Established 1879 | Columbus, Mississippi

CDISPATCH.COM FREE!
Wednesday | May 27, 2020

Family remembers slain Columbus man, seeks answers

Michael
Jones,
right, poses
‘He was the best part of all of us’
for a family BY ISABELLE ALTMAN Michael Jones, 45, of Columbus,
photo with ialtman@cdispatch.com was killed in Bessemer, Alabama last
his wife, Be-
thie Jones, week in what investigators think may
What Michael Jones’ siblings re-
left, and have been a robbery that turned dead-
member most about him is his smile.
his children ly. His family reported him missing
Taytiyona That, and the way he would cock
on Wednesday, and Bessemer police
Tatum, now his head to one angle and say their
names, said his younger brother Chris found his body two days later. He had
21, and
Jones. been shot to death.
Immanuel
Jones, now “That happens every time I see The news left his friends and family
18. Michael him,” Chris said. “And I can’t get that — including his wife, Bethie, two chil-
was killed out of my head, because he was so dren and six siblings — devastated.
in Besse- friendly. He would always see you and “People are sick with us,” said
mer, Ala- his youngest sister Keisha Jones.
he would smile and lean his head to
bama last
the side and go, ‘Hey, Chris.’ Just his “They’re hurting with us. It’s not just
week during
an apparent smile. He was always happy. … That’s us, it’s anybody he touched, anybody
robbery. my favorite memory, any time I’d see that knew him. Everybody knew him.”
Courtesy photo him smile.” See JONES, 3A

Mayor ends While still hit hard by virus, GTR

curfew showing slight improvement
in Columbus
DISPATCH STAFF REPORT

Columbus resi-
dents are no longer
banned from non-
essential travel be-
tween 10 p.m. and 6
a.m. as Mayor Robert
Smith lifted the city-
wide curfew Wednes-
day morning, accord- Smith
ing to a press release.
The curfew, which prohibited
all travel for residents who are 18
or younger and nonessential trav-
els for those older during that time
frame, was implemented on March
21 due to the COVID-19 pandem-
ic. It remained in place when mul-
tiple surrounding municipalities,
including Starkville, Oktibbeha
County and Lowndes County, had
lifted theirs as the state worked to
reopen.
See CURFEW, 8A
Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
Less than an hour before the only flight of the day at Golden Triangle Regional Airport, very few passengers and staff workers
are visible in the terminal. Roughly 12 to 15 passengers a day come through the airport, a slight increase over the average of
five to seven about two weeks ago.

Police search Airport director: ‘The

for suspect accused business community is
of attacking hotel not traveling yet’
employee BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com

Man had been knocking Paul Binford stood on

on doors, harassing
guests before employee
confronted him
DISPATCH STAFF REPORT
Columbus police are asking the
public’s help to find the suspect in
a physical assault from over the
weekend.
The suspect, who appears on
security footage investigators re-
leased to media, is accused of as-
saulting an employee of a local ho-
tel in North Columbus, according
to a Columbus Police Department
See SUSPECT, 8A
the curb outside the ter-
minal, waiting for a bus
that never came.
Binford, an assistant
professor of secondary
social studies education
at Mississippi State, had
just flown into Golden Tri- Binford
Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
A large section of the main terminal at Golden Triangle Regional Airport sits closed
angle Regional Airport on Tuesday after- on Tuesday. Executive Director Mike Hainsey said the airport is down to one flight a
noon on his way back from a trip to visit day from four before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
family in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
That morning, he had arrived at Min- Neither flight was more than 60 per- Once he arrived in Columbus on
neapolis-Saint Paul International Airport cent full, and everyone was wearing a flight he estimated to have roughly
an hour and a half before his flight took masks. Attendants passed out hand 20 people on it, Binford stood outside
off only to walk through an empty termi- sanitizer. GTR’s terminal around 2 p.m., the
nal and move quickly through a scarce “I feel like there’s been a little bit of lone passenger hoping to catch the
security line. He saw the same “eerie” overreaction,” said Binford, who noted Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit bus
emptiness strolling through the typi- that the experience was “fine” — apart on its way through.
cally packed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta from wearing a mask for multiple hours, But no bus came, with pickup from
International Airport during his layover. which grew uncomfortable. See GTRA, 8A

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

James Cancellare
Fifth grade, Annunciation
1 Mexico City was built on the ruins of Tenochtit- MEETINGS
lan, the capital city of which lost civilization? May 29: Starkville
2 The practice of watching several episodes (for Board of Aldermen work
seasons) of one TV series in a single sitting is session, 10 a.m., City
most commonly known as what? Hall, Stream live at the
3 What creator of a classic sci-fi television series City of Starkville Face-
was a World War II pilot who won the Distin-
book page
guished Service Cross?
4 Which Romanian region, known for its Medieval June 1: Oktibbeha
County Board of
castles inspired the setting for Bram Stokes’s

80 Low 65
most famous work? Supervisors meeting,
High 5 Which optical disc format was the precursor to Chancery Courthouse,
Chance t-storms
DVD and Blu-Ray? 9 a.m.
Answers, 8B
Full forecast on June 2: Starkville Board
page 3A. of Aldermen meeting,
5:30 p.m., City Hall
INSIDE June 9: Starkville-Ok-
tibbeha Consolidated
Classifieds 7B Food 4B School District Board
Comics 3B Obituaries 4A Romonica Parks, left, Mariyah Smart, of Trustees meeting, 6
Crossword 8B Opinions 6A center, and Shykerriah Smart are from p.m., 401 Greensboro
Dear Abby 3B Brooksville. St.

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Expert: Slow economic recovery

for Mississippi amid virus
‘This is like slamming
on the brakes for
the economy’
State economist Darrin Webb
BY EMILY WAGSTER PET TUS
The Associated Press
JACKSON — Mississippi can ex-
pect a long, slow economic recovery
from the shock of job losses and the
steep decline in commercial activi-
ty tied to the coronavirus pandem-
ic, state economist Darrin Webb
told legislators Tuesday.
At the beginning of this year, the
U.S. economy, and to a lesser extent
the Mississippi economy, were do-
ing “quite well,” Webb said. Then,
businesses were forced to close be-
cause of government orders aimed
at slowing the spread of the virus.
“This is like slamming on the
brakes for the economy,” Webb
said.
At the end of 2019, Mississippi’s
gross domestic product was just
short of the level it had been when
the Great Recession began in 2008,
Webb said. He predicted it could be
2023 before the state reaches that
2008 level again for jobs and eco-
nomic activity.
Republican Sen. Philip Moran of
Kiln said he’s concerned that some
people who are collecting $600 a
week in federal unemployment ben-
efits will choose not to return to
work because their jobs would pay
them less than the unemployment.
Webb said that’s possible.
“They do want to work,” Webb
said, “but they also respond to mar-
ket forces.”
Mississippi legislators will spend
the next few weeks deciding wheth-
er to trim state agencies’ budgets
for the year that ends June 30. They
also must set a new budget for the
year that begins July 1.
Mississippi tax collections ex-
Some visit Mississippi attractions
as COVID-19 rules ease
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BILOXI — With water parks and amusement parks reopen in Missis-
sippi, visitors at one Gulf Coast attraction said they believed they were
safe from coronavirus infection.
Margaritaville, which includes an elaborate indoor arcade and roof-
top pool, began greeting visitors in Biloxi on Thursday. Other water
parks and amusement parks statewide were allowed to reopen Monday,
as long as they operated at half capacity of less and met additional re-
quirements for sanitizing and social distancing.
“It’s been a great experience so far. We are just glad to be out and
have a place welcome us,” Amber Yochim, a visitor from Louisiana, told
WLOX-TV. “All the staff are wearing masks. There’s been social dis-
tancing in line at the slide and the staff has been great at serving us and
getting our food and drinks.”
The Mississippi State Department of Health on Monday reported
206 new confirmed cases and 10 new deaths. That brings the state’s to-
tal cases to nearly 13,500 and total reported deaths to 635. The state re-
ports that 1,706 cases and 322 deaths have occurred in nursing homes,
assisted living centers and other long-term care facilities.
A Jackson firefighter was among those who tested positive. He and
two fellow firefighters were sent home on quarantine.
In Biloxi, Margaritaville general manager Joe Farruggio said indoor
attractions were rearranged. Employees are wearing gloves and masks.
“We’ve actually redid the whole floor and we spaced it out quite a bit,”
Farruggio said. “That’s the first thing we did. We have social distancing
signs probably every 6 feet — they should be 6 feet, just letting them
know.”
ceeded expectations for the first Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said
eight months of the budget year Tuesday that he, House Speaker
but have fallen sharply. The state Philip Gunn and the Senate and
also delayed its income tax filing House Appropriations Committee
deadline from April 15 until July chairmen sent state agency direc-
15, which means some money that tors a letter in late April telling them
should be collected during the cur- to find ways to save money before
rent budget year will be collected in June 30. Hosemann said agencies
the coming year. were not required to submit doc-
The commissioner of the state uments showing how they might
Department of Revenue, Herb Fri- make cuts but “I hope they recog-
erson, told legislators Tuesday that nized it was serious business.”
they could play a “shell game” by Speaking of budget writing,
counting the anticipated income Hosemann told reporters: “We’re
tax collections from the first two fixing to have the most difficult de-
weeks of July as part of the overall cisions I think have been made in
revenue for the budget year that the state of Mississippi, certainly in
ends June 30. the last 100 years.”

For trade students, online classes can’t replicate hands-on

About 8.4 million students are
seeking postsecondary certificates
and associate degrees in career and
technical education fields
BY ASTRID GALVAN
AND REBECCA SANTANA
The Associated Press
PHOENIX — Like
students across the U.S.,
Christa Schall was work-
ing toward graduation
when the coronavirus
closed her school. But
unlike many, she can’t
finish her classes online
— her cosmetology pro-
gram, like the course-
work at many technical
and trade schools, re-
quires hands-on training.
Schall needs to cut,
paint and style hair at the
Aveda Institute in Ohio
to graduate and get her
license to practice, but
weeks of closures have
put her behind. Her last
client, a woman who got
to stick a needle in some-
one’s vein or mix just the
right amount of hair col-
or for the perfect shade
doesn’t translate well to
Zoom meetings. Those
specialized skills, known
as career and techni-
her highlights retouched cal education, require
every two weeks, pan-
hands-on learning.
icked when she learned About 8.4 million stu-
the salon was closing dents are seeking post-
after her mid-March
secondary certificates
appointment. Schall
and associate degrees in
had her own moment of
career and technical ed-
panic, realizing her life
ucation fields, according
would be on hold. Now,
instead of graduating to the Association for Ca-
in September, she must reer and Technical Edu-
wait until spring. cation. Many are black or
Traditional students Hispanic and come from
“can take that learning low-income households,
anywhere. For us, we according to the George-
have to do it a certain town University Center
way,” she said. on Education and the
For Schall and oth- Workforce analysis. For
er students at technical many, technical careers
and trade colleges, the are a path out of poverty.
coronavirus is disrupting Roughly 30 million Amer-
their education in a very ican jobs that pay a medi-
different way than that of an income of $55,000 re-
more traditional college quire less education than
students. Learning how a bachelor’s degree, the
ACTE reports.
Across the country,
teachers and students in
technical training class-
es have had to adapt to
class closures rapidly
and creatively.
Butler Tech, which
teaches Ohio high school
and post-secondary stu-
dents subjects ranging
from police academy
to welding, has started
slowly reopening cam-
pus after being closed for
several weeks.
When the pandemic
first hit, it had to transi-
tion to online learning
quickly. Jon Graft, the
school’s superintendent
and CEO, said Butler has
learned some valuable
lessons about having to
teach in a completely dif-
ferent way.
“There will be a new
normal for us because of
the lessons we’ve learned
being forced upon being
online and virtual learn-
ing,” Graft said.

Judge: Health Dept. must respond to public records request
Hattiesburg Publishing Inc. seeking
information about long-term care
facilities where outbreaks of the new
coronavirus have occurred
BY EMILY
WAGSTER PET TUS
The Associated Press
JACKSON — A Missis-
sippi judge ruled Tuesday
that the state Health De-
partment must respond
to a newspaper’s public
records request about
long-term care facilities
where outbreaks of the
new coronavirus have oc-
curred.
Hinds County Chan-
cery Judge Tiffany Grove
granted an emergency
injunction in favor of Hat-
tiesburg Publishing Inc.,
which owns the Pine Belt
News.
Grove wrote that the
AROUND THE STATE
Coroner IDs Mississippi
man killed in road rage
encounter
OCEAN SPRINGS
— Authorities on Tues-
day identified a Missis-
sippi man who was shot
to death during a road
rage incident the day be-
fore, and they were still
searching for the suspect
who was driving a vehicle
with Louisiana license
plates.
Brandon Box, 30,
of Gulfport, was killed
during Monday’s en-
counter on Interstate
10 in south Mississippi,
Jackson County Coroner
Jones
Continued from Page 1A
‘A family man’
Michael’s mother died
when he was a teenager
and Keisha just 2, the oth-
er siblings all falling in
between them. Chris said
that’s when Michael be-
came like an “extra par-
ent” to the rest of them.
“He had to grow up
real fast,” Chris said. “…
It just extended through-
out the last 20 years.
He’s always been that big
brother person we could
lean on. And he always
did the right thing.”
Michael’s other broth-
ers, Joseph and Lester Jr.,
said Michael was the one
to offer guidance, and oc-
casionally get the young-
er siblings out of trouble.
His sister, Chanda
Burns, agreed.
“He was the best part
of us,” she said. “He was
the best part of all of us.”
When Chris moved
away from Columbus at
19, it was Michael who
was constantly putting
money on his emergency
credit card to make sure
Chris had funds.
“Mike … was able to
take out the noise and just
point you in the right di-
rection,” said Joseph. “No
matter what.”
Michael graduated
Mississippi State Uni-
versity with a degree in
computer science and
math, his siblings said
— something not many
people knew since Mi-
chael worked at Steel
Dynamics and enjoyed
manual labor. He married
his wife, Bethie, and the
two raised two children:
Taytiyona Tatum, now 21;
and Immanuel Jones, 18.
In a message delivered
to The Dispatch through
her sister, Martha Salone,
Bethie said Michael will
“forever be her sweet-
heart.” She said he always
used to watch movies and
play games with their
children, finding special
things to do with them.
“He would hide Easter
eggs in so many crazy
places, and they just loved
it because he would hide
money and candy in it,”
Health Department has
seven days to either pro-
vide information what the
newspaper is requesting
or cite a specific exemp-
tion in the state Public Re-
cords Act for denying the
information.
The judge wrote that
“the public interest is
served by maintaining
transparency and public
access to public informa-
tion when the appropriate
requests for such infor-
mation are made.”
The publishing com-
pany filed a lawsuit May
12 against the Health De-
partment, saying that the
department had improper-
ly denied the newspaper’s
Bryce Lynd Jr. told the
Sun Herald.
The Mississippi Bu-
reau of Investigation re-
sponded to a shooting call
around 4:30 p.m. Monday
and found a truck sprayed
with bullet holes on an
interstate near Ocean
Springs.
Box had been driving
the truck. He was taken to
a hospital and pronounced
dead.
Investigators
mined that Box and a
deter-
suspect had engaged in a
road rage incident that be-
gan about 20 miles down
the interstate before the
suspect began shooting
she said. “But (he said)
next time, if they thought
those places were hard to
find, next time he’s going
to have some even hard-
er places to look for the
eggs.”
Immanuel called his
father a “true family
man,” and Tatum called
him a “gem of a father.”
“I wouldn’t have traded
this man for anything,”
she said in a message Sa-
lone delivered.
Salone said even
though Michael was her
brother-in-law, he was
more like a brother. The
two often spent time to-
gether watching movies
with Michael and Beth-
ie’s children, she said.
His hobby was garden-
ing, Salone said.
“He used his hands to
plant beautiful gardens,”
she said. “... We’d pick
fresh vegetables from the
gardens and make salads
and Michael loved that.
He was always so proud
of his garden. He’d tell ev-
eryone, ‘You see my gar-
den? You see my garden?
Look what I did.’”
His other hobby was
finding good deals on
second-hand items at
trade shows and online.
He used to call people
to tell them what a good
deal he’d found.
It was that love of a deal
that led Michael to go to
Bessemer on May 20. He
was going to buy a phone
when he was killed.
Salone said she finds
it strange that a hobby
Michael loved so much
played a role in his death.
“He was always look-
ing for a good deal,” she
said tearfully.
The investigation
Michael first went
missing early Wednes-
day morning when he left
work at Steel Dynamics at
about 6:15 a.m. He didn’t
arrive for his next shift
12 hours later, which su-
pervisors said was unlike
him.
By Thursday, family
and friends were circu-
lating posts on Facebook
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
request for the names
of Forrest County nurs-
ing homes where at least
one case of COVID-19
had been found. The law-
suit said the department
spokeswoman did not pro-
vide a specific reason for
not releasing the informa-
tion and said her action
violated the state’s public
records law.
Other news organi-
zations have sought the
names of nursing homes
where coronavirus cases
have been found.
The state health offi-
cer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs,
said in response to ques-
tions at a May 13 news
conference that the
Health Department will
not release the names of
long-term care facilities
where residents or em-
ployees test positive for
COVID-19, just as it does
not release the names of
facilities where other dis-
at the truck, according to
the Mississippi Highway
Patrol.
The suspect’s vehicle
continued driving after
the shooting, Highway
Patrol Sgt. Justin Elkins
said. The agency has
asked witnesses to come
forward.
Firefighter arrested
for sexual assault,
placed on leave
JACKSON — A Jack-
son firefighter has been
placed on administrative
leave after being accused
of sexual assault.
Audric Simmons was
arrested by Byram police
asking for help search-
ing for him. Bethie filed
a missing persons report
at Lowndes County Sher-
iff’s Office, whose inves-
tigators later teamed up
with Bessemer Police De-
partment.
On Friday afternoon,
Bessemer police found
Michael’s truck, said
BPD’s Public Informa-
tion Officer Lt. Christian
Clemons. Bessemer po-
lice began searching the
surrounding area and
found Michael’s body in
an abandoned house in
the 1800 block of Fair-
fax Avenue. He had been
shot.
“He was led up here
to purchase a phone
through (an) app,” Clem-
ons said. “We did not find
his phone or the mon-
ey he was using to buy
a phone … at the crime
scene.”
That’s what led police
to believe he was the vic-
tim of a robbery, Clemons
said.
There are no suspects
in custody yet.
Michael’s family mem-
bers said the news took
everyone by surprise.
Chris said Michael’s su-
pervisor at work called
in tears when he learned
Michael was missing.
Tatum said she received
numerous messages of
support, and thanked ev-
eryone for sending them.
Joseph said his nor-
mally “jovial family” has
suddenly become much
more somber.
“I can tell you the hard-
est thing right now is to
laugh and joke,” he said.
Bethie said she prays
Michael’s family sees jus-
tice served.
His siblings, in partic-
ular, have been working
on their own unofficial
investigation, feeding ev-
ery piece of information
they think might be rele-
vant to investigators.
“We found him, but
we’ve got to find out why
and how,” Chris said.
“That’s kind of what we’re
focused on. Each other is
what we’ve always had.”
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 3A
eases such as tuberculo-
sis are found.
that isn’t afraid to ask the
tough questions and seek
has completed coronavi-
rus testing on about 60%
“Ever since I’ve been at
the Department of Health,
the answers that our read- of residents and employ-
ers deserve,” Gustafson ees of long-term care fa-
we’ve recognized the real
potential danger of iden-
said. cilities in the state, with a
The Health Depart- goal of testing all of them
tifying nursing homes in ment said Tuesday that within days.
outbreaks,” Dobbs said. at least 1,727 cases of For most people, the
“In other states, we’ve the virus have been con- coronavirus causes mild
seen adverse events
firmed in long-term care or moderate symptoms,
where people are identi- facilities such as nursing such as fever and cough.
fied and stigmatized and
homes, with at least 332 For others, especially old-
even the centers were
virus-related deaths in er adults and people with
stigmatized. If a center
those facilities. existing health problems,
gets stigmatized, there’s
Dobbs also said Tues- it can cause severe symp-
difficulty finding staff,
and then there is a possi- day that the department toms and be fatal.
bility of undermining the
integrity of the care.”
In a news release Tues-
day, Pine Belt News pub-
lisher David Gustafson
praised Grove’s ruling.
“Unfortunately, we live
in a day and age when
secrecy in government
generates suspicion and
mistrust on the part of our
citizenry and I’m proud to
lead a news organization
• Firestarter
• Packing
Saturday on charges of
Materials
statutory rape and sexual
battery. Extra • Shipping
Jackson Fire Chief
Willie G. Owens tells lo-
cal news outlets that Sim-
Newsprint Materials
• Art Projects
mons was immediately
is a great, • Window
placed on leave from the inexpensive solution for.... Cleaning
fire department pending
the outcome of an internal Visit
affairs investigation. Office at
Simmons remains 516 Main Street
jailed Sunday, according Columbus, MS
to Hinds County jail re-
cords. It’s unclear if he has
a lawyer to speak for him.
The Byram Police De-
partment hasn’t respond-
Cost: 80¢/lb.
ed to calls seeking infor-
mation about Simmons’
arrest.
The siblings all said
they have been keeping
in touch more now, plan-
ning vacations and ways
to spend time in each
other’s company, not just
sending each other mes-
sages through a Face-
book thread they’ve had
for several years now.
Chris said it’s similar
to what they went through
when they were children
when their mother died.
Except this time, he and
his siblings agreed, Mi-
chael isn’t here to help
them through it.
“The only way we got
through it … was that we
had each other,” he said.
“That’s missing now. It’s
hard.”
SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Wed. Thurs.
Major
Minor
5:01a
10:40a
5:58a
11:48a
Major 5:30p 6:25p
Minor 12:23a 1:11a
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
The Dispatch
The Commercial Dispatch (USPS 142-320)
Published daily except Saturday. Answers to common questions:
Entered at the post office at Columbus, Mississippi.
Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, MS Phone: 662-328-2424
POSTMASTER, Send address changes to:
The Commercial Dispatch, P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703 Website: cdispatch.com/help
Published by Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company Inc.,
516 Main St., Columbus, MS 39703
Report a news tip: news@cdispatch.com
4A WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
OBITUARY POLICY
Obituaries with basic informa-
tion including visitation and
service times, are provided
free of charge. Extended obit-
uaries with a photograph, de-
tailed biographical information
and other details families may
wish to include, are available
for a fee. Obituaries must be
submitted through funeral
homes unless the deceased’s
body has been donated to sci-
ence. If the deceased’s body
was donated to science, the
family must provide official
proof of death. Please submit
AREA OBITUARIES
In addition to her
parents, she was pre-
ceded in death by her
step-mother.
She is survived by
her husband, Charlie
Gerald Gates; children,
John Wayne Gates and
Marty Gerald Gates;
siblings, Nan Elliott,
Diane Cowart, Jeanette
Swain, Bobby Jones,
Bubba Jones and Son-
ny Johnson; and five
grandchildren.
Memorials may be
Carolyn Diehl Euting. She was former-
ly employed with Missis-
COLUMBUS — Car-
sippi State Department
olyn Diehl, 72, died May
of Health. She was a
25, 2020, at Baptist Me-
member of First Baptist
morial Hospital-Golden Church.
Triangle. She is survived by
Memorial serviced her children, Julie
will be held at a later Gilchrist of Richmond,
date. Lowndes Funeral Virginia and Thomas
Home of Columbus is in Gilchrist of Las Vega,
charge of arrangements. Nevada; and brother,
Ms. Diehl was born Lee Euting of Buffalo
July 30, 1947, to the late Junction, Virginia.
George and Kathryn See OBITUARIES, 5A

all obituaries on the form pro-
vided by The Commercial Dis-
patch. Free notices must be
submitted to the newspaper
no later than 3 p.m. the day
prior for publication Tuesday
through Friday; no later than 4
p.m. Saturday for the Sunday
edition; and no later than
7:30 a.m. for the Monday edi-
tion. Incomplete notices must
be received no later than 7:30
a.m. for the Monday through
Friday editions. Paid notices
must be finalized by 3 p.m. for
inclusion the next day Monday
through Thursday; and on
made to St. Jude Chil-
dren’s Hospital, 501 St.
Jude PL, Memphis, TN
38105.
Jessie Wheeler
VERNON, Ala. —
Jessie Mae Wheeler,
83, died May 24, 2020,
at her residence.
A private family
funeral service is at 2
p.m. today, at Chandler
Funeral Home chapel,
Alice Lancaster
Alice Stallworth Lancaster
departed this life for her
Heavenly home on Ascension
Day, May 21, 2020, at Merit
Health Central Hospital in
Jackson, Mississippi.
She is survived by her
husband, Judge Robert L.
“Bob” Lancaster; daughter,
Lea Alice Lancaster Parker and
husband, Matthew, of Arlington, VA; daughter,
Katie Lancaster Johnson and husband, Bill, of

Friday by 3 p.m. for Sunday
and Monday publication. For
more information, call 662-
328-2471.
Jimmie Turner
NOXUBEE COUN-
TY — Jimmie Turner,
78, died May 25, 2020.
Arrangements are
incomplete and will be
announced by Carter’s
Funeral Services of
Macon.
Ann Gates
CARROLLTON, Ala.
— Ann Jones Gates, 71,
died May 18, 2020, at
DCH Regional Medical
Center. A graveside
service was at 11 a.m.
May 20, 2020, in Sprin-
ghill Baptist Church
Cemetery, with Tommy
Smothers officiating.
Visitation followed in
the church. Skelton
Funeral Home of Re-
form was in charge of
arrangements.
Mrs. Gates was
born Sept. 3, 1948, in
Columbus, to the late
James Frank Jones and
Willie Lucille Duncan
Jones. She was for-
merly employed with
Pickens County Herald
and was a member
of Springhill Baptist
Church.
with Danny Thomp-
son and Stuart Vail
officiating. Burial will
follow in Shiloh Cem-
etery. Services will be
live streamed at www.
chandlerfh.net.
Mrs. Wheeler was
born Feb. 6, 1937, in
Vernon, to the late Coy
Lee and Ila Mae Shel-
ton. She was formerly
employed with Chrom-
alox.
In addition to her
parents, she was pre-
ceded in death by her
daughter, Vickie Reed;
and siblings, Wayne
Shelton and Grady
Shelton.
She is survived by
her children, Jimmy
Wheeler of Vernon
and Cheryl Sizemore
of Sulligent; siblings,
Daniel Shelton, Betty
Jack and Anna Tanner;
two grandchildren; and
three great-grandchil-
dren.
Lisa Richardson
Nashville, TN; son, Dr. Richard Jeptha Lancaster
and wife, Chelsey, of Fairhope, AL; three
grandsons, Knox George Parker, Logan Lancaster
Parker of Arlington, VA and William Jeptha Lisa Carol Richardson
passed away May 21, 2020, at
Lancaster of Fairhope, AL; two granddaughters,
Mary Francis Johnson and Kingslea Stallworth her residence at the age of 55
after valiantly battling cancer.
Johnson of Nashville, TN; mother-in-law,
Irene Burrow Lancaster of Columbus, MS; A Memorial service was
and brother-in-law, William Otis Lancaster held Saturday, May 23, 2020, at
and wife, Lynn, of Columbus, MS. Alice is also Stateline Baptist Church.
survived by her sister, Nancy Stallworth Thomas Lisa was born on November
of Houston, TX; sister, Clementine Stallworth 14, 1964, in Columbus, MS.
deRoode of Huntsville, AL; and brother, Dr. She was married to Gary
John Clement Stallworth and wife, Pamela, of Allen Richardson for 37 years. She is survived
Highlands Ranch, CO. Alice was pre-deceased by their two daughters, Brandy (Ike) Andrews
of Madison, MS and Amanda (Jason) Drish of
by her parents, Dr. William Lea Stallworth and
Dr. Alice Johnston Fitch Stallworth of Columbus, Guntown, MS.
Lisa was extremely devoted to her family
MS; brother, Dr. William King Stallworth and his
wife, Jean, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; father-in-law, Otis and friends. She loved spending time with her
grandchildren, gardening, her dog Dixie, and
G. Lancaster; and brother-in-law, Dr. Sellers J.
Thomas of Houston, TX. Fox news. Family and friends would describe
Lisa as both fierce and loyal.
Alice was born in Columbus, MS on January
13, 1949, and delivered by Dr. Tom Wolford at She was extremely proud of her five
grandchildren, Brantley Andrews, Spencer
the Columbus Hospital. She took piano lessons
from Mrs. McPherson. She was a graduate of Andrews, Kyle Drish, Mary Caroline Drish and
Ella Rose Drish.
Demonstration School, Cook Junior High and
S. D. Lee High Class of 1966. At Lee High, she Lisa was a loyal sister and is survived by her
sisters, Kathy Littles, Kay Patterson, Rene Vasser
was President of the Student Council, member
of Hall of Fame, received the DAR Good (Jason), Lynn Browning (Joe), Robbie Brown
(Adam), Angie Browning; and brothers, Bubba
Citizenship Award, Four year letterman on Lee
Browning, Casey Browning and Luke Browning.
High Tennis Team, member of the LAT Social
She also has a host of nieces and nephews that
Club, and member of Columbus Pilgrimage
she loved dearly.
Court. She attended Sophie Newcomb College,
She is proceeded in death by her parents,
Tulane University where she was a member of
Juanita and Bobby Browning; and sister, Rebecca
the Chi Omega Sorority. She was presented
Browning.
to Society at the Gold and White Ball of the
Southern Debutante Assembly in Greenwood,
MS. She graduated with Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree from Mississippi University for Women
and with a Master of Fine Arts degree from
the University of Mississippi. She taught art at
Sign the online guest book at
the University of Mississippi; Mississippi State www.memorialgunterpeel.com
University; Mississippi University for Women; 716 Second Avenue North • Columbus, MS
and the Columbus Public Schools. She had
one high school student win a Bill and Melinda

Michael Spencer
Gates Scholarship. She did free-lance artwork,
calligraphy, and painting. She won first place in
Graphics at the First Gum Tree Arts Festival.
Send in Alice was the 1970 Columbus Pilgrimage Michael Wayne
your church event! Brian Fedorka Queen; a member of the Billups Garth Foundation; Spencer, 47, of
Incomplete President of the Columbus Garden Club 1989- Columbus, MS
College Street Location 90 and 2012-2013; Member of the Northeast passed away Friday,
Email Mississippi Chi Omega Alumni Association; May 22, 2020, at
editorialassistant@ President of Susanna Pope Chapter and Alabama Baptist Memorial
cdispatch.com State Organizing Secretary of the National Hospit al – Golden
Society of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Triangle, Columbus,
Century; Recording Secretary and past Regent MS.
Subject: of Colonel George Reade Chapter and Alabama A family memorial service was held Sunday,
Religious brief State Regent of the National Society Daughters May 24, 2020, at 2:00 PM in the Lowndes Funeral
memorialgunterpeel.com of the American Colonists; Past Regent of the Home Chapel, with Pastor Chuck Eubanks
Bernard Romans Chapter and Mississippi officiating. Immediately following the service
State Recording Secretary of Daughters of the there was a drive-through visitation in the funeral
American Revolution; member of the Master home parking lot. Friends may view the service
Gardeners Association; volunteer at Friendship online at www.lowndesfuneralhome.net.

Martha Brown Cemetery; former Phi Delta House Corporation

President of Chi Omega at Mississippi State
Mr. Spencer was born December 26, 1972,
to Sharon Spencer Bennett in Leland, MS. He
moved to Columbus, MS 35 years ago from
University; and a descendant of Colonel
Martha L. Brown, 89 of George Reade of Yorktown, VA and William Greenville, MS. He was a member of The River
Columbus, MS passed away the Conqueror. Alice was a volunteer gardener Church, Columbus, MS. He worked as a service
Monday, May 25, 2020, at her at Baskerville Manor and loved creating many tech with Clark Beverage for 12 years. He had
residence. flower arrangements and playing in the dirt. his Exodor license with the Church of God, was
Services will be at a later date, Alice was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s the Youth Pastor at The Heights and chaplain
with Lowndes Funeral Home in Episcopal Church. She was a member of St. Paul’s of CMA(Christian Motorcycle Association),
charge of arrangements. Altar Guild. She will always be remembered as a Columbus Chapter. He loved riding motorcycles,
Mrs. Brown was born true Christian, wonderful teacher, faithful friend, forging metal, playing disc golf, and softball. Mr.
September 14, 1930, to the loving mother and beloved wife. Spencer enjoyed get-togethers with friends and
late David and Ida P. McGarity Memorials may be made to the Altar Guild families especially with people in the ministry.
Brazeale in Palmetto, AL. She attended Bread of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 318 College, He organized fundraisers for The Height Church
of Life Fellowship Church, Columbus, MS. Mrs. Columbus, MS 39701. of God Youth camping trip and was a big kid at
Brown worked as a waitress for many years at Pall Bearers will be David deRoode, Brent heart.
Suggs BBQ, Mexican Kitchen, and Old Hickory Lancaster, Bowen Lancaster, Hank Merkel, Will Mr. Spencer is survived by his wife, Carla
Steak House. She loved flowers and gardening. Stallworth, Rufus Ward, and George Winton. Clinton Spencer, Columbus, MS; mother, Sharon
Mrs. Brown enjoyed painting, quilting, and Honorary Pall Bearers will be Rachel George, Spencer Bennett, Columbus, MS; children,
angels. Betty Bryan, Charon Hardy, Susannah Brown, Clinton Michael Spencer, Columbus, MS and
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Brown was Louise Kaye, Linda New, Tjajuan Boswell, Dr. Carley Rachal Spencer, Columbus, MS; sisters,
preceded in death by her brother, Henry Jackson James F. Hooper, Robert A. Ivy Jr., Don DePriest, Andrea M. Swails, Caledonia, MS and Brittney
Brazeale; and two grandchildren. John R. Davis, Ralph Winton Sr., Ralph Winton Hodo Arney, Columbus, MS; and one grandson,
Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband; James Jr., Watts Ueltschey, John Owings and Chuck Carson Noah Brooks.
A. Brown, Columbus, MS; children; Joe (Nelda) Sanders. Honorary pallbearers will be Christian
Brazeale, Jimmy Knight, Carol Skains, Sharon A graveside service was held Tuesday, May Motorcycle Association, Jason Vest, Shane
Jones, Ricky (Kathy) Knight and James (Judy) 26, 2020, at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Richardson, Rodney Pollard, Mike Gray, Mike
Smith; 12 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; MS. O’Bryant, Lane Kornegay, Randy Daily, Randy
and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Price, Bobby Richardson, David Mayo, Alvin
Memorials may be made to Bread of Life Clinton and Carlos Brooks.
Fellowship Church, 100 Old New Hope Road, Memorials may be made to Christian
Columbus, MS 39702. Motorcycle Association at cmausa.org.
Sign the online guest book at
Compliments of Compliments of
www.memorialgunterpeel.com
Lowndes Funeral Home 716 Second Avenue North • Columbus, MS
Lowndes Funeral Home
www.lowndesfuneralhome.net www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 5A

AP-NORC poll: Half of Americans

would get a COVID-19 vaccine
‘The unexpected looms large and that’s why I think “I am not an anti-vaxxer,” said
Melanie Dries, 56, of Colorado
for any of these vaccines, we’re going to need a Springs, Colorado. But, “to get a
COVID-19 vaccine within a year or
large safety database to provide the reassurance’ two ... causes me to fear that it won’t
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease be widely tested as to side effects.”
specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dr. Francis Collins, who directs
the National Institutes of Health, in-
BY LAURAN NEERGA ARD they’d refuse. sists safety is the top priority. The
AND HANNAH FINGERHUT Health experts already worry NIH is creating a master plan for
The Associated Press about the whiplash if vaccine prom- testing the leading COVID-19 vac-
ises like President Donald Trump’s cine candidates in tens of thousands
Only about half of Americans say goal of a 300 million-dose stockpile of people, to prove if they really
they would get a COVID-19 vaccine by January fail. Only time and sci- work and also if they’re safe.
if the scientists working furiously ence will tell — and the new poll “I would not want people to think
to create one succeed, according shows the public is indeed skeptical. that we’re cutting corners because
to a new poll from The Associated “It’s always better to un- that would be a big mistake. I think
Press-NORC Center for Public Af- der-promise and over-deliver,” said this is an effort to try to achieve ef-
fairs Research. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious ficiencies, but not to sacrifice rig-
That’s surprisingly low consider- disease specialist at Vanderbilt Uni- or,” Collins told the AP earlier this
ing the effort going into the global versity Medical Center. month.
race for a vaccine against the coro- “The unexpected looms large “Definitely the worst thing that
navirus that has sparked a pandem- and that’s why I think for any of could happen is if we rush through
ic since first emerging from China these vaccines, we’re going to need a vaccine that turns out to have sig-
late last year. But more people might a large safety database to provide nificant side effects,” Collins added.
eventually roll up their sleeves: The the reassurance,” he added. Among those who want a vac-
poll, released Wednesday, found 31 Among Americans who say they cine, the AP-NORC poll found pro-
percent simply weren’t sure if they’d wouldn’t get vaccinated, 7 in 10 wor- tecting themselves, their family and
get vaccinated. Another 1 in 5 said ry about safety. the community are the top reasons.

Obituaries
Continued from Page 4A

Brian Fedorka death by his brother, be Friday, in Cedar She is survived by

COLUMBUS — Bri- William Wade Aycock, Bluff Cumberland her children, James C.
an Fedorka died May IV. Presbyterian Cemetery, Boman of Jacksonville,
26, 2020, at his resi- Pallbearers will be with the Rev. Karl No- Florida and Gerry
dence. Tony Provias, Tyki vak officiating. Calvert Boman of Starkville;
Arrangements are Jurney, Baker Martin, Funeral Home of West and siblings, Maxine
incomplete and will be Beau Martin, Steven Point is in charge of Jenning, Betty Tribble
announced by Memori- White and Kenneth arrangements. and Kenneth O’Brian
al Gunter Peel Funeral “JT” Toler. Mrs. Boman was all of Cedar Bluff.
Home and Crematory Memorials may born April 25, 1927, Pallbearers will be
College Street location. be made to St. Jude in Oktibbeha County, Jimmy Boman, Gerald
Children’s Research to the late Horace and Boman, David Tribble,
Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Dovie Hamilton O’Bri- Ricky Tribble, and
Mary Green Memphis, TN 38101. an. She was formerly Andrew Wheatley.
WEST POINT — employed as a secre- Memorials may be
Mary Nell McClain tary for a doctor’s office made to Cedar Bluff
Green, 88, died May 26, Jean Boman and was a member of Cumberland Presby-
2020, at her residence. STARKVILLE — Faith Baptist Church. terian Cemetery, c/o
A private family Jean O’Brian Boman, In addition to her Anna Sims, 703 Hen-
graveside service will 93, died may 25, 2020, parents, she was ryville Road, Cedar
be at 11 a.m. Friday, at OCH Regional Medi- preceded in death by Bluff, Mississippi
in Memorial Gardens cal Center. her siblings, Marilyn 39741.
Cemetery. Robinson A private family White, Arlis and Den-
Funeral Home of West graveside service will nis O’Brian.
Point is in charge of
arrangements.
Mrs. Green was born
in Lowndes County to
the late Ola Mae Cog-
gins and John Wesley
McClain. She was
formerly employed as a
homemaker.
In addition to her
parents, she was pre-
ceded in death by her
husband, Jack Green
Sr.; siblings, Ruby Mae
Cliett, John Edward
McClain, Clemmie Lee
McClain and William
Herrone McCain.
She is survived by
her children, Peggy
Coleman, Jack Green Jr.
both of West Point and
Pay Reynolds of Bran-
don; five grandchildren;
and one great-grand-
child.
Memorials may
be made to the West
Point/Clay County
Animal Shelter, 5122
Old Tibbee Road, West
Point, MS 39773.

Anthony Aycock
DALLAS, Texas —
Anthony Nolen Aycock,
35, died May 22, 2020,
at his residence.
A family funeral
service will be at 10
a.m. Thursday, at
Tisdale-Lann Memo-
rial Chapel, with John
Longmire officiating.
Burial will follow in
Mixon Cemetery in
McCondy. Tisdale-Lann
Memorial Funeral
Home is in charge of
arrangements.
Mr. Aycock was born
Feb. 8, 1985, in Amory,
to Laurenda Provias
Aycock and William
Wade Aycock III. He
was a veteran of the
Army National Guard
and was a graduate
of The University of
Mississippi. He was
formerly employed as
an accounting repre-
sentative with Osburn
Contractor, LLC.
He was preceded in
Opinion
6A WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020
PETER BIRNEY IMES Editor/Publisher
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher 1998-2018
BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003

Dispatch
The
BIRNEY IMES SR. Editor/Publisher 1922-1947

ZACK PLAIR, Managing Editor

BETH PROFFITT Advertising Director
MICHAEL FLOYD Circulation/Production Manager
MARY ANN HARDY Controller

OUR VIEW

Area cities, counties show commendable leadership during pandemic

I
f communities were graded
on how well citizens have
responded to the guidelines
put in place to fight COVID-19,
the Golden Triangle has fared
better than most, based on
what we’ve seen and heard
from other parts of the state.
As an example, last Satur-
day thousands of people, few
wearing masks and even fewer
even pretending to exercise
social distancing, attended
a crawfish festival in Ocean
Springs, an act of defiance of
the state’s Safer at Home guide-
lines. The event was given a
permit by the city, whose may-
or has been openly opposed to
the state guidelines.
In Jackson, a minister was
spit on for wearing a mask.
In shops and business-
es throughout the state,
mask-wearers are often in a
clear minority.
By contrast, we’ve neither
heard nor seen many examples
of such aggressive defiance
of the safeguards put in place
to mitigate the spread of the
virus.
That is not to say that there
aren’t some who defy the
guidelines. We still see plenty
of people in public places who
refuse to wear masks, for
example. Social distancing is
often neglected as well. Gripes
on social media about the
guidelines are fairly prevalent
too.
But the majority of Golden
Triangle residents seem to be
making a good-faith effort to
follow these guidelines. As
restrictions continue to be
relaxed or eliminated, that’s
more important than ever. Bar-
ring an outbreak on a scale that
would compel the state and
cities to again impose severe
restrictions, it seems likely
that our safety will rely almost
entirely on our own personal
conduct.
If that’s the case, we believe
the Golden Triangle has
established a “safety first”
culture that will serve us well.
We know the virus has not
disappeared, that it remains a
serious threat to public health,
that we have an important role
— perhaps the most important
role — in limiting the spread
of the virus. Most of us have
taken that obligation seriously.
We believe our city and
county leaders have provided
good leadership in helping
create a culture of compliance,
even though they have at times
faced sharp criticism.
We especially commend the
city of Columbus for bringing
to the table stakeholders -
pastors and business owners
from all types of businesses
— in developing its plans for
re-opening.
Churches, in particular,
have responded admirably.
Although they’ve been allowed
to hold services, few — if any
— have rushed to throw open
their doors. Most continue to
worship virtually.
Aside from long-term care
facilities, there is no higher
concentration of people over
age 60 — those who are most
vulnerable to the virus — than
is commonly found at church
services. Our pastors seem to
understand the stakes.
Yet in other parts of the
state and nation, churches have
struck defiant tones and have
resumed services. There are
those who will tell you that
attending church at this time
is an act of faith, yet scripture
addresses this clearly: “Thou
shalt not put the Lord Thy God
to the test.”
Our churches, in particular,
have shown true leadership.
They have put the health of
their congregants above all
other concerns.
Our communities have, in
large measure, been equal to
the challenge. We urge con-
tinued vigilance and restraint,
guided always by the knowl-
edge that our actions will play
an ever increasing role in
meeting the challenges that
await us.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Voice of the people
Appreciates the kindness of a stranger
Kudos to Mr. Timothy Dismukes, the
guardian angel who came to my rescue when
I fell on my face while walking on Main
Street on a recent Sunday morning. Mr. Dis-
mukes ministered to me in a way that I will
never forget, and I am very thankful for the
kindness of this stranger!
Dixie Butler
Columbus

OTHER EDITORS
State legislators
should target the help
The $1.25 billion Mississippi has received
in coronavirus relief is a chunk of money. To
put it in perspective, that’s about one-fifth of
the state’s annual general fund budget.
But, as with all pots of money that state
government has, there will be more requests
and needs than there will be money to cover.
That means the Legislature, which has assert-
ed its control over how most of the money is
spent, will have to make some choices.
It already has made a $300 million choice.
I
That’s how much lawmakers have set aside
for grants to small businesses, with priority
given to those that have not received forgiv-
able loans from the federal government for
keeping their employees on the payroll. Ear-
lier, during a dust-up with Gov. Tate Reeves,
the Legislature gave him discretion over $100
million for emergency spending related to
battling the spread of COVID-19.
That leaves $850 million still to allocate —
and there will be no shortage of suitors. The
Mississippi Department of Education has said
it would like $250 million to equip all of the
state’s public school students with computers
and broadband access on the possibility that
the schools will still be closed in the fall and
forced to continue distance learning. Missis-
sippi hospitals are asking for more than $300
million to offset some of the losses they are
suffering from treating COVID-19 patients.
Municipal governments, which are anticipat-
ing a huge drop in revenues due to a decline
in sales tax receipts, want help. So do county
governments.
Lawmakers can take two approaches with
this money. It can try to spread it as far as it
can, giving as many corners of the public and
private sectors a piece so as to try to amelio-
rate the most people possible. That seems to
be the federal government’s approach in the
$3 trillion it has spent so far on relief.
Or it can target the funding to a few select
areas — such as health care and manufactur-
ing — that could produce the biggest bang for
the buck.
For Mississippi, which, unlike the feder-
al government, does not have the power to
print money, we would recommend the more
targeted approach.
Most areas of the economy have been
hit hard by the shutdowns of the past two
months. Even though Mississippi is gradually
lifting many of those restrictions, it looks like
it will be a slow recovery. The quicker that
some of the state’s largest job providers are
back on their feet, the quicker the recovery
can come and ripple through to everyone else.
A targeted approach means having to set
priorities. That’s not easy politically, but that’s
what lawmakers signed up for when they ran
for office — that is, to help manage the state’s
finances through the good times and the bad.
In all times, but particularly in bad times,
that means saying “no” to requests that may
be worthy but just not worthy enough.
Greenwood Commonwealth
STATE OF THE WORLD
Jinping takes up the US challenge
s the U.S. up for a
second Cold War —
this time with China?
What makes the
question newly relevant
is that Xi Jinping’s China
suddenly appears eager
for a showdown with
the United States for
long-term supremacy in
the Asia-Pacific and the
world.
With the U.S. con- Patrick Buchanan
sumed by the corona-
virus pandemic that
has killed 100,000 Americans and
crashed our economy to depths not
seen since the Great Depression,
China’s dictator seems to be making the world, bring it on.
his move.
At the Communist Party conclave ca’s court. What do we do now?
this May, China announced that it
was seizing control of Hong Kong’s
security. From now on, subversion,
sedition, secession and foreign
meddling within the city will be
crushed.
Whatever sanctions the U.S. and
its allies impose, there will be no
free and independent Hong Kong.
“For an Ascendant China, Rein-
ing in Hong Kong Is Just the Start,”
is the headline over The New York
Times story on China’s new asser-
tiveness.
“China’s move to strip away
another layer of Hong Kong’s
autonomy was not a rash impulse.
It was a deliberate act, months in
the making,” writes reporter Steven
Lee Myers. “It took into account the
risks of international umbrage and
reached the reasonable assumption
that there would not be a significant
geopolitical price to pay. ...
“With the world distracted by the on China if it crushes the resistance
pandemic’s devastating toll, China
has taken a series of aggressive
steps in recent weeks to flex its
economic, diplomatic and military
muscle across the region.
“China’s Coast Guard rammed
and sank a fishing boat in disputed
waters off Vietnam, and its ships
swarmed an offshore oil rig operat-
ed by Malaysia. Beijing denounced
the second inauguration of Taiwan’s
President Tsai Ing-wen,
and pointedly dropped
the word peaceful from
its annual call for uni-
fication with the island
democracy.
“Chinese troops
squared off again last
week with India’s along
their contentious border
in the Himalayas.”
To warnings that
China is risking Cold
War II, Beijing seems
to be responding: If a
Cold War with the United States is
the price of securing our strategic
interests and position in Asia and
Beijing has put the ball in Ameri-
Consider the list of nations with
which China has territorial quarrels
that have lately produced military
clashes.
Beijing claims Indian lands China
has occupied since their 1962 war.
China claims virtually all the
islets and reefs in the South China
Sea and now uses naval vessels
to deal with the rival claimants of
Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and
the Philippines.
Beijing asserts that Taiwan and
all of its offshore islands in the East
China Sea belong to China. While
the Senkaku Islands have long been
controlled by Japan, China claims
these islands as well.
As for protests of the suppression
of Tibetans and incarceration in
concentration camps of Muslim Ui-
ghurs and Kazakhs, Beijing brushes
them off.
Should the U.S. seek sanctions
in Hong Kong, how many U.S. allies
would support those sanctions,
when, for Australia, South Korea,
Japan and Taiwan, China, not
America, is their largest market and
trading partner?
How did we allow ourselves to
get into this position where a lately
backward China is suddenly a great-
er rival for global hegemony than
was the Soviet Union of Josef Stalin
and Nikita Khrushchev?
Said Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo ruefully this month:
“China’s been ruled by a brutal,
authoritarian regime, a communist
regime since 1949. For several de-
cades, we thought the regime would
become more like us through trade,
scientific exchanges, diplomatic
outreach ... (but) that didn’t happen.
“We greatly underestimated the
degree to which Beijing is ideolog-
ically and politically hostile to free
nations. The whole world is waking
up to that fact.”
Yet, the rising totalitarian power
of China, even with its imperial
ambitions undisguised, does not
threaten the vital interests of the
United States.
So, again, the question: If China
is prepared for a Cold War II with
the United States to establish its
predominance, what are we pre-
pared to do should China absorb
Hong Kong and convert it into a
second Shanghai?
What are we prepared to do if
China puts new pressure on Taiwan
and seizes offshore islands in the
East China Sea, as she did in the
South China Sea? Sanctions against
Vladimir Putin’s Russia to compel it
to return Crimea and vacate eastern
Ukraine have conspicuously failed.
Are we prepared to fight for any
of the islands, none of which we
claim and many of which we agree
ultimately belong to Beijing?
The Chinese have stolen our in-
tellectual property, coerced technol-
ogy transfers from our businesses
and sent spies posing as students
into our universities to thieve our
secrets.
Meanwhile, we allowed ourselves
to become dependent on China for
medicines and drugs vital to the
health and the survival of millions of
Americans.
Who did this to us? We did it to
ourselves.
Patrick J. Buchanan, a nationally
syndicated columnist, was a senior
advisor to presidents Richard Nixon,
Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. His
website is http://buchanan.org/blog.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 7A

Biden knocks Trump for ‘this

macho stuff’ in shunning masks
‘He’s supposed
to lead by example’ Atlanta is home to 2 potential
Presumptive Democratic
presidential nominee Joe Biden contenders for Biden’s vice president
BY WILL WEISSERT BY BILL BARROW
The Associated Press The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden
said Tuesday that wearing a mask
in public to combat the spread of the
coronavirus is a sign of leadership
and called President Donald Trump
a “fool” who was “stoking deaths”
for suggesting otherwise.
The presumptive Democratic
presidential nominee’s comments
came a day after he wore a black
face mask while making his first
public appearance in more than two
months. Biden has remained at his
Delaware home amid a pandemic
that has frozen the presidential cam-
paign, but he marked Memorial Day
by laying a wreath at a nearby veter-
ans’ memorial with his wife, Jill.
Trump later retweeted a post that
appeared to make fun of a photo of
Biden in his mask, though he later
said he didn’t mean to be critical.
In an interview with CNN, Biden
responded, “He’s a fool, an absolute
fool, to talk that way.”
“He’s supposed to lead by exam-
ple,” Biden said. The former vice
president also noted that nearly
100,000 Americans have been killed
by the virus and suggested that as
many as half of those deaths were
avoidable but for Trump’s “lack of
attention and ego.”
Federal officials have recom-
mended that people cover their nose
and mouth in public when other
measures, such as practicing social
ATLANTA — Neither public rivals nor personal friends, Keisha
Lance Bottoms and Stacey Abrams spent years climbing parallel lad-
ders at Atlanta City Hall and the Georgia Capitol.
They are now Georgia’s most influential African American women.
Bottoms, the 50-year-old Atlanta mayor, is a top surrogate for Joe
Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Abrams is
the 46-year-old voting rights activist who nearly became the first black
female governor in American history. Now, the pair occupy the same
political intersection: Biden’s list of potential running mates.
That potential has highlighted the different styles of the two law-
yers-turned-politicians. Abrams embraces the possibility of the vice
presidency and, already having acknowledged her own presidential as-
pirations, openly touts how she’d help Biden win and govern. Bottoms,
while not sidestepping the talk, plays the more traditional role of loyal
party lieutenant.
While the possibility of being up for the same job could stoke con-
flict, Abrams, Bottoms and their associates instead frame their national
profiles as a boost for black women.
“I see them leading in very different ways because of the positions
they hold, and I adore them both,” said state party chairwoman Nikema
Williams. It’s “inspiring” to watch “two black women from the South be
elevated.”
Beyond Abrams and Bottoms, Biden is believed to be considering
other women of color as his running mate, including California Sen.
Kamala Harris and Rep. Val Demings of Florida.
distancing of at least 6 feet, aren’t “It’s just absolutely this macho
possible. But the issue has become stuff,” Biden said of Trump bristling
increasingly politically charged, at wearing a mask in public, a prac-
with Trump refusing to wear a mask tice the former vice president called
and polls finding that conservative being “falsely masculine.” “It’s cost
Americans are more likely to forgo people’s lives.”
them as well. Biden added that the president is
Biden didn’t wear a mask during politicizing the issue and “it’s stok-
the CNN interview, which was con- ing deaths. That’s not going to in-
ducted outside his house, but he sat crease the likelihood that people are
12 feet from the reporter. going to be better off.”

US closes probes into 3 senators over their stock trades

BY MARY CLARE dia. Loeffler, a Republican on the seriousness of the Feinstein reported
JALONICK AND ERIC who became a senator in pandemic. Loeffler’s hus- that her husband sold off
TUCKER between $1.5 million and
January, and her husband band, Jeffrey Sprecher,
The Associated Press
dumped substantial por- is chairman of the New $6 million worth of stock
tions of their portfolio and York Stock Exchange, in Allogene Therapeutics
WASHINGTON —
purchased new stocks and she has said the ac- before the market drop.
The Justice Department
has closed investigations around the time Congress counts were managed by
into stock trading by was receiving briefings third-party advisers.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein of
California, Kelly Loeffler
of Georgia and Jim Inhofe
of Oklahoma, according
to people familiar with
notifications sent to the
senators. The senators
came under scrutiny for
transactions made in the
weeks before the corona-
virus sent markets down-
hill.
The developments in-
dicate that federal law
enforcement officials are
narrowing their focus in
the stock investigation to
Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C,
the former Senate Intelli-
gence Committee chair-
man. Agents showed up
at his Washington-area
home about two weeks
ago with a warrant to
search his cellphone.
Senate records show
that Burr and his wife
sold between roughly
$600,000 and $1.7 million
in more than 30 transac-
tions in late January and
mid-February, just before
the market began to dive
and government health
officials began to sound
alarms about the virus.
Burr has denied any
wrongdoing.
Loeffler, Inhofe and
Feinstein were notified
Tuesday that they are no
longer under investiga-
tion, according to three
people familiar with the
contacts but not autho-
rized to speak about
them. A spokesman for
Loeffler, who is in a com-
petitive reelection race,
said in a statement that
the Justice Department’s
decision “affirms what
Senator Loeffler has said
all along — she did noth-
ing wrong.”
The spokesman, Ste-
phen Lawson, said that
scrutiny of the trades was
a “politically motivated
attack” by her political op-
ponents and the news me-

cdispatch.com
8A WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

GTRA
Continued from Page 1A
the airport limited to
once a day — around 1:30
p.m. — due to decreased
passenger traffic at the
airport. After waiting a
while, Binford headed
back inside the terminal
to rent a car from the
Avis/Budget kiosk inside.
Binford’s journey
was just a reminder that
things are far from back
to normal at GTR in the
face of the coronavirus
pandemic. The airport is
down to one flight per day
from its normal four, and
passenger travel is just 10
percent of what it was this
time last year.
But Executive Director
Mike Hainsey said the
situation at GTR is im-
proving — if only slight-
ly. In the past two weeks,
Hainsey said, the airport
has gone from an average
of five-to-seven passen-
gers a day to an average
of 12-to-15. It’s far off the
pre-pandemic average of
175 passengers per day,
Hainsey said, but it’s a
start.
Typically, nearly 80
percent of passenger
travel at the airport is for
business, but Hainsey
said travelers like Binford
make up most of the cur-
rent populace.
“The passengers we’re
seeing are ones that
have to fly to see family,”
Hainsey said. “The busi-
ness community is not
traveling yet.”
Robin Wynn, salesper-
son for Avis/Budget at
GTR, said the terminal
has been fairly empty
since the end of spring
break at Mississippi State
and Mississippi Universi-
ty for Women, when the
pandemic first hit the re-
Hainsey Wynn
gion. Memorial Day week-
end, however, offered an
increase in volume.
Wynn said 39 rent-
als have been booked
in roughly the past two
weeks, a step up from the
company’s pandemic av-
erage of 11 per week be-
fore that.
She said before the
pandemic, the first four
rows of the airport’s
parking area were always
chock full; now, Wynn al-
ways lands a “prime park-
ing spot” at the very front
of the lot.
Hainsey said the air-
port remains fairly busy
with non-commercial
travel. A flight school,
a crop-dusting service,
medical helicopters and
military training ensure
GTR is never empty.
Federal grant helps
airport survive
According to previ-
ous Dispatch reporting,
Hainsey estimated in ear-
ly April that GTR could
receive up to $190,000 in
aid from the federal gov-
ernment during the pan-
demic.
But he said Tuesday
that the airport received
$1.2 million of funding
through the CARES Act,
significantly more than
he expected. The money
will fund payroll and reg-
ular budget operations,
Hainsey said.
Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
The first four rows of Golden Triangle Regional Airport’s parking area are typically full, but Avis/Budget sales-
person Robin Wynn said the lot has been thin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wynn has been able to snag a
“prime” parking spot every day of late.
“Since it is going to five people filled the spa- stations are all around the “We’ll take the mea-
take a while to recover, cious gate area roughly terminal, and Hainsey — sures required and make
it’ll allow us to still stay in half an hour before the citing safety as his “No. 1 sure both the people that
good financial position,” only departing flight of concern” — said the jan- travel and also our em-
he said. the day, the 2:40 p.m. Del- itorial and maintenance ployees, the people that
The airport will sustain ta jaunt to Atlanta, left the staffs are still working are working there, are
an estimated $300,000 to airport. hard to keep the airport protected and taken care
$400,000 loss due to the But hand sanitizing clean. of, too,” he said.
pandemic, Hainsey said,
but with the grant, it won’t
have to tap into roughly a
year’s worth of reserves.
Hainsey said the mon-
ey from the CARES Act
will be used over the cur-
rent fiscal year as well as
the next one.
GTR’s board decided
early on not to cut any
staff during the pandem-
ic, Hainsey said.
Social distancing,
sanitation measures
still in place
Social distancing mea-
sures and sanitation pre-
cautions are still priori-
ties at GTR despite the
limited passenger traffic.
Though, as Hainsey
pointed out, “(i)t’s not
hard social distancing in
the terminal.” Fewer than

Suspect
Continued from Page 1A
press release. The suspect had alleged-
ly been harassing guests at the hotel by
knocking on doors. He attacked the em-
ployee when the employee confronted
him.
The employee was treated for inju-
ries at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Gold-
en Triangle before being released, the
press release says.
The video released shows a bearded,
African-American man in a black shirt
and a head covering.
“We have a good clear picture of the
suspect,” said Police Chief Fred Shel-
ton in a prepared statement. “Someone
knows who this is, so all we ask them to
do is to call us and give us the name. The
information will be held confidential.”
Investigators are asking anyone Courtesy image
with information to call Golden Trian- Columbus police are seeking the public’s
gle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151 or help to find a suspect, pictured here in
leave a tip through the P3 app for smart- security footage, accused of assaulting an
phones. employee of a local hotel over the weekend.

Curfew
Continued from Page 1A
“I appreciate the co-
operation of our citizens
during these trying
times,” Smith said in the
release. “The curfew was
put in place to protect
our citizens, and now
as part of our ‘Restart
Columbus’ work, I am
allowing the curfew to
expire. At this time, end-
ing the curfew is the best
decision for our city, our
residents and visitors as
we work to return life to
normal.”
However, Smith still
encouraged residents to
remain cautious amid
the pandemic.
“This is not the time
to be less careful,” Smith
said. “You are protect-
ing yourself and those
around you with social
distancing and other
safety practices. Please
stay six feet apart and
wear a mask to protect
yourself and others.”
Sports MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020
B
SECTION

How MSU’s special teams recruits are adapting to Covid-19

Photos courtesy of Nolan McCord

Georgia native and 2020 kicker Nolan McCord is one of several Mississippi State recruits that has struggled to find useable field space in the midst of the pandemic.

BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — late as the kicker-holder
Perched in the middle of
the field in the midst of a
workout, 2021 Mississippi
State commit Marshall
Nichols took off running.
Having previously
jumped the fence at a near-
by high school to access
its field, Nichols could see
a security guard heading
his way. Rather than wait
for orders, he sprinted at
the barrier he’d jumped
prior to his discovery and
headed toward the park-
ing lot.
“I’ve been jumping a lot
of fences and been chased
off by a lot of security
guards,” he joked of how
he’s adapted to finding
field space in the midst of
the COVID-19 pandem-
ic. “The last month or so
my school has kind of let
it slide for me to get on
there.”
One of the six spe-
cial teams commitments
MSU boasts between the
classes of 2020 and 2021,
Nichols’ chase with an At-
lanta-area security guard
is just a glimpse at the
varying sacrifices and
creative endeavors he and
his future Bulldog spe-
cialists have endured to
get their kicks, holds and
punts in over the past two
months.
After field space near
his home in Lilburn,
Georgia was closed when
a group of athletes left a
mess following a session
of seven-on-seven, 2020
kicker Nolan McCord has
begun trekking wherever
he hears others have had
success working out.
“There’s certain fields
we can go to and certain
one’s we can’t because of
cops and stuff like that,”
McCord told The Dis-
patch. “Private schools al-
low you, so I would drive
about 40 minutes every
other day just to get on a
field, but they kicked ev-
eryone off because people
were littering. So I’m driv-
ing an hour to an hour and
a half just to kick.”
McCord, an Atlanta-ar-
ea native, and Nichols
have also spent a handful
of sessions together in re-
cent weeks. Acquainted
through camps over the
past few years, the pair
have long been familiar
with each other, but never
close. That’s changed of
combination have spent
ample time practicing
kicks and holds off the
ground in anticipation
of their joint futures in
Starkville.
Allowed at the high
school level, but barred
collegiately, Nichols ex-
plains a kicking block af-
See RECRUITS, 2B

Mississippi State softball’s first-generation college students Five-star WBB recruit

Hayes sticking with MSU
take pride in accomplishments, hope to inspire others BY DISPATCH STAFF the vision, the style of play,
BY THEO DEROSA and where they see them-
tderosa@cdispatch.com STARKVILLE — selves,” McCray-Penson
Nikki McCray-Penson said in response to a ques-
Friends, teammates earned her biggest pledge tion regarding her com-
and relatives all congrat- of the offseason Tuesday munication with Hayes
ulated Fa Leilua when she as five-star guard Mad- during her introductory
graduated from Missis- ison Hayes announced press conference on April
sippi State on May 1, but her intention to stick with 14. “That’s where we’re
Leilua remembers one call her commitment to Mis- getting to next. It’s just
above the rest. sissippi State via Twitter.
When she got on the getting a feel for them
Hayes — who never
phone with her mother and their needs. All the
asked for a release from
Paiao, back in Southern conversations have been
the national letter of in-
California, Leilua finally great, and everyone is
tent she signed prior to
got to say the three words awesome.”
Vic Schaefer’s departure
she’d been waiting so long With Hayes on board
— will join the Bulldogs
to utter. after a standout high heading into next sea-
We did it. school career at East son, McCray-Penson now
After five years of col- Hamilton High School has 10 scholarship play-
lege and four seasons on in Ooltewah, Tennes- ers under her watch as
the softball field, Leilua see. As a junior, she av- she begins her tenure in
had become the first per- eraged 25.8 points, 11.3 Starkville.
son in her family to grad- rebounds and 3.3 assists The Bulldogs were rat-
uate from college. She per game. Hayes was rat- ed No. 3 in ESPN’s Way-
was proud to share the big ed the No. 28 player in the Too-Early top 25 rank-
moment with her mother, ESPN HoopGurlz top 100 ings earlier this spring
whose longtime work and class of 2020 rankings and will return second
support helped Leilua get team All-SEC selections
and earned Gatorade
to that point. Rickea Jackson and Jes-
Player of the Year honors
“I think that the biggest Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics
sika Carter. Jackson was
Fa Leilua became the first in her family to graduate from college when she received in Tennessee.
thing for me that day was
her bachelor’s degree this spring. “I just couldn’t really fathom it just because of all “As we move forward, also named to the SEC
See STUDENTS, 2B the years and hard work I put in,” Leilua said. it’s more about learning All-Freshman team.
2B WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

NHL moves ahead with 24-team playoff format if play resumes

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The NHL will aban-
don the rest of the
regular season and go
straight into the play-
offs with 24 teams in-
stead of 16 — if it is able
to resume play.
The decision, an-
nounced Tuesday by
Commissioner Gary
Bettman, is no guaran-
tee that games are com-
ing back. The NHL and
the NHL Players’ Asso-
ciation must still figure
out health and safety
protocols and solve oth-
er issues.
“This is a meaning-
ful start, I think, but it’s
only a start,” NHLPA
executive director Don
Fehr told The Associ-
ated Press after the an-
nouncement. “We have
to make sure that we
can actually implement
all the things which are
necessary in order to
protect the health and
safety of the players and
all the rest of the staff.”
Still, ironing out the
format and narrowing
down its two potential
playoff host cities to
a list of 10 represents
significant progress
since global sports were
largely shut down in
March as the corona-
virus outbreak turned
into a pandemic. Play
could resume in late
July or early August,
with the Stanley Cup
Final in September or
even later.
“Realistically if we’re
in training camp mid-Ju-
ly, that would be a good
thing, and if we can be
playing by the end of
July or the beginning of
August, that would be
a good thing too,” Bett-
man said. “But if it has
to slide more, then it’ll
slide. There’s a reason
that we’re not giving
you dates now because
anybody who gives you
a date is guessing, and
we think we’d rather
take a more holistic ap-
proach to doing this.”
Groups of 12 teams
representing each of the
two conferences will be
limited to playing in two
cities, yet to be deter-
mined, with three-week
training camps open-
ing no earlier than July
1. Voluntary workouts
could begin in early
June.
“We hope this is a
step back toward nor-
malcy,” Bettman said.
“We think we’ve been
able to work very collab-
oratively with the Play-
ers’ Association and the
players to come up with
a framework that is fair
and has integrity and
should result in a ter-
rific, competitive play-
offs and the awarding of
the best trophy in all of
sports.”
Earlier this week,
the league and NHLPA
issued extensive proto-
cols once players are al-
lowed to return to their
facilities. They include a
maximum of six players
on the ice at a time, no
contact and no coaches
for voluntary workouts.
Teams will be respon-
sible for testing during
those workouts and
training camp, with the
league taking over when
games begin. Deputy
commissioner Bill Daly
said players would be
tested for COVID-19
daily.
Instead of limiting
the Cup chase to the
usual 16 teams that
qualify for the playoffs,
the league and players
agreed to expand the
field to 24 of its 31 teams
because of the unusual
circumstances.
This means the likes
of the Montreal Cana-
diens are still alive de-
spite being nine points
out of a playoff spot
when hockey was halt-
ed March 12. But not
all teams will have the
same path to hockey’s
storied trophy.
The top four teams in
each conference ranked
by points percentage
— Boston, Tampa Bay,
Washington and Phila-
delphia in the East and
St. Louis, Colorado, Ve-
gas and Dallas in the
West — will play sepa-
rate round-robin tour-
naments to determine
seeding.
The remaining 16
teams will be seeded by
conference, setting up
best-of-five series in the
East of No. 5 Pittsburgh
vs. No. 12 Montreal,
No. 6 Carolina vs. No.
11 New York Rangers,
No. 7 New York Island-
ers vs. No. 10 Florida
and No. 8 Toronto vs.
No. 9 Columbus. In the
West, it would be No.
5 Edmonton vs. No. 12
Chicago, No. 6 Nash-
ville vs. No. 11 Arizona,
No. 7 Vancouver vs. No.
10 Minnesota and No. 8
Calgary vs. No. 9 Winni-
peg.
These games will be
played without fans.
“It’s completely dif-
ferent than what the
norm is,” Minnesota
Wild general manag-
er Bill Guerin said. “I
think we all understand
how unique this year is
and how crazy it’s been.
We’ve just kind of got to
roll with it a little bit.”
Games are expected
to be played in two hub
cities and Bettman said
10 are in the running:
Chicago, Columbus,
Ohio, Dallas, Las Vegas,
Pittsburgh and Minne-
apolis/St. Paul in the
U.S. and Edmonton, To-
ronto and Vancouver in
Canada. The Canadian
government’s manda-
tory 14-day quarantine
could force the NHL to
pick two U.S. locales.
“The interpretation
of the quarantine con-
sistent with our players’
ability to travel in and
not have to do a strict
self-quarantine in a ho-
tel room, we won’t be in
a position to use any of
the Canadian cities as
a hub city,” Daly said.
“We’re faced with hav-
ing to find a solution to
that. Hopefully we can.”
While there are still
details to work out, in-
cluding whether the
first two rounds are best
of five or seven, Bett-
man said he expects the
best-of-seven Stanley
Cup Final to be played
in full in one of the two
hub cities. Each team
would be limited to a
total of 50 people in the
city it plays in.
“It’s not easy getting
everybody on board
with all the different
countries, the players,
the teams that were in
the playoffs, teams that
may not be in the play-
offs and getting that
all agreed upon with
the union,” Buffalo Sa-
bres owner Kim Pegula
told The A P. “For us to
even finish the season
and award (the Stanley
Cup), I know a lot of
work went into it. But I
know how important it
was for our players, our
fans, our league to make
sure that we conclude
it.”
The decision to call
off the 189 regular-sea-
son games that were not
played ends the season
for Buffalo, New Jersey,
Anaheim, Los Angeles,
San Jose, Ottawa and
Detroit.
Those seven teams
will now prepare for one
of potentially two draft
lotteries to determine
the top 15 selections.
The lottery will be held
June 26, with another
scheduled later depend-
ing on which of the re-
maining eight teams
qualify for the 16 -team
playoff.
The NHL is still plan-
ning for a full 82-game
2020 -21 season, though
Bettman acknowledged
the start could be as
late as early January. It
could mean nine months
or more without game
action for players on
non-playoff teams.
“Among the long list
of things that we haven’t
come to grips with is
that,” Fehr said. “There
are a lot of things that
have yet to be talked
about.”

Dolphins owner: There definitely
will be an NFL season
MIAMI — Miami Dolphins owner
Stephen Ross says he’s confident the
NFL will play in 2020, with or without
spectators.
“I think there definitely will be a foot-
ball season this year,” Ross said Tuesday
during an interview on CNBC. “The real
question is will there be fans in the sta-
diums?”
The NFL has said it expects to play
a full schedule beginning Sept. 10, but
is preparing contingency plans in case
the coronavirus pandemic makes venue
changes or games without fans neces-
sary.
“Right now, today, we’re planning
on having some fans in the stadiums,”
Ross said. “But I think the NFL is very
flexible so that we will be able to start
on time and bring that entertainment
that is really so needed to all of us in this
country.”
The league has kept to its offseason
schedule of conducting free agency, the
draft and the release of the schedule.
Some teams reopened training complex-
es on a limited basis last week.
The NBA, NHL and MLB have been
idled by the pandemic.
“One thing we miss is our sports,”
Ross said. “I don’t think a lot of people
realize it until they no longer have it.
Certainly the NFL, I think, will be ready
to go. I know we’re all looking forward to
it. I know I am.”
Earlier this month, the Dolphins said
their stadium committed to becoming
the first to receive accreditation from a
cleaning industry association for infec-
tious disease prevention efforts. CEO
Tom Garfinkel said the team is consid-
ering social distancing proposals for
games, and perhaps limiting crowds to
15,000.
“We’ve done a lot of things down in
Miami,” Ross said. “We’re prepared ei-
ther way, and hopefully there will be
fans in the stadiums.”
Ross, a New York real estate develop-
er and chairman of Related Companies,
said the hotel and retail industries are
being hit hardest by the pandemic.
“You are going to have such a flood
of cases going to the bankruptcy court,”
Ross said.
SOURCE: AP

Recruits
Continued from Page 1B
fords a physical point to
look at when approaching
a kick or hold. By con-
trast, working from the
ground takes away some
of the leverage a tee al-
lows, while also making
the actual spot in which
the kicker will aim for
less exact.
“He sets off where my
finger is,” Nichols said.
“And if I lift my finger up
it completely messes up
the spot. So I’ve got to
put the ball down right
where he set up his steps
off of, so he can hit the
ball right.”
“It’s been kind of cool
just getting the rhythm
down for the future,”
McCord, the elder of the
duo, added. “It allows us
to connect faster when he
gets to campus quicker
on the hold and snap.”
In Texas, kicker com-
mit Aidan Martin has
also had to get creative
in finding field space
around his home in Hous-
ton.
Rated the No. 17 kick-
er in the class of 2020
by 247sports composite,
Martin was previous-
ly committed to Hous-
ton before then-special
teams coordinator Blake
Gideon moved into the
same role at Ole Miss.
After being offered by
current MSU special
teams coordinator Matt
Brock during his time
at Washington State, he
again recruited Martin
upon taking his new post
in Starkville.
“When Brock gave
me the opportunity I for
sure couldn’t pass him up
twice,” Martin told The
Dispatch.
Now working through
an offseason that has
been plagued with coro-
navirus concerns, Martin
has spent time kicking on
baseball fields as he pre-
pares for his first fall camp
at MSU.
“I’ve really just grinded
and (I’m) getting a lot of
detail work in so that I’m
polished for when I get to
Mississippi State,” he said.
“I’m not trying to come
from behind, I want to be
on top of everything.”
While Nichols is still a
year away from arriving
in the maroon and white,
Martin and McCord will
join Arizona State transfer
kicker Brandon Ruiz and
long snappers Colby Cox
and Hayes Hammond as
newcomers to this year’s
specialist group.
And though it remains
to be seen exactly when
the Bulldogs’ special
teams contingent will get
the chance to kick, punt,
snap or hold on the field
at Davis Wade Stadium,
there should be less
fence climbing involved.

Students
Continued from Page 1B
to tell my mom we final-
ly finished something
that we worked so hard
for,” Leilua said.
Leilua’s time in
Starkville isn’t over yet,
as she has taken anoth-
er year of collegiate el-
igibility and will play
for the Bulldogs in 2021
while pursuing a mas-
ter’s degree. But her
graduation — despite
being virtual — acted as
the culmination of years
and years of hard work.
As a first-genera-
tion college student,
the Hawthorne High
School and Arizona
State product knows
the importance of her
recent accomplishment.
Attending college was
a goal shared by Leilua
and her father, Sio, ever
since Leilua received
her first-ever letter of
interest from the Uni-
versity of Arizona in
eighth grade.
But after Leilua had
two standout seasons at
Arizona State, Sio died
of a heart attack while
his daughter was home
for Christmas break
in 2017. Leilua sat out
the 2018 season, then
transferred to Missis-
sippi State in search of a
fresh start.
And while Leilua was
overjoyed to receive
her bachelor’s degree,
she wishes she’d been
able to call her father so
they could celebrate the
news together.
“It’s something that I
know he was proud of,”
she said. “That’s some-
thing I can trust and
have faith in.”
Leilua’s mother, who
helped support the
dream her husband had
for their daughter, re-
assured Leilua that Sio
was still proud of her.
“‘He’s smiling down
on you,’” Paiao said
that day on the phone.
“‘From here on out,
you’ve just gotta keep
moving forward.’”
Losing her father was
just one of the obstacles
Leilua encountered as
she fought to achieve a
goal she wasn’t initial-
ly sure was possible for
her.
She had to balance
time spent on the field
with time spent in the
classroom. She battled
the towering expecta-
tions she set for herself,
realizing she played best
when she was having
fun and relaxing on the
diamond. She also had
to deal with changing
circumstances in soft-
ball, playing under five
different head coaches
in her five years of col-
lege to date.
“I just couldn’t really
fathom it just because
of all the years and hard
work I put in,” Leilua
said. “It was a very sur-
real moment for me.”
For freshman Ce-
leste Soliz, the first
member of her family
to attend college in the
United States, that un-
real feeling — of doing
something unprece-
dented — didn’t mani-
fest itself until she was
home in Texas after the
Bulldogs’ 2020 season
was cut short by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
“‘At a time like this,
yeah, this is kind of cra-
zy — in a good way,’”
Soliz thought to herself.
The catcher and util-
ity player, an academ-
ic standout at Lovejoy
High School in Lucas,
Texas, said she planned
to attend college regard-
less of softball but that
the scholarship she re-
ceived definitely helped
her reach that point.
During her high
school days, attending
a long-ago softball camp
at Arizona State, Soliz
remembers that she and
a friend were given a
tour of the locker room
by none other than Lei-
lua, whom Soliz had of-
ten seen playing on T V
and looked up to. (Lei-
lua, used to young play-
ers coming in and out,
doesn’t remember the
event.)
“She was kind of a big
name, really,” Soliz said
of the player who would
be her teammate years
later and more than
1,500 miles away. “She
still is.”
Soliz eventually set-
tled on the Sun Devils,
but after the fall se-
mester, she needed a
change. She transferred
to MSU mid-year and
switched her major from
earth and space explora-
tion to mechanical engi-
neering.
“Going to Mississippi
State was like a brand-
new opportunity, real-
ly,” Soliz said.
Soliz’s grandmother,
raised in Mexico, was
the valedictorian of the
1980 graduating class of
the Instituto Tecnológi-
co de Zacatecas, but the
Bulldogs’ freshman is in
a unique spot stateside.
Acknowledging the
opportunity she’s got-
ten, Soliz hopes to be
a good role model and
invite her two young-
er brothers to walk the
trail she has blazed.
“I think it’s a big re-
sponsibility,” she said.
“I’m kind of making a
path they can hopefully
follow.”
Three-year-old Ga-
briel is nowhere close to
such a decision, but Sol-
iz hopes 15 -year-old Co-
rey is inspired by what
she’s accomplished. If
Corey wants to go to col-
lege, he can just look at
his sister as an example
of how to achieve that
dream, Soliz said.
“I hope he can look at
me and say, ‘My sister
did it. I can do it, too,’”
she said.
Leilua, who said that
she never would have
made it to college with-
out softball, hopes to be
an example to the gen-
erations to come. While
her two brothers, Sio
and Lipo, and her sis-
ter Nila did not attend
college, Leilua has her
eyes on her two nieces:
10 -year-old Kinai and
6 -year-old Kiairagi.
She wants her broth-
er’s daughters to live
out their childhood a bit
more first, but before
long, their softball edu-
cation will begin.
“Soon, we’re gonna
pop up some nets and
some tees and kind of
just teach them the ba-
sics,” Leilua said.
Leilua’s own school-
ing — both within and
outside of softball —
isn’t over just yet. In the
fall, she’ll start her mas-
ter’s program, some-
thing she said goes be-
yond the goal she and
Sio set so many years
ago.
“This is something
that my dad and I didn’t
even think to do or didn’t
even have a perspective
on,” Leilua said.
She said she hopes
the things she has al-
ready accomplished will
inspire people like her
who don’t feel like they
have a shot at achieving
the same goals.
“I’m here to say that it
is possible,” Leilua said.
You can get through it.”
Leilua, who hopes to
become a college coach
when her playing ca-
reer and her schooling
eventually come to an
end, emphasized that
her graduation was just
the close to one chapter
of her life, just a step-
ping-stone for her and
the people she hopes to
inspire.
A fter all, there’s still
more to be done.
“It doesn’t only stop
here,” Leilua said.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 3B

Players call MLB economic proposal ‘extremely disappointing’

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS because the details were
not announced.
NEW YORK — A rook- In addition, the union
ie at the major league said “the sides also re-
minimum would make a main far apart on health
higher percentage of his and safety protocols”
salary than multimillion- aimed at starting the pan-
aire stars like Mike Trout demic-delayed season
or Gerrit Cole under a around the Fourth of July.
sliding-scale proposal “We made a proposal
by big league teams that to the union that is com-
players found “extremely pletely consistent with the
disappointing.” economic realities facing
Major League Base- our sport,” MLB said in a
ball made the proposal statement. “We look for-
to the players’ union on ward to a responsive pro-
Tuesday during a digital posal from the MLBPA.”
meeting rather than the The revenue-sharing
50-50 revenue-sharing plan earlier this month
plan that owners initially was met with immediate-
approved for their nego- ly hostility from the union
tiators on May 11, two the day owners gave their
people familiar with the negotiators the go-ahead.
plan told The Associated That plan was not present-
Press. The people spoke ed to players when talks
on condition of anonymity began the following day.
During that session,
MLB gave the union a
presentation claiming
billions of dollars of antic-
ipated losses and held off
making a proposal for two
weeks.
Salaries in the ma-
jor leagues range from
$563,500 at the mini-
mum to $36 million each
for Trout, the three-time
MVP outfielder on the
Los Angeles Angels, and
Cole, the pitcher signed
by the New York Yankees
as a free agent.
According to a study by
the AP, 369 of 899 players
have salaries of $600,000
or less, according to the
rosters frozen in March.
Under MLB’s propos-
al, the playoffs would ex-
pand from 10 teams to 14
and players would receive
more money if the post-
season is played. Usual-
ly, salaries are earned
during the regular season
only and players receive
money from the postsea-
son pool, a maximum of
about $382,000 last year
for a full share on World
Series champion Wash-
ington.
Players agreed March
26 to a deal in which they
would receive prorated
shares of their salaries
based on what percent-
age of each team’s 162-
game schedule is played.
In exchange, players
were guaranteed that if
no games are played they
would receive service
time for 2020 matching
what they accrued earned
in 2019.
MLB told the union on
May 12 it hoped to play a
season with an 82-game
schedule that would have
teams play 13 games
against each division rival
and six against every club
in the corresponding divi-
sion in the other league:
AL East vs. NL East, for
example.
Several governors have
said teams are welcome to
play in their regular-sea-
son ballparks but without
fans due to the new coro-
navirus and mandates for
social distancing. MLB
told the union during the
May 12 presentation if
teams paid players pro-
rated salaries the clubs
would combine to have
negative $3.58 billion
earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and
amortization.
Players were sched-
uled to earn about $4 bil-
lion in salary this year.
Many players and union
leadership have said the
March 26 agreement
would stand and no ad-
ditional salary should
be given up. Tampa Bay
Rays All-Star pitcher
Blake Snell , the 2018
AL Cy Young Award
winner, said he would
not take the mound this
year if his pay is cut fur-
ther, proclaiming: “I’m
not playing unless I get
mine.”
Teams are worried
about being at risk if a
second wave of the virus
causes cancellation of
the postseason, which
results in MLB receiving
$787 million in broadcast
revenue this year.

Comics & Puzzles

DILBERT
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: I husband who the rest of the food because
married my doesn’t care if of this.
husband 40 I’m around or not. My dilemma is how to
years ago. A few Please advise me handle this with the family. I’m
years later, he what I can do. — sure we will see them at church,
was diagnosed REACHED THE and they have already reached
with diabetes. He LIMIT out asking when they can bring
refused to take DEAR us another meal. I don’t want to
care of himself REACHED: What embarrass anyone, but neither
and ended up you can do de- do I think I can consume anoth-
with double leg pends upon what er one from them.
amputations 13 you WANT to do. For what it’s worth, we have
ZITS years ago. He There must be a someone who comes in weekly
had prosthetics reason why you who prepares meals for us
but wouldn’t use have remained (whom we pay). This has been a
them. I stood by in this loveless huge help because it alleviates
him and was his marriage as long the time and effort required
advocate, but he Dear Abby as you have. to shop, cook and clean up for
blamed me! Since you most of the work week because
He has major health issues asked, I do have a word of ad- I work full time as well as care
now, but I’m not too concerned. vice. Help your husband to get for my husband. How can I tact-
According to him, it’s “none of another computer. If you do, it fully decline this family’s kind
my business.” Family doesn’t may lessen some of the hostility offers without coming right out
care because he doesn’t care. that is ruling your household. He and saying why we don’t want
My daughter blames me, but will be occupied, and you can do their food? — GROSSED OUT IN
she doesn’t bother to have whatever you need to do to keep THE WEST
much contact with her father. yourself sane. DEAR GROSSED OUT: It
GARFIELD I have had enough of trying
to help a man who doesn’t want
DEAR ABBY: My husband
and I are dealing with a terminal
should not embarrass those
nice people if you thank them
help. This is a loveless marriage health condition, and many for offering to send you more
and has been for years. He’s folks have offered to help, par- food, and tell them you no
also addicted to computer porn. ticularly in the area of providing longer need food because you
He stays at a computer for meals, which we really appreci- have hired someone who comes
hours, even when people are ate. Recently, a family from our in and cooks for you. It’s short,
around. He doesn’t care who’s church brought us over a meal sweet and it’s the truth.
around. He broke his computer that included a nice entree, Dear Abby is written by
recently, and I have refused dessert, bread and breakfast Abigail Van Buren, also known
to allow him on mine, so he is pastries, all homemade. We as Jeanne Phillips, and was
angry at me for that too. enjoyed the entree, but quickly founded by her mother, Pauline
For most of our marriage I lost our appetites after opening Phillips. Contact Dear Abby
have worked outside the home. the dessert to find a hair of at www.DearAbby.com or P.O.
I still do. I would rather be out unknown origin in it. We were, Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA
of the house than here with a unfortunately, unable to enjoy 90069.
CANDORVILLE

Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May
27). The solar journey is marked
by the qualities of determination
and stamina. Many mornings,
you will be up before the sun to
get the most productivity out
of your days. Loved ones make
you proud as they build on what
you’ve given them and shine on.
An important rite of passage
BABY BLUES will be crossed in August. Libra
and Sagittarius adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 6, 30, 21,
44 and 11.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
There are more senses than
touch, taste, smell, sight and
sound. Senses will come alive
in your intellect — the cerebral
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
FAMILY CIRCUS
tickle of humor, the shiver of
distaste and the tingle of an
electric idea.
TAURUS (April 20-May
20). Bad feelings need air, too.
There’s no one correct way to
release them. Some pestiferous
feelings are effectively pro-
cessed through the structure of
media, sports, art or religion.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
Goodness, faith and sweet-
ness owe a debt to wrongness,
faithlessness and bitterness,
as they would not exist without
their opposites. Recognizing
shadows allows you to dance in
the light of wisdom.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
All rewards have a cost. You can
have what you want, so long as
you want the cost of it just as
much as you want the rest of
it. In figuring that out, experi-
ence will teach you more than
analysis.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If
the rules are not written down,
spoken or communicated other-
wise, then the only way to find
out what they are is to break
them. This is also the fastest
way to get to the actual rules as
opposed to the ideal ones.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
You hate to say no, but it’s
necessary for honest living. It’s
easier when no comes quickly,
briefly and impersonally. No
offer can be right for everyone.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
You can succeed alone, but it
will take three times longer, and
will feel like 10 times longer,
as that route is a slog. Bring
another person in or, better yet,
a team.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). You may imagine you know
how a scene will play out, but
even an Oscar-winning script-
writer can’t predict what people
will say and do in real life. You’ll
never know unless you make
your entrance.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). The last thing you want
to be perceived as right now is
bossy. Even if you are the boss,
asserting authority will only go
over well if done with genial
diplomacy.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). You don’t need a dance
floor. All you need is a floor.
Your dance will be spontaneous,
if subtle, and expressive of an
emotion you know well, just not
usually at this level of intensity.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). A true empath, you will
read all cues, mostly without
even being aware you are doing
it. And you’ll hear people before
they tell you in words what it is
they are feeling.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). Many learn a thing, but
few act on it. It is action, not
education, that creates change.
When you make your move,
it will be straight to the top,
mostly because of your timing
and initiative.

In on the secret
SOLUTION:
Food LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Jan Swoope: 328-2471
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 n 4B

A simply
sensational
summer meal
FAMILY FEATURES

W
hipping up a fresh cooked meal is one of the
true joys of summer, especially when grilled
grub is paired with tantalizing sides and familyfeatures.com

tempting desserts. Cheesy black bean toast with pico de gallo delivers fla-
vor on toasty bread, one of America’s comfort foods.
Spice things up with Mexican Beef Sliders with

Comfort food
Jalapeno Salsa and Avocado Cream coupled with
a side like roasted potatoes then cap off a filling
meal with sweet and decadent Strawberry Cream
Cheese Tartlets. If you’re looking for ways
to mix meat and veggies all at once,
these ideas for kebabs are a surefire
with zest and flavor
way to please a variety of palates. FAMILY FEATURES
Find more summer meal ideas at

A
Culinary.net. s families spend more time at home, Amer-
icans are finding comfort in a surprising
Cook up kebabs source: bread. In fact, a 20-year trend of declin-
As one of the most versatile main ing grain food consumption has been reversed.
courses that can be grilled, kebabs offer nearly A national
endless opportunities for customization. From study by the
protein to veggies, soaked wooden skewers can Grain Food
be loaded with just about any favorite flavors Foundation
before hitting the grates. Consider these op- suggests that
tions for kicking your kebabs up a notch: Steak, the turnaround
cut into chunks; chicken, cut into chunks; is more than a
bratwurst or sausage, cut into slices; ground one-time sales
beef, shaped into balls; shrimp; salmon, cut blip due to pan-
into chunks; bacon, cut into small pieces; try loading. In
sliced onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, mush- reality, consum-
rooms, cucumbers or tomatoes. ers count bread
See SUMMER MEAL, 5B among their top
comfort foods.
The study
revealed one- familyfeatures.com
third of Amer- Whole grain rotini pasta with
icans named mushrooms and sausage makes a
filling dish.
pasta and bread
as foods that are comforting during a stressful time.
In addition to comforting flavor, this trend pro-
vides valuable nutritional benefits. As a part of many
healthy eating plans, bread and pasta are nutritionist
approved and provide nutrients needed for healthy
aging such as B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, iron,
folate and fiber.
“For years, we’ve been telling consumers that grain
foods are the foods we love that love us back,” said
Christine Cochran, executive director of the Grain
Foods Foundation. “The stress has given us permis-
sion to enjoy bread and pasta again, but unlike most
comfort foods, consumers recognize that grains have
TOP: Versatile grilled kebabs of- nutritional value.”
fer endless ways to combine pro-
teins and veggies for a summer The highest-ranking comfort foods were ice cream;
meal. RIGHT: Strawberry cream baked goods like cakes, cookies and pastries; salty
cheese tartlets are a refreshing snacks; candy; and fast food. However, when asked to
dessert to cap off a warm-weath- identify comfort foods with nutritional advantages,
er feast. consumers identified bread and pasta as the top two.
Photos by familyfeatures.com
“We can all rest assured that there is enough sup-
ply of grain food products in this country,” Cochran
said. “Shoppers may be experiencing some sporadic
unavailability of certain high-demand items. Howev-
er, manufacturers are working closely with retailers
to make sure that out-of-stocks are short lived. Con-
sumers will be able to buy their favorite grain-food
products and eat them, too.”
To learn more about the role of grain foods in a
healthful diet, visit GrainFoodsFoundation.org.
See COMFORT FOOD, 5B

Simple, plant-powered meals

FAMILY FEATURES
SWEET POTATO WALNUT FALAFEL BOWLS

W
ith more than half of Americans Falafel:
willing to eat more plants and 1 raw sweet potato (12 ounces), peeled and cut
less meat in 2020 (and beyond), into chunks
according to a study conducted by Yale and 1 cup cooked quinoa
Earth Day Network, one thing holds true: 1/2 cup California walnuts
1 teaspoon sea salt
Even when food is better for you and the 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
planet, families crave quality taste. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Walnuts are one of the original plant- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
based superfoods that can carry sweet 1/2 cup flour
1 egg
or savory flavors to satisfy snackers, add vegetable oil
hearty crunch to salads or breakfast dishes
and serve as a simple, whole-food meat Tahini dressing:
alternative. In addition to being a delicious 1/4 cup tahini
3 tablespoons lemon juice
plant-based staple, 1 ounce of walnuts 2 tablespoons water
contains important nutrients including 4 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber and good 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
fats with 2.5 grams of monounsaturated 1/4teaspoon garlic powder
Sea salt, to taste
fat and 13 grams of polyunsaturated fat,
including 2.5 grams of omega-3 alpha-lino- Bowls:
lenic acid (ALA). 4 cups loosely packed curly kale, coarsely chopped
Try walnuts as an alternative to meat 2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup julienned carrots
in recipes like Walnut “Chorizo” Tacos or 1 avocado, sliced
Sweet Potato Walnut Falafel Bowls, and
find more plant-based recipes at walnuts. Toasted, chopped California walnuts, for garnish familyfeatures.com
org/plant-based. See PLANT POWERED, 5B Sweet potato walnut falafel bowls pack flavor as well as nutrients.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 5B

Summer meal
Continued from Page 4B
ribbons
Slide into summer 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Summer sliders with a 1 red onion, finely sliced
spicy kick are an idea way to 1/2 cup pickled jalapenos, finely
chopped
enjoy a downsized version of a
warm-weather favorite. These
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Mexican Beef Sliders with Jala- Olive oil
peno Salsa and Avocado Cream
Lime juice
are perfect for summer with
their spicy kick of salsa and Avocado cream:
1 avocado, mashed
bright, cooling cream.
1/2 cup sour cream
Find more tasty summer reci- 1 lime, juice and zest only
pes at beefandlambnz.com. Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
MEXICAN BEEF SLIDERS 8-12 slider buns, halved
2-3 cobs sweet corn, cooked and
WITH JALAPENO SALSA sliced into shards
8-12 small bamboo skewers
AND AVOCADO CREAM
Prep time: 20 minutes n To make patties: In bowl, combine
Cook time: 15 minutes beef, garlic, onion, egg, kidney beans,
Servings: 4 tomato paste, oregano, paprika, cum-
in, coriander, Parmesan cheese, salt,
Patties:
1 1/3 pounds lean ground beef (New
to taste, and pepper, to taste. Shape
into 8-12 small patties. Cover and
Zealand grass-fed beef recommended) refrigerate 15 minutes.
1 clove garlic, crushed n Heat grill or frying pan to medium
1 medium onion, grated or finely heat.
chopped n Brush patties with oil on both
1 egg, lightly beaten sides. Cook 2-3 minutes on each
3/4 cup red kidney beans, rinsed and side, turning once to brown both sides
drained evenly, until cooked through.
2 tablespoons tomato paste n To make Jalapeno salsa: In bowl,
3 teaspoons dried oregano, chopped combine cucumber, cilantro, onion
2 teaspoons mild smoked paprika and jalapenos; season with salt and
2 teaspoons ground cumin pepper, to taste. Drizzle with olive oil
1 teaspoon ground coriander and lime juice.
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated n To make avocado cream: In bowl,
Salt, to taste combine avocado, sour cream, lime
Pepper, to taste juice and lime zest; season with salt
Olive oil and pepper, to taste.
n Spread avocado cream on bottom
Jalapeno salsa: buns and place patties on top. Top
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced into long patties with Jalapeno Salsa, corn and
top buns. Press down gently and poke
in skewers to secure sliders.
STRAWBERRY CREAM
CHEESE TARTLETS
Makes: 24 tartlets (4 ounces each)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons gelatin
4 cups WellPict Strawberries, sliced,
divided
1/3 cup honey
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream
cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup ice cubes
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup WellPict Strawberries, rinsed,
for garnish
1 cup WellPict Raspberries, rinsed, for
garnish
n In blender, mix water, lemon juice,
lemon zest and gelatin until frothy.
n Add 2 cups strawberries and honey;
blend until smooth. Pour into bowl and
chill mix 15 minutes.
n In blender, mix cream cheese, sour
cream and ice cubes while incorporat-
ing strawberry mixture. Mix in remain-
ing strawberries.
n In blender or food processor, mix
graham crackers and melted butter to
crumb consistency. Lightly grease two
medium muffin pans and pack graham
cracker mixture at bottom of each
opening. Pour strawberry mixture over
graham cracker mixture and chill until
set. Gently pull tartlets from muffin
tins and place on serving tray. Garnish
with strawberries and raspberries.
(Source: WellPict.com)
Family fun
with fudgsicles
FAMILY FEATURES
P
lanning snacks you can enjoy with your
children is a winning parenting strategy for
spending more time together while creating
tasty treats.
Take it a step further with a recipe like these
Homemade Fudgsicles, which are an ideal exam-
ple of an easy treat made with the goodness of real
milk kids can help make, giving them an added
incentive to enjoy moments together. To help your
children reach the recommended two to three
servings of dairy each day, serve with a glass of
milk.
Find more snack recipes at milkmeansmore.
org.
HOMEMADE FUDGSICLES
Total time: 10 minutes, plus 12 hours chill time
Servings: 12
3 cups milk
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 ice pop sticks
n In pot over medium heat, heat milk, sugar, cocoa powder,
honey and salt, stirring often, until sugar dissolves. Remove
from heat and cool to room temperature. Pour into ice pop
molds and insert sticks then freeze until firm, about 12
hours.
n Remove ice pops from molds and place in freezer-safe
bag until ready to eat.
(Source: Milk Means More)

Comfort food
Continued from Page 4B
CHEESY BLACK BEAN
TOAST WITH
PICO DE GALLO
Prep time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
6 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 ⁄2 medium onion, finely
chopped
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 serrano or jalapeno pep-
pers, finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro,
chopped
1 lime, juice only
1 ⁄8 teaspoon oregano, finely
crushed
1 ⁄8 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 ⁄8 teaspoon pepper
1 ⁄2 Hass avocado, diced
4 bolillos (6 inches) or large
Kaiser rolls, sliced in half
lengthwise
1 can (16 ounces) seasoned
low-fat refried black beans
2 cups shredded Chihuahua or
mozzarella cheese
n Heat oven to 350 F.
n In medium mixing bowl,
combine tomatoes; onion;
garlic; peppers; cilantro; lime
juice; oregano; salt, if desired;
pepper; and avocado; set
aside.
n On medium platter, split
rolls. With medium spatula,
spread refried beans onto
each bread half; sprinkle
cheese among bread.
n Bake 5-8 minutes, or until
cheese is melted
(Source: Sylvia Melen-
dez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf
of the Grain Foods Founda- 1 cup leeks, thinly sliced
tion) 1 cup green onions, thinly
sliced
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
ROTINI WITH SAUSAGE 1 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup parsley chopped
AND MUSHROOMS 6 leaves from tarragon sprigs,
Prep time: 18 minutes chopped
Servings: 8 1 cup Romano cheese grated
Parmesan-Romano cheese
1 box (13 1/4 ounces) whole- (optional)
grain rotini
1 tablespoon olive or vegeta- n Prepare rotini according to
ble oil package directions. Drain and
1 pound chicken sausage, transfer to large bowl.
sliced n In large skillet, heat oil over
medium heat. Cook sausage
2-3 minutes, or until well
browned. Add leeks, onions
and mushrooms; cook until
tender. Add chicken stock
and simmer 3-5 minutes,
or until hot. Fold sausage
mixture into warm pasta. Add
parsley, tarragon and Romano
cheese; toss again. Top with
Parmesan-Romano cheese, if
desired.
(Source: Sylvia Melen-
dez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf
of the Grain Foods Founda-
tion)

Plant-powered
Continued from Page 4B
(optional)
Minced red onion, for garnish (optional)
n For falafel: In food processor, pulse sweet
potato until finely minced. Add quinoa, walnuts,
ground cumin, onion powder and garlic powder;
pulse until all pieces are uniform in size. Add
flour and egg; pulse until well mixed, scraping
down sides as needed.
n Using wet hands, shape mixture into 16
equal balls.
n In deep skillet or pot, heat oil. Cooking in
batches, fry falafel balls 2-3 minutes on each
side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Let drain on paper towel-lined tray.
n For tahini dressing: In small bowl, whisk
tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, ground
cumin, garlic powder and salt.
n For bowls: Place equal amounts kale,
quinoa, carrots and avocado in four large salad
bowls. Place four falafel balls in each bowl; driz-
zle with dressing. Garnish with toasted walnuts
and minced red onion, if desired.
WALNUT ‘CHORIZO’ TACOS
Pickled vegetables:
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
8 radishes, thinly sliced
2 medium jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
1 large clove garlic, thinly sliced
Walnut chorizo crumble:
1 1/2 cups black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups California walnuts
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1 teaspoon ground chipotle
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Tacos:
16 whole wheat tortillas
Olive oil
Thinly sliced romaine lettuce
Gresh cilantro leaves
Lime wedges
n To make pickled vegetables: In small bowl,
stir lime juice, sugar and sea salt. Stir in
radishes, jalapenos and garlic slices; let stand
30 minutes to pickle.
n To make walnut “chorizo” crumble: In food
processor, pulse beans and walnuts until
coarsely chopped. Add 2 tablespoons oil,
white vinegar, paprika, chili powder, oregano,
salt, chipotle, cumin and coriander; pulse
until mixture is finely chopped and resembles
ground meat, stirring several times and moving
mixture from bottom of food processor bowl to
top to evenly mix.
n In large nonstick skillet over medium heat,
heat remaining oil. Add “chorizo” mixture and
cook 10 minutes, or until mixture is browned
and resembles ground meat, stirring frequently.
n To prepare tacos: Brush each tortilla lightly
with oil. On skillet over medium-high heat, cook
briefly to brown on both sides, keeping warm in
foil until all tortillas are cooked.
n Remove pickled vegetables from liquid and
discard garlic slices. Fill each tortilla with equal
amounts “chorizo” and pickled vegetables.
Garnish with lettuce and cilantro; serve with
lime wedges.

Tell your child a bedtime story.

6B WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Classifieds
LEGALS
Call us: 662-328-2424
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE:
Metro Site, Inc., is proposing to
build a 265-foot Self-Suppor-
ted Telecommunications Tower.
Anticipated lighting application
is medium intensity dual
red/white strobes. The site loc-
ation is 281 Mount Vernon
Road, Columbus, Lowndes
County, MS 39702 (33° 29’
18.48” North and 88° 18’
12.76” West). The Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) Antenna Structure Regis-
tration (ASR, Form 854) filing
number is A1166446.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS –
Interested persons may review
the application
(www.fcc.gov/asr/applications)
by entering the filing number.
Environmental concerns may
be raised by filing a Request
for Environmental Review
(www.fcc.gov/asr/environment-
alrequest) and online filings are
strongly encouraged. The mail-
ing address to file a paper copy
is: FCC Requests for Environ-
mental Review, Attn: Ramon
Williams, 445 12th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20554. HIS-
TORIC PROPERTIES - Public
comments regarding potential
effects on historic properties
may be submitted within 30
days from the date of this pub-
lication to: Rachel A. Keane,
Terracon, 524 Elmwood Park
Boulevard Suite 170, New Or-
leans, LA 70123; (504) 321-
9379;
rachel.keane@terracon.com.
PUBLISH: 5/27/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF ERN-
ESTINE W. COCKRELL, DE-
CEASED
JOHNNY FRANK COCKRELL, EX- deceased, by the Chancery
ECUTOR
CAUSE NO. 2020-0081-S
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
Letters of Testamentary have
been granted and issued to the gister said claim will forever
undersigned upon the Estate of bar the same.
ERNESTINE W. COCKRELL, de-
ceased, by the Chancery Court THIS the 15 day of May, 2020.
of Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi, on the 27th day of April, /s/ Ernest Neil Lewis
2020. This is to give notice to
all persons having claims
against said estate to probate OF COUNSEL:
and register same with the
Chancery Court of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, within
ninety (90) days from the first
publication date of this Notice
to Creditors. A failure to so pro- FAX: (662) 328-6890
bate and register said claim
will forever bar same.
THIS the 18th day of May,
2020.
/s/ Johnny Frank Cockrell
Johnny Frank Cockrell
Executor
PUBLISH: 5/20, 5/27, 6/3 &
6/10/2020
Did you
?
know
In 2015 The Dispatch won the
Daniel E. Phillips Freedom of
Information Award for our
investigative journalism.
Legal Notices
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GAYRON
A. WITTKE, JR., DECEASED
RETHA M. WITTKE, EXECUTOR
CAUSE NO. 2020-0086-F
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
Letters of Testamentary have
been granted and issued to the
undersigned upon the Estate of
GAYRON A. WITTKE, deceased,
by the Chancery Court of
Lowndes County, Mississippi,
on the 4th day of May, 2020.
This is to give notice to all per-
sons having claims against
said estate to probate and re-
gister same with the Chancery
Court of Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, within ninety (90) days
from the first publication date
of this Notice to Creditors. A
failure to so probate and re-
gister said claim will forever
bar same.
THIS the 18th day of May,
2020.
/s/ Retha M. Wittke
Retha M. Wittke
Executrix
PUBLISH: 5/20, 5/27, 6/3 &
6/10/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE ES-
TATE OF JIMMY N. LEWIS, DE-
CEASED
NO. 2020-0096-PDE
ERNEST NEIL LEWIS, EXECUT-
OR
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to
Ernest Neil Lewis, Executor of
the Estate of Jimmy N. Lewis,
Court of Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, on the 15 day of May,
2020. This is to give notice to
all persons having claims
against said estate to Probate
and Register same with the
Chancery Clerk of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, within
ninety (90) days from this date.
A failure to so Probate and Re-
Ernest Neil Lewis
William T. Cooper, MBN 9588
Crowell Gillis & Cooper, PLLC
Post Office Box 1827
Columbus, MS 39703
PHONE: (662) 243-7334
wcooper@cgclawpllc.com
PUBLISH: 5/20, 5/27 &
6/3/2020
PUBLIC NOTICE
INVITATION TO BID FOR HUNT-
ING AND FISHING LEASE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
To all persons interested in the
following described school trust
land classified as "FOREST
LAND" in Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, to wit:
The West Half (W 1/2) of Sec-
tion 16, Township 18 North,
Range 17 East; the West Half
(W 1/2) of the Northeast
Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section
16, Township 18 North, Range
17 East, LESS AND EXCEPT
THE FOLLOWING tract or par-
cel of land, to wit:
Beginning at the Northwest
corner of the Southwest
Quarter (SW 1/4) of the South-
west Quarter (SW 1/4) of Sec-
tion 16, Township 18 North,
Just a click away!
Range 17 East; thence run-
ning East 00 degrees, a dis-
tance of 5 chains, thence
South 5 degrees West, a dis-
tance of 10 chains; thence due
West to the Section line, and
thence North 5 degrees West,
a distance of 10 chains to the
point of beginning; containing
five (5) acres, more or less; to-
gether with a right-of-way 50
feet wide from the Jackson
Highway along the Section line
to the corner of the Southwest
Quarter (SW 1/4) of the South-
west Quarter (SW 1/4) of said
Section 16; and being the land
and property conveyed by C. H.
Cocke to Prairie Consolidated
School District of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, by deed
dated October 13, 1924, and
recorded in Deed Book 122 at
page 613 of the land records
of Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi; said real estate being
also known and described as:
Beginning at a point on the
Section line between Section
16 and Section 17 in Town-
ship 18 North, Range 17 East,
which said point is a distance
of 869 feet North of an iron pin
at the Southwest corner of the
Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of
said Section 16, Township 18
North, Range 17 East; thence
running North along said Sec-
tion line a distance of 667
feet; thence South 84 degrees
30 minutes East, a distance of
338 feet; thence South 0 de-
grees 30 minutes East (interi-
or angle of 96 degrees) a dis-
tance of 673.5 feet; and
thence North 82 degrees 35
minutes West, a distance of
343 feet to the point of begin-
ning; containing 5.2 acres and
being situated partly in the
Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of
the Southwest Quarter (SW
1/4) and partly in the Southw-
est Quarter (SW 1/4) of the
Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of
said Section 16, Township 18
North, Range 17 East, of
Lowndes County, Mississippi;
together with a strip of land
known and more particularly
described as and being en-
closed by a line run as follows,
to wit:
Beginning at a Point on the
Section line between Section
16 and Section 17 in Town-
ship 18 North, Range 17 East,
which said point is a distance
of 1536 feet North of an iron
pin at the Southwest corner of
ing and fishing rights for a peri-
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI od of five (5) years may be filed
COUNTY OF LOWNDES with the County Superintend-
Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
ent of Education of Lowndes
To all persons interested in the County, Mississippi, at his of-
following described school trust fice located at 1053 Highway
land classified as "FOREST 45 South, Columbus, Missis-
LAND" in Lowndes County, Mis- sippi 39701 so as to arrive pri-
sissippi, to wit: or to 10:00 AM, Monday, June
The Starkville Dispatch and Online
1, 2020 . Any bid received
The West Half (W 1/2) of Sec-
tion 16, Township 18 North,
after 10:00 AM will be rejec-
ted. Please identify your bid by
To place ads starting at only $12,
Range 17 East; the West Half
(W 1/2) of the Northeast
placing the words "BID FOR
HUNTING AND FISHING LEASE
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
Quarter (NE 1/4) of Section 16/T18N/R17E" on the face of
16, Township 18 North, Range your envelope.
17 East, LESS AND EXCEPT THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 n 7B
THE FOLLOWING tract or par- The lease form and the terms
cel of land, to wit: so prescribed for this lease are
on file and available for inspec-
Beginning at the Northwest tion in the office of County Su-
Legal Notices
corner of the Southwest Legal Notices of Education of
perintendent Education
Employment
Quarter (SW 1/4) of the South- Lowndes County, Mississippi,
west Quarter (SW 1/4) of Sec- located at 1053 Highway 45
tion 16, Township 18 North, South, Columbus, Mississippi
Range 17 East; thence run- 39701. You are also notified
ning East 00 degrees, a dis-
tance of 5 chains, thence
that as a condition of obtain-
ing these hunting and fishing
Call us: 662-328-2424
South 5 degrees West, a dis- rights, you will be required to
tance of 10 chains; thence due furnish and maintain general li- Customer Service
West to the Section line, and ability insurance in an amount
thence North 5 degrees West, not less than $1,000,000.00 LOCAL LAW FIRM is seek-
a distance of 10 chains to the which shall protect and hold
point of beginning; containing harmless the Lowndes County
ing Receptionist/Secretary.
Previous experience
five (5) acres, more or less; to- School District from any and all
gether with a right-of-way 50 liability on the part of the LESS- helpful but not necessary.
feet wide from the Jackson EE(S), its licensees, invitees or Computer skills a must.
Highway along the Section line trespassers , and any and all Email resume to:
to the corner of the Southwest other third parties, should they job109@cdispatch.com
Quarter (SW 1/4) of the South- file suit or have a claim in any
west Quarter (SW 1/4) of said form or fashion against the
Section 16; and being the land LESSEE(S). General Help Wanted
and property conveyed by C. H.
Cocke to Prairie Consolidated The sealed bids which are sub- EXPERIENCED AUTO Body
School District of Lowndes mitted will be opened at the Repair man & painter
County, Mississippi, by deed time and on the date above set needed. Call
dated October 13, 1924, and forth, or as soon thereafter as 662-617-9320 to discuss
recorded in Deed Book 122 at conveniently possible. terms and conditions.
page 613 of the land records
of Lowndes County, Missis- Prospective bidders are here-
sippi; said real estate being with informed that there is sub-
also known and described as: ject to bid only the annual
Beginning at a point on the
Section line between Section
lease rental amount to be paid
to the Lowndes County Board
of Education at the beginning
Read local.
16 and Section 17 in Town- of each of the five (5) years in- cdispatch.com
ship 18 North, Range 17 East, cluded in the term of the lease.
which said point is a distance Also, the current leaseholder of
of 869 feet North of an iron pin these rights, if he/she/they
at the Southwest corner of the have made an offer, shall have
Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of the final right to extend Medical / Dental
said Section 16, Township 18 his/her/their lease at an annu-
North, Range 17 East; thence al rental equal to said highest
running North along said Sec- offer.
tion line a distance of 667
feet; thence South 84 degrees The Board of Education of
30 minutes East, a distance of Lowndes County reserves the
338 feet; thence South 0 de- right to reject all bids for lease
grees 30 minutes East (interi- of hunting and fishing rights on
or angle of 96 degrees) a dis- said tract.
tance of 673.5 feet; and
thence North 82 degrees 35 /s/ Sam Allison
minutes West, a distance of Sam Allison
343 feet to the point of begin- Superintendent of Education
ning; containing 5.2 acres and Lowndes County, Mississippi
being situated partly in the
Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of PUBLISH: 5/20/20 & 5/27/20
the Southwest Quarter (SW
1/4) and partly in the Southw- NOTICE OF PUBLICATION
est Quarter (SW 1/4) of the
Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Bryan Jones, who was sen-
said Section 16, Township 18
tenced for two counts of Sale
North, Range 17 East, of of Cocaine and one count of
Lowndes County, Mississippi; Aggravated Assault in Lowndes
together with a strip of land
County, Mississippi, has ap-
known and more particularly plied for executive clemency.
described as and being en-
Persons wishing to comment
closed by a line run as follows, should send information in writ-
to wit:
ing to the above address with-
in fifteen (15) days after the
Beginning at a Point on the date of publication.
Section line between Section
16 and Section 17 in Town- Bryan Jones was arrested in
ship 18 North, Range 17 East, 2007, and subsequently con-
which said point is a distance victed of two counts of Sale of
of 1536 feet North of an iron
Cocaine and one count of Ag-
pin at the Southwest corner of gravated Assault, following his
the Southwest Quarter (SW plea and sentenced to six (6)
1/4) of said Section 16, Town- years to serve in the custody of
ship 18 North, Range 17 East; Mississippi Department of Cor-
thence running North along
rections for each count of Sale
said Section line between said of Cocaine to run consecut-
Section 16 and said Section
ively to each other and one
17,a distance of 475 feet to count of Aggravated Assault to
the South line of a county road serve ten (10) years in the cus-
(formerly known as the Jack- tody of Mississippi Depart-
son Highway); thence North-
ment of Corrections to run con-
easterly along the South line of secutively to the two counts of
said road, a distance of 82.6
Sale of Cocaine.
feet; thence South parallel with
said Section line a distance of Mr. Jones is by any measure
545.5 feet; and thence North rehabilitated and ready have all
84 degrees 30 minutes West,
rights restored based on my
a distance of 50 feet of the encounters and correspond-
Point of Beginning. Containing
ence with him. In addition, as
in the aggregate 395.00 acres, evidenced by the character let-
more or less, and further identi- ters from family and friends,
fied, as Tax Parcel NO. 27E00- Mr. Jones has demonstrated
00-01400
his willingness to work well
within the rules, policies and
You are hereby notified that expectations of society. Mr.
sealed proposals to lease the
Jones presents no danger to
above described tract for hunt- himself, and is not a threat to
ing and fishing rights for a peri- others. The retributive in-
od of five (5) years may be filed terests of justice have been
with the County Superintend- fairly and adequately served.
ent of Education of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, at his of- PUBLISH: 5/20, 5/27, 6/3,
fice located at 1053 Highway
6/10, 6/17 & 6/24/2020
45 South, Columbus, Missis-
sippi 39701 so as to arrive pri-
or to 10:00 AM, Monday, June
1, 2020 . Any bid received
after 10:00 AM will be rejec-
ted. Please identify your bid by
placing the words "BID FOR
HUNTING AND FISHING LEASE
All notices must be
16/T18N/R17E" on the face of emailed to
your envelope.
classifieds@
The lease form and the terms
so prescribed for this lease are cdispatch.com.
on file and available for inspec-
tion in the office of County Su- Good help isn’t hard to find if you know where to look.
perintendent of Education of
Lowndes County, Mississippi, Start your search here.
located at 1053 Highway 45
South, Columbus, Mississippi
39701. You are also notified
that as a condition of obtain-
ing these hunting and fishing
rights, you will be required to
furnish and maintain general li-
ability insurance in an amount
not less than $1,000,000.00
which shall protect and hold
harmless the Lowndes County
School District from any and all
liability on the part of the LESS-
EE(S), its licensees, invitees or
trespassers , and any and all
other third parties, should they
file suit or have a claim in any
The best place for personalized
form or fashion against the
LESSEE(S).
The sealed bids which are sub-
mitted will be opened at the
advertising in your community.
time and on the date above set
forth, or as soon thereafter as
conveniently possible.
Prospective bidders are here-
with informed that there is sub-
ject to bid only the annual
ads.cdispatch.com
lease rental amount to be paid
to the Lowndes County Board
of Education at the beginning
of each of the five (5) years in-
cluded in the term of the lease.
Also, the current leaseholder of
these rights, if he/she/they
have made an offer, shall have
the final right to extend
his/her/their lease at an annu-
al rental equal to said highest
CUSTOMIZE YOUR AD:
offer.
The Board of Education of
Lowndes County reserves the
Featured ads $5 Sponsored ads $3
right to reject all bids for lease
of hunting and fishing rights on
said tract.
/s/ Sam Allison
Sam Allison Premium placement Preferred placement in search
on classifieds home page.
Superintendent of Education
Lowndes County, Mississippi results and highlighted online.
Highlight $3
Graphic $10.50
PUBLISH: 5/20/20 & 5/27/20
Highlight your ad Enhance your ad with
with a dash of color. an attention getter.
ADS STARTING AT
$12
8B WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
General Help Wanted Apts For Rent: Other

THE COMMERCIAL
DISPATCH seeks a motiv-
ated, contracted carrier for
the Brooksville & Macon
area. Excellent opportunity
to earn money for college.
Must have good transporta-
tion, valid driver's license
& insurance. Delivers on
Sunday morning and Mon-
Fri afternoons. Apply at The
Commercial Dispatch, 516
Main Street in Columbus.
No phone calls please.
Real Estate
COLEMAN REALTY seeks
Rentals
Ads starting at $25
Apts For Rent: North
Studio apartment for rent.
Hwy 45 between CAFB and
Columbus. $400 a month
+ $400 deposit. No pets.
No smoking. Water, sewer,
and trash included.
205−243−3653
Apts For Rent: West
1ST MONTH − RENT FREE!
1−2 BR Apt: $350−435
Merchandise ON THE WEB
1−2BR TwnHm: $625−650
Lease, Dep, Credit Check. Ads starting at $12 Visit www.cdispatch.com
Coleman Realty
662−329−2323 Appliances for a printable copy of
CENTRAL AC UNIT. Only these puzzles.
used 1 day, too small for
space. Revolv brand, 2.5
btu, 208−230 voltage.
$900. Crawford, MS.
662−497−2754.
General Merchandise

VIP
WHITE POSTER BOARD
Administrative Office 24"x23"
Assistant. Must possess:

Rentals
$0.50 each
organizational skills with 100 in stock
attention to detail; com- Visit 516 Main Street
puter skills including
Microsoft office, Excel, Apartments & Houses or call 662−328−2424
Outlook & QuickBooks;
professional & courteous 1 Bedrooms
communication skills with 2 Bedroooms
clients, public & co-work-
ers. Send resume' to 3 Bedrooms Vehicles
P.O. Box 9306,
Columbus, MS 39705. Furnished & Unfurnished Ads starting at $12
Transportation 1, 2, & 3 Baths COLEMAN Motorcycles & ATVs
RENTALS
FLATBED DRIVERS Lease, Deposit TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS
& Credit Check
Sudoku
WANTED. Steel Coil 1993 KAWASAKI
experience required. 1 BEDROOM VOYAGER XII Only 25,500 YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
viceinvestments.com
$1,000+ per week oppor- 2 BEDROOMS miles. Runs & looks good.
tunity. Home most nights &
every weekend. Health
327-8555 3 BEDROOMS
No problems. $3000 OBO.
Can be seen local. Sudoku
Sudoku is a number-
placing puzzle based on
Yesterday’s answer
insurance available. Paid 501−545−7750.
LEASE, Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num- 1 8 5 3 9 2 4 6 7
© The Dispatch

vacation. Columbus. Visit us online:

662-251-4536. DEPOSIT ber-placing
given numbers.puzzleThe object 7 6 9 8 5 4 3 1 2

2020 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

cdispatch.com
Leave msg if no answer.
AND
CREDIT CHECK
Community based
grid
1 to 9with
onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers
in theseveral
empty spaces
4
9
3
7
2
6
7
2
1
4
6
1
5
8
9
5
8
3
given
so thatnumbers.
each row, each The 3 5 4 9 7 8 6 2 1
Ads starting at $12 object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place
662-329-2323 numbers
contains the1same
box
to 9 number
in 8 2 1 6 3 5 7 4 9
Special Notices the empty spaces so 2 1 7 5 6 3 9 8 4
2411 HWY 45 N only once. The difficulty 5 9 8 4 2 7 1 3 6
that each row, each
COLUMBUS, MS level increases from
ATTENTION: column and each 6 4 3 1 8 9 2 7 5
If you or someone you Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 5/26

Mobile Homes for Rent know worked out of

Plumbers/Pipefitters
the same number only once. The difficulty level
2BR/2BA MH. Window AC, Union Local 714 (or increases from Monday to Sunday.

Place an ad safely
natural gas heat. Stove/ 619) between 1967
fridge incl, fenced yard, and 1970 or worked for
storage shed & carport. Warren Kleban
$375/mo + $375 dep.

from home with

Engineering between
662−352−4776. 1967 and 1969 please
call Rebecca at
Simmons Hanly Conroy

the Classifieds.
toll−free at (855) 988−
2537. You can also
email Rebecca at
Have a rental property? rcockrell@
simmonsfirm.com
List it here for fast results.
ads.cdispatch.com
Lady in Black & White

Real Estate
Striped Shirt Would the
nice lady who waited
with me and offered me
a ride home after my
Ads starting at $25 accident on Saturday,
25 April, at about

ads.cdispatch.com Houses For Sale: New Hope 10:00am in the

morning at the
16 WIDNER IN NEW HOPE intersection of Bluecutt
Newly remodeled. 3BR/ and Hwy 45 please call
2BA home. Approx. 1,500 me? 662−328−1286
Houses For Sale: Other sqft. Has 25’x30’ wired
metal shop w/ roll−up front
& side door. $158,500. Travel & Entertainment
662−549−9298.
Lots & Acreage PUBLIC CATFISH POND
@ 130 Hillcrest Drive.
1.75 ACRE LOTS. Open Tues−Sat, 7a−5p
Good/Bad Credit Options. 662−386−8591
Good credit as low as 10% Call for pricing.
down, $299/mo. Eaton
Land, 662−361−7711.
Five Questions:

1 Aztec
Empire

2 Binge-
watching ACROSS
1 Prepares for
battle
5 Bill collector, of
3 Gene a sort
11 Ring event
Roddenberry 12 Baltimore
player
13 Easter symbol
14 Like some
4 prunes
15 Building wing
Transylvania 16 Galileo’s
home
17 Pasta topper

5 LaserDisc
19 Pussy foot
22 Concise
24 Diver’s gear

Service Directory
26 Bee’s home 45 Apple or pear 20 Third person
27 Baseball’s 21 Like paraffin
Rodriguez DOWN 22 Pack and
28 Perfect 1 Skilled send
30 Colt’s coun- 2 Muddy up 23 Conceal
terpart 3 Thinks about 25 Fourth person
Promote your small business starting at only $25 31 Pricing word 4 Pig’s place 29 Hotel area
Building & Remodeling Childcare General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping 32 Some tour- 5 Subject 30 Mideast
neys 6 Van Gogh topper
HOME REPAIRS & Emmanuel’s Christian WORK WANTED: LAWN CARE 34 Test of knowl- work 33 Tightwad
MAINTENANCE Work
wanted. Carpentry,
Academy−Child care
AVAILABLE SOON For ages
Licensed & Bonded.
Carpentry, minor electrical,
Mowing, weed eating,
blowing, etc.
edge 7 Falafel holder 34 Campus part
concrete, electrical & 6 weeks to 12 years old. minor plumbing, insulation, Free estimates. 35 Mine matter 8 Write hastily 36 Latest fad
plumbing, shingle & metal emmanuelsca@yahoo.com painting, demolition, Reasonable prices. 38 Show to be 9 Hoppy brew 37 Different
roofing, fascia & soffit or text 662−245−6998 gutters cleaned, pressure 662−549−3790 false 10 Spectrum 38 Brief drop
repairs, pressure washing washing, landscaping, 41 Track shape
& mobile home repairs. Electrical cleanup work, moving help. color 39 Earth-friendly
No Job Too Small. 662−242−3608. SAM’S LAWN SERVICE 42 Glacial period 16 Place prefix
662−549−7031. No lawn too large or too 43 Cribbage 18 Open space 40 Golfer Hogan
small. Mowing, trimming & markers
HILL’S PRESSURE weedeating. 19 Stops for 41 Make a
Carpet & Flooring 44 Think about
WASHING. Commercial/ Call 662−243−1694 speeding choice
Residential. House,
CARPET INSTALLATION. concrete, sidewalks &
Re−Stretch & Repair also Painting & Papering
mobile washing. Free est.
avail. I accept select jobs. 662−386−8925.
Call Walt, 662−574−8134. QUALITY PAINTING.
Ext/Int Painting.
MOUNTING TV’S AND Sheet Rock Hang, Finish &
HIDING WIRES CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY
$545 plus Filing Fee Repair. Pressure Washing.
Mount TV: Free Estimates. Ask for
$60/TV (mount not incl) CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY specials! Larry Webber,
Mount TV & hide wires: All Attorney Fees Through The Plan 662−242−4932.
$120/TV (mount not incl) Jim Arnold, Attorney
Johnny Beamon
662−251−8472 662-324-1666 • 601-656-6914 SULLIVAN’S PAINT
104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville SERVICE
General Services Special Prices.
Interior & Exterior Painting.
DAVID’S CARPET & A & T TREE SERVICES SKILLED CRAFTSMAN. 662−435−6528
UPHOLSTERY Bucket truck & stump Any kind of work! We can
CLEANING removal. Free est. build, paint, drywall, clean
1 Room − $50 Serving Columbus & cut grass. Reasonable
2 Rooms − $70 since 1987. Senior rates. Safe & Reliable.
3+ Rooms − $30 EA citizen disc. Call Alvin @ 662−386−3658.
Rugs−Must Be Seen 242−0324/241−4447
Car Upholstery Cleaning "We’ll go out on a limb for Lawn Care / Landscaping
Available you!"
662−722−1758 JESSE & BEVERLY’S
PRESSURE WASHING LAWN SERVICE
Commercial & residential. Mowing, cleanup,
Grow your business
Are you a painter? Bricks, concrete & siding. landscaping, sodding,

with Classifieds.
Advertise here! Call for quote, & tree cutting.
662−295−6880. 662−356−6525