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Sunday | August 16, 2020

COVID changes college move-in experience

BY SLIM SMITH
ssmith@cdispatch.com ‘I’ve already told her I’ll be calling every day.
Jordan In a typical year, the Saturday And every day, it’s going to the same message.
Moore, a before college classes start are
freshman from part celebration, part chaos. Wear your mask. Social distance. Be smart.’
Southaven, Saturday, the difference was Emma Richardson, mother of Mississippi University
begins palpable. for Women junior Danielle Richardson
unpacking her
car Saturday By Saturday morning, the bulk
of residential students at Missis- to check in at MSU’s Critz Hall students scheduled for Saturday.
in the parking during the 11 a.m. time slot. At MUW, only a few dozen stu-
lot of Critz sippi State and Mississippi Uni-
Hall on the versity for Women had already “It’s a lot different this year,” dents had yet to take up residency
Mississippi moved into their residence halls. Danielle Richardson, an MUW on campus by Saturday morning.
State campus. For those who arrived Saturday, junior, who was moving into her The change in the move-in pro-
Moore was the students who moved into their room at Jones hall. “Last year, cedure is among the many chang-
one of 700 rooms did so with little fanfare or everybody was moving in at the es students will encounter as class-
MSU students fuss. same time.” es commence on both campuses
scheduled On the MUW campus, Antu- At both campuses, the tradition- Monday as the universities imple-
to move in al “Move-in Day” became “Move- ment guidelines and procedures
to residence an Tillman of West Point was one
halls ahead of the 18 students who had yet to in Week” as students made ap- designed to combat COVID-19.
of Monday’s move in at Kincannon Hall, which pointments for move-in and began “I think the biggest change will
opening day of houses 104 students. arriving on Monday. be that we’ll be more to ourselves,”
classes. At Mississippi State, about a MSU, which scheduled move- said Tillman, who is returning to
Slim Smith/Dispatch Staff half dozen pulled up to the curb ins in hourly increments, had 700 See MOVE-IN, 5A

Starkville
‘By the grace of God,’ New Hope’s Jeremiah discusses
Jethroe back on the field after neck injury possible tax,
utility rate hikes
Sistrunk: 2-mill increase could
help make up for pandemic-
induced revenue loss
BY YUE STELLA YU
syu@cdispatch.com

Faced with a projected $1.1

million budget shortfall in
Fiscal Year 2021, the city of
Starkville may have to raise
the property tax rate by 2
mills and delay its debt pay-
ment for a year to help offset
the financial impact, Ward 2
Alderman and Budget Com- Sistrunk
mittee Chair Sandra Sistrunk
said during a work session
Friday morning.
The estimated budget im-
pact next year is largely due
to a projected sales tax reve-
nue downturn caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic as well
as increased spending com- Spruill
Antranik Tavitian/Dispatch Staff pared to FY 2020, according
Jeremiah Jethroe hits the ball during the second-to-last summer practice on July 16 at New Hope High to Sistrunk’s presentation.
School. More than five months after breaking his neck, Jeremiah is back to full health and hoping for a
senior season of baseball. FOCAL POINT: A NEW HOPE FOR JEREMIAH, see page 8A.
The city’s sales tax revenue in FY 2021
may see a 12-percent drop, marking an
$880,000 decrease from this fiscal year,
Sistrunk said. The potential decrease comes
‘I could have been in a really bad place right now if I just wasn’t lucky.’ as the pandemic negatively affected many
local retail businesses, restaurants and
BY THEO DEROSA She winces. permanently excused from tarp bars, some of which have closed, she said.
tderosa@cdispatch.com Head coach Lee Boyd, always duty — he sustained his injury “It’s less impacted when you are talking
concerned about the lasting when a large culvert pipe he was about big stores — Kroger, Walmart,”
Editor’s Note: This is the final impact of injuries like Jeremi- helping teammates carry after Sistrunk said. “Mom and Pop shops are suf-
installment of a three-part series
ah’s, said he, too, still flinches a February practice fell on his fering more. So when our retail sales tax
chronicling New Hope baseball
whenever the first baseman neck — so the situation isn’t diversions may not be dropping much, it’s
player Jeremiah Jethroe’s recovery
makes any risky plays. likely to repeat itself. But he’s dropping in the people that make us who we
from a fractured neck.
“Any time you have a neck still banned by his coach and his are as a community.”

A
t New Hope’s July 16
practice, Michelle
Jethroe looks on from
her green folding chair in the
fifth row behind home plate as
her son Jeremiah leaps to snag
a high throw from across the
diamond, reaching down with
his glove to slap a hard tag on
the batter’s helmet as the two
players converge awkwardly at
first base.
injury, you worry about not just
the present moment but what
the future holds,” Boyd said.
According to Jeremiah, the
chance of re-aggravating the
fracture is low — for the most
part.
“Of course, if I drop another
culvert on my head,” he said. “As
long as I don’t do anything crazy
or off the wall, it should be fine.”
Boyd said Jeremiah is now
mother from sliding or diving
for the time being.
“As long as he sees me, he’ll
remember, ‘I better not slide. I
better not dive,’” Michelle said.
“I try to remind him, ‘Please,
son, that’s an expensive neck
you have there.’”
Otherwise, Jeremiah said,
“I’m good.” He has a full range
of motion and can swing and
See JETHROE, 5A
The projection also took into consider-
ation the potential cancellation of the col-
lege football season in the fall, Sistrunk told
The Dispatch. The Southeast Conference
has yet to cancel or confirm the season, but
even if it goes on, fan attendance at Davis
Wade Stadium may be restricted to at least
half capacity.
“We’ve got to have people in the stands
to watch those games be played to have an
impact on our sales tax,” Sistrunk said.
“There’s just so much uncertainty. So many
things we just don’t know.”
See BUDGET, 3A

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

1 The geographic center of the contig- MEETINGS
uous United States is located in what Aug. 17: Lowndes
state? County Board of Su-
2 Which of these was the title of the pervisors meeting, 9
film released in 2004 as a prequel to a.m., Lowndes County
“Dirty Dancing” — “Havana Nights,”
“Cuban Fury” or “Dance With Me”? Courthouse, facebook.
3 Whose statue was torn down in a com/LowndesCounty-
Mary Ann Colvin
New York City park on July 9, 1776, Mississippi/
Kindergarten, Annunciation
following a reading of the Declaration Aug. 18: Columbus
of Independence?
High 91 Low 67
A few t’storms
4 What was fashionista Coco Chanel’s
favorite number?
City Council, 5 p.m.,
Municipal Complex,
facebook.com/Cityof-
5 What does “CC” stand for in CCTV?
Full forecast on ColumbusMS/
page 3A. Answers, 5B
Aug. 31: Lowndes
County Board of Su-
INSIDE pervisors meeting, 9
Classifieds 4,5B Lifestyles 1B a.m., Lowndes County
Comics 7,8B Obituaries 4A Leandra Harvey, 13, is a student at Courthouse, facebook.
Crossword 5B Opinions 6A Columbus Middle School. She runs com/LowndesCounty-
141st Year, No. 134 Dear Abby 3B Sports 7A on their Track and Field team. Mississippi/

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

ASK RUFUS

The Last Combat Mission of World War II

S
eventy-five years ago, bardment Wing. The 43rd’s
the 43rd Bombard- first combat mission was on
ment Squadron was Feb. 25, 1945, to Tokyo.
part of the last combat mis- During its first several
sion of World War II. Today, weeks of combat the 43rd
the 43rd is a flying training went after strategic targets in
squadron at Columbus Air daylight attacks from high al-
Force Base. titude. By the end of March,
The 43rd had its origins the squadron was flying
80 years ago on Dec. 22, nighttime low-level bomb-
1939, as the 29th Bombard- ing missions. With the U.S.
ment Squadron, which was assault on Okinawa and the
then re-designated the 43rd sudden extensive Japanese
Bombardment Squadron on Rufus Ward use of kamikaze suicide at-
March 13, 1940, at Langley tacks, the 43rd began bomb-
Field, Virginia. ing airfields from which the
When Pearl Harbor was bombed and kamikaze pilots were operating.
Courtesy photo/USAF, National Archives
the United States entered WWII, the In early August 19 45, rumors were
The 43rd FTS heritage T-1 Jayhawk bearing the insignias and color scheme of a
43rd was stationed at Pope Field, North circulating that Japan was about to sur-
World War II 43rd Bomb Squadron B-29 Bomber. The 43rd Flying Training Squadron
Carolina as a squadron of the 29th Bomb render. On the morning of Aug. 14 there at Columbus Air Force Base was a heavy Bombing squadron during WWII.
Group flying B-18s and B-17s. January was uncertainty as to whether bombing
1942 found the 43rd based at MacDill missions scheduled for that day and pleting the last combat mission of World
Field, Florida. From December 1941 to night would even be flown with peace ap- War II.
June 1942 the squadron flew anti-subma- pearing eminent. One of the reasons that “The Last Mission,” a book by Jim
rine patrols along the Atlantic and Gulf the missions were not called off was fear Smith and Malcolm McConnel, adds
Coast and in the Caribbean. of Soviet intent to invade Japan if there a little-known but significant story to
One of the little-told stories of WWII was a break in American bombing before that last mission. A possible coup on the
was the extensive German U-Boat ac- a surrender was signed. night of Aug. 14-15 had been planned by
tivity along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf On the night of Aug. 14-15, 1945, 132 the Japanese Army to prevent the Em-
coasts during 1942. Many cargo ships, B-29s of the 315th Bomb Wing from peror from surrendering. However, all
and especially oil tankers, were sunk by Northwest Field, Guam bombed the the B-29s flying over Tokyo that night Courtesy photo/USAF, National Archives
U-Boats along the US coast. Some ships Nippon Oil Company refinery at Tsuchi- brought fear of another atomic bomb be- B-29s of the 29th Bomb Group on a
were even sunk at the mouth of the Mis- zakiminato. The 77 B-29s, of the 314th ing dropped and resulted in a complete bombing mission over Japan in 1945.
sissippi River and along the Louisiana Bomb Wing, which included the 43rd blackout and disrupted any attempt at a In 1945 the 43rd Bomb Squadron (now
coup. the 43rd FTS at CAFB) was a part of the
coast. Bomb Squadron, of the 29th Bomb
29th Bomb Group stationed on Guam.
In June 1942 the squadron moved to Group, took off from North Field, Guam, At the conclusion of the war, the 29th
Gowen Field, Idaho where it became an and bombed the city of Kumagaya north- BG, including the 43rd, flew mercy mis- Training Wing at Columbus.
operational training unit. In late 1942 sev- west of Tokyo with incendiaries. Also, sions dropping food and supplies to lib- According to Lt. Col Jason “JB” Bar-
eral Bomb Groups were formed at Gowen about 120 B-29s of the 313th Bomb Wing erated allied POWs, flew reconnaissance low, commander of the 43rd FTS, its mis-
where the 43rd was providing training. on Tinian and the 73rd Bomb Wing on missions and was part of show-of-force sion at Columbus consists of “providing
They included the 96th, 381th, 384th and Saipan dropped incendiaries on Isezaki missions. The 29th BG returned to the unrivaled instructor pilots to AETC in a
388th Bomb Groups. By early 1943, the or dropped mines along the coast. Before United States at the end of 1945 having total force integration effort to cultivate
43rd had become a replacement training the last bomber had returned to its base, received two Distinguished Unit Cita- airman and create pilots … the world’s
squadron training B-24 crews before de- President Truman had announced the tions during the war. best pilots.”
ployment to England and combat. unconditional surrender of Japan. On June 25, 1990, the 43rd Squad- The heritage of the squadron is ev-
On April 1, 1944, the 29th BG, of which The multi-target mission of four B-29 ron was reactivated as a flying training idenced by it having earned three cam-
the 43rd was a squadron, was inactivated bombardment wings, including the squadron at Columbus AFB but was de- paign streamers, Distinguished Unit Ci-
at Gowen but on the same day reactivat- 43rd’s 314th Bomb Wing, on the night of activated in 1992. In 1997 the unit was tations and numerous other awards. It is
ed as a B-29 bomber unit at Pratt Army Aug. 14-15 was the last combat mission of again activated at Columbus but as the a grand and continuing heritage. It is a
Airfield, Kansas. After completing train- World War II. The refinery targeted by 43rd Flying Training Flight. It was then heritage that 75 years ago this weekend
ing, the 29th Bomb Group was deployed the 315th Bomb Wing was the last target reactivated as a squadron on June 5, included flying in the last combat mis-
overseas to North Field, Gaum, where to be reached that night, and so to the 1998, to provide associate reserve pilots sion of World War II.
the 29th became part of the 314th Bom- 315th BW goes the distinction of com- to support the mission of the 14th Flying Rufus Ward is a local historian.

Police move in after

fights break out during
Georgia protest
Prior to the fights, mostly peaceful
demonstrations were held Saturday
at an Atlanta suburb home to a giant
Confederate memorial
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — After several hours of

mostly peaceful demonstrations Saturday in an Atlanta
suburb that’s home to a giant Confederate memorial,
large numbers of police moved in to disperse the crowds
when fights broke out.
Several dozen right-wing demonstrators, some wav-
ing the Confederate battle flag and many wearing mili-
tary gear, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain where
they faced off against a few hundred counterprotesters,
many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing
support for the Black Lives Matter movement. People
in both groups carried rifles. For several hours, there
was little visible police presence and things were large-
ly peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and
spirited arguments.
But just before 1 p.m., fights broke out, with people
punching and kicking each other and throwing rocks.
That’s when police officers in riot gear moved in to
disperse the crowds.
By 2 p.m., almost all of the protesters had left the area.
Right-wing groups led by an Arkansas group called
Confederate States III%, had applied for a permit to
hold a rally in Stone Mountain Park, where there’s a
giant sculpture of Confederate leaders. The event was
planned as a response to a march in the park by a Black
militia group on July 4.
But the Stone Mountain Memorial Association de-
nied the permit on Aug. 4, citing a violent clash between
groups in April 2016, spokesman John Bankhead said.
The park closed to visitors Saturday and was set to re-
open Sunday.
With police manning barriers to keep people from en-
tering the park, demonstrators took to the streets of the
adjoining city of Stone Mountain, which on Friday had
advised people to stay away all day and urged residents
to stay home and businesses to shut down.
The predominantly Black demonstrators on July 4
spoke out against the huge sculpture depicting Gen.
Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis
and Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. Carved into a
granite mountain, the bas-relief sculpture is the largest
Confederate monument ever crafted. The 100 to 200 pro-
testers, many of whom carried large rifles, were peace-
ful.
Although the park has historically been a gathering
spot for white supremacists, the adjoining city of Stone
Mountain has a majority-Black population today.
The park at Stone Mountain markets itself as a family
theme park rather than a shrine to the “Lost Cause” my-
thology that romanticizes the Confederacy as chivalrous
defenders of states’ rights. It’s a popular recreation spot
for many families on the east side of Atlanta, with hiking
trails, a golf course, boat rentals and other attractions.
The park has long been known for its laser light shows,
but those have been canceled because of the COVID-19
pandemic.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 3A

Budget
Continued from Page 1A
Although the city will like-
ly see revenue increases in
other aspects — including
$250,000 in use tax revenue,
federal reimbursement of
$350,000 for COVID-19-relat-
ed expenses, $100,000 in rev-
enue from the fire protection
agreement with MSU and an
expected $143,000 uptick in
property tax collections, they
are still not enough to offset
the sales tax revenue down-
turn.
In addition to the revenue
loss, the city may also have
to spend more money in FY
2021, Sistrunk said. For ex-
ample, it may have to restore
parts of the budget cut it im-
plemented in April, which
could add roughly $550,000
to the city’s expenditure
next year, she said. The city
implemented a budget cut of
$786,500 that month, along
with furloughs and pay cuts,
as cost-saving measures to
brace for the pandemic-in-
duced financial impact.
Meanwhile, the city may
have to further pay out
$300,000 as its first-year
match for a $12.66 million fed-
eral grant it received in 2019
to improve the conditions of
the stretch of road between
North Long Street and Old
West Point Road, Sistrunk
said. The grant, dubbed “Bet-
ter Utilizing Investments
to Leverage Development
(BUILD),” is an 80/20 match,
meaning the city will bear a
total cost of $3.5 million. It
was issued by the U.S. De-
partment of Transportation
to improve infrastructure, in-
crease broadband access and
make the area more wheel-
chair accessible.
The city could also spend
$200,000 in FY 2021 as
the first-year payment on a
lease/purchase agreement
for its police department’s
body cameras, according to
Sistrunk’s projections.
One way to ease the finan-
cial impact, Sistrunk said, is
to raise the city’s millage rate
by 2 mills — from 28.13 to
30.13. Mills are used to calcu-
late property taxes.
For a $100,000 home with
no homestead exemption,
the mill hike would increase
the owner’s taxes by $20. For
commercial properties, it
would increase taxes by $30
per $100,000 in assessed val-
ue.
The 2-mill increase would
generate $540,000 of city
revenue, Sistrunk said, while
still allowing Starkville to
remain below the average
millage rate among contigu-
ous cities. Columbus, for ex-
ample, has a millage rate of
51.24.
To cover the rest of the
estimated shortfall, the city
could further adjust its debt
structure in December or
January by delaying its debt
payment for a year, which
would save the city $575,000,
Sistrunk said. The delay
would not affect the current
interest rate, she said, but
could harm the city’s credit
rate for borrowing money in
the long run.
“It’s a hard year,” Sistrunk
said. “(The plan) is reason-
able, conservative. It gives
us flexibility going into the
year.”
The spending, especially
on BUILD grant and the body
cameras, is necessary, Mayor
Lynn Spruill said Friday. The
millage rate increase, she
said, is the most “reasonable”
decision to make.
“Body cams are non-nego-
tiable, in my opinion. … We
don’t want to find ourselves
having something happen,
and then we go, ‘Oh, I’m sor-
ry my body cam didn’t oper-
ate,’” Spruill said. “I (also)
don’t want to see us turn a
BUILD grant back because
we are unwilling to raise the
mills.”
Ward 5 Al-
derman Hamp
Beatty said he
is in favor of
raising the mill-
age rate.
“We are a
college town. Beatty
People come in
here and throw
money at Starkville and we
can operate at an artificially
low ad valorem tax rate until
… and that ‘until’ has hap-
pened,” he said.
A public hearing on the
millage rate increase will
be set for Tuesday, and the
board will vote on the in-
crease Sept. 1.
Multiple board members
agree with water, sewer
rates increase
In other business,
Starkville Utilities General
Manager Terry Kemp pre-
sented aldermen with a wa-
ter/sewer rate increase plan
Friday morning, a measure
he said would help fund
more planned infrastructure
upgrades in Pleasant Acres,
Green Oaks, Rolling Hills,
Oktibbeha Gardens and oth-
er city areas.
The proposed increase
would raise the water/
sewer base rate from $4 to
$4.5 for usage after Oct. 1,
with a variable rate of $4.15
per 1,000 gallons, Kemp
said. The current variable
rate, which represents the
amount charged for every
1,000 gallons of both water
and sewer use, is $3.25.
Most customers would
see their water and sewer
bills increase by $2 to $5,
according to Kemp, and the
city would see an annual rev-
enue of $7.5 million.
Ward 3 Al-
derman David
Little, in sup-
port of the pro-
posed rate in-
crease, said the
50- to 70-year-
old infrastruc-
Little
ture needs to
be brought “up
to par.” The city increased
the rates in 2018 but failed
to generate the anticipated
$7.2 million it needed to fin-
ish the projects, Kemp said
Friday.
“We just missed the mark
(two years ago),” Little said.
“We are going to have to
tweak what we already com-
mitted to if we are going to
continue to move forward in
that direction. Otherwise,
we are going to fall short and
not continue to put band-aids
on that situation.”
Beatty agreed that the in-
frastructure improvements
are long overdue.
“The city went a long time
without addressing this,
without paying attention to
the aging water sewer struc-
ture,” he said. “We are in a
situation where … this is a
necessity.”
The board will further
consider the rate options at
its Tuesday meeting. The
members will also hold a
public hearing on the annual
budget that day and consid-
er removing the city’s hiring
freeze implemented in April
as a cost-saving measure.
Columbus
police search
for suspect
who shot hotel
water line
DISPATCH STAFF REPORT
Columbus police are search-
ing for a suspect who opened
fire in the Courtyard by Marri-
ott on Thursday night, striking
a water line in the ceiling and
covering the hallway floor with
water.
No one was hurt in the inci-
dent, which investigators believe
began as a domestic dispute in
the parking lot at about 8 p.m.,
according to a Columbus Police
Department press release. The
suspect, who the press release
described as a black male, al-
legedly fired a gun into the air
during the verbal altercation
before the argument moved in-
side an upper-floor hallway. Wit-
nesses told police he fired inside
again, striking and breaking the
water line which “caused even
more confusion,” the release
said.
The suspect had left the ho-
tel by the time police arrived.
Witnesses told investigators the
argument involved multiple peo-
ple.
Columbus Police Chief Fred
Shelton told The Dispatch Sat-
urday that investigators have
identified the suspect, but did
not release his name. The al-
leged shooter is expected to be
charged with shooting into an
occupied dwelling, which is a
felony.
Anyone with information on
the shooting is asked to call
Golden Triangle Crime Stop-
pers at 800-530-7151.

AROUND THE STATE

State flag could have Choctaw-inspired diamond shape

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSON — The new
Mississippi flag could in-
clude a magnolia or stars
or representations of riv-
ers. Or it could reflect the
state’s Native American
heritage with a diamond
shape that is important to
the Choctaw community.
A group that will rec-
ommend a new flag met
Friday and narrowed the
field of proposed designs
submitted by the public.
Commissioners intend-
ed to select the final five,
but gave themselves a bit
more time. They chose
nine designs, and each
contains a star made of
five diamond shapes.
The nine were posted
on the state Department
of Archives and History
website hours later, with
a nonbinding survey for
people to choose a favor-
ite.
Commissioners will
whittle the list to five de-
signs on Tuesday.
Mississippi recently re-
tired the last state banner
with the Confederate bat-
tle emblem that’s widely
condemned as racist. The
nine-member commis-
sion will recommend a
replacement that cannot
include the Confederate
symbol and must have
the phrase, “In God We
Trust.”
Seven of the nine final
designs are red, white
and blue. Two are mostly
green and white.
Cyrus Ben, chief of the
Mississippi Band of Choc-
taw Indians, serves on the
flag commission and said
the diamond shape is fre-
quently used in Choctaw
baskets and bead work.
“The eastern diamond-
back rattlesnake is ... a re-
spected animal that also
protected the crops in
the fields,” Ben said. “So,
that’s where you see that
diamond design.”
The public submitted
nearly 3,000 flag designs,
and commissioners nar-
rowed that to about 150
proposals that were post-
ed Monday to the Ar-
chives and History web-
site.
Commissioners are
working with a graphic
artist to tweak some of
the submitted designs. By
early September, they will
agree on a single proposal
to put on the Nov. 3 state-
wide ballot. If voters ac-
cept it, that design will be-
come the new flag. If they
reject it, commissioners
will find a new design to
go on the ballot later.
Mississippi had used
the same Confeder-
ate-themed flag since and replace it with a more
1894, when white suprem- inclusive design.
acists in the Legislature Two college sports
set the design amid back- organizations leveraged
lash to political power their power. The South-
that African Americans eastern Conference said
gained during Recon- it might bar league cham-
struction. People who pionships in Mississippi
voted in a 2001 election unless the state changed
chose to keep the flag, but the flag. The NCAA said
the symbol remained divi- that because of the Con-
sive in a state with a 38% federate symbol on the
Black population. flag, Mississippi could not
All eight of Mississip- host events determined
pi’s public universities by teams’ performances,
and a growing number which would affect sports
of cities and counties such as baseball, women’s
stopped flying the state basketball and softball.
flag in recent years. For Reeves agreed to sign
decades, Mississippi leg- the bill to retire the old
islative leaders said they flag after it became clear
couldn’t find consensus that legislators had the
to change the banner. Re- two-thirds majority they
publican Tate Reeves was
would need to override a
elected governor in 2019
veto.
after saying that if the flag
were to be reconsidered,
it should only be done in
another election.
Momentum shifted in
early June, after the May
25 killing of George Floyd
by a Minneapolis police
officer. The Black man’s
death sparked global pro-
tests against racial injus-
tice and reinvigorated de-
bates about Confederate
symbols. Within weeks,
leaders from business, re-
ligion and education were
lobbying Mississippi leg-
islators to ditch the flag

2 workers die from
injuries in Mississippi
plant explosion
BYRAM — Two work-
ers severely injured in an
explosion at a Mississip-
pi processing plant have
died, authorities con-
firmed.
burn unit at Merit Health
Central hospital following
the explosion. Jackson
died Thursday evening
and Fortenberry, whose
hometown was not re-
leased, died Friday morn-
ing, the coroner said.
DAR PRO Solutions is
a recycling plant that col-
Ledger reported. An of-
ficial at the plant, Scott
Brown, declined to re-
lease any details but con-
firmed an internal investi-
gation is being conducted.
The Occupational Safe-
ty and Health Administra-
tion cited DAR PRO for
SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.

The explosion hap- lects and recycles cook- three “serious” violations Major
Sun.
10:30p
Mon.
—
pened Monday at the DAR ing oil and meat byprod- in 2017. OSHA said a fixed Minor
Major
4:02a
10:58a
5:03a
11:54a
PRO Solutions plant at the ucts, which is commonly ladder on a plant silo was Minor 6:50p —
Greater Jackson Industri- used in the manufacture
Courtesy of Mississippi Department

“not maintained in safe of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

al Park near Byram.
William Jackson, 51,
of Vicksburg, and Ter-
rence Fortenberry, 56,
died from complications
of thermal burns, Hinds
County Coroner Sharon
Grisham-Stewart said Fri-
day. Both men were in the
of dog food, according to
its website.
Local authorities, in-
cluding the Hinds County
Sheriff’s Office and the
city’s fire and police de-
partments, were unaware
an incident occurred at
the facility, The Clarion
condition” and cited the
plant for violations with a
mechanical power appara-
tus and a powered indus-
trial truck. The company
settled with the agency
The Commercial Dispatch, P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703
for $12,604, OSHA said.
SOURCE: AP
The Dispatch
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4A SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020
COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
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Henry Rone
STARKVILLE —
Henry Harold Rone, 89,
died Aug. 13, 2020.
A memorial service
will be held at a later
date. Welch Funeral
Home of Starkville is
in charge of arrange-
ments.
Mr. Rone was born
Oct. 30, 1930, to the
late Effie Pickle Rone
and Henry Valentine
Rone. He was a grad-
uate of Ethel High
School and attended
Jones Junior College.
He was a veteran. He
was formerly employed
in sales.
In addition to his
parents, he was pre-
ceded in death by his
wife, Fay Walker Rone;
siblings, Ethel Brunt
and Joe Rone.
He is survived by
his children, Lisa Rone
of Chicago, Illinois
and David Rone of
Starkville; sister, Ruby
Foundation of Forest.
Wendy Herd
STARKVILLE —
Wendy Jean Herd, 47,
died Aug. 11, 2020, at
her residence.
Lowndes Funeral
Home of Columbus is
in charge of arrange-
ments.
Mrs. Herd was born
May 19, 1973, in West
Plains, Missouri, to
Donna Mooningham
and John T. Mooning-
ham. She was a gradu-
ate of Kansas Univer-
sity. She was formerly
employed as a professor
with Mississippi State
University.
In addition to her
parents, she is survived
by her husband, Zac
Herd of Starkville;
TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Sunday, Aug.
16, the 229th day of 2020.
There are 137 days left in
the year.
Today’s Highlight
in History:
On August 16, 1987,
156 people were killed
when Northwest Airlines
Flight 255 crashed while
trying to take off from
Detroit; the sole survivor
was 4-year-old Cecelia
Cichan (SHEE’-an).
On this date:
In 1777, American
forces won the Battle of
Bennington in what was
considered a turning point
of the Revolutionary War.
In 1812, Detroit fell
to British and Indian forc-
es in the War of 1812.
In 1861, President
Abraham Lincoln issued
Proclamation 86, which
prohibited the states of
the Union from engaging
in commercial trade with
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
AREA OBITUARIES
children, Breanna Palo Alto M.B. Church Eastern Star. Ruby was Funeral Home in seamstress for Semi-
Herd and Jacob Herd; in Cedar Bluff with the co-owner of McKnights Aberdeen with Charles nole Manufacturing in
and siblings, John P. Rev. Polee Webber offi- Grocery and later Vaughn and Randy Aberdeen. Virginia was
Mooningham and Jill ciating. A private family raised cattle with her Scattersville officiating. affiliated with a non-de-
Goodman. visitation was Saturday husband. Burial will be at Odd- nominational church.
at the chapel of Carter’s In addition to her fellows Rest Cemetery. In addition to her
John Murphree Mortuary Service in parents, she was Visitation is Tuesday parents, she was
COLUMBUS — John West Point. preceded in death by one hour prior to ser- preceded in death by
Whitt Murphree, 90, Mr. Doss was born her husband, Robert vice time. her husband, J.C. Ott;
died Aug. 13, 2020. July 6, 1940, in Clay Thomas McKnight. Ms. Ott was born brothers, Jim Moore
Lowndes Funeral County to the late She is survived by Oct. 19, 1925, in Okolo- and Bobby Moore; sis-
Home was in charge of Willie Lee Doss Sr. and her son, Robert McK- na to the late Maurice ters, Louise Montgom-
arrangements. Ruthie Baxter Doss. night; daughters, Mar- Moore and Nannie ery and Rachel Gaines.
Mr. Murphree was Henry was formerly ion Cooper and Mandy Moore. She was a She is survived by
born Aug. 5, 1930, to employed at Weld- Hawkins; and three lifelong resident of her sister, Dot Berry of
the late Sim Roan Mur- er-Fitter at B&W Steel grandchildren. Monroe County and a Oklahoma.
phree and Vangie Mur- Fabrication.
Debra Luker
phree. He was a veteran In addition to his Bessie Orr
of the United States Air parents, he was pre- COLUMBUS — Bes-
Force. He was formerly ceded in death by his sie Orr, 70, died Aug.
employed in hospitals stepmother, Rowena 14, 2020, at Baptist Me- Debra Luker, 65,of Reform,
and food services. In Doss; brothers, Earnest morial Hospital-Golden AL passed away Thursday,
addition to his parents, Crumble and Leroy Triangle. August 13, 2020, at Baptist
he was preceded in Doss; and sister, Rose Arrangements are Memorial Hospital-GT.
death by his wife, Fran; Marie Doss. incomplete and will be Mrs. Luker was born May 23,
and siblings, William He is survived by his announced by Carter’s 1955, in Lowndes County, MS
Murphree, Charlotte wife, Ida Doss; daugh- Funeral Services of to the late Iva Mae and Tillman
Murphree, Jett Mur- ters, Martina Doss of Columbus. Parker. She enjoyed fishing,
phree, Mavis Murphree Loganville, Georgia, spending time with her kids,
Brown, Marlena Mur- Ann Doss of Caledonia Virginia Ott grandkids and family. Mrs.
phree Bryan, Thomas and Romesia Steven- MONROE COUNTY Luker was a member of Stansell Baptist Church.
Earl Murphree, james son of Lawrenceville, — Virginia Moore Ott, In addition to her parents, Mrs. Luker was
Edward Murphree, Georgia; sons, Shawn 94, died Friday, Aug. preceded in death by her husband, Steve Luker
and Marcus Doss, both
Winona Murphree and 14, 2020, at her resi- and grandchild, Cody Pittman.
Bobbie Sue Murphree of West Point; broth- dence. Mrs. Luker is survived by her daughters,
Harmon. ers, Willie Lee Doss Services are 11 Stephanie (Daniel) Luker of Reform, AL, Chellie
He is survived by his Jr., Eddie Doss and a.m. Tuesday at Tis- (Larry) Pittman and Crystal (Pat) Luker; brother,
children, Sherry Allen L.C. Doss, all of West dale-Lann Memorial Dewayne (Kathy) Parker; grandchildren, Alisha,
of Atlanta, Georgia Point, Frankie Doss of Angel, Austin, Lois, Amber, Cassie, Sophie,
and Pam Murphree Oxford and Fred Doss Christopher and Remy; nephew, Blake (Monica);
of Columbus; one of Starkville; honorary nieces, Sarah and Riley; and life partner, Jeremy
grandchild; and three sons, Anthoney Dean- Elmore.
great-grandchildren. es, Ray Deanes and Honorary pallbearers will be uncles, aunts
Wanderrick Deanes; and cousins.
honorary daughters, Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s
Ophelia Holliday Sonya Gibbs, Nicole Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis,
WEST POINT — Deanes Williams and TN 38105.
Ophelia Holliday, 90, Moderia Horn; seven Compliments of
died Aug. 6, 2020, in
Tupelo.
grandchildren and Lowndes Funeral Home
eight great-grandchil- www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
Gravesides services dren.
Granville Watson
were Saturday at Lake
Grove M.B. Church
cemetery in Prairie Ruby McKnight
WEIR — Ruby McK-
with the Rev. Carlos Rev. Granville Heatherington
Petty officiating. A night, 91, died Aug. Watson, Jr., age 83, passed away
12, 2020, at Starkville
private family visitation Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
was Friday at the chap- Manor Health Care and Graveside services were
Rehab.
el at Carter’s Mortuary held Saturday, August 15,
Service in West Point. Lowndes Funeral 2020, at 3 PM at Memorial
Home in Columbus is
Ms. Holliday was Gardens of Columbus with
born June 3, 1930, in entrusted with arrange- Dr. Joe McKeever officiating
ments.
Chickasaw County and Dr. Bobby Douglas
Mrs. Knight was assisting. Memorial Gunter Peel
to the late William
born Nov. 11, 1928, Funeral Home & Crematory, 2nd Avenue North
and Mary Buchanan.
in Marks to the late Location was in charge of arrangements.
Ophelia was formerly
Nellie Mansker and Rev. Watson was born November 21, 1936 in
employed as a school
William Alexander Jeffersonville, IN. He was preceded in death by his
teacher.
Marshall. She was the parents Granville Sr., Corene Bolly Watson and
In addition to her
head of her gardening Lucy Doughty Watson. He was a graduate of Lee
parents, she was
club and a member of High School in Columbus and Mississippi State
preceded in death by
her husband, son and University in Starkville. He earned a Masters
of Divinity at Southwest Baptist Theological
siblings, James, Henry
C., Eugene and Howard Seminary. Rev. Watson was ordained as a minister
at First Baptist Church in Columbus, where he
Buchanan, Claudie Bell
Baskin, Lounette Col- was also a member in his youth. He served more
than 20 years in Moorhead, Mississippi, first as
lins, Lou Mary Green,
Oberia Holliday and pastor at Moorhead Baptist Church and later as
Director of Missions for the Sunflower County
Betty Wilson; and one
granddaughter. Baptist Association. Most of his career he was
bi-vocational, serving both in full time ministry
She is survived by
her daughter, Jereldine and farming catfish in the Mississippi Delta as
well as marketing a water quality product used in
Holliday; two grandchil-
dren and six grandchil- aquaculture for many years after his farming days
ended. In 1986, he joined the staff of Southwest
dren.
Baptist University in Bolivar, MO where he held
multiple roles for the school of evangelism and
Henry Doss development for the university until he fully
WEST POINT — ­ retired in 2019. While at SBU, one of his greatest
Henry Louis Doss, 80, joys in ministry came while serving as an interim
died Aug. 8, 2020, in pastor on weekends for churches throughout
Columbus. Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Tennessee.
Graveside services He was known for his commitment to small
are 10:30 a.m. today at congregations and for driving hundreds of miles
to serve churches in need, developing lifelong
friendships in the process.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Becky
Evans Watson of Columbus, MS; sons, Frank
Loper of Starkville and Granville Heatherington
states that were in rebel- (Heath) Watson III (Brook) of Baton Rouge, LA;
lion — i.e., the Confeder- daughters, Heather Watson Gardner (Rick) of
acy. Newburgh, IN and Melanie Watson Thompson
In 1920, Ray Chap- (Glenn) of Lebanon,TN; grandchildren, Brandan
man of the Cleveland
Loper, Carlee Loper Calderon, Katie Loper
Indians was struck in the
head by a pitch thrown
Fancher, Mabry Gardner, Grant Gardner, Reese
by Carl Mays of the New
Thompson, Boone Thompson, Jack Thompson,
York Yankees; Chapman
Kate Thompson and Grace Thompson; and six
died the following morn- great-grandchildren; two sisters, Arletta Watson
ing. Snyder (Bob) and Sarah Watson Mott (Cecil).
In 1948, baseball In addition to his parents, Granville was
legend Babe Ruth died in preceded in death by his first wife, Anne Blalock
New York at age 53. Watson; his son, Charles Daniel (Danny) Loper;
In 1960, Britain ced- and his brother Samuel Watson (Linda).
ed control of the crown Memorial contributions may be made to the
colony of Cyprus. Granville and Becky Watson Pastoral Ministry
SOURCE: AP Scholarship at Southwest Baptist University in
Bolivar, MO. Go to sbuniv.edu and click Give.
Honorary pallbearers are Bob Marti, Pat Taylor,
Larry Lester, Bill Little, Stan Smith, Steven White,
Bobby Sanderson, Cecil Mott and his grandsons.
“Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Matthew 25:21
Sign the online guest book at
www.memorialgunterpeel.com
716 Second Avenue North • Columbus, MS

Move-in
Continued from Page 1A
The W after a six-year
break from classes. “In
a way, that might be a
good thing. I think for
me it will keep me more
focused.”
For Richardson, the
biggest changes will be
moving from in-person
to online classes.
“I changed my major
last year, so I’m trying
to catch up,” she said.
“I have seven classes,
and six of them are on-
line. But where I live,
we don’t have internet
access, so I had to come
here even though I won’t
be in classrooms hardly
at all.”
For parents, send-
ing their children off to
school already creates
its share of anxieties.
The threat of COVID-19
adds another.
Danielle’s mom,
Emma Richardson, said
she plans to stay in touch
with her daughter like
never before.
“I’ve already told her
I’ll be calling every day,”
Jethroe
Continued from Page 1A
throw freely without
pain.
“It’s awesome to see
him back full speed,”
Boyd said. “He’s ex-
tremely happy to be out
here, and we are, too.”
There in spirit
New Hope only
played eight games in
2020 before COVID-19
shut down the season,
but Michelle thinks Jere-
miah would have played
in all of them if he could
have.
When it became clear
that wasn’t going to
happen, Jeremiah tried
a different option. He
asked Michelle to take
him to Trojan Field for
the team’s Feb. 25 game
against East Webster,
hoping to sit with his
teammates and watch.
Again, Michelle said no.
But she found a
way to keep Jeremiah
connected to his team
and to baseball — his
“first love.” The Jethroes
had a parent of a Tro-
jan teammate stream
the game against the
Wolverines and a March
3 home game against
Caledonia on Facebook
Live for Jeremiah’s bene-
fit. Michelle propped up
her son in the wood-pan-
eled bed, between the
black rails on either
side, and turned the
screen toward Jeremiah
so he could watch.
In that way, Jeremiah
stayed close to his team,
but it wasn’t for long.
The following week,
the Trojans squeezed
in three games at the
Battle of the Beach
tournament on the Gulf
Coast, but the season
was paused before the
she said. “And every day,
it’s going to the same
message. Wear your
mask. Social distance.
Be smart.”
“As a parent, you al-
ways worry a little,” said
William Moore, who
helped his daughter,
Jordan, move into Critz
Hall at MSU. Moore said
he had confidence his
daughter would take the
COVID-19 requirements
seriously.
“Wear a mask, I tell
her, and I think she will,”
Moore said. “She’s a
freshman, but she’s pret-
ty mature for her age.
I’m confident she’ll fol-
low the rules, She knows
what to do and what’s ex-
pected of her.”
Jordan Moore said the
virus hasn’t dampened
her enthusiasm for start-
ing college.
“It’s still exciting,”
she said. “I’m not wor-
ried. I’m ready to get
started.”
end of spring break. It
never resumed.
But for all the pan-
demic’s horrors, Mi-
chelle said it might have
helped in Jeremiah’s
case: She no longer had
to consider grounding
him to keep him off the
field.
He still tried, though.
Boyd had to quash
Jeremiah’s attempt to
return early when New
Hope started practicing
in June, before his clear-
ance date.
“I told J.J., ‘You’re
not getting anywhere
near the field without a
doctor’s note, buddy,’”
Boyd said.
But as the final weeks
of Jeremiah’s recovery
slipped away, it turned
out to be easier than he
thought.
“It wasn’t hard be-
cause I love baseball,”
he said. “I love lifting
weights. I love the
freedom of being able
to do basically whatev-
er I want. So I knew if
I wanted to do that, I
had to follow orders. It
wasn’t hard.”
‘Cherish life’
Before the unlikely
accident that sidelined
him this spring, Jere-
miah had never been
kept off the field much.
A couple of dislocated
shoulders here and
some knee inflammation
there comprised his past
injury history.
Now, he says, he
“started off with a bang”
for what he considers
his first major injury.
“Go big or go home,”
Jeremiah said. “I actu-
ally went big and went
home.”
And although the re-
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 5A
Slim Smith/Dispatch Staff
Mississippi University for Women junior Danielle Richardson moved into her room at Jones Hall on Saturday with
the help of her mom, Emma Richardson. Richardson was one of a handful of students who were moving in on
Saturday as students were allowed to move in by appointment throughout the week. Classes at MUW and Missis-
sippi State begin Monday.
covery process was long — enduring evidence of how he got hurt wasn’t Michelle, who never
and arduous, he feels her son’s injury. something stupid: just a misses a practice, was
lucky to be back on the “Metal detectors at “freak accident” that no- the only spectator in the
field when many other airports are going to be body expected. He says concrete section behind
young athletes weren’t fun now,” Jeremiah said. it was “by the grace of the plate for the Trojans’
as fortunate. Then there’s Jere- God” that he made it, July 16 workout. She
“Man, I could have miah’s “war wound”: and Michelle echoes watched and cheered
died,” he said. “I could the scar that runs the sentiment: Their — though not without
have been in a really bad across the right side of faith got them through expressing occasional
place right now if I just his neck. Still slightly when they were unsure concern — as Jeremiah
wasn’t lucky.” raised several months whether surgery would snagged throws and
Jeremiah says per- after surgery, the mark bring about a complete scooped up grounders
haps only chance and cautions Jeremiah that recovery or if the injury at first base, jumped on
his thorough exercise he doesn’t want to go could have long-term pitches in the batting
routine (Michelle through anything simi- effects on Jeremiah’s cage and scampered
proclaimed him one of lar a second time. health. around the bases.
the “thicker-necked” “Every time I think “We had to trust God Toward the end of
Trojans) spared him
about doing something all the way through practice, Michelle point-
paralysis — or worse. stupid, I just rub this this,” Michelle said. ed at the field, where
“Honestly, if I wasn’t
scar that I got from sur- “We had to. There was her son did what he
as big as I was and gery,” he said. “It cost a no other way. We had to. loved once more.
working out as much as
lot, and I don’t need to We couldn’t do it if we “That’s what he’s
I used to, I’d probably be do that again.” hadn’t trusted God all been fighting for right
dead or paralyzed,” he
Jeremiah knows the way through.” here,” she said.
said. “If it would have
been anyone else out
here …”
That’s why, Michelle
said, Jeremiah’s glad it
was he, rather than a
more vulnerable team-
mate, who suffered the
injury.
“He hates that it hap-
pened, but if anybody
had to get hurt, he’s
glad it was him,” she
said.
Michelle said the
incident left her with a
message certain to last
a lifetime.
“Cherish life,” she
said. “We must cherish
every moment of life,
because that could have
been a whole lot worse
than it was.”
All the way through
If Jeremiah ever for-
gets to do just that, he’s
now got two permanent
reminders.
Michelle says she
has pictures of the
plate surgically insert-
ed in Jeremiah’s neck
Opinion
6A SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 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
Roses and thorns
A rose to
college stu-
dents at Missis-
sippi Universi-
ty for Women
in Columbus,
Mississippi State University
in Starkville at East Missis-
sippi Community College
in Mayhew who will begin
on-campus classes Monday.
For students, the challenges
presented by the COVID-19
pandemic are unprecedent-
ed. As thousands of students
pursue their education, they
are also being asked to exer-
cise a level of discipline that
requires sacrifice, especially
when it comes to social gath-
erings that have long been a
part of the student experience.
Our schools have estab-
lished rigorous protocols and
guidelines designed to keep
students safe, yet those plans
are for naught if students don’t
faithfully observe them. Their
health, along with the health
of all people they may come
into contact with, is on the
line. We salute those students
who will rise to the occasion.
They will lead by example.
A rose to
a group of
community
leaders who
came together
Tuesday for a
discussion on race relations
at a time when it is import-
ant that these conversations
continue. During the turmoil
of June and July multiple
instances of racial injustice
both nationally and here in
our community, lead way to
real inter-racial discussions
in our community. Tuesday’s
“Let’s Talk Columbus” was an
effort to sustain the dialogue.
Among those who participat-
ed were Mayor Robert Smith,
Police Chief Fred Shelton
and District 4 Supervisor
Jeff Smith. Other community
leaders included Columbus
Municipal School District
Superintendent Cherie Labat,
Mississippi School for Mathe-
matics and Science Executive
Director Germain McConnell,
Columbus Air Force Base
Commander Col. Seth Gra-
ham, Allegro Family Clinics
President Amy Bogue, Bishop
Scott Volland with The Bridge
and Main Street Columbus
Executive Board member C.J.
Andrews. The wide-ranging
discussions were posted on
the Mayor’s Facebook page.
We urge everyone to check it
out and hope that it will serve
to inspire us all to have our
own conversations. Commu-
nication really is the way to
understanding, healing and
progress. It is something all of
us can do to make our commu-
nity better.
A rose to
the Columbus
Exchange Club
for its effort
to inform its
members on
candidates in the upcoming
November election. Last
week, Percy Lynchard of
Hernando, who is running
for a seat on the Mississip-
pi Supreme Court, was the
guest speaker at the club’s
weekly luncheon. For many
“down-ticket” yet important
races, exposure to candidates
is very limited. In past years,
Columbus Exchange Club has
regularly invited candidates
from a broad range of races to
speak to its members. We en-
courage all of our civic clubs
and organizations to extend
invitations to candidates to
address their members as we
approach the fall elections.
It’s a great way to learn about
these candidates, especially
those who are running for
low-profile yet important
positions.

THE NATION PARTIAL TO HOME

Quazy for QAnon

“I can no longer sit back and allow Com-
munist infiltration ... to sap and impurify
all of our precious bodily fluids.”
— Air Force Brigadier General Jack D.
Ripper, “Dr. Strangelove”

I
n the 1964 black comedy “Dr. Strange-
love,” the above words are spoken by a
general who is about to start World War
III. His theory about the contamination of
“precious bodily fluids” is the tipoff for poor
Group Captain Lionel Mandrake that the
general has gone certifiably cuckoo. Mona Charen
This week, Republican voters in Geor-
gia’s 14th congressional district nominated Marjorie Taylor Greene
for the seat being vacated by Rep. Tom Graves. Greene is (or claims to
be) a QAnon believer.
You might think that once voters were alerted to this, they’d shrink
from Greene as Mandrake did from Ripper, asking her to go nicely
with the men in white coats who are here to help her. Her opponent
told Politico, “She is not conservative — she’s crazy.” The voters
were not convinced. Greene trounced Cowan by 14 points (as of this
writing). Art and design by Larry Feeney & Tina Perry
Georgia 14 is a comfortably Republican district. But Greene is

An authentic experience
not offering traditional Republican fare. She’s denounced a “Muslim
invasion” of America, called George Soros a “Nazi,” and endorsed the
bonkers QAnon conspiracy.

T
Q refers to an Energy Department classification level of top secret.
he other day thought about Leonard Cohen. At 61, after
The person styling himself Q in cryptic online messages is anony-
while walk- years of worldwide acclaim and copious
mous, thus QAnon. To describe what followers of Q believe is to enter
ing along amounts of sex, drugs and rock and roll,
a hall of mirrors.
the entranceway to the revered singer-songwriter entered a
Remember the fellow who, a month after the 2016 election, drove
our fair city carry- Buddhist monastery in California.
from North Carolina to D.C., barging into a pizza place and firing off
ing two trash bags There for five years he scrubbed floors,
a shotgun? Well, he was looking for the child sex slaves he’d been led
filled with litter, I prepared meals, washed dishes and medi-
to believe were chained in the back, at the behest of John Podesta and
happened upon an tated.
Hillary Clinton.
empty Dr. Pepper Cohen described the experience as
“Pizzagate” morphed into the QAnon conspiracy in which Q
can. voluptuous and delicious.
followers wait for signals from their leader that a vast conspiracy of
As I reached for While those aren’t the first adjectives I’d
Satanic child abusers, run by the “deep state,” George Soros, the the can, I noticed reach for in describing our litter-picking-up
Supreme Court and God knows who else is about to be unmasked. the number 23 on Birney Imes experience, there were moments approach-
Did I mention that they think Beyonce is only pretending to be black? its side. ing transcendence.
It’s a hydra-headed thing, this conspiracy, and contains multitudes.
But the one common thread is this: The great deliverer will be Donald
Hum, Michael
Jordan?
This beautifully Take, for example, the grassy triangle
at the southwest corner of the Main Street
J. Trump.
The internet age has birthed a crisis of information. Flooded by
Encircling
the 23 were the
manicured exit. The area is flat; the grass was freshly
cut, and growing in the middle of the space
claims and counterclaims, people don’t know whom to trust. And in
this welter of confusion, many seize upon stories they’d like to be
words, “An au-
thentic blend of 23
scrap of land is a small stand of sycamores, magnolias,
cypress and oaks.
true, rather than those that seem plausible. I guess it’s more comfort-
ing for some to believe that Trump’s erratic and incompetent behavior
flavors.” could be in This beautifully manicured scrap of land
Not to be could be in a corner of London’s Hyde Park
is actually cover for a massive plan to save the world from Satan-wor-
shipping child molesters than to accept that he is what he seems.
confused with, a corner of or on the grounds of Downton Abbey, yet
“A blend of 23 au- here it sits barely noticed as cars roar by on
People carrying Q signs began showing up at Trump rallies in
2018. The phrases “Calm Before the Storm” and “Where We Go
thentic flavors.” London’s Hyde all sides.
I expect, but As you are filling your garbage bag, the
One, We Go All” have become talismanic. Trump has done nothing don’t know for Park or on question runs through your mind, why do
to discourage the cult. On the contrary, he posed in the Oval Office sure, most of people desecrate the landscape like this?
with Michael Lebron, a Q promoter. Trump’s former national security those 23 flavors the grounds It’s so easy to put trash in the floorboard or
advisor, Michael Flynn, believed to be the eponymous Q by several are made in a lab in a plastic bag and then dispose of it later.
adherents, has signaled to Q followers in a video release. He follows a and are unpro- of Downton Afterward I asked my companions when
recitation of the oath of office for federal officials with the line “Where nounceable, that it occurred to them littering was not the
We Go One, We Go All.” (My guess is that Flynn is in it for the cash.) is to say, far from Abbey, yet here thing to do. They all credited the “Don’t Be
No fewer than 60 current or former congressional candidates have
expressed interest in or support for the QAnon conspiracy. One of
authentic in the
natural sense.
it sits barely A Litterbug” campaign of the 50s and 60s.
And, as is the case with so many of our hab-
them, Jo Rae Perkins, got the Republican nomination for Senate in
Oregon. And now Marjorie Taylor Greene seems almost certain to be
Still, you have
to admire the
noticed as cars its, good and bad, they learned from their
parents, who did not litter.
going to Congress.
Greene claimed that the Republican “establishment” was against
marketing genius
behind the slogan.
roar by on all I wasn’t so enlightened. When I left for
college, I was still mindlessly throwing
her. But alas, that’s not true. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and
GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney did condemn her remarks. But
Our critical
thinking skills are
sides. things out the car window. I did so en route
to Cade’s Cove in the Smokies one after-
Greene received backing from the House Freedom Fund, an arm put to test with every trip to the grocery. noon, prompting my companions to dub me,
of the House Freedom Caucus. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and former “Made with natural ingredients” is virtually “Mr. Ecology.” I got the message.
Rep. Mark Meadows, now Trump’s chief of staff, also backed Greene. meaningless. That and what else? Sometime ago I wrote here about the
Trump himself has cheered her election and called her a future Is that loaf of bread “100% whole-wheat Instagram posting #Trashtag where people
Republican star. flour” or simply “made with 100% whole- photograph a litter strewn area before and
Most Americans have not heard of QAnon. But the paranoid con- wheat flour”? Big difference. after they picked it up. A year ago a fellow
spiracy has gathered momentum at the Republican grassroots. The Once a week we meet friends to pick up named Byron Roman challenged “bored
taste for crazy seems peculiarly partisan. When Democrats go off the trash in the downtown area. While the con- teens” to take up the #Trashtag challenge.
deep end, it tends to be for Marxism or Maoism. Those are among the stancy of litter is discouraging, being out in His challenge was reposed 323,000 times
most dangerous political ideas in the world and have led directly to fresh air in the early morning with friends on Facebook and resulted in clean-ups
the deaths of scores of millions of people. But they’re not nuts. is refreshing. around the globe.
It’s odd that Republicans, who pride themselves on their practical Occasionally there is treasure. Sever- Though we find ourselves in more com-
understanding of life — incentives matter, money doesn’t grow on al weeks ago I retrieved a waterlogged plicated times, wouldn’t it be great if we as
trees, personal responsibility is essential to a well-ordered society — notebook that detailed in a girlish script the a community embraced a similar challenge.
should display such a marked weakness for utter lunacy. I don’t offer company policy of a certain hair salon. Why Social distancing is easily maintained on a
an explanation, just a warning. This disordered thinking is no longer I didn’t bring it home for further study, I litter patrol.
just a fringe phenomenon. Unlike Group Captain Mandrake, a lot of don’t know. I’m sure the experience would be 100%
Republicans out there don’t recognize crazy when they see it. Bush hog a styrofoam cup and you have authentic.
Mona Charen is a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy a small snow storm. Birney Imes (birney@cdispatch.com) is
Center. While I was picking up snowflakes, I the former publisher of The Dispatch.

Sports
Reeves issues executive order to limit attendance at sporting events
BY DISPATCH STAFF
Mississippi Gov. Tate
Reeves issued an exec-
utive order Friday to
limit attendance at K-12
extracurricular activi-
ties, including sporting
events, through Aug. 31
to restrict the spread of
COVID-19, the disease
caused by the novel
coronavirus.
Attendance will be
THREE POSITION BATTLES TO WATCH AS BULLDOGS OPEN FALL CAMP
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — Foot-
ball is upon us, at least for
the time being.
While it remains to be
seen whether the South-
eastern Conference and
its compatriots in the
Big 12 and ACC actual-
ly begin, let alone finish,
the 2020 season amid
the COVID-19 pandemic,
Mississippi State is slated
to begin fall camp Mon-
day as it prepares for its
10 game, conference-only
slate.
Here’s three major
matchups to watch as the
Bulldogs open camp:
Who gets the nod at
cornerback?
MSU has a number of
needs on the defensive
side of the ball, but there’s
perhaps no position thin-
ner than cornerback.
With Cameron Dan-
tzler off to the NFL and
Jarrian Jones’ transfer to
Florida State, the Bull-
dogs are left with just se-
nior Tyler Williams and
sophomore Martin Emer-
son as experienced pieces
returning.
Emerson showed am-
ple gusto in his first sea-
son at MSU and those
around the program are
high on his long-term
upside given his 6-foot-2,
195-pound frame. Named
an Honorable Mention
All-American by Pro Foot-
ball Focus last season,
Emerson will be asked to
grow up quickly in 2020.
Other names to watch
in the battle for playing
time at cornerback in-
clude one-time UMass
transfer Malik Sanders,
Powerful Southern leagues aim to forge on with fall football
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Folks in the South ar-
en’t giving up on their
beloved fall tradition of
college football just yet.
While other confer-
ences have conceded
the fall to COVID-19,
the Southeastern Con-
ference, Atlantic Coast
Conference and Big 12
are holding out hope
they can play a shortened
season with uncertain
national championship
prospects.
From Oklahoma to
Alabama to South Caro-
lina, a number of states
don’t have NFL teams
and college football is
king. Weddings and oth-
er events are planned
around game days and
states practically stand
still for showdowns like
Alabama-Auburn and
Oklahoma-Texas.
“It’s so deeply rooted
here and part of the cul-
ture of social life, tail-
gating and all that,” said
Charles Reagan Wilson,
professor emeritus at the
limited to two people
per participating stu-
dent, with the exception
of coaches, directors,
teachers, officials, me-
dia and medical and oth-
er game staff.
Face coverings
worn over the nose and
mouth will be required
of attendees at all times
during indoor events.
At outdoor events, face
coverings must be worn
MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL ANALYSIS
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception as he is tackled by Mississippi State
Bulldogs cornerback Martin Emerson (1) during the second quarter on Nov. 16, 2019 at Davis Wade Stadium.
who didn’t see any game
action last fall but could
be called upon as a senior.
Late addition Decamer-
ion Richardson skyrock-
eted up recruiting boards
in the tail end of the 2020
cycle and could also find
the field as a freshman.
Who will MSU trot out
at kicker?
Unlike cornerback,
MSU actually has two ex-
perienced options to go
with at kicker.
Senior Jace Christman
converted 8-for-10 field
Center for the Study of
Southern Culture at the
University of Mississippi.
The Pac-12, Big Ten
and some lower-profile
leagues won’t play foot-
ball this fall because
of the pandemic. ACC
teams? They are already
practicing in preparation
for a Sept. 12 start and
the SEC and Big 12 are
going ahead, too, with
conference openers set
for Sept. 26.
Still, powerhouse Al-
abama and other SEC
teams head into Mon-
day’s practices knowing
college football is still on
for them, but not guaran-
teed.
“That’s the only mood
I feel like is going around
is we don’t know if we’re
playing and we really
want to play,’” Alabama
tailback Najee Harris
said Friday. He then
talked about his younger
teammates.
“We try to tell them
don’t go to parties, but
like it’s kind of hard to
tell somebody not to go
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
in transit to and from
one’s seat, in restrooms,
at concession stands
and whenever it is not
possible to stay at least
six feet away from peo-
ple not in one’s house-
hold.
All employees, staff,
workers and volunteers
will be required to wear
a face covering, the or-
der states.
Every event will have
goals and 39-for-40 extra
points last season and
previously earned Fresh-
man All-American honors
from the Football Writers
Association of America
and was named to the
SEC All-Freshman team
in 2017.
And while Christman
has been steady through-
out his Bulldog career,
he’ll get ample competi-
tion from Arizona State
transfer Brandon Ruiz. In
three years with the Sun
Devils, Ruiz converted
39 field goals — good for
to a party in college,” he
said. “We understand
it, but we’re kind of just
telling them, ’If you do
go to a party, like make
sure you guys are overly
safe.’”
Clemson coach Dabo
Swinney, who led the Ti-
gers to national titles in
2016 and 2018, said “the
virus doesn’t go away”
without football.
“Yes, guys could still
get it and I could still get
it,” Swinney said. “But we
all have to make our risk
assessments in life. It’s
always been that way. It’s
not going to be any differ-
ent in the spring. ... Our
football team has made
its decision. Hopefully,
people will respect our
decision and allow us to
play.”
Many fans are certain-
ly hoping they are able
to since Saturday game
days would provide a
sense of normalcy. That
is true for players, too,
many of whom have been
involved in football since
they were boys. Campus
a dedicated safety offi-
cer to enforce the terms
of the or-
der.
T h e
M i d s o ut h
Associa-
tion of In-
dependent
Schools
has al- Reeves
r e a d y
started competition in
girls soccer and soft-
eighth in school history
— and 92-straight PATs.
He was also named to
the Lou Groza Preseason
Award Watch List in 2019.
With a new regime in
town and coaches still
feeling out what they’ve
got in Starkville, it’s un-
clear whether Christ-
man’s job is totally in jeop-
ardy. That said, Ruiz is as
experienced as they come
at the college level and
should push the incum-
bent Christman given
he’s a graduate transfer
with two years of eligibil-
is also seen as a safe hav-
en for some.
“Back where a lot of us
are from, it’s not good for
us to go back home right
now during this time,”
said Louisville quarter-
back Micale Cunning-
ham, who is from Bir-
mingham, Alabama. “I
mean, you can catch the
virus like you can catch
it here, just being out on
the street.”
Louisville coach Scott
Satterfield said he be-
lieves the practice rou-
tines provide structure
as players work toward
the goal of Saturday foot-
ball.
“We have all these
protocols, we’re testing,
we’re doing all these
things to prevent any
spread of this virus,” he
said. “But if they don’t
have a purpose, they’re
18- to 22-year-olds. I
mean, do we think that
they’re gonna sit in their
room 24 hours a day? It’s
not gonna happen.”
Another pressing
question is who will be
ball, and some MAIS
regular-season foot-
ball games take place
Friday evening. Area
MAIS football teams
— Heritage Academy,
Starkville Academy,
Oak Hill Academy, Co-
lumbus Christian Acad-
emy and Hebron Chris-
tian School — start play
Aug. 21.
The Mississippi High
School Activities Associ-
Matt Bush/USA TODAY Sports
ity left.
K.J. Costello is QB1,
who’s next?
K.J. Costello has one
year of eligibility left and
NFL aspirations in tow.
As has been the case for
previous graduate trans-
fer quarterbacks who’ve
teamed with head coach
Mike Leach, it’s expected
the Stanford import will
start under center for the
Bulldogs in 2020. Behind
him, it’s anyone’s guess.
Sophomore Garrett
Shrader proved effective
there to watch. Teams
like Alabama haven’t an-
nounced plans for seat-
ing capacity, but athletic
director Greg Byrne said
it would be significantly
reduced. Oklahoma is
already planning for seat-
ing capacity of just 25%.
Has playing football
been politicized? Wil-
son said he hasn’t seen
governors politicize the
issue but noted that all
three leagues planning
to play are largely in “red
states.” President Donald
Trump and Sen. Majority
Leader Mitch McCon-
nell, both Republicans,
have made pleas for col-
lege football to be played.
“I hope the ACC and
SEC stick with their cur-
rent plan which is to have
football this fall,” McCon-
nell said in a recent radio
interview.
Chris Massaro, the
athletic director at Mid-
dle Tennessee State,
said it was important
for leagues like Confer-
ence USA, where his
program plays football,
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 7A
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
ation permits two-quar-
ter football scrimmages
on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29
with regular-season
play beginning Sept.
4 for Columbus, New
Hope, Caledonia, West
Lowndes, Starkville,
West Point and Noxubee
County high schools.
Volleyball and cross
country competition for
MHSA A schools can
start Aug. 24.
and athletic while trad-
ing time with Penn State
transfer Tommy Stevens
last season in former
coach Joe Moorhead’s
RPO-style offense. How-
ever, Shrader’s 57.5 com-
pletion percentage won’t
cut it in Leach’s air raid
offense.
Jalen Mayden came
to MSU as a highly-tout-
ed dual threat quarter-
back out of Sachse, Tex-
as, but hasn’t received
much of a shot to thrive
in Starkville. Mayden’s
high school coach, Red
Behrens, spoke highly of
his arm talent and ability
to stretch plays in recent
weeks and he showed
flashes of effectiveness in
last year’s spring game.
With a new staff in place,
Mayden may finally get
his shot.
Finally, there’s fresh-
man Will Rogers, who
Leach recruited when
he was previously the
head coach at Washing-
ton State. Coming from
Brandon High School
— the same program
that produced prolific
Cougar passed Gard-
ner Minshew — Rogers
is already familiar with
Leach’s offense and is
a name worth watching
this year and beyond.
Shrader is far and
away the most experi-
enced backup on the
roster, but his accuracy
numbers leave plenty
to be desired. Rogers
arrived on campus and
did get to practice in
bowl game prep last fall
and his familiarity with
Leach could give him a
leg up, while Mayden is a
talented passer that may
turn some heads if given
the opportunity.
“to be in lockstep with
these other conferences.”
CUSA is playing its confer-
ence schedule and teams
can schedule up to four
non-conference games,
too.
“I saw a map earlier that
basically stretches across
the South of the teams that
are playing. ... it’s not only
conference to conference,
it’s also statewide philoso-
phies,” Massaro said.
Republican Mississip-
pi Gov. Tate Reeves made
it clear how important he
thinks college football is in
his state. He also said con-
ferences that cancel foot-
ball “are doing it because
they’re scared of lawsuits
and bad press.”
“College football is es-
sential,” Reeves tweeted.
“What do opponents of
football think, these kids
will end up in a bubble
without it? You can get
COVID anywhere. There
are forces who want to
cancel everything to avoid
risk at all societal costs.
It’s foolish. We have to
balance risk & costs.”
8A SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

A photo exploration of life

FOCAL POINT inside the Golden Triangle

A New Hope for Jeremiah

Photographed and written by Antranik Tavitian/Dispatch Staff

Jeremiah Jethroe is caught in the middle of a fight for attention between Brandon Grissom, left, and Karter Green, right, while he eats food at Korey Green’s house, his
best friend, on August 7, in Columbus. The Greens have known Jeremiah since he and their oldest son, Korey, became friends in the fourth grade. Anytime they have extra
food, they call him up to come and finish it, during which Karter is constantly at his side. “He adores him,” said April Green, Korey’s mother.

LEFT: Jethroe asks for an extra two hours of batting practice for the following day after the team’s second-to-last practice of the summer on July 16 at New Hope High
School. “He’s always the last one off the field,” said his mother, Michelle. RIGHT: Jethroe takes a break while getting practice in at the batting cages on his birthday on
Thursday, July 30, in Columbus. During most of his time in high school, he’s played multiple sports and extracurriculars while maintaining salutatorian status and only
missing one day of school ever.

ABOVE: Jethroe practices his batting on his birthday in Columbus. He’ll be participating in a baseball
league in the fall to get live “at bats.” Jeremiah plans to go into computer engineering, but he’d also
like to play on a college team. ABOVE RIGHT: Jethroe jokes about his broken neck being his weak spot
with his best friend, Korey Green, right, and Korey’s girlfriend, Anna Hogan, after they took Marching
Band senior photos on July 29 at New Hope High School in Columbus. RIGHT: Jethroe holds up
Brandon Grissom’s leg to show his scar from having a heart stint put in when his was a baby on August
7 in Columbus. The two have known each other since the sixth grade. Jeremiah recalls messing with
Brandon by saying “I’ll make your heart beat too fast,” while Brandon tells Jeremiah that he’ll hit is neck.
Lifestyles LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Jan Swoope: 328-2471
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020
B
SECTION

Connected
spirit

A pandemic-induced change of course can

sometimes yield a blessing
BY JAN SWOOPE
jswoope@cdispatch.com

A
s the noon hour Wednesday
approached, Tavetia Hughes
in Columbus double-checked
that she had everything needed
close at hand. The house was quiet
as she waited with her phone. Her
husband graciously finds elsewhere
to be during this planned 60 or so
minutes each week.
A bit before 12 o’clock, other
women began dialing in, con-
necting to a conference call. The
COVID-19 pandemic may have
scuttled their weekly in-person Bi-
ble study and luncheon at St. James
United Methodist Church, but it
didn’t stop them from carrying on
— and expanding — the spiritual
bond.
To the group’s surprise, the
move to conference call has almost
tripled participation. No longer
does the Wednesday study involve
just women from Columbus. Word Courtesy photos
of mouth to friends, sisters, in-laws TOP LEFT: Former Columbus resident Eunice Boston calls in from her home in Las Vegas to the St. James United
and others has grown the numbers, Methodist Church Bible study conference call Wednesday. RIGHT: Jackie Richardson of Columbus follows along
in the Bible study guide “Embraced by God” during Wednesday’s call. TOP PHOTOS: From left, Tavetia Hughes,
at times to almost 50 people. Now Anita Nichols and Patricia Prowell, in their individual Columbus homes, take part Wednesday in a weekly St. James
participants in Tennessee, Ohio, United Methodist Church women’s Bible study conference call. The group used to meet weekly at the church on
Nevada, Missouri, Indiana, Mich- Military Road for Bible discussion and lunch but converted to a new format in response to the coronavirus pan-
igan, Texas and California have demic in March. Since then, its participants have almost tripled in number.
joined in.
“It’s amazing how the power gym, the doctor, going to school, year, and you say, OK, I got that,” physical boundaries, a consequence
of the word, wanting to learn going to sports,” said Hughes. “We said Nichols, a member of St. unforeseen back in March.
about the word, about God, has have talked about our worries, our James since 2003. “But after you’ve “We just know it’s going to be
increased our Bible study group,” anxieties, our fears — and this gone through other things and a glorious day if and when we can
said Hughes, who serves as study Bible study has squashed a lot of you reread that scripture, you can ever get a chance to meet back at
leader. “It is amazingly, fantastically those fears. ... It’s amazing how understand it a little bit more.” the church,” said Hughes. “It’ll be
pleasing because whatever condi- these lessons were written, how Eunice Boston calls in from her a wonderful hallelujah time. But
tions are going on in our lives, we each lesson really touches on what current home in Las Vegas. She the people who have joined us who
can stand on God’s word.” we are going through in our lives graduated from R.E. Hunt High are not from Columbus have really
Patricia Prowell, whose husband, right now.” School in Columbus, alongside expressed a desire to continue. We
the Rev. Dwight Prowell, is pastor Prowell said, “I’m thankful for Hughes. Boston’s husband recently have looked ahead.”
of St. James, said, “ ... The distance our conference call, being able passed away. Carrying on with a conference
that COVID-19 has given us has to continue to share the word of “The Bible study came into my call, or moving to a platform like
also given us a different way to God with our fellow members and life at the right time to fill some Zoom are under consideration.
connect with each other.” friends and family is such a support emptiness there,” she said. “Study- Whatever the future may hold for
to my faith in God and all his bless- ing the Bible just fulfills my life the women of St. James UMC Bible
■■■ ings. We get the chance to share because I’ve been through so much, study, the bond they share deepens
things ... and I have found that has and being a student of the word has with every call.
Each Wednesday’s session is been a help to me, to hear how oth- helped me get through trials and “I just love it,” Hughes said of the
structured, following the book “Em- ers on our call are coping, particu- tribulations in my life.” weekly connection. “It is the high-
braced by God: Seven Promises for larly coping during COVID-19.” light of my week. ... Our Christian
Every Woman,” by Babbie Mason. Anita Nichols of Columbus ■■■ spiritual state I think has grown
Hughes facilitates discussion and hasn’t missed a weekly conference stronger on these calls. One lady
questions. Prayer requests are call yet. Her sister in Indiana can The weekly conference call joked, the only thing missing is the
shared; sometimes songs are sung. even take part now. — an interim solution to a pan- food.”
Amid the stresses of a pandemic, “I’ve heard people say the demic-induced problem — has not Editor’s note: To learn more about
concerns are expressed, too. Bible is living and breathing, and only allowed study and fellowship the St. James UMC Bible study,
“COVID-19 has affected every that’s true because there can be a to continue, it has opened a door email Tavetia Hughes at tavnote@
facet of our lives — the church, the scripture you may have read last for the group to grow beyond its yahoo.com.
2B SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Columbus library happy

with innovative summer program
More than couldn’t be happier with
how this summer turned
22,000 reading out,” said Tori Hopper,
children’s services and
minutes logged programming coordi-
nator at CLPLS. “Those
SPECIAL TO THE who participated can still
DISPATCH come by the downtown
and teens experiencing
programs on Goodreads,
Twitch and Discord.
More than 80 adults
joined Josh Herrick, adult
and teen services and
programming coordina-
tor at CLPLS, for book
during the summer
reading challenge and
featured Mystery STEM
Challenge Kits, Space
Travel Kits, Marshmal-
low Castle Kits, and
more. Hopper said the
kits, along with story

T
he Colum-
bus-Lowndes Pub-
lic Library System
(CLPLS) completed its
summer library program
with the theme “Imagine
Your Story.” The program
saw 5,000+ program
video views on Facebook
and more than 22,000
minutes read by those
who participated using
the Beanstack reading
tracker app.
“We’re so blown away
by what our patrons
have accomplished in a
short, two-month time
period. We know we
received a boost due
to the COVID-19 stay-
at-home order, but we
Columbus branch to pick
up their prizes that they
won during the summer
program.”
Readers logged 22,390
minutes read and over
600 challenge badges
were earned by those
who participated with
the Beanstack app. One
hundred thirty-five books
were recorded as read
during the summer, with
popular titles including
“The Magician’s Neph-
ew” by C.S. Lewis, “Rich
People Problems” by
Kevin Kwan, and more.
The library also
branched out into var-
ious platforms during
the summer reading
challenge, with adults
clubs, creative writing
club meetings and craft-
ing and gaming sessions.
“Learning to program
on digital platforms has
helped introduce differ-
ent ways of connecting
to the community that
we at CLPLS strive for,”
Herrick said. “What
surprised me was the
amount of participants
who just wanted to hang
out and watch games be-
ing played on Saturdays,
and that was probably
my favorite program
throughout the entire
summer because of the
engagement I received
from the community.”
Crafternoon-to-Go
kits were also available
times on Facebook and
other programming will
continued to be offered.
More information
about library programs
can be found on the Co-
lumbus-Lowndes Public
Library’s Facebook page
at Facebook.com/Colum-
busLowndesPL. Those
interested in learning
more about children’s
programs at the Colum-
bus-Lowndes Public Li-
brary System can contact
Tori Hopper at thopper@
lowndes.lib.ms.us or at
662-329-5300.

IN THE GARDEN WITH FELDER

A little rant about lawn care

E
very
summer
I feel
like hanging
up my hat on
advising about
lawn care, be-
cause people
gonna do what
they’re gonna
do, regardless
of what’s best
for the lawn. Felder Rushing
Let me set
this up, hop-
ing I don’t come across as can do about any of those.
whining. After over four
decades as a dedicated
nonprofit horticulture
educator, I’ve developed
some pretty basic bottom they happen, and I’m
lines about what works
and what doesn’t. I do
change, of course, given
dependable new infor-
mation or the occasional
“Eureka!” moment. But
some things simply don’t
change, and I stick with
them as mantras.
And I’ve diagnosed
a lot of predictable,
frustrating conditions
for which little can be
done. Frustrating to both
my clients and myself,
because on top of the
problems themselves,
I too often have to bear
the brunt of gardeners
telling me that I’m “not
much help” when, truth
is, it happens in my own
garden, and if there was
something practical to be won’t notice.
done I’d do it myself. But
being honest isn’t always
soothing.
And yeah, my own
garden has incurable
rose diseases, repeated
onslaughts of bugs, squir- the solutions, though
rels and possums eating
tomatoes, daffodils not
flowering, pecans drop-
ping too early, lightning
splitting treasured trees,
neighbors’ cats killing my and fertilizing are hugely
songbirds, moss instead
of grass in the
shade, weeds
that can only
be killed by
stuff that will
also kill my
flowers or
which keep
coming back
from zillions
of seeds ... and
mosquitoes
ruining gar-
den parties.
Not much I
Difference is, my
training and experience
help me anticipate some
problems even before
comforted in a bizarre
way knowing to just live
with them as best I can.
I mean, if horticultur-
ist and botanic garden
friends have the same
problems, and we talk
regularly about them and
agree there ain’t much
we can do ourselves, why
should I give false hope
(lie) to home gardeners
or peddle ineffective
placebos?
So, it is with a heavy
heart during my daily
walks when neighbors
ask for and receive good
recommendations about
something I am person-
ally and professionally
certain about, but don’t
heed the advice. As if I
And nothing is more
frustrating than mid-
summer lawn problems,
where most folks have
the closest interactions
with their gardens. And
very simple, don’t fit in
with what they want to
hear.
Weeds, drought, in-
sects, diseases, watering
dependent on one thing
more than any other: how
the grass is cut. Whether
you do it yourself or hire
it done, this is by far the
easiest trick for maintain-
ing a decent lawn.
See, lawns aren’t
carpets; they are thou-
sands of interconnected
plants needing solar
radiation hitting leaves.
Not enough energy, from
too much shade or being
cut too low, weakens the
plants, shutting down
roots and new shoots.
Over time, the lawn thins
out and plants we call
weeds quickly colonize
and often grow better
than the weak lawn.
The lawn can recov-
er, of course, but not if
mistreated over and over,
especially in hot, dry con-
ditions. Compensating
with fertilizer and water
can help only so much
before causing their own
problems.
It may seem counter-
intuitive, but the bottom
line, from the summer
lawn’s point of view, is
that more leaves means
deeper roots — better for
coping with or recover-
ing from heat, drought,
weeds and pests. Mean-
ing mow on the high side.
Like it or not.
Do your lawn right.
Mow high with a sharp
blade, recycle the
clippings, water deeply
every now and then and
fertilize every couple or
three years. Ignore these
basics, and everything
else is moot. I’m done
now.
Felder Rushing is
a Mississippi author,
columnist, and host of the
“Gestalt Gardener” on
MPB Think Radio. Email
gardening questions to
rushingfelder@yahoo.com.

CUT FOR A CAUSE: On

Aug. 10, Brett Mordecai
of Columbus, 15, cut off
10 inches of hair he had
been growing out for 16
months with the goal of
donating it to Children
with Hair Loss. The
charity makes free wigs
for children and young
adults facing medical-
ly-related hair loss due
to cancer, alopecia,
burns or other condi-
tions. Brett, a 10th-grad-
er at Columbus Christian
Academy, is the son of
Jay and Dana Mordecai.
Courtesy photo
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 3B

Transitions: Area Weddings, Heda receives Kossen

Award at The W
Engagements and Anniversaries MUW UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

G
hanshyam
Heda, Ph.D.,
recently was
named the Kossen
Faculty Excellence
Award winner. The
award was present-
ed during summer
commencement
ceremonies Aug. 1.
Connie (’64) and
Tom Kossen estab-
lished the Kossen
Faculty Excellence
Award endowment.
Every year the
Courtesy photo
endowment funds Ghanshyam Heda
a $5,000 award to
recognize an outstanding faculty member.
Heda, who has been at the Mississippi Univer-
sity for Women for 12 years, received his bache-
lor’s and master’s degrees as well as his doctor-
ate from Osmania University (India). He worked
with medical schools, a pharmaceutical drug
company and as a full-time researcher for the
government prior to coming to The W in 2008.
“The right opportunities are rare, especially
in this world of robust competition,” said Heda,
Mr. and Mrs. Don Gilmer Tyler Scott Wyckoff and Macey Elizabeth Pennington who is a professor of biology. “This mindset may
be a motivating factor for me in getting involved
with so many things.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named the

The Gilmers Pennington/ Kossen Faculty Excellence Award winner. I am

thankful to our department chair (Bonnie Op-
penheimer), current and past students for their

celebrate their Wyckoff support, and the search committee for selection.”
Said Oppenheimer, “Dr. Heda has a laser

50th anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Don Gilmer of Columbus celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 15, 2020.
The couple was married Aug. 15, 1970, in Jackson at Mrs. Paul Sansing, Ms. Beth Winders and Mr. and
Calvary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Melinda Gilmer is the former Melinda Legan
of Jackson.
Mr. Gilmer is a farmer, with Gilmer Farms.
Mrs. Gilmer was a teacher at Coleman Elementary
School in Columbus and is a homemaker.
They are members of New Salem Baptist Church.
The couple has three children, Glenn Gilmer and
Johnny Gilmer, both of Columbus, and Tracy Kavana-
ugh of Atlanta, Georgia.
The Gilmers have three grandchildren.
focus on helping the students at The W become
excellent researchers in their own right; some
have peer-reviewed research articles published
Mr. and Mrs. Marty Pennington of Caledonia before they graduate.”
announce the engagement of their daughter, Macey Heda said his first steps as a professor were
Elizabeth Pennington, to Tyler Scott Wyckoff, son of “challenging” primarily because teaching and
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Wyckoff of Columbus. interacting with students was new to him, but
The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and said he grew to enjoy teaching and advising
students. He felt even more comfortable when he
Mrs. Everett Pennington. established his research lab and started training
She is a 2016 graduate of Caledonia High School students; “It made me feel at home,” he said.
and a 2020 graduate of Itawamba Community College, Staying active in so many roles is invigorat-
with a degree as an occupational therapy assistant. ing and the academic freedom he has at The W
The prospective groom is the grandson of the late allows him to pursue his goals of collaborating in
Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Wilson, and Mrs. Shirley Wyckoff research and teaching with researchers through-
and the late Mr. Walter Wyckoff. out the world. In 2015, Heda spent his sabbat-
He is a 2015 graduate of New Hope High School and ical leave at the International Crops Research
a 2020 graduate of Mississippi State University, where Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in
he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. India. In 2018, he served as a Fulbright scholar
He is currently employed as a manufacturing engi-
at the University of Hyderabad in India.
neer with Bolzoni Auramo Inc. in Sulligent, Alabama.
The Kossen Award recipient must be a mer-
Vows will be exchanged Oct. 10, 2020, at The Barn
itorious tenured faculty member of The W who
At Lakeside.
has exhibited excellence in teaching, scholarly
or artistic achievement, and service, preferably
on campus and in communities, throughout The
W’s service area. To be considered for the award,
a faculty member must exhibit a commitment to

4-H to offer masks, sanitizer

teaching and learning that results in outstanding
opportunities for students served, demonstrate
excellence in scholarly or artistic achievement

to west Lowndes residents

and exhibit excellence in service through a
commitment to activities on campus, including
those involving governance and those involving
student services.
BY JAN SWOOPE For the safety of all participants, Department of Health, hand sani- The Kossen Faculty Excellence Award
jswoope@cdispatch.com masks should be worn for the tizer and health information about recognizes achievements of individuals through

T
he West Lowndes 4-H Club
will hold a drive-through
giveaway of masks for
children and adults, plus hand
sanitizer, from 8-10 a.m. Saturday,
Aug. 22 for communities in west
Lowndes County.
The first-come, first-served
event to help reduce spread of
COVID-19 will take place at
the Artesia Community Center
located at 46 Front St. in Artesia.
drive-through.
The giveaway replaces a walk
and health fair the club traditional-
ly presents each August.
“We had to cancel those due to
COVID-19, but we still wanted to
do something in the health area,
something to benefit the peo-
ple,” said club organizer Mildred
Smith.
The giveaway will distribute
approximately 300 packages with
masks provided by the Mississippi
the coronavirus, Smith said.
Sponsors for the club service
project are 4-County Electric Pow-
er Association, Clark Beverages
and the Mississippi Department of
Health.
Smith remarked, “4-H is all
about service and youth develop-
ment.” The West Lowndes club’s
members currently range in age
from 7 to 17.
For additional information, con-
tact Smith at 662-251-4955.
many years of service to The W. Faculty, staff,
students, alumni and members of the community
can nominate candidates.
■ For more Lifestyles content including
GTECHS reopening with virtual, in-class options
for students, MSU students delivering a mask dis-
infectant box to Metro Ambulance in Meridian
and Southern Gardening visit cdispatch.com.

Dear Abby

D
EAR ABBY: I would like to
address a problem I’ve never
seen in your column. A lot of
people have living wills but most
don’t remember what’s in them.
My wife went to the hospital for
a routine procedure that required
anesthesia. After three hours
of what was supposed to be a
one-hour procedure, a nurse came
out, said there was “a problem”
and took me back to the recovery
room. My wife was writhing on
the bed and kept rasping, “I can’t
breathe!” Six nurses tried to put Dear Abby
an oxygen mask over her face, but
she kept fighting them, trying to rip
it off. I was in total shock.
I didn’t know how to help her, so I asked the
anesthesiologist standing there to do something,
and he said her living will was a
DNR (do not resuscitate). She
remained in cardiac and respiratory
distress for eight hours before a
pulmonologist was mercifully called
and she was put on a ventilator.
I went home and pulled out
our living wills. Hers stated, and
I quote, “the individual so named
must be terminally ill or perma-
nently unconscious.” I had no idea.
She was neither of those things.
If I’d had a copy of the living will
WITH me, I’m sure she would have
immediately been put on a ventila-
tor. I lost her six months later, on
Christmas morning.
I urge everyone who goes to the hospital for
any procedure to make sure the person accompa-
nying them has a copy of their advance directive.
I still feel guilty. Her outcome could have been so
much different, and she might have lived much
longer. — GRIEVING HUSBAND
DEAR GRIEVING HUSBAND: Please accept my
deepest sympathy for the loss of your wife. Suf-
fering as much pain as you are over her death,
please don’t torture yourself further over what
you “would have, could have, should have” done.
I appreciate your taking the time to share this
important information with me and my readers.
Your letter serves as a reminder that all end-of-
life documents should be reviewed regularly to be
sure they reflect current thinking. Thank you.
DEAR ABBY: I have a large extended family
who all live a few states away. I didn’t grow up
with any of them, as I’ve never lived near them. I
see or speak to them maybe once a decade. We
don’t exchange emails, and we aren’t friends on
Facebook. This isn’t because I don’t like them;
they are pleasant strangers.
I get the impression that my limb of the
family tree is perceived as the affluent one, and
I sometimes receive life-event announcements
from cousins and their children I haven’t seen in
years and don’t know. In truth, I think I receive
them only for the possibility of receiving some-
thing from me. Am I obligated to send a gift just
because I received an invitation to events they
know I will never attend — such as graduations,
baby showers, etc.? — PURSUED RELATIVE
DEAR RELATIVE: You are not obligated to
send a gift or money to people you have barely
met. You are also not obligated to send gifts to
people you haven’t had contact with in a decade.
The announcements should not, however, go un-
acknowledged. Send a nice card with a congrat-
ulatory note, and you may find yourself receiving
fewer of these invitations as postage becomes
increasingly expensive.

Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 16).
Your superpower is your incredible
imagination. Direct it to create rela-
tionships you want, pursue far-flung
interests and pull together scenes
that others wouldn’t have thought
possible. Team this amazing sense of
vision with great faith and it will be as
though you have harnessed the winds
of fortune to do your bidding. Aries
and Taurus adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 8, 4, 15, 44 and 49.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The
day comes at you all exclamation
points and promises and delivers on
them like a proper optimist. So many
good things are lobbed your way that
you’ll have to juggle.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Go
for the small win. Success breeds
success, and the scale doesn’t
matter in the least. It’s the feeling
-- the alignment of intention, result
and subsequent satisfaction -- that
creates more of the same.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll
wonder if there’s something you’re
not doing but should be doing to help
your loved ones live better. Keep
in mind that, in certain instances,
pulling back and not helping can be
the biggest help.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). What
you’ve longed for year after year is
still coming together. Do not doubt
that some of the important geogra-
phy of your life is forming in its own
time, slowly and inevitably.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You will
remember things differently than the
other people around you. Write down
your impressions to preserve the
details because, later, you’ll be glad
for these notes.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The
key to success is three-pronged:
know what you want; make a plan;
stick with it. This sounds simple, but
if it really were, everyone would be
doing it all of the time.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There
are many different kinds of revenge,
but the best one is the private
acknowledgment from you to you
that you have risen so far above a
situation that it no longer impacts
your mind.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
Good fortune follows socially astute
moves, such as including everyone,
making introductions and lobbing the
conversational ball in excellent, inter-
esting and positive directions.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21).
You live like it’s nobody else’s job to
make you happy. With the responsibil-
ity squarely on your shoulders today,
the world becomes your personal
theme park.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). It’s always fascinating the way
different people’s demeanors and en-
ergies improve when they get around
that attentive person who listens
and laughs with them. This sort of
high-quality interaction doesn’t need
to be such a rarity.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s
not every day that you come across
an endeavor that can capture and
hold your full attention. Once you give
yourself over to it, there is no going
back.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You
may not have a great deal of support
from the outside right now, but you
are skilled at being a supportive
person and will do well to turn that
energy in on yourself. It’s a day to be
your own champion.
Classifieds
Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
The Starkville Dispatch and Online
To place ads starting at only $12,
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 n 4B

General Help Wanted Apts For Rent: West Apts For Rent: Other Houses For Sale: Other

Employment Rentals
VIP COLEMAN
House & 5 wooded acres in
Vernon, AL. Inside city

Call us: 662-328-2424
Medical / Dental
BUSY DENTAL office has
opening for full time front
office staff. Our office is
seeking an individual who
Ads starting at $25
Apts For Rent: North
FOX RUN APARTMENTS 1
& 2 BR near hospital.
$595−$645 monthly.
Rentals
RENTALS limits, but with the privacy
TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS of living in the country.
Turner Hill Subdivision. Fish
Apartments & Houses 1 BEDROOM pond, block shop bldg,
storage bldg & large storm
2 BEDROOMS
1 Bedrooms 3 BEDROOMS
shelter. 2,100 sqft. Older
home, quality construction,
2 Bedroooms
1956, can easily be up−
3 Bedrooms LEASE, dated. See North MS

has experience in front of-
fice. Applicant must have
professional appearance,
basic understanding of
insurance, computer skills,
be organized and hard
working. We offer a great
work environment.
Experienced applicants
only. If interested please
forward resume to
Healthylifestyle496@gmail.
com
Transportation
© The Dispatch
Military discount, pet area,
Craigslist, real estate, for
pet friendly, and furnished DEPOSIT photos. No texts please!
corporate apts.
24−HOUR PROFESSIONAL
Furnished & Unfurnished AND Call for appointment to
1, 2, & 3 Baths
see. $139,000.
GYM. ON SITE SECURITY. CREDIT CHECK 205−695−2146
ON SITE MAINTENANCE.
Lease, Deposit
662-329-2323
ON SITE MANAGEMENT.
24−HOUR CAMERA & Credit Check
SURVEILLANCE. Benji & Lots & Acreage
Ashleigh, 662−386−4446. viceinvestments.com 2411 HWY 45 N
327-8555 COLUMBUS, MS 1.75 ACRE LOTS. Good/
Bad Credit Options. Good
credit as low as 20% down,
Houses For Rent: North $499/mo. Eaton Land,
Apts For Rent: Other
662−361−7711.
STILL AVAILABLE−HOUSE

PART TIME Shuttle Bus
Drivers needed for Stark-
ville area. CDL with pas-
senger endorsement req.
Contact Cory 314-422-
2020, ggaoil@yahoo.com
General Help Wanted
Medical / Dental
Read local. FOR RENT @ 56 Mason Dr.
No HUD. No pets. 3BR/
1.5BA. Col Schools. Asking
cdispatch.com $760/mo. + Dep. $760.
662−549−9298. LOWNDES COUNTY, MS:
36 ACRES ON GATLIN RD.
Excellent timber & building
Houses For Rent: Other
sites. $72,000. For more
NEAR CAFB: 3BR/2BA @ info, call 205−799−9846
525 Co−Op Rd, Columbus. or 205−695−2248.
1600sqft, quiet area,
Columbus City Schools.
ALL appliances, washer/

dryer, pool table, & dining
room furn incl. Large
private lot close to golf
course. $850/mo + dep.
662−574−1711.
Mobile Homes for Rent
3BR/2BA Trailer, New
Hope school dist. $650/
mo & $650 dep. No pets,
no drugs, no partying. Call
b/w 10a−9p. 662−386−
4292. NO TEXT MGS.
Garage Sales
Two free signs
Estate Sales
Burns Estate Sale
823 8th St. North
Columbus, MS 39701
Fri. Aug. 14, 9am−5pm
Sat. Aug. 15, 9am−5pm
Sun. Aug. 16, 1pm−5pm
Selling contents of nice
home and work shop,

Real Estate house is full of antique and

Ads starting at $25
Commercial Property For Sale
You’ll find the best deals
when you advertise MILITARY QUICK STOP for
lease or sale. High traffic
and shop here!
General Help Wanted count. Busy location.
Possibly some owner
ads.cdispatch.com financing. B.F. at 662−329
−3833 or 662−889−0837.
quality used furniture,
washer & dryer, glassware,
linens, kitchen items, old
collectible toys, art work,
records, books, clothes,
jewelry, out door items,
shop full of tools, 1000’s
of items, don’t miss this
great sale. See photos
@www.estatesales.net Call
Benny Shelton, Stewart’s
Antiques, Columbus, MS
662−251−1515

Houses For Sale: Other

Looking for your dream job?

Check here first!

Good help isn’t hard to find if you know where to look. Start your search here.

Service Directory
Promote your small business starting at only $25
Houses For Sale: North
Building & Remodeling General Services General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping

A & T TREE SERVICES SAM’S LAWN SERVICE No

Bucket truck & stump
removal. Free est.
Serving Columbus
since 1987. Senior
citizen disc. Call Alvin @
242−0324/241−4447
"We’ll go out on a limb for
you!"
MAINTENANCE PROS
Specializing in:
Residential Carpentry,
Electrical, Painting, WORK WANTED: Licensed
Appliance Repair & Minor & Bonded. Carpentry, minor
Plumbing. Free estimate. electrical, minor plumbing,
Call 662−570−5570. insulation, painting, demo−
lition, gutters cleaned,
pressure washing, land−
Carpet & Flooring scaping, cleanup work.
662−242−3608.
Lawn Care / Landscaping
HILL’S PRESSURE
WASHING. Commercial/
Residential. House,
concrete, sidewalks &
mobile washing. Free est.
662−386−8925.
DAVID’S CARPET &
UPHOLSTERY Automotive Services
CLEANING
1 Room − $50
2 Rooms − $70
3+ Rooms − $30 EA
Rugs−Must Be Seen
Car Upholstery Cleaning
Available
662−722−1758
lawn too large or too small.
Mowing, trimming &
weedeating.
Call 662−243−1694
Painting & Papering
QUALITY PAINTING.
Ext/Int Painting.
Sheet Rock Hang, Finish &
Repair. Pressure Washing.
Free Estimates. Ask for
specials! Larry Webber,
662−242−4932.
SULLIVAN’S PAINT
SERVICE
Special Prices.
Interior & Exterior Painting.
662−435−6528
JESSE & BEVERLY’S Tree Services
LAWN SERVICE
Mowing, cleanup, J&A TREE REMOVAL
landscaping, sodding, Work from a bucket truck.
& tree cutting. Insured/bonded.
662−356−6525 Call Jimmy Prescott for free
estimate, 662−386−6286.

General Services

DUMP TRUCK HAULING.

Slag − $400
Clay Gravel − $250
Available for hauling any Classified ads are a great form
materials. Columbus. Call
Walter, 662−251−8664.
of person-to-person advertising.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 5B

Merchandise ON THE WEB

SHOP SAFE Visit www.cdispatch.com

Ads starting at $12
Appliances for a printable copy of

SHOP AT HOME
WASHER & DRYER, solid these puzzles.
wood bookcase, solid wood
end tables, dinette tables,
chairs & butcher block
table. Call 662−328−6224
between 9−5.

Furniture

Sectional Sofa Four year

old sectional sofa brown/
beige speckled fabric.
Good condition. Has two
holes on the side that need
repairing. $300.00 662−
574−9397

General Merchandise

1987 CORVETTE with

removable top, less than
90k mi. Needs work,
$2,550. Cashier’s Check
only. Antique sofa with
original tapestry, $150
OBO. 662−241−7148.

ROOM FOR RENT, Sudoku YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

Sudoku Yesterday’s answer

FULLY FURNISHED Sudoku is a number-
IN WEST POINT.
Includes appliances, placing puzzle based on
furniture & utilities. Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis a several
with num- 3 5 8 6 7 2 1 9 4
$400/mo. 662−295−4701 ber-placing
given numbers.puzzle
The object 4 6 7 9 3 1 8 5 2

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

based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 9 2 1 8 5 4 3 6 7
grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
empty spaces 5 3 9 2 6 8 7 4 1
Vehicles given
so thatnumbers.
object
each row, each
column and each 3x3 the
is to place
The 8 4 6 7 1 9 5 2 3
box 7 1 2 3 4 5 9 8 6
numbers
contains the1sameto 9 number
in
Ads starting at $12 the empty spaces so 2 7 3 5 8 6 4 1 9
only once. The difficulty

SHOP IN COMFORT WITH

that each row, each 6 8 4 1 9 7 2 3 5
Motorcycles & ATVs level increases from
column and each 1 9 5 4 2 3 6 7 8
Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 8/14
2005 HONDA 250 REBEL
the same number only once. The difficulty level

THE DISPATCH CLASSIFIEDS

Black, red, and gray.
1,428 miles. $1500. increases from Monday to Sunday.
662−364−0120.

Community
Looking for goods Ads starting at $12

or services?
Free Pets

FREE TO good home. Male

mixed breed, brown, black,
white with 8 patch on back.
Will be neutered. Does not
like cats. House trained.
Call 662−435−2722.

Five Questions:

1 Kansas

2 Havana
Nights

Find it in classifieds 3 King

George III
662-328-2424 ads.cdispatch.com
4 Five
One call will bring you results.
5 Closed
662-328-2424
circuit
ACROSS
1 Jeweler’s units
7 Sub spot
11 “Twelfth
Night” heroine
12 Verve
13 Encourage to
buy add-ons
14 Airport line
15 1814 treaty
site
16 “— la vista!”
17 Put up
18 Start to melt
19 Spot
21 Rink makeup
22 Yeti’s cousin
25 Watch attach- 40 Took in 16 Georgetown
ment DOWN team
26 Bear in the air 1 Discreet atten- 18 Reject with
27 “The Joy Luck tion-getter disdain
Club” author 2 Dominant 20 Team
29 Church 3 Out of bed 22 Kenya
leader 4 Gets satisfac- neighbor
33 Packed in tion for 23 Deep ravines
boxes 5 Pinball mistake 24 Pudding
34 Comfort food 6 Mule of old choice
source song 25 Sides
35 “Frozen” 7 Coffee bar 28 Eye drops
queen order 30 Leading
36 Bottom-of- 8 Waistband 31 Irritate
page line material 32 Blundered
37 Layer 9 Research 34 Portion out
38 Statue setting assistant 36 Remote
39 Lip 10 Preposterous

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6B SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Religion
Stand firm on the promises of God
G
od is not and not carried it (John 16:33)KJV us safe from all harm and ye may be able to bear it.” (1
like us; we through?”(Num- There are times when we danger. “And the Lord will Corinthians 10:13)KJV
make prom- bers 23:19)NIV get weary and feel like we protect you from all sickness. So be encouraged today
ises and break God didn’t can’t go on. During these He will not let you suffer and always remember: All of
them, whereas promise us that times we have to stand firm from the terrible diseases God’s promises in Christ are
God is faithful! this life would on God’s promise to renew you knew in Egypt, but he reliable and trustworthy. “For
He will always be easy. We will our strength. “But they that will inflict them on all your no matter how many promises
stand behind have some trials wait upon the Lord shall enemies!” (Deuteronomy God has made, they are “yes”
every promise He and tribulations in renew their strength; they 7:15)NLT in Christ. And so through
makes because He this world. Nev- shall mount up with wings When the enemy comes to him the “Amen” is spoken by
cannot lie. So let us ertheless, when as eagles; they shall run, and tempt us with more than we us to the glory of God..” (2
stand firm on His Sherry Ivy we stand firm on not be weary; and they shall can stand, we can stand firm Corinthians 1:20)NIV
promises and have God’s promise, He walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah on God’s promise to make a Minister Sherry Ivy is a
confidence in Him will give us peace 40:31)KJV way out for us. “There hath Minister of The New Provi-
that whatever He promises in Him while were going So many people are walk- no temptation taken you but dence M. B. Church (Healing
us will come to pass. “God is through them. “These things ing around in fear of being such as is common to man: & Yoke Destroying Ministry)
not a man, so he does not lie. I have spoken to you, that in infected by the coronavirus. but God is faithful, who will in Macon Mississippi, under
He is not human, so he does Me you may have peace. In God promises to protect us not suffer you to be tempted the leadership of her husband,
not change his mind. Has the world you will have trib- from all sickness and diseas- above that ye are able; but Pastor Willie J. Ivy Sr. You
he ever spoken and failed to ulation; but be of good cheer, es. Therefore let us stand will with the temptation also can contact her via email at
act? Has he ever promised I have overcome the world.” firm on His promise to keep make a way to escape, that minsivy@yahoo.com.

For our complete church directory listing, visit us online at www.cdispatch.com/religion

Due to local restrictions, churches likely have modified service types and hours. Please contact a church before attending a service.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is F eatured C hurch

“There is Liberty”
Ke nne th Mo ntg o m ery www.memorialgunterpeel.com
Proudly serving our community 716 Second Ave. N. • Columbus, MS • 662-328-4432
for over 30 years 903 College St. • Columbus, MS • 662-328-2354

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH — 3232 Military Road. Sunday School 10:00 a.m., Worship 11
a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday Bible Study 6 p.m. Walter Butler, Pastor.

If you would like your church to be the featured church of the week,
submit a photo by emailing it to community@cdispatch.com.
Photos should be horizontal and high quality.
• RECYCLING SINCE 1956 • The Dispatch will publish photos at no charge as space permits.
Specializing in industrial accounts
662-328-8176 973 Island Rd. 1-800-759-8570

R Free Estimates
LER OO 1721 Hwy 45 N
EE FIN Licensed
& Insured Columbus, MS
W H INC. G ®

COMMERCIAL 662.848.0919
“A Family Business Since 1946” RESIDENTIAL Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm
662-328-3625 • 662-328-7612 In Style. In Reach. Sunday 1pm-5pm

When Caring Counts... SHELTON’S TOWING, INC. TRINITY PLACE

2500 Military Road Suite 1
Columbus, MS
Since 1960 RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
662-328-7500 24 Hour Towing Offering independent living apartments, personal
westrealtycompany.com
WEST REALTY COMPANY care/assisted living suites, and a skilled nursing home
Don West, Broker/Owner FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 1024 Gardner Blvd. 300 Airline Road • Columbus, MS • 327-6716
1131 Lehmberg Rd., Columbus • 662-328-1808 328-8277 “Our Bottom Line Is People”

Hunting • Fishing
Northeast Exterminating Working Or Stepping Out — We Have A Complete
Line Of Clothing For You And Your Family
If it Jimmy Linley • Richard Linley
LLC
Oktibbeha County Co-Op
crawls, Columbus
Check Out Our Boot & Cap Section
662-323-1742
call... 662-329-9992 201 Pollard Rd., Starkville

BRISLIN, INC. Insurance Services:

Young
Sales • Service • Installation Shelton Cleaners Personal
Auto Insurance Agency
Residential • Commercial • Industrial Home GEORGE F. YOUNG
Since 1956 3189 Hwy 45 N. • 328-5421 Commercial Office-662.570.1688
www.brislininc.com Final Expense Cell-662.251.3563
1702 6th St. N. • 328-5361 gfyoung08@gmail.com
4051 Military Road • 662-328-5814 1205 Gardner Blvd.,Columbus, MS

APAC-MISSISSIPPI, INC.
Michael Bogue & Employees
Lake Norris Rd. 328-6555

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, INC The McBryde Family

www.hydrovaconline.com 1120 Gardner Blvd. • 328-5776

Jarrett’s Towing This ad space can be yours

Wrecker Service for only $10 per week.
5209 N. Hwy 182 E. • Columbus, MS 39702
329-2447 We unlock Telephone: 662-327-1467 Call today 328-2424
If no answer 251-2448 cars P.O. Box 1278 • 1616 7th Ave. S., Columbus, MS 39703 to schedule your ad.

If you need to change your church’s online listing or would like to add
your church information, call 328-2424 or email changes to tinap@cdispatch.com
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 7B

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8B SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

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