calisthenics in here to get your heart rate up,” Monroe County Chief Deputy Billy Richey told deputies before the first group entered the school to eliminate the threat of two active shooters.
After the day-long training, he was impressed with the performance.
“It’s in their hearts to do this. It’s a calling for them to come here and train like this. They don’t do it because they have to. Most of them are off work today and are doing it on their own. They care about the students in the county and the community. They live here and will sacrifice themselves for other people’s children,” he said.
He thanked the sheriff, board of supervisors and Monroe County School Board for supporting the training, adding it takes everyone working together towards the common goal of student safety.
Monroe County School District Superintendent Dr. Chad O'Brian and members of the district's school board and administrative team attended the exercise.
Richey and Crook said parents should feel assured of their children’s safety because of such training.
“Our guys do have the training. They are going to respond. They’re not going to stand around and see how things go. We’re pushing them hard today to do that,” Crook said. “The community has got to have faith in us, and that’s why we’re doing all the things we do. Training has been such an issue for us the last two to three years because we want them to have that confidence.
“It’s not that we can prevent it. You can’t stop what’s in the heart of somebody to do. They’re going to do it. The preventive measures come from listening. Teachers, law enforcement, parents seeing things and hearing things that just aren’t right and pointing it out and sharing that communication is something big that we want to work on with our SROs,” he added.
Richey added there are more officers on duty to help with response times, and there’s one school resource officer at each campus in the Monroe County School District. School resource officers are also assigned to the Aberdeen, Amory and Nettleton school districts.
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Capt. John Bishop of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, left, is pictured with members of the first graduating class of the department's part-time training academy. The graduation ceremony was held Aug. 4. The next academy is planned for this fall.
Members of the training academy gather for a lesson with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
MCSO graduates its first part-time training academy class
AMORY – Eleven members of the Monroe, Pontotoc and Itawamba County sheriff’s departments and Amory and Hatley police departments made history Aug. 4 by graduating from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s first ever part-time training academy.
The idea has been more than 20 years in the making.
“It was definitely an emotional moment,” said MCSO Capt. John Bishop of last week’s graduation ceremony at the Monroe County Government Complex. “We’re going to keep growing. The growth potential to do a lot of good things is exponential.”
Law enforcement completed 18 weeks of training through the academy, which included courses in patrol, physical fitness, constitutional law, firearms and driving. The goal is to host three academies each year, in addition to advanced level courses.
“Our objective with the training is to send back a part-time officer to their department so that sheriff or that chief cannot tell a difference between a full-time officer and a part-time officer when he puts him on the road or utilizes him. There’s no difference in the report writing, making traffic stops or answering a call for a domestic issue. He knows the law and knows what he can and can’t do. We’re trying to push out top-end cadets to become better law enforcement officers who better their communities,” said Monroe County Chief Deputy Billy Richey.
The MCSO is submitting additional courses for approval through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Office of Standards and Training, and Bishop said goals for the next five years include more advanced officer survival training, SWAT certification, advanced patrol tactics and designated marksmanship.
“No matter what you do in law enforcement, we want to be able to provide something for that area. To me, officer safety is where it’s at,” Bishop said.
The required number of hours for the training was 307, but the cadets completed more than 400.
“It was their drive to want more. We would give them a choice if they wanted to come in the middle of the week to learn some extra stuff, and the entire class showed up as a whole,” Richey said.
Graduates, sheriffs and police chiefs gave positive feedback on the part-time academy.
Bishop said nine or 10 applications have already been submitted for a fall course, and the Webster and Clay County sheriff’s departments have committed to send deputies. Richey said Amory Fire Department has expressed interest in sending a couple of its members.
The MCSO is in the process of establishing its academy across from the Monroe County Detention Center in Aberdeen. A site pad is complete, and supervisors approved a bid for concrete work for the slab last week. Richey hopes for it to be in full use by next summer.
Sheriff Kevin Crook wants the academy to be known for creating good officers.
“I say it all the time. I’m not a fan of law enforcement. I’m a fan of good law enforcement. We need good law enforcement. If we could have a legacy it would be, ‘If we send those guys to Monroe County, they care,’ and it rubs off,” he said.
Richey said members of the MCSO, who have offered instruction through the academy, are driven to pass knowledge along to newer officers.
“When you pass that baton off, you want to give him all the information you’ve got. At that moment when you retire, he takes that watch that day and steps in your shoes. That’s what that brotherhood is about. Once you graduate, you’re in a family of peace officers, and we want you to be the best you can be at it,” he said. “We do this because we care about the public in Monroe County.”
Richey and Bishop thanked Crook and the Monroe County Board of Supervisors for their support to make the part-time training academy a reality.
Amory Fire Department
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Smithville aldermen approve increase in fine for firearms violation
SMITHVILLE – During Aug. 2’s board of aldermen meeting, town leaders approved a substantial increase to a fine regarding the discharging of firearms within Smithville’s town limits. An amendment to Ordinance 21 raises the fine for a violation from $100 to $500.
The motion was made by alderman Jimmy Dabbs and seconded by Mayor Phil Goodwin.
Goodwin said shooting in self defense would not be prosecuted. Firing a non-lethal weapon, such as a BB gun or pellet gun, would also be exempt from prosecution.
Discussion of the ordinance enforcement segued into comments about the increasing population of stray animals, which citizens disburse with non-lethal gunfire.
In other business, town clerk Kim Johnson presented 11 bids received to purchase a retired police car, which ranged from $600 to $2,300. The bids were taken under advisement for a later decision, per recommendation of board attorney Jeff Navarro.
Goodwin moved on to present another financial matter.
“Budgeting time is coming up, so we’re going to have to do some thinking,” he said.
Goodwin also proposed pay raises for the town’s part-time police officer and meter reader.
“They haven’t had a raise in pay since 2011,” Dabbs said.
The board approved Goodwin’s recommendation to increase the police officer’s rate from $10.19 to $11 per hour and the meter reader’s pay from $9 to $10 per hour.
The board had a lengthy discussion about requirements from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for citizens to obtain flood insurance. Johnson said town employees could not undertake the inspection requirements mandated by the agency to participate in the flood insurance program.
Dabbs questioned the authority of the agency to impose the requirements on the town.
“Flood insurance is a matter between the homeowner and the insurance provider. The town should not be obligated to inspect every storage shed to see if it is properly strapped down and vented,” he said.
The board took no action on the matter.
Jimmy Dabbs
Phil Goodwin
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Amory's Charleston French helped lead the Panthers to the 3A State Championship game last year, bringing in 1,880 yards on 215 carries with 18 touchdowns as a junior.
Charleston French will be heading into his fourth year as the starting running back for Amory.
The Amory Panthers flew under a lot of teams’ radars last year, and senior running back Charleston French knew that.
After a breakout season, featuring an experience in the state championship game, French and the Panthers are ready to be the team to beat in 3A football.
“Last year, we kind of snuck up on people because they didn’t think that we were going to do much,” French said. “It was great proving them wrong, but I’d rather have that target on my back this year. We want it, and we want everyone at their best so people can see where we’re at as a team. I think it’s going to be a bit more pressure, but we’re not going to let it affect the way we play.”
As a four-year starter for the Panthers, French got an early opportunity to learn and play alongside a talented group of upperclassmen like Hunter Jones, Jay Hampton and Braxton Griffin.
“In my first game, they put me in after a few guys fumbled, and I kind of kept it from there,” he said. “It helped having a lot of those guys on the field because those guys were threats too, and they opened up a lot of stuff for me.”
French saw immediate success last year after suffering an injury early on in his career. He racked up 1,880 yards on 215 carries with 18 touchdowns as a junior.
“I got banged up at the beginning of my sophomore year, and that kind of held me back some,” he said. “It was tough, but I kind of turned things on towards the end of my sophomore season. I just worked hard over the summer, and Coach (Brooks) Dampeer and his offense really helped me improve because it allowed me to do what I do best.”
Amory coach Brooks Dampeer praised French for being a leader on the team and constantly working on his game.
“Charleston (French) has been a guy that's led and done everything that a young man needs to do to contribute to his team at his position,” Dampeer said. “He gets a lot of praise at times, but he is a humble, coachable, hard-working young man that works on his craft 24/7. He’s a versatile player, so we have multiple ways of getting him the ball, and he’s surrounded by a very solid supporting cast that can hold their own. It’s been a blessing to coach him and his teammates, and we have high expectations for him this season.”
Along with Dampeer’s style of offense, French also credited his offensive line for his successful junior year, and he believes they will be better this year.
“They were a big part of my success, and I think they’re going to be even better this year,” he said. "We’ve got Kobe (Williams) from Aberdeen, Hayden Dozier, Chris Hitt, Cameron Foster and Tyler Beeks.”
A strong defense was one of the cornerstones for the Panthers last season, and French expects their defense to remain strong with returning and new pieces.
“We’re getting bigger up front, and we’ve got a couple of more guys like Kobe and Walker Thompson who are going to be big for us,” he said. “We’ve got some freshmen coming up, and I think we’re going to be better this year defensively than we were last year. Having a good defense takes a lot of pressure off of us because it helps us operate better knowing that we’ve got them to back us up.”
An improvement in their defense also allowed the Panthers’ offense to flourish with the development of their new receivers and quarterback Jatarian Ware. French saw the development of Amory’s skill players as a plus because it opened up their offense.
“Our receivers developing last year and Jatarian getting better really helped me because it spreads the other team's defense out,” he said. “The first game last year, they had eight in the box and forced us to throw it, and we didn’t do too good. After that, we ended up bringing it together towards the end of the year.”
As a senior, French plans to take on a leadership role in the locker room and weight room, and he knows this group that he has been playing with for years can be special.
“In the locker room and weight room, we just try to keep our heads down and have a work mindset,” he said. “When we came up, we dominated in pee-wee and junior high football. There were talks about us winning state early on, and us making it last year was a good experience because we’d never been there before. I hate that we lost, but I really think we can do it this year. My personal goal is to hit at least 2,500 rushing yards this year.”
French credited his dad, Rufus French, who was a standout tight end, and Amory assistant coach DaShaun Fields, who both played football at Ole Miss, for working with him and instilling his love of the game.
“I’ve been around the game for a long time and basically grew up with a football,” he said. “I hear stories about my dad all the time, and I just want to be better than him. He lets me be my own person, but everyone around us always tries to make comparisons. We play different positions, so you can’t really compare us. Working with Coach DaShaun (Fields) has helped a lot because he’s been around the game and was a running back at the Division I level. He’s really helped me and a lot of my teammates like Hayden Dozier and James Connor.”
Recently, French received an offer from East Mississippi Community College, and he has been in talks with schools like Mississippi State University, Southern Miss and Austin Peay College.
“I went to Austin Peay College camp this year, but I didn’t really go to many others because of my knee,” he said. “They helped a lot because you get to stack up with other players and be seen. I’m kind of waiting for more offers right now because I know they’re waiting to see me develop the next part of my game, which is my breakaway speed.”
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Smithville's Kelby Seales leaps to tip the ball over for a kill in Friday's game against Houston.
Amory's Kami Wilf sets up one of her teammates.
Monroe County volleyball teams amped for successful year
Volleyball season is officially back, and all the county teams are ready to face the challenges that the season has ahead.
With Sanqueeta Meardith as the new head coach, the Aberdeen Lady Bulldogs have been working hard towards improvement.
“With me being the new coach, we’ve just been trying to get to know each other a little more, but a lot of them are my basketball girls,” Meardith said. “We’ve been working on trying to get them to compete and play hard. I’m starting to build a good understanding with the girls that I’ve never coached before, and the ones that I coach for basketball already know what I expect from them.”
One improvement that Meardith noticed in practice was how well her team has been communicating so far.
“The girls come out each practice and give it their all, and I’ve seen some improvement from where they were last year because they’re hustling more and competing,” she said. “We’ve been big on communication in practices because that’s a big part of volleyball. When we first started, there wasn’t a lot of communication, but they’ve improved a lot there.”
Taliyah Cunningham, Sereniti McMillian and Destiny McClendon exhibited strong leadership qualities for the Lady Bulldogs during practices.
Taliyah and Sereniti have really worked on being more aggressive and vocal on the court, and I think Destiny will be a very good asset to the team,” she said. “We have a lot of other experienced players too, so I think we’re going to have a good year. I’m looking forward to seeing this group get out there, work hard and not give up. We want to make a run in the playoffs, so I’ve been motivating them and letting them know that they can reach that goal. As long as they keep that competitor’s mindset, I think we’ll be fine.”
The Amory Lady Panthers saw a lot of success last year, winning the division and reaching the second round of the playoffs, and they hope to replicate that success with a younger group.
“I am very excited to be coaching a younger group because when I got here last year, I didn’t know what to expect, but my younger girls turned out to be some of my better players,” Amory coach Shay Ashford said. “I’m locked and loaded and excited for the next four to five years for this program. We’re growing a lot and even the middle school group has a good team full of seventh graders. This is what I’ve dreamed of as a coach to come to a program where everyone is buying in, and they’re ready for a big year.”
Over the summer, the Lady Panthers keyed in on filling in needed roles and building team chemistry.
“I had to replace six seniors, so it was almost like trying to put together a whole new team as far as position-wise,” she said. “Some of my younger girls have really stepped up over the summer and filled in those spots nicely, and I feel like we’re a new and improved team. Our team chemistry has been our main focus, building a level of trust and making sure everyone knows where they’re supposed to be, so we can run an effective offense and defense. Everyone is getting a feel for each other and feeling comfortable on the court with different people.”
Kami Wilf, Ella Phillips and Emarie Boddie were big contributors to Amory’s success last year, and Ashford expects them to be solid again this year.
“My senior, Kami Wilf, is going to be a great leader this year. She’s like our quarterback because nothing goes on if she isn’t in the play, setting up our hitters,” she said. “She runs the team, and I’m looking for her to have an outstanding season. Ella Phillips was our MVP last year, and she’s still that same overall, dominant player that she was on the outside. We’ve got Emarie Boddie in the middle with the power arm and blocking everything. She’s a really great athlete, and she has a younger sister named Erynn, who has come along great as my other outside hitter.”
Ashford has also seen an emergence of a few underclassmen like Leecie Martin, Haley Muse and Emmy Millender.
“I have some freshmen that are stepping up to be great passers,” she said. “Leecie and Haley are stepping up big time to be great defensive specialists, and Emmy Millender will be another one of our defensive specialists and set a little bit for us.”
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Hamilton Lady Lions after winning the division for the second year in a row and making it to the second round of the playoffs last year.
“Making it to the second round last year and competing against a team that was actually good really got this group excited,” Hamilton coach Bryan Loague said. “It showed them that they can make a deep run and compete.”
The Lady Lions have a lot of experience returning with Abigail Gill, Mallory Kendall, Madison Mitchell, Kaylee Joslin and Kylie Springfield. They also have a few new faces that Loague believes can make an impact.
“Abigail has been working hard, and we’ll probably use her as our libero,” he said. "I’ve never used a libero before, but I think she’s built perfectly for it because she’s played a lot over the past few years. Mallory Kendall will be back as one of my setters, and we used two last year, but I’m trying to install an offense where we only use one. I’ve got a couple other girls that can set like Kaylee Joslin and Kylie Springfield, but if they’re in a setting role or not, they’ll be on the court most of the time. Madison Mitchell will be one of our returning outside hitters, and I’ve got a few new kids that have never played before like Liberty Hughes and Zakia Dobbs, but they’ve improved a lot over the summer.”
Loague’s goal for this year’s team is to win the division for the third year in a row and compete against the tough teams on their schedule.
“That excitement from last year’s seniors has rubbed off on this group, and they’re looking forward to the season,” he said. “We won the division the first two years, and we expect to do it again this year. Smithville is going to bit better with all its returning players, so it’s not going to be a cakewalk to win the division. We’re playing a tougher schedule than we have in the past against teams like Nettleton, Itawamba, Houston and Columbus. In our first year, we lost three games, and we lost four last year. I could see us losing a few more this year, but still be able to make a run at the end.”
Under new head coach Ashley O’Fallon, the Hatley Lady Tigers are looking forward to competing in a tough division with hopes of making their second playoff appearance.
“I want the girls to win and get back to where they were last year, but I also want them to have fun and know that I believe in them no matter the outcome,” O’Fallon said. “We’re excited about competing in the division against Amory, Nettleton and Aberdeen. Amory is definitely a team that’s always good and has been around for a while now, but our girls have been working hard, and I think we can compete with them.”
The Lady Tigers spent their summer practices making a few offensive changes and building their team chemistry.
“Summer practices went great because the girls showed up and showed out,” she said. “We’ve changed up our serve receive, and they’ve accepted it and are running with it so far. Our communication has gotten way better, and the girls are more positive and looking to build each other up.”
Kenlee Wilkinson and Anna Kate Crenshaw shined for the Lady Tigers in practice, and O’Fallon expects them to have big years.
“Kenlee is a senior this year, and she has a really strong hit that she’s been improving on,” she said. “Anna Kate is my libero, and she’s worked very hard at getting better at that position. We’ve tried to define the positions and make everyone more specialized in their positions.”
After narrowly missing the playoffs last year, the Nettleton Lady Tigers are hungry to succeed in this upcoming season.
“We made it to the playoffs our first year and missed it by five points last year,” Nettleton coach Brandi McDaniel said. “The girls are definitely hungry, and our goals are to win the division and be the team to beat in the playoffs. Amory’s been at the top for a long time, and when we beat them in a set last year, it gave our girls a lot of confidence.”
Hitting was one aspect of the game that the Lady Tigers focused on during summer scrimmages and official practices.
“We used the summer to see who can play where and figure out what adjustments we needed to make,” she said. “The team as a whole came together and improved, especially with our hitting, and we’ve had more kids step up than I thought, so it’s going to be hard to put together our starting group. Zion Seals and Aaliyah Harris are going to be the heart of the team, and I’m looking to change my libero, Zyah Gunter, into a hitter. As a team, we grew a lot this summer, and I really think it’s going to lead to a good year for us.”
Along with Seals, Harris and Gunter, the Lady Tigers have a lot of power hitters and experience on their team with Chloe Humble, Mikala Sullivan, Kaillee Grace Inmon and Bella Scruggs.
“We really have a lot of power hitting coming along, and I hope our passing game can start developing too,” she said. “Chloe will be our setter for the second year in a row, and we can’t get those big swingers going without her. Mikala is another freshman that will probably be in our starting lineup because she’s tall and has about as much power as anyone on the team. She’s going to change the game for use because she’s a heavy hitter up front. Our senior, Kaillee Grace, is hitting outside now, and she has a lot of power as well. Bella has improved a lot as a blocker, and she’s improved her hitting too.”
Youth will be on the Smithville Lady Noles’ side as they try to repeat their success from last year.
“We’re a young program with a young team, but I feel like we can pick up where we left off last year,” Smithville coach Brian McCollum said. “We have a lot of girls coming back, and we’ll be a junior-led team this year. Our hitting wasn’t quite where we wanted it to be last year, but we had Orlandria (Smith), who was the sole focus of our attack up front. We’ve really been working on making it a full team effort.”
Despite their youth, the Lady Noles will have a solid group of returning pieces with Kelby Seales, Audrey Summerford, Branigan Vaughn, Ali Swan and Kamryn Jones.
“Kelby’s setting has been awesome, and she’s looked great in practice,” he said. “Kamryn didn’t play a whole lot last year, but she’s really filled in the middle for us, and I expect her to get a bunch of kills. Audrey was one of our main setters last year, but we moved her outside to hit this year, and she’s done a really good job. Branigan is a returning starter whose hitting has really improved, and Ali has been great at serving the ball.”
Last year, the Lady Noles fell in the first round of the playoffs to Hickory Flat, but McCollum believes that experience will be beneficial this year.
“We saw what it’s going to take to reach that next level, and I think it’s going to pay off huge for us when we get into division play,” he said. “Hamilton and Okolona are in our division, and Hamilton is a very solid team that won the division last year. We’re hoping our playoff experience will help us against them this year.”
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Joey Baird
Baird joins Vikings' coaching staff
North Pontotoc welcomes new assistant girls basketball coach, Joey Baird. He’s been a teacher at the upper elementary, and before that he coached at DeSoto Central High School, (2003-2009), West Union (2009-2012), and Itawamba AHS (2012-2019).
“I’m looking forward to working with Rob (Browning), and just helping the North Pontotoc varsity girls be successful,” said Baird. I’m also excited about coaching the middle school girls,” he added. “It gives me an opportunity to help prepare them to be competitive in high school.”
In other North Pontotoc basketball news, Rob Browning is taking over both the girls and boys varsity teams. Browning came to North Pontotoc two years ago to coach the varsity girls. Browning takes over for Coach Chris Parman.
Rob Browning
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Tim and Dana Jones look over the tomato plants that he donated to the local community garden. He is excited about growing more tomato plants for next year's garden.
Community volunteers gathered to cut the ribbon for the Pontotoc Community Garden located to the west of the Pontotoc Material Control on Reynold's Street. MississippiCare will award vouchers to residents in need. The goal of the Pontotoc Community Garden is to promote healthy eating and locally sourced produce. The garden is tended by volunteers and food is handed out at no cost at the Pontotoc Farmers' Market.
Pontotoc County now has a community garden located just west of the Pontotoc Material Controls building on Reynold’s street. The idea has been in the works since last January and this past Saturday residents gathered to cut the ribbon to officially open the green space that will be used to provide fresh food for those who don’t have the land or resources to acquire it.
It was suggested by Mississippi Care project manager Karen Allison because she said that they see clients who need the fresh vegetables, but do not have the resources or the land to raise them.
“We can award them vouchers and let them get fresh produce from the market. Right now we have a set up with Piggly Wiggly.” However she wanted to see the families get something home grown right here in North Mississippi.
So she approached Pontotoc Chamber Main Street Director Beth Waldo.
“When she mentioned gardening all I could think of was those hot days as a child working in the garden and I kept on thinking, ‘please don’t make me work in a garden,’” Waldo said. The crowd rippled with laughter. “Thankfully Julia McDowell has a wealth of knowledge and we partnered with her and the M Partner and the City of Pontotoc donated this land and it all came together. And I don’t have to work in the garden.” The crowd laughed.
McDowell said that PEPA donated poles to build the raised beds and city employees and students and teachers came together to plant and work the garden. Volunteers will tend the garden on a regular basis. “Terry Lynn Donaldson helped tremendously on this project.”
The tomatoes for the garden were donated by Tim Jones. His wife, Dana, wheeled him into the garden to look at the vines that were producing tomatoes for future picking.
“I love tomatoes,” he said as he grinned at the green vines. “They are my babies. All of these are heirloom tomatoes so I can save the seed and grow vines next year for free.”
Jones said when he heard about the community garden through Julia McDowell he asked if he could donate the tomato plants.
“He has been an invaluable asset to the garden,” said McDowell.
The garden is still in the future bearing stage, so it will be a bit before it is ready for folks to get vegetables from. However, McDowell said plans are already in the works for fall crops, “like turnip greens and other cold crops that will be grown throughout the fall and early winter.”
“Mississippi Care is honored to partner with the Farmers Market, M Partner, and the City of Pontotoc for the Community Garden project,” said Jamie Mobley, SVP - Marketing. “The goal of the Pontotoc Community Garden is to promote healthy eating and locally sourced produce. The garden is tended by volunteers and food is handed out at no cost at the Farmers' Market. The Pontotoc Farmers Market is open from 7:00 am until sell out on Saturdays.”
MississippiCare is a health clinic located at 353 Highway 15 North. It is part of the ARcare health network. For more than 40 years, ARcare has delivered committed, trustworthy and compassionate healthcare to 75 clinics throughout the tri-state service area of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Kentucky. MississippiCare’s mission, “Health for All,” runs through the hearts of its medical professionals and other staff members. Regardless of their plight in life, MississippiCare brings superior healthcare services to patients, despite their ability to pay. MississippiCare accepts all insurance, under-insured patients, and patients without insurance.
Julia Mcdowell
Pontotoc Material Controls
Beth Waldo
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Editorial: Tippah County Fair does a lot of good for a lot of people
Once again, thousands of people have descended on the Tippah County Fairgrounds for a week of fun and frolic.
Yep – The Tippah County Fair and Livestock Show – better known to most people as the Tippah County Fair – is under way.
The Fair began Aug. 5 and runs through the 13th. The venerable Fair turns 77, but it seems to be as lively as ever.
It’s one of the biggest fairs in the state. It’s a good-time fun event attended by thousands of people. It’s also an economic powerhouse which directly benefits this area.
The Fair offers something for everyone from A (animals) to Z (zucchini) and nearly everything in between. In addition to the fun, the Fair generates money which benefits thousands of people in this area. On the way to or from the Fair, people buy food or gasoline, generating taxes which return to this area.
At the Fair, many worthwhile nonprofit organizations such as volunteer fire departments and church groups operate booths to make money they will use throughout the year.
The Fair is operated basically without cost to the county, since it’s on ground owned by the county. Thanks to entry fees and advertising income, the Fair is economically robust.
Most people think about the Fair only when its here. Tippah County Fair Board members, however, work year-round toward making it happen. Unpaid volunteers all, they deserve this area’s appreciation for their efforts.
Gas up the ol’ beater, and go to the Fair. You’ll have a lot of fun and you’ll be doing a lot of good for a lot of people in the process.
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Amory's Amare Brown will be another returning starter for the Panthers as a junior.
Amory's DeAndre Blair will return to the point guard position for his senior year.
Amory's CD Bolton spent some time in the starting lineup for the Panthers last season.
Panthers trusting the process, finding their way over break
With their minds set on improvement, the Amory Panthers refused to take the summer lightly as they played a lot of scrimmages to prep for the upcoming season.
“You never know what you’re going to get day in and day out, and this summer has had some long weeks for us, working camps, playing a lot of games and hosting some things,” Amory coach Brian Pearson said. “I know the guys were tired, but I told them before games that we’re in the moment and about to find out a lot about our team. It was frustrating to get beat some games, but we learned some stuff about ourselves, and it turned out to be time well spent. All summer, I told this group that this is a process, and we have to get into some of these moments and learn about ourselves.”
According to Pearson, one key factor that will be on their side this year will be experience as the Panthers have a large returning group.
“We’ve got a big core group that’s played for us a lot,” he said. “We’ve got guys that have played a ton of junior varsity, and guys that were starters last year. Just like last year, our lineup has changed constantly, so we’ve got a lot of pieces that all can do some things well. Trying to figure out how to put it all together has been a challenge as a coach, but we’re getting there, and I think we will figure it out.”
After graduating two of their leading scorers, the Panthers looked to rely on their core group of returning players to help carry the load in summer scrimmages.
“I’ve seen a lot of different guys contribute at times,” he said. “Guys that played significant minutes for us last year like Amare Brown, DeAndre Blair, CD Bolton and Kanye Stevenson have looked solid, and guys like Quaid Johnson, Elijah Spratt and Isiah Smith are getting more playing time. We’ve got a very deep list of guys, and I think what we’ve been able to see is that replacement is not going to come from just one person. We’ve got to figure out who can pick up that slack because we knew Charleston (Wallace) and Gray (Thornton) would be hard to replace. We’ve got to get into some of these moments, figure out what we have and see who responds well to adversity. That’s what’s taking us some time, but in the long run, that’s going to make all this time in the summer well spent.”
Pearson hopes that last year’s starters, Brown, Stevenson and Bolton can be leaders for the team while taking on the season’s challenges.
“Every night is not going to be the same because we’ll have different challenges every night,” he said. “You can tell that it means the most to those guys that started last year, and everything is going to have to start with them and trickle down into those other guys that are finding their roles.”
Despite the challenges that the Panthers have faced over the summer, Pearson is proud of the way his team competed in each scrimmage.
“Overall, when I look back, I’m proud of them because I think we played really hard,” he said. “Things didn’t go our way sometimes, but these guys just continue to play hard and that’s something that I know we can build on. I keep emphasizing to them that this summer was a process of us trying to replace some important pieces, allow some guys to mature and find their roles on the team and develop some new leadership.”
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FULTON • A man is in the Itawamba County Jail after stealing a patrol car and leading authorities on a two-county pursuit.
Mantachie police responded to a disturbance call at 642 Hodges Drive, just off Highway 363, at 11:53 Saturday, Aug. 6.
Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson said Spradling was captured after spike strips were deployed the end the pursuit. During his initial appearance, bond was set at $250,000.
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Sauceda
CORINTH • Alcorn County officials have arrested three people, accused of helping the four men who escaped from the county jail Aug. 5.
Sheriff Ben Caldwell said Alcorn County deputies arrested Ana Ruiz, 29, of County Road 510, Corinth; and Yira Sauceda, 25, of Highway 356, Rienzi; on Aug. 5. They were charged with felony aiding a jail escape, booked into the county jail and later released on a $10,000 bond each.
Elias Jimenez, 21, of Madison Street, Corinth, was arrested the same day by the Louisiana State Police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Alcorn County along with three of the escaped inmates.
Four inmates cut a hole through the roof of the jail and were able to escape during the early morning hours of Aug. 5. Security cameras at the jail show the inmates running east from the jail toward the National Guard Armory around 2 a.m.
Saturday morning around 1:30, Alcorn County authorities received a tip about where the four escapee, Landon Braudway, was hiding. Officers went to the Alcorn County residence here and found him. Braudway attempted to flee and fought the officers, but he was subdued and taken into custody.
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Gloria J. Gleghorn, Amory
Herbert Hudson, Southaven
Fad Robinson, Aberdeen
ABERDEEN - Fad Robinson, 76, passed away Friday, August 5, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus. Services will be on Sat, Aug 13, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Belle Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Fri, Aug 12, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. at Belle Memorial Funeral home. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
MEMO, FLAG, UNITED LOGO
Herbert Hudson
SOUTHAVEN - Herbert Collins Hudson, 89, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Desoto. He was born June 27, 1933 in Pontotoc County to Thomas H. and Mary I. Franklin Hudson. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a longtime employee of DuPont in the engineering department and retired from the flight department of FedEx. He loved his church and church family of Graceview Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed traveling, especially to Gatlinburg, TN and surrounding area. He loved his family and spending time with them. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by family and friends.
Graveside services will be at 10:00a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Etta, MS. United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Lewis Hudson of Southaven; his son, Bryan Hudson (Debbie) of Olive Branch; a step-son, Thomas Holloway (Jennifer) of Dallas, TX; a brother, Leighton Hudson (Diane) of Walls; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Darryl Hudson; a sister, Lawanda Martin; two brothers, Loyd Hudson and Tommy Hudson; and a half-brother, Bill Carwile.
Gloria J. Gleghorn
AMORY - Gloria J. Gleghorn, 64, passed away on August 5, 2022, at UAB - Birmingham, Alabama. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Darden and Sons Funeral Home.
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Ecru receives tax rolls, prepares for budgeting process
The Ecru board of aldermen accepted receipt of the tax rolls and set August 11 as the date for the work session to hammer out the budget for the coming year and August 18 as the hearing date for the hearing and adoption of tax levy. The board has to approve the new budget at the September 6 meeting because the fiscal year for the town begins October 1.
The aldermen also approved for food trucks to come and operate in the town provided they purchase a permit that would last for a year. The trucks also have to have a current health department certificate as well as proof of liability insurance.
Business owners in the town were completely supportive of having food trucks come into the town and operate since their presence would bring foot traffic to the stores.
After discussion on the fee itself, the board weighed the pros and cons of what to charge, finally settling on a $250 yearly fee.
“That way they don’t have to come back every month to pay to operate in the town,” pointed out Gable Todd. “And that averages out to a little more than $20 per month which is what Pontotoc charges.”
In addition, the board heard a request from Patricia Edwards to put a carport and a building on her lot. The board asked her to meet with building inspector Tim Ball and show him what she wanted and make sure it was within the code enforcement regulations.
Police Chief Matt Stringer told the board that two hour parking limit will soon be enforced on Main Street between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“In talking to all the business owners the complaint I hear is that people are coming and parking all day and keeping customers from having a place to park to shop,” he noted.
Chief Stringer said he has seen folks use Main Street as a place to leave their truck while they leave for the entire week. “This will stop that and it will allow the parking places to be free for those who would like to shop.”
In a 4-1 decision the board voted against allowing businessman Ken Nowlin to have the permits to keep the billboards he planned to locate at Highway 15 and Main Street and near North Pontotoc High School and Alexander Auto Sales. The board took up the matter last month and tabled it for further investigation. Both Tim Ball and Mike Nesbit said they met with Nowlin before the billboards were erected and told him they believed that they would not be in compliance with the town ordinances. Another issue with the billboard at the school was because of the LED lights blinding the eyes of the students playing baseball. “Aldermen Jeannie Thompson said that is a safety issue.”
In doing this the board also said that anyone wanting to put up a billboard in the town limits will have to come before the board to get approval.
The board also approved to close the community house bank account and transfer the funds t the park account.
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Ambulance ordinance story correction
A story appeared in this past week’s issue about the Union County Board of Supervisors considering an ordinance that could regulate ambulance service in the county.
One of the statements attributed to Baptist Memorial Hospital Administrator James Grantham was not reported accurately. He was concerned the statement might be considered disrespectful to the board which was something he would never do so the Gazette is publishing a correction.
Here is what Grantham submitted to the Gazette, including the quote in question:
“James Grantham was the first individual to speak and he inquired as to whether the Board had completed a Request for Proposals to select the Operating Contractor as stipulated in Section 3.2 of the proposed ordinance. James then asked “If not, what is the expected timeline for an RFP to be issued, proposals to be analyzed, and an Operating Contract to be drafted, negotiated, and executed?” “In my opinion this normally takes around 90 days”.
“James further stated “It is my understanding that this ordinance is a carbon copy of a Hinds County Ordinance. Has there been any due diligence to discuss this ordinance with Hinds County leaders to learn from them how the ordinance has impacted their ambulance services. Is there anything we can learn from them? If they could change anything about the ordinance, what would it be?”
“James concluded by stating “Finally, while I agree that our daily focus is to always look for opportunities to improve, and provide, the very best healthcare services to the citizens of Union County, I ask the Board to postpone the vote on this ordinance for at least a minimum of 90 days or until my previously raised questions can be answered. We should all be very cautious about passing an ordinance that may adversely impact the delivery of healthcare in our City and County”.
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Baptist Union County recognizes nurse who performs above and beyond expectations
Deya Kent, RN, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County, recently received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an award given in appreciation of the work nurses do. Kent, a nurse in the surgery department with fourteen years of service, was nominated by a patient.
Nurses like Kent are nominated by patients, families, and colleagues for the DAISY Award, and from those nominations, nursing leadership at Baptist Union County selects nurses to receive the award.
At a presentation in front of nurses, colleagues, and family, Kent received a certificate and a sculpture. The sculpture, titled “A Healer’s Touch,” is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
In the nomination, the patient stated, “With an overflow of God’s blessing and grace, I sincerely nominate Deya Kent. She was with me quite a period of one-on-one care and delivered empathy in a way not recognized in today’s world.”
“It is truly an honor to recognize Deya for her compassion and excellent nursing skills,” said Heather Reid, Chief Nursing Officer, at Baptist Union County. “Deya’s dedication to the needs of her patients exemplifies what a true DAISY award winner should be.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in Glen Ellen, Calif., was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at age 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, an auto-immune disease.
The extraordinary care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill led to the creation of the DAISY Award.
Baptist Union County offers a variety of services, including adult and pediatric inpatient care, maternity, surgery, a 24-hour emergency department, sleep lab, pulmonology, and diagnostics. The hospital also has PET/CT, 3D mammography, TeleHealth services, and an eICU. Baptist Union County has an excellent reputation for providing quality care and recently earned an “A” Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group, as well as the Outstanding Patient Safety Excellence and Outstanding Patient Experience awards from Healthgrades.
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City to allow medical marijuana in vote that divides board and public
The City of New Albany will allow the production and sale of medical marijuana, but the decision came as the result of votes by a sharply divided board of aldermen and followed a public hearing that began civilly but turned acrimonious with interruptions and literal demonizing of aldermen.
The vote came at the end of the two-and-one-half-hour meeting and public hearing attended by about 150 people, although many of those present do not live in the city in the first place.
There were actually two separate votes and two separate issues before the board, which complicated the hearing and apparently confused members of the public.
Some background: The city has been working on a long-range comprehensive for several years.
Afterward, Mayor Tim Kent almost immediately began to hear from people asking him to veto the board’s vote. He said this past week, “I haven’t vetoed anything in 17 years. I don’t think I’m likely to start now.” He added that the board had voted in favor of opting in and the people had voted in favor of the program so it was not his place to override the will of the majority. He has 10 days from the vote to decide whether to return it to the clerk with his objections.
Also, if he were to veto the board vote, members of the public could still circulate a petition and, with enough signatures, call for a public vote to settle the question regardless of the aldermen’s actions.
Mayor Kent apparently has until Friday to veto the vote.
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NEMCC adult education helps quell fears of returning to school
Starting school can be a scary time for many parents and students.
Gathering school supplies, getting up early again after a relaxed summer schedule, entering a classroom or an entire school full of unknown people, making sure that the work-life balance is going to function during the academic year -- all those changes and more are just part of a K-12 student's life when returning to school.
For an adult going back to school, more worries and fears come to the forefront as they work to get their GED.
It is the start of something new for them.
Many times, adults have not been in a school or classroom setting for decades and only remember what school was like when they dropped out or left school for a job or something like taking care of a sick or ailing elderly family member.
Northeast Mississippi Community College's award-winning Adult Education is trying to break that stigma and quell the fears of the surrounding area for students.
Whether it be a 16, 17, or 18-year-old who is looking for something outside the traditional school setting or a working adult who has now found time to finish their education once their children are back in school for the fall semester or a person wanting to better themselves with more education with hopes of landing a higher paying job, all of them face their own challenges in returning to school.
Northeast prides itself on making the learning environment conducive to learning and not a scary place where fear resides.
Northeast offers not only traditional GED classes but a HiSET exam as well, where students have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to earn a state-issued high school equivalency diploma.
Day classes begin on Monday, August 29 and night classes are set to kick off on Tuesday, September 6.
Daytime courses can enroll students every four (4) weeks, while night classes begin a new rotation every eight (8) weeks.
Northeast offers HiSET and GED preparation and testing, and the Adult Education program allows students to take Smart Start Training in person or through a hybrid environment to develop job skills to help them succeed in their future education endeavors or employment.
As part of the Smart Start curriculum, students can earn national certifications, learn helpful information on how to find a good, satisfying, and well-paying career, and acquire the skills employers are looking for at no cost.
Day and night classes are offered in each of the college's five-county service areas of Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo and Union counties. Career coaching and planning are available to those in the Adult Education program.
Scholarships are also available, as well as incentives for financial assistance.
Seats fill up fast, so for more information or to enroll in Northeast Mississippi Community College's Adult Education and Smart Start curriculum, call 662-720-7184.
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NEMCC Career Development Academy provides needed services for area students
Northeast Mississippi Community College's Career Development Academy realizes that students may need a little more time learning than what they receive at school.
Organizers with the Career Development Academy also understand that often times parents are not there until they get off work at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. to help a student with their work and that leaves very limited family time for them.
Northeast's Career Development Academy's after school program looks to fill that void and help parents achieve an active work-life balance with its After School Career Development Academy in each one of the college's five-count service area.
"We understand that students may need a little extra time after school," said Northeast Career Development Academy director Austin Beasley. "We also understand with many parents going back to work following the pandemic, that they may not be there right as their child gets out of school to assist them. Our CDA is designed to help and enable them to learn valuable life lessons while receiving the one-on-one tutoring that they may need in a certain area."
Northeast's Career Development Academy is not a babysitting service for those looking for someone to take care of their children after school. The Career Development Academy provides not only one-on-one tutoring for students, but also Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities, art activities, drug/alcohol prevention presentations, life skills and enrichment services for students and families for those in the fourth through twelfth grade.
"We want them to enjoy their time at the Career Development Academy," said Beasley. "Even though they will be learning, we want it to be an active and engaging environment that they want to come back to for years to come."
After-school Career Development Academy classes start on Tuesday, September 6 and are at no cost to the parent for the service nor is there an enrollment cutoff for those wanting to take advantage of multiple siblings in the same Career Development Academy.
Classes are currently offered in Alcorn, Prentiss and Union counties with the availability of online services offered to students in Tippah and Tishomingo counties.
For more information about the Northeast Mississippi Community College Career Development Academy's after-school program, contact Beasley at ambeasley@nemcc.edu
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NEMCC Continuing Education helps ambulance corps with EMT-Basic course
Northeast Mississippi Community College's Office of Continuing Education is helping the ambulance corps with its latest offering during the Fall 2022 semester.
Northeast has opened up its Emergency Medical Technician - Basic class for the fall semester and is looking for students to fill its classes on Monday and Thursday nights.
Orientation for the class will happen on Monday, August 8 in Holliday Hall, Room 118 with classes meeting every Monday and Thursday for the duration of the class from 5-9 p.m.
Cost for the course is $705 and includes $300 in tuition, $55 in malpractice insurance and $350 in textbook costs for the class.
Classes are limited to 15 (fifteen) participants.
For those looking to attend the class, students must be certified in the American Heart Association or Red Cross CPR Basic Life Support with an expiration date after December 2022. This certification has to come from an in-person, hands-on class as no online class certifications will be accepted due to Mississippi Emergency Medical Services requirements.
Participants must also have a physical examination and drug screening done by a physician or licensed nurse practitioner, have a TB skin test or chest x-ray done prior to class, begin the Hepatitis B vaccine three (3) shot series with at least one of the three injections prior to the start of class or have the Titer test completed if the three-shot series was completed previously, received the two-dose Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, provide proof of age from a government-issued driver's license, have a high school diploma or GED and score silver overall on a Career Readiness Certificate, have a minimum 17 composite score on the American College Test or read at a tenth (10th) grade level on the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) and a notarized criminal background affidavit.
Students must also have proof of Covid vaccinations to be part of the class, which are required for clinical. Religious and medical exemptions are the responsibility of the student.
All prerequisites are due before starting the class.
For more information about the 2022 Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT) course offered by the Northeast Office of Continuing Education or any other continuing education class at Northeast, email continuinged@nemcc.edu or call 662-720-7296.
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NEMCC offers over a dozen success workshops for instructors and students in the fall
Northeast Mississippi Community College will offer 14 different success workshops for its students on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the Fall 2022 semester.
Tuesdays will see the college's instructional technology department teaching students about technology in their lives with seven "Tech Tuesday" sessions. At the same time, Wednesdays are reserved for "Wellness Wednesday" and hosted by the Northeast Office of Counseling Services.
Success workshops will happen in the college's Student Success Center located in Wright Hall, at the corner of Jefferson Street and Cunningham Boulevard, from 12:15-12:45 p.m. during the college's Activity Period.
Northeast's first Tech Tuesday happens just a week after school starts on Monday, Aug. 15, when the Instructional Technology department welcomes students for "Yay! You've got an iPad! Now, what?" on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
One day later, Wellness Wednesdays kick off with, "I'm here. Now, What? Tips to Effectively Transition from High School to College," on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Success workshops will take a one-week break between presentations, with the second workshop happening on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Tech Tuesday introduces students to their Okta dashboard with "Your Okta Dashboard: Signing in, Microsoft Office and more," while Wellness Wednesday checks in with "The E-Learning Playbook: Navigating the Ins and Outs of Online Learning," on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Tech Tuesdays throughout the fall semester, include "Ins and Outs of Submitting Assignments in Canvas: Documents, PDFs and Media. Oh My!" on Sept. 20, "Organizing Your Junk Drawer: Using Files on the iPad," on Oct. 4; "Tips and Tricks for Using Your eBook on iPad" on Oct. 18; "Collaborate with Classmates," on Nov. 1 and wraps up the 2022 Fall semester with "Work Smarter, Not Harder with iPad Accessibility Features," on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Wellness Wednesday follows the same schedule with "Mid-Term: Madness: Creating a Blueprint for Academic Success," on Sept. 21; "Whew! This is a lot! Dealing with Being Overwhelmed and Feeling of Anxiety," on Oct. 5; "Communication, Connections and Cliques: How to Appropriately Use Communication Skills to Navigate New Friendships and Connect with Instructors," on Oct. 19; "Relax, Relate and Release, Creating a Good Self-Care Routine for College Life," on Nov. 2 and wrapping up the Fall 2022 semester with "I Can Do It Later: Overcoming Procrastination," on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Not only are Northeast students encouraged to attend any of the free sessions but Northeast instructors are also invited to attend any of the informative and free workshops.
For more information about Tech Tuesdays, contact Dr. Carlena Benjamin at 662-720-7221 or for more information on Wellness Wednesdays, contact Dr. Nickeda Shelton at 662-720-7778.
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New Albany’s Cine’ Theatre to host opening-week showing of feature film on mystery death of explorer Meriwether Lewis
The historic Ciné Theatre in New Albany will host three screenings of the film, “Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis,” on its opening weekend in September.
The award-winning film tells the story of the allegedly unresolved 1809 demise of a national hero who, with William Clark, explored and mapped a large part of the Louisiana Purchase and western part of the country.
Later, Lewis died by gunshot on the Natchez Trace, then an isolated frontier road connecting Nashville,
Tenn. to Natchez. Did Lewis, the Governor of the Louisiana Territory, commit suicide as history reports or was his end far more sinister?
In the film, entangled versions of Lewis’s tragic ending at a remote Tennessee inn are imagined by his
friend Alexander Wilson (Billy Slaughter, Mindhunter) during a tense encounter with Priscilla Grinder
(Gousset, The Card Counter) – the only witness to Lewis’s final night alive. The historical thriller brings
together an award-winning cast and crew that includes John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard), Sonny
Marinelli (Entourage) and Evan Williams (Versailles) as Lewis.
The film is directed and written by Six Shooter Studios CEO Clark Richey of Baldwyn. Richey, who said he works as an engineer to finance his film production, presented a program about the progress of the film during its production earlier this year at the Union County Heritage Museum, where he showed a section of the movie.
“What an honor it is for New Albany to be a site for the release,” said Billye Jean Stroud, Director of New Albany Main Street and Community Development, adding, “Stay tuned for future exhibits around Meriwether and his influence on The Tanglefoot Trail.”
Movie-only events will be on Friday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 11, with tickets priced at $12.50 plus tax and fees. A special screening event, complete with a reception meet-and-greet as well as a filmmaker question-and-answer session, is planned for Saturday, Sept. 10. Tickets are $30 plus tax and fees. Details can be found at magnoiaciviccenter.com
The official U.S. theatrical premiere of the film will be held on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in a
one-night-only performance in the historic 1,200-seat Tampa Theatre in Tampa, Fla. The official national release of the movie will commence on Friday, Sept. 9, with premiere events being held in theaters in Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi.
Executive producers include Richey, John Schneider (John Schneider Studios), Alicia Allain Schneider (Maven Entertainment), and Michael Mosca (Starling Road Productions). The film was produced by Six Shooter Studios GM Amye Gousset, Robbie Fisher (Fisher Productions, LLC), Morgan Cutturini and P.J. Leonard.
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Director of Accounting Services Suzanne Coffey, at rear, presents the proposed budget to school trustees.
New Albany schools will not require tax increase for 2022-23 budget
The New Albany Municipal Separate School District will be seeking more money for the coming year, but it will not require any tax increase. The added revenue will be a result in the increased value of the county as a whole.
The district has not asked for a tax millage increase for the past seven years, Director of Accounting Services Suzanne Coffey told trustees at their public hearing this past Monday.
The budget projects $27.2 million in revenue and $31.9 million in expenditures, but that doesn’t mean the district is spending more than it has. Some of the expenses will be covered by funds already committed or that otherwise won’t officially be added during the budget year.
Coffey also cautioned not to rely on figures listed in the newspaper notice about the proposed budget because they had to be based on incomplete information in order to meet the legal publication deadlines.
Fifty-five percent of the schools’ revenue comes from state sources while 30 percent is from local ad valorem taxes and only 15 percent from federal funds.
About half of the expenses in the budget go for instructional costs. “That’s anything that touches a child in a direct way,” Coffey said. Thirty-one percent is allocated to support services such as administration, counseling, nursing and maintenance. The food program gets about five percent, another five percent is for debt service and nine percent is set aside for construction and renovation.
The New Albany schools spend about $12,000 per student for their education while the state average is only about $5,,000, indicating the seriousness of the district’s commitment to quality instruction.
The tax millage will remain at 53.1 mills but the increased assessed valuation of the district will mean an additional $200,000 in income for the district, she said.
“We’re very fortunate with our city growing,” Coffey said. “We’ve not asked for a tax increase but see a steady increase in funds. That’s great for the taxpayers and for us.”
That also means the district is able to pay off debts quicker than first planned.
The Mississippi Adequate Education Program was set up by the legislature years ago to help fund education but New Albany has only been fully funded one time, she said. This past year we were at 10.5 percent below full funding, she said. If New Albany were fully funded it would make a difference of $1.4 million, she added. Since the MAEP began, the New Albany district has been under-funded by about $15 million.
Of course the district is budgeting for higher fuel costs. Coffey said she made provisions for higher health insurance costs as well, but that has not come to pass yet. Teachers are all getting mandated pay increases, but that will mostly come from state sources, she said.
Currently, the New Albany district has 178 certified teachers and, as of week before last, 2,144 students enrolled. That’s a 12-to-one student to teacher ratio, which is considered very good.
The actual total number of people who receive some sort or check from the district is closer to 340.
Coffey said the budget had to be turned in by Aug. 17 but could not be approved until seven days after the hearing, which was Aug. 1.
Of course, the budget can be, and usually is, amended as needed throughout the year.
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Kingley S. Andrews, 84, longtime Aurora IL resident was called home to the Lord on Friday, July 22, 2022. Kingley was born in New Albany, Mississippi on January 24, 1938. Kingley is survived by his sons Steven Andrews (Mary) of York, PA, and David Andrews (Mary) of Red Lion, PA; his grandchildren: Melissa Gilliss (Robbie) of York, PA and Matthew Andrews of San Diego, CA; his great grandchildren: Kingley, Mea, and Luke Gilliss. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law Arlene Kowalczyk of West End, NC, brother-in-law Kevin Kowalczyk of Woodridge, IL, and his loving companion, Marilyn Harris of Aurora, IL. Kingley was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years Kathleen (Kowalczyk), and his parents Charlie and Janet (Bailey) Andrews.Kingley was a longtime letter carrier in Aurora, retiring in 1992. Known by his Post Office comrades as Mississip, he was well liked by the residents on his routes, particularly in Beau Ridge where he was belovingly known as "George." Kingley shared a passion for buying and selling antiques and collectibles with his parents for many years. While it became an enjoyable hobby for him, he also cherished the many friendships made over the years selling at flea markets and antique malls in Illinois and Mississippi. A talented athlete, Kingley played amateur baseball for the Comets in Aurora, IL. He enjoyed playing in Aurora softball leagues and continued to play pick-up basketball into his 60's. He also enjoyed coaching his sons in Aurora Baseball and was at his best shagging fly balls with his boys. Most recently he enjoyed a competitive game of wiffle ball with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who will forever revere him. Our "Kingdaddy" was loved by all those that his life touched. His infectious humor was enjoyed by his family, many friends, coworkers, and even strangers that he encountered. He was the ultimate impressionist too and loved "dressing up" for the party; and was always the life of the party. Kingley enjoyed live music and had an affinity for dancing, often being the first and last one on the dance floor. He could really "cut a rug!" A celebration of life service will take place at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2022 at Living Word Community Church, 2530 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to your local SPCA chapter in honor of Kingley, who was very fond of animals.
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The prison ministry continues to be a rewarding experience and investment. Even though the numbers of yellow suits that represent the new, non-classified inmates is a continual addition to the incarcerated, hope continues to grow. God is moving in the midst of what some call the devil’s playground. It seems such an unlikely place for hope and freedom and renewal, but that’s exactly what the new converts are experiencing.
I can’t relate to their arrests, jail time or court proceedings, but I can relate to their being a prisoner of the enemy. I once was lost but now am found! I, too, carried the damning label of being in the enemy’s camp until the Good Shepherd began calling my name.
It’s amazing to be a small participant in the major work of Christ. I have seen first hand that the Savior can never be put in a box. Who ever heard of churches being planted inside of a prison? Who would have thought that born-again female believers, wearing striped plants with CONVICT printed on the back of their tops, could stand behind a podium in a guarded building and preach the gospel? I’ve watched how God can break denominational “rules” in order to bring the lost to a saving knowledge. I’ve watched how women with negative self images begin walking in the truth that all are created in the image of God.
I’m slowly learning that prison talk is a language of its own, and that these female inmates are straightforward in their speech. There is no need to put on airs where their clothes are uniforms with only three colors – and they don’t get to choose those.
When I stop at the gate entrance, I have to follow the same rules as those incarcerated. I have to wear a badge that tells guards that I’ve been schooled in basic rules and behavior inside the prison. I’m to dress in modest attire, no jewelry or watches. Cell phones and purses stay in my vehicle in the parking lot, and my keys are stored in a special unit near the entrance.
I’m to take nothing in and nothing out. If I should break those rules, I would forfeit any future entrances and possibly threaten the ministry that must adhere to strict rules.
After several visits, I’m adjusting to the uniqueness of this institution. However I haven’t gotten used to being without a phone, pen, notebook or watch. I constantly wish for my phone to take pictures of the worshipers or pen and notebook to take notes of what I’m experiencing. I’m stripped of every item that’s usually a part of my person.
Then I see a deeper picture. This is how I’ll face Jesus someday. I won’t have any lists of good things I’ve done that others might not remember. I won’t be wearing sentimental items like my wedding band and anniversary necklace. I won’t even have my study Bible to convince God of all my notes and the worn leaves showing my study time.
I’ll face Him with absolutely nothing I’ve held onto here. The only thing that will shed light on how I’ve lived will be the investments I’ve made in eternity. Who would have even dreamed that a prison and heaven would have anything in common?
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Touring group to present 'Barefoot in the Park' at Cine' next week
A new professional repertory theatre company has been formed in Corinth and they will bring a production of a popular Neil Simon comedy to New Albany as one of their first touring efforts next week.
The Mississippi Repertory Theatre will present “Barefoot in the Park” at the Cine’s Theatre Saturday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m.
The romantic comedy is about a young couple moving to New York and dealing with the problems of apartment living, eccentric neighbors and adjusting to big-city life in general.
The original play opened in 1963 starring Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley and made into a film three years later with Redford and Jane Fonda.
The play was nominated for four Tony Awards, winning one, and was Simon’s longest-running hit.
The MRT performances in Corinth received praise from others involved in theatre as well as critics and the public.
Mississippi Repertory Theatre has been slow in building the past year and a half, due in part to the obstacles presented by the Covid pandemic. They do have a paid company, however, and have performed at the renovated historic Coliseum Theatre in downtown Corinth.
They are planning a full bill of upcoming shows and continue to audition new members.
Corinth has also had a community theatre group, Corinth Theatre-Arts, which has been active for about half a century.
Tickets for the New Albany performance will cost $15 each and reservations are available by going to the civic center website, www.magnoliaciviccenter.com.
More information about Mississippi Repertory Theatre can be found by calling the Corinth Area Arts Council at 662-664-5678 or going to the theatre group’s website at msrep.org
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Tupelo should build indoor sports center
By MARTIN HERMAN of Tupelo
I am writing to raise awareness of the need for a community multi-plex sports center. Tupelo does not have one, not even a YMCA for people to use for indoor sports like pickleball, tennis, volleyball, basketball, etc. Each of these and others are played in Tupelo, enjoyed by many and yet when it rains, is too cold or too hot, they are shut out. Yes, there are church gyms, but these can not meet the needs.
Besides the health of our community, thousands if not tens of thousands in tourism dollars are not being captured because Tupelo can not host any significant tournaments for these sports in bad weather. Each sport can put "heads in beds" or people in restaurants, coffee shops and other stores, providing revenues and taxes that we are missing out on by not being able to host large events year round.
As for local citizenry, several of the sports mentioned are great for all ages. I know about pickleball, so let me address that. PB is good for your physical health, reducing risks of heart attacks and strokes, for helping stave off dementia and memory issues, for helping Parkinson patients with mobility, and improving mental health, just to mention a few. Having a place for the youth to congregate and participate in physical activities would be good for the community as well. Retirees would also benefit. Just look at Oxford, Starkville or Bartlett, Tennessee, and you'll quickly see how meaningful an investment in a multi-sport facility would be. Theirs are in use almost 24-7.
I fervently hope our city's leaders can find a way to finance and build us a facility that we can use and be proud of for many many years. If you agree, and I hope you do, please call or write your council member and the mayor to voice your support. Tupelo, an All-America City, needs to have a facility so everyone can enjoy the quality of life that sports participation provides, not only for the players but spectators too.
Martin Herman,
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Jean Williams Flores passed away on August 9, 2022 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi. She was born on January 22, 1933 in Warren, Arkansas to the late John W. Williams and Ruthie Belle Mosely Williams. She worked as an administrative secretary during her younger years, and later enjoyed living in Bayou Gauche in south Louisiana and being able to fish from her back porch. She moved to Baldwyn, Mississippi in 2006 to be closer to family. Her favorite pastimes were watching westerns all day and talking on the phone. She is survived by two sons, Mike Bevill (Michelle) of Baldwyn, MS and Tony Bevill (Marilyn)of Prentiss, MS; a sister, Cheryl Bongiovi (Mike) of Cuero, Texas; a brother, Brooks Williams (Sandra) of Midway, Georgia; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Flores; her oldest son, Ronald Bevill; and a grandson, David Fletcher. There will be a graveside service only on Friday, August 12 at 10:00 am in Warren, AR at Mosely Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.
John W. Williams
Jean Williams Flores
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Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco agreed to a contract extension with the Rebels Wednesday.
Ole Miss, Mike Bianco agree to contract extension
OXFORD — Ole Miss and head baseball coach Mike Bianco have agreed to a four-year contract extension, the athletics department announced Wednesday morning.
The deal is for a base salary of $1.625 million per year and includes incentives. Based on the the salaries for coaches in 2022 according to The Tennessean, it would make Bianco the second-highest paid coach in the SEC behind Vanderbilt's Tim Corbin.
Bianco just finished his 22nd season as the Rebels’ head coach owns an 854-485-1 record as the Ole Miss coach. He just led Ole Miss to its first College World Series championship following a dominant 10-1 postseason run where the Rebels outscored opponents 82-25. The 854 wins are the third-most in SEC history.
Bianco was named the 2022 National Coach of the Year by D1Baseball, Collegiate Baseball and the American Baseball Coaches Association.
"We are blessed to have Mike Bianco as our head coach, and we intend for him to lead our baseball team for many, many years to come," athletics director Keith Carter said in a news release. "With his remarkable track record, no one was more deserving of that national title run than Mike. We have accomplished so much in every facet of our program, and under Mike's leadership, we look forward to continuing that level of success and experiencing more championship moments."
The Rebels were a preseason top-five team and held the No. 1 spot in college baseball for a time in the middle of 2021. But a 7-14 start in SEC play cut into Ole Miss' chances at the NCAA Tournament. A late spurt to close the regular season got the Rebels into the tournament as one of the final teams in the field. And from there, the Rebels didn't look back, finishing undefeated in the Coral Gables regional and Hattiesburg super regionals to earn a berth to the College World Series for the first time since 2014.
Ole Miss lost one game in Omaha and swept Oklahoma in the championships series to put a bow on a season for the ages.
According to the terms of the contract sheet provided by Ole Miss, Bianco's annual base salary will grow by an additional $35,000 per year for making it to a super regional ($35,000), making it to the College World Series ($50,000) or winning the College World Series ($100,000).
He has year-by-year incentives built in as well for winning SEC Coach of the year ($25,000), hosting regionals and super regionals ($25,000 each), for appearing in ($150,000), making it to the finals of ($300,000) or winning the College World Series ($400,000), among other things. He can also receive additional pay for reaching the 900, 1,000, 1,100 and 1,200-win marks at Ole Miss and for meeting APR thresholds.
"I appreciate Keith, Chancellor Boyce and our Board of Trustees for proactively and aggressively getting this done," Bianco said in the release. "I am ecstatic about continuing to lead this incredible program with the support of a community that means so much to Camie and me. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is no better fan base in the country.
"We've always known that but after what you guys did in Omaha, the entire country knows it - Rebel fans showed up and made a difference ... As always, none of this happens without the incredible players and coaches who have helped us build this program along the way. I can't wait to see everyone back at Swayze next spring, and I am proud to be an Ole Miss Rebel."
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Former Southern Miss coach Corky Palmer, who coached the Golden Eagles for 12 seasons and led them to their only College World Series appearance, died Wednesday at the age of 68.
Nati Harnik | AP
Legendary Southern Miss baseball coach Corky Palmer dead at 68
By BEN SUTTON The Daily Journal
Southern Miss baseball coaching legend Carlton Devan "Corky" Palmer passed away Wednesday afternoon at the age of 68.
The Hattiesburg native began his Southern Miss career as a player from 1974-77. Palmer average .274 at the plate while playing catcher for the Golden Eagles. After concluding his playing career, he made stops at Newton High School as an assistant coach, and Lee and Columbia High Schools as a head coach before returning to Southern Miss as an assistant coach in 1985.
Following a two-year stint as an assistant for the Golden Eagles, Palmer took the reins of the Meridian Community College baseball program from 1987-96, earning a 409-160 record there.
Palmer once again returned to Southern Miss in 1997, serving as an assistant for one year before taking over the head coaching position in 1998. He led the Golden Eagles to a record of 458-281 through his 12 seasons at the helm, culminating in a College World Series appearance in 2009.
Palmer took over the Golden Eagles' head coaching job in 1998 and led the program for 12 years, culminating in the school's only trip to the College World Series in his final year as head coach in 2009. During his tenure as head coach, the Golden Eagles made eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a streak of seven consecutive years reaching the tournament. In 2011, Palmer was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Funeral arrangements for Palmer are pending.
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TUPELO • A man walking down a state highway after midnight was struck and killed on Wednesday.
The Lee County Coroner's office and the Mississippi Highway Patrol are investigating the death of Kevon Page, 21, of Tupelo. He was walking along Highway 371 near the Richmond area around 12:45 a.m. Aug. 4 when he was struck by a vehicle.
Coroner Carolyn Green said Page died of multiple trauma.
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In this July 21, 2010, photo, employees leave the front gate of the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Miss.
Mississippi is now the world’s leader in putting people behind bars.
The Magnolia State has more inmates per capita than any state or nation in the world, according to the World Population Review. More than China. More than Russia. More than Iran.
Cliff Johnson, director of the MacArthur Justice Center at the University of Mississippi School of Law, wonders if there's a political price to be paid for being the "world capital of mass incarceration."
“What’s it going to take for Mississippians to realize that the mass incarceration we have carried out for decades has made us less safe, rather than safer?” Johnson said.
Across the U.S., the number of those in prison in the U.S. is 16% lower today than before the pandemic, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. But Mississippi’s rate is skyrocketing, rising by more than 1,500 people in fewer than six months. That population now exceeds 18,000 — the highest rate since April 2020.
“We have perfected throwing people away for long periods of time,” Johnson said, “and yet, after decades and decades of this approach, Mississippians are more fearful about violent crime than any time I remember.”
The Justice Department began investigating the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman in 2020 after the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting and ProPublica reported on the increases in grisly violence, gang control and subhuman living conditions. In April, the department reported that the prison’s conditions violate the Constitution.
When Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, signed House Bill 585 into law in 2014, the measure drew widespread praise from conservatives and liberals alike. It promised to reduce the prison population, save millions — $266 million, to be exact — and reinvest some of the money into programs for offenders.
Instead, all of those savings went back into the state’s coffers, helping pay for huge phased-in corporate tax cuts enacted in 2016 because the state was struggling to meet revenue estimates.
But since his appointment of a new chairman in 2022, the number of paroles have declined.
He called Mississippi’s program “way more intense."
"We’re meeting a need," he said.
Rather than hiring teachers on the outside, Cain said he’s using inmates certified in these fields to teach.
"We’re going to turn the curve,” Cain said. “We already have people from Alabama coming to see how we do things.”
Alternatives to prison part of solution
Locking him up in prison for a year won’t cure his addiction, Pickett said.
“All we are doing is putting him in a place that’s dangerous," he said. "Meth is just as prolific in prison as it is on the streets. It’s very, very sad.”
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Kennedy, Dr. Robert Alexander "Bobby"
Dr. Robert Alexander "Bobby" Kennedy, 73, died Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at his home in Oxford, MS. Visitation will be held Friday, August 12, 2022, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home. A private service will be held at a later date. Dr. Kennedy was born on April 30, 1949, in Jackson, MS to the late Beauford and Lula Kennedy. As the founder and primary OBGYN of The Woman's Clinic of Tupelo, he practiced medicine for over 30 years. A caring and attentive doctor, he always took time to talk to the patients in his care, putting them at ease and making them feel heard. Dr. Kennedy enjoyed his work, but most of all, he loved delivering babies. Despite his busy schedule, he still found time to participate in charity work and volunteer at the health department. Dr. Kennedy was a devout member of First Presbyterian Church of Oxford. His favorite ways to relax were to read true crime thrillers and historical books and to paint. Dr. Kennedy was a talented artist and his favorite medium to work with was watercolor. He attended classes at the Power House learning under artists such as Constance Pierce. He drew inspiration from his time spent traveling out west to Montana and to his second home in Seaside, FL. A lifetime of memories had been made on these trips and many other travels with his beloved wife of 40 years, Beth. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Anne "Beth" Kennedy of Oxford, MS; a sister, Jane Marshall and her husband, Vic of Kennesaw, GA; and nephews, Edward Marshall, Richard Marshall and Robert Marshall. Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Dr. Kennedy's memory may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or online at Parkinson.org.
Robert Alexander Kennedy
Elizabeth Anne Kennedy
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Mason, Falton O. "Sonny"
Mr. Falton O. "Sonny" Mason, Jr., 94, died Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital - North Mississippi. The funeral will be Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Oxford with Rev. Robert Allen and Rev. Don Gann officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Mason was born on August 16, 1927, in Lafayette County, MS to the late Falton and Eula Belle Mason. As one of the first twelve attorneys in Oxford, he practiced for over 60 years, was the former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and the State Hearing Officer for the State of Mississippi Personnel Board. He was a longtime member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Oxford. With a loving devotion for his church, Mr. Mason served as an usher and drove the church bus for many years and was a former Sunday school director. He was a member of both the Oxford Lion's Club and O.D. Smith Masonic Lodge, and a founding member of The Beacon Coffee Club, where he developed many cherished friendships. In his leisure, Mr. Mason enjoyed Ole Miss sports and bird hunting. He was an avid camper, taking his family on many road trips and adventures. While he held many professional accomplishments and commitments to his community, Mr. Mason never neglected his most important roles, which were husband, father, and grandfather. He was deeply devoted to his wife of 58 years, Cornelia, and their children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Mason was preceded in death by his daughter, Amanda Mason Allison; granddaughter, Julia Belle Mason; and sister, Peggy Mason. Mr. Mason is survived by his wife, Cornelia P. Mason of Oxford, MS; sons, Michael Mason and his wife, Lucinda of Helena, AL and Falton O. Mason, III and his wife, Mary of Olive Branch, MS; and his grandchildren, Tip Mason, Lawson Mason (Adam Langston), Haley Mason, Parker Allison, and Elise Mason. Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Mason's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org. For more information or to leave an online condolence please call 662-234-7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.
Cornelia P. Mason
Falton O
Amanda Mason Allison
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O'Quinn, Susan Virginia West
Susan Virginia West O'Quinn, 71, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. A Lee County native and lifelong resident, Susan was born October 29, 1950 to Herman and Frances West. She worked in Ripley at Timber Hills as a medical transcriptionist for several years. Susan adored animals, especially her cats. She also enjoyed sewing, working in her yard, and camping. Susan leaves behind her husband of nearly 23 years, Jeff O'Quinn of Mooreville; step-son, Patrick O'Quinn and wife, Brandy of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Kaley, Hanna, and Caleb; a brother, Eddie West and wife, Patsy; sister-in-law, Barbara Aquirre and husband, Phillip; and two brothers-in-law, Greg O'Quinn and wife, Tina and Clifton O'Quinn and wife, Kim. Graveside services honoring Susan's memory will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Lee Memorial Park with Rev. Ricky Young officiating. Visitation will be 1 until 2 p.m. at W.E. Pegues, Tupelo. Memorials may be made to the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society. Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
Susan Virginia West O'quinn
Jeff O'quinn
Patrick O'quinn
Barbara Aquirre
Clifton O'quinn
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Rone, Marilyn
Marilyn Jean Rone, 97, passed away Friday, August 5, 2022, at Arkansas Hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born November 7, 1924, to Clovis Herbert and Vivian Pauline Burns. She was a member of Leawood Baptist Church where she sang in the Adult Choir. Known as "Charlie", she was her husband's carpenter's assistant. She had a need for speed, and enjoyed dancing and spending time with her family. A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, August 11, 2022, at McMillan Funeral Home. Burial will be in Booneville Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home. She is survived by three daughters, Marilyn (Eddie) Wilson, Barbara (Stuart) Ray and Tammy (John) Crenshaw; one brother, Larry (Sue) Burns; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aaron Ransome Rone in 1987; and her parents. Pallbearers are Jason Wilson, Jason Brotzman, Chase Ennis, Brad Ray, John Crenshaw and Brian Terry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 699 Oakleaf Lane, Memphis, TN 38117. Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com.
Marilyn Jean Rone
Vivian Pauline Burns
Brad Ray
Aaron Ransome Rone
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Mary Ferguson
Mary Ruth Hadaway Ferguson, 74, passed away Monday, August 8, 2022, at her home in Pontotoc. She was born August 9, 1947. Services will be on Wednesday, August 10, [TODAY] at 2 p.m. at Oak Hill Baptist Church-Pontotoc, MS. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at Oak Hill Baptist Church.
Edwin McMillen
Edwin G. McMillen, 84, passed away August 5, 2022, at Oxford Veterans Home in Oxford, MS. He was born November 20, 1937, in Brunswick, GA to C.G. "Red" and Marion Hardy McMillen. He was a retired farmer and was a kind and giving person who loved helping people. He was a member of Toxish Baptist Church.
Edwin is survived by his great-granddaughter, Lennox Vanlandingham; his brother, Bobby McMillen(Lanelle) of Columbus; and his caregivers, Rodney and Brenda McMillen, J.R. Kirkpatrick, and Judy Fooshee.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anne Russell McMillen; his daughter, Leigh McMillen Hickam; son-in-law, Edward Hickam; granddaughter, Amber Hickam; grandson, Jason Hickam; sister, Linda Winters; and a brother, Charles Wayne McMillen.
Services were Monday, August 8, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc with Bro. Rocky Watts. Burial followed in Midway Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of arrangements.
Bruce Martin, age 70, passed away at his home in Algoma, MS on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. He was born to Blake and Dorothy Martin on September 17, 1951. He was the loving husband of Rhonda Martin for 40 years. Bruce was a 1969 graduate of Algoma High School. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in industrial engineering. He worked many years with his dad doing carpentry and loved to crappie fish. Bruce's grandchildren were the light of his life, and nothing made him happier than being their Papaw.
He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Little Martin, two sons Cody Martin (Kayla) and Devin Martin (Autumn), four grandchildren Peyton, Cason, Allie, and Easton Martin, and sister, Sheila Martin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Blake and Dorothy Martin, his parents-in-law, William & Juanita Little, and granddaughter Ava Grace Martin.
Funeral services were at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc, Sunday, August 7. Graveside services followed at Old Monroe Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of arrangements.
Has pic, Payton logo
Shana Nelson was born in Chicago, IL on February 13, 1971. She attended Grammar High School and graduated with honors. She met Rick Nelson at the age of 17, married him, and started her life with him in Sardis, MS. She attended Mt. Level Church, they started a family, and Mississippi became her home.
Shana Nelson leaves to cherish her memory, three living children, Rickey Nelson, Ricknissa Nelson, and Jasmine Nelson; seven grandchildren: Dezmond Nelson, Jimmia Nelson, R'Jaye Nelson, Messiah Nelson, Chloe Nelson, Rickey Harris Nelson, Kaison Nelson; six sisters, Anna Faye Ware, Margret Walker, Linda Ware, Diana (Albert) White, Stevetta Owens, and Towanda Ware; four brothers, Michael Ware, Tyrone Lewis, Jerome Lewis, and Christopher Ware; and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Lanzy Mae Ware; father, Tely Henry Lewis; son, Jorge Levesque; brother, Ricky C. Ware; two nephews, Isaac Lewis III and Marcel Ware; and niece, Georgetta Ware.
Funeral services were Saturday, August 6, at Good Shepherd Church of God in Christ in Pontotoc, MS. Interment was in the Mt. Level MB Church Cemetery in Como, MS. Services entrusted to Payton Mortuary.
Willie Joe McKinney "Bay Bay" was born on March 24, 1958, in Lee County to the union of A.C. McKinney and Edna Earl Richardson, and reared by his late stepmother, Shirley Mae McKinney. He graduated from Pontotoc High School and entered the workforce immediately upon graduation. He enjoyed and had a love for football, as well as old school cars and trucks. He was known for his delicious fried catfish.
Willie worked at Mid-South Packers, Daily Journal, Southern Quality Meats, and for 24 years at Southern Motion. He joined Rising Star M.B. Church at an early age. He later joined College Hill C.M.E. Church, where he served on the board of trustees, adult choir, and male chorus.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Mckinney; grandparents Cara and Alice McKinney; and brother John Thomas McKinney.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jackie Pegues McKinney and to this union, they had two children, Trinity McKinney Ellington of Killeen, TX, and Theus McKinney of Pontotoc, MS. He leaves: one grandson, Chancellor Ellington, who was his heart; former son-in-law, Cedric Ellington; father, A.C. McKinney; three sisters, Rena Harden (Leonard), Chervy Lesure, and Jacqueline Spates (Randy); mother and father-in-law, Lois and Jessie Duff of Pontotoc, MS; four aunts, Shirley Johnson (Charlie) of GA, Billie Ezell (Charles) of Memphis, TN, and Hattie McKinney and Flora McKinney, both of Toledo, OH; six sisters-in-law, Shirley McKinney of Pontotoc, MS, Kimberly Littles (Brian) and Karen Duff, both of Baton Rouge, LA, Linda Ball and Renita Graham, both of Albany, NY, and Marie Hester (Steve) of Pontotoc, MS; brother in law, Pastor Brian Littles; four very special friends, Odie Johnson, Charlie Patton, and Shane and Pasley Moorman; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other friends.
Funeral services were Sunday, August 7, at College Hill CME Church in Pontotoc, MS. Interment was at College Hill CME Church Cemetery. Services were entrusted to Payton Mortuary.
Shirley Rutledge
Shirley Ann Rutledge, 76, passed away Thursday, August 04, 2022, at Sunshine Health Care in Pontotoc. Services were Saturday, August 6, at Baldwin Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc. Burial followed in Edington Cemetery.
Sarah Rayburn
Sarah Catherine Parker Rayburn, age 80, passed away at her residence on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. She was born April 15, 1942 to Houston Alfonso "Jack" and Beatrice Alice Collins Parker. Sarah was a graduate of East MS Community College and worked as a bookkeeper at Tupelo Auto Sales for many years. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church. Sarah enjoyed gardening, flowers and taking care of her chickens.
A private family graveside service was held Saturday, August 6, at Midway Cemetery, with Blake Lovell officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc was honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
Pallbearers were Josh Rayburn, Tommy Ware, Zach Rayburn, T.J. Rayburn, Ben Rayburn, Braxton Henson and Kaden Rayburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Parker and Carter Smith.
Condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com
Shirley Lou Manning Patterson, age 82, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022 at Bruce Community Living Center. She was born January 18, 1940 to Farno Clark and Virginia Gibson Manning. Shirley was a graduate of Delta State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and taught school for several years. She was a member of Houlka First Baptist Church. Shirley enjoyed gardening and working outside.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, August 3, at Old Robbs Cemetery, with Rev. David Blackwell officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc was honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, William Rex Patterson; three daughters, Tamasin Patterson, Karen Robuck (Alan) and Rebecca Patterson; two sisters, Carol Sue Manning and Nancy Dodd; one brother, Clark Manning and two grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Patricia Ann Ford.
Pallbearers were Dave McCormick, David McPherson, Darrel Henry, Mickey McKnight, Danny McKnight and Ricky Ferguson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com
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Both positive and negative aspects of medical marijuana sale may be overrated
As of this writing, the great New Albany medical marijuana war was still raging. One hopes that by the time you read this it has been settled, one way or another.
It’s bad to see a country divided, but so much worse to see one’s community divided.
I have no doubt that all those involved in the arguments for and against allowing medical marijuana under the recent law are well-intentioned people with the best interests of the community at heart.
For the most part, the disagreements had been civil.
Even during the public meeting Tuesday this past week, people listened to both sides with respect early on.
But then things spun out of control with rude, angry interruptions, name-calling, accusations of impropriety.
So much for the Fair and Friendly City.
It’s good that people feel strongly about an issue and want to advocate for their positions. It’s not so good when people abandon civility.
The thing is, a couple of years from now all this may be forgotten.
This is based solely on the issue of legalizing alcohol in New Albany.
During the public meetings concerning alcohol, tragic personal stories were told. Dire predictions were made. Other predictions of a golden future for the city also were made. Most the arguments were closely akin to the arguments made during the meetings on marijuana.
Now, some years later, I have yet to see a drunk passed out in a doorway. I am not dodging intoxicated drivers all the time (just rude or careless ones). We have not become riddled with crime.
Also, liquor has not made the city fabulously wealthy. There has been no rush of fine dining restaurants moving to New Albany because they could sell drinks. Not a one.
The point is that legalizing alcohol was just the way the world was moving, like it or not, and it really changed things very little.
If medical marijuana sales are legalized here, there likely will be only one dispensary. It’s pretty much a single-source product and I do not anticipate Black Friday discount sales. There are only two places where dispensaries could be situated and neither is downtown.
And, yes, people can legally get marijuana products elsewhere and have them legally here without the need for a dispensary.
In other words, based on previous experience, New Albany is not likely to change that much with or without medical marijuana sales here.
I hope I am not being too naïve in saying that in a couple of years, most of the controversy likely will be forgotten.
One only hopes that the anger toward others will be forgotten as well. It’s not important enough to destroy friendships over.
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