Established 1879 | Columbus, Mississippi
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Second victim dies from injuries in Wednesday shooting
Starkville police still seeking suspects in
fatal incident outside apartment complex
BY TYLER B. JONES
tjones@cdispatch.com
A second person has died
from a shooting Wednesday
evening outside of an apart-
ment complex off Hender-
son and Pilcher streets.
Earnest Perkins, 32, died
Thursday afternoon at Uni-
versity of Mississippi Medi-
cal Center in Jackson. Justin
Vaughn, 32, of Starkville,
died Wednesday, according
to Oktibbeha County Coro-
Meredith Woolbright studies her history notes Tuesday at Leadership Plaza in Columbus. She is a senior at Mississippi Uni-
versity for Women majoring in political science and minoring in history. “I have always had a love for politics and government
and the ideology behind both. I cannot wait to be able to teach others why these things take place not only in the United
States, but worldwide,” she said.
Solar farm nearly doubles plans, bringing
millions in tax revenue over 10 years
Origis to expand capacity to 350 megawatts in Lowndes
BY SLIM SMITH
ssmith@cdispatch,com
LOWNDES COUTNY —
Thirteen months after award-
ing a contract for a 200-mega-
watt solar facility in west
Lowndes County to a Flori-
da-based company, TVA has
awarded another contract to
the same company for anoth-
er 150-megawatt solar plant.
TVA announced Wednes-
day it will again partner with
Origis Energy to develop
the 150-megawatt solar and
50-megawatt battery storage
facility adjacent to the Origis
INSIDE
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Dear Abby 5B
Obituaries 5,7,8A
Opinions 4A
Religion 6B
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ner Michael Hunt.
Starkville Police Depart-
ment responded to the scene
at about 5 p.m. Wednesday
after receiving reports of
shots fired. The department
is still in the early stages of
the investigation, Public In-
formation Officer Brandon
Lovelady said, and no sus-
pects have been arrested.
Some residents of the
Pilcher Street apartment
complex expressed concern
about the violent event. One
A PLACE TO STUDY
solar plant approved by TVA
in February 2020.
Although neither TVA or
Origis officials announced
the total investment, Golden
Triangle Development LINK
CEO Joe Max Higgins said
the investment in the two so-
lar facilities would be about
$350 million.
“The rule of thumb is a
million dollars per mega-
watt,” Higgins said. “So
roughly speaking, between
the two, it would be a $350
million capital investment.
To put that in perspective,
PACCAR was $400 million
FIVE QUESTIONS
1 Which men’s basketball team
has won the most NCAA Division
1 championships as of 2017?
2 What country is the world’s
largest producer of wool?
3 How many basic positions are
there in a ballet?
4 A hypocaust is a heating
system developed by Ancient
Romans. True or False?
5 Origami is a paper craft that
comes from which country —
Japan, India or Finland?
Answers, 8B
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Friday | March 5, 2021
resident, Joanne Waters,
said she hopes situations
Police are
investigat-
such as these stop in the
area.
ing a fatal
shooting
that
The complex is a well-
occurred
known hangout spot that Wednesday
causes frequent trouble, Wa- evening
ters said, and the victims of outside this
the shooting were not resi- apartment
dents. She said it is scary and complex off
discomforting at times for all Henderson
of the families with children and Pilcher
that live there. streets.
“People come over, and Two people
have now
they just do crazy stuff,”
died from
Waters said. “So many chil- injuries in
dren are out there playing, the inci-
and people are coming over dent.
See SHOOTING, 6A Tyler B. Jones/Dispatch Staff
Recycling
program
restarts
Monday
Drop-off bin available
outside Sanitation
Department
BY TYLER B. JONES
tjones@cdispatch.com
Starkville res-
idents can begin
Monday dropping off
certain recyclable
materials in a desig-
nated bin outside the
Sanitation Depart-
ment offices.
The city’s new Sistrunk
“Think Green” pro-
gram will accept
cardboard, office
and mixed paper and
scrap metal such as
tin and aluminum
Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff
cans as recyclable
materials. The pro-
gram will not accept Beatty
plastics or glass at this time.
The drop-off site, located at 506
Dr. Douglas L. Conner Drive, will
be open 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays
and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Saturday
of each month. There is no fee for
dropping off items, but items placed
in bins should not be bagged.
“Know what you can and can’t
recycle, get your things in there
without being bagged and make
sure you aren’t littering around the
containers,” Ward 2 Alderman San-
dra Sistrunk said.
and Yokohama was $350 mil- Sistrunk said the city will change
lion. So this project is a pret- out the bins when they are nearly
ty big deal.” full, and there will always be a bin
In announcing the sec- available for residents.
ond facility, TVA said it had Starkville entered a contract
reached an agreement to with Columbus-based Waste Pro
sell the power generated by Higgins Vanhee USA for hauling recyclable mate-
the second plant to support power in fall 2022. rials from the drop-off site. Each
Facebook’s two data centers haul will cost the city a minimum of
“Of that 200 megawatts,
in the Tennessee Valley. Ori- $350, with an additional $250 con-
100 was sold to General Mo-
gis will own and operate the tamination fee and a $150 “dry-run”
tors in Spring Hill, Tennes-
Lowndes County plant. fee, when applicable. Sistrunk antic-
see, 60 megawatts was sold
Higgins said TVA had al- ipates two to four hauls per month.
to Knoxville Public Utilities
ready signed contracts for The city eliminated its curbside
and the remaining 40 mega- recycling program in September,
all of the solar power pro-
duced by the first Origis watts was also sold,” Higgins citing high costs and low participa-
solar plant, which is under said. tion.
contract to begin producing See SOLAR FACILITY, 3A See RECYCLING, 6A
CALENDAR LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC
Today and Saturday MEETINGS
March 9:
■ “Twisted Tales of Poe”: Starkville-Oktib-
Mississippi State’s Shackouls beha Consoli-
Honors College presents dated School
this radio drama at honors.
District Board of
msstate.edu. Free. Trustees meet-
ing, 6 p.m.,
Tuesday, March 16 Greensboro
Center
■ 100+ Women Who Care:
Members of 100+ Women March 16:
Starkville Board
Who Care Columbus will
of Aldermen,
receive an invitation March
16 to watch a video presenta- 5:30 p.m., City
tion by three randomly-drawn Hall
Lowndes County nonprofits.
Members will then vote their
choice for the combined
donation Impact Award. Visit
100wwccolumbusms.org for Dustin Lykins enjoys going for
details. walks, hiking and nature.
2A FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

A THOUSAND WORDS

Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff ç

Harper Minton, 9, and Henry Minton, 7, jump on the trampoline at their home in New Hope Wednesday afternoon.
Their parents are Brad and Brooke Minton.

By slimmest of margins, Senate

takes up $1.9T virus relief bill
Senate expected to approve bill and the House will
whisk it to Biden for his signature by mid-March
BY ALAN FRAM
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Senate is
beginning debate on a $1.9 trillion
COVID-19 relief bill, after Demo-
crats made eleventh-hour changes
aimed at ensuring they could pull
President Joe Biden’s top legislative
priority through the precariously
divided chamber.
Democrats were hoping for Sen-
ate approval of the package before
next week, in time for the House
to sign off and get the measure to
Biden quickly. After the Senate
voted by the slimmest of margins
Thursday to begin the debate,
Democrats were encountering op-
position from Republicans arguing
that the measure’s massive price
tag ignored promising signs that
the pandemic and wounded econo-
my were turning around.
Democratic leaders made over a
dozen late additions to their pack-
age, reflecting their need to cement
unanimous support from all their
senators — plus Vice President Ka-
mala Harris’ tie-breaking vote — to
succeed in the 50-50 chamber. It’s
widely expected the Senate will
approve the bill and the House will
whisk it to Biden for his signature
by mid-March, handing him a cru-
cial early legislative victory.
The Senate’s 51-50 vote to start
debating the package, with Harris
pushing Democrats over the top,
underscored how they were navi-
gating the package through Con-
gress with virtually no margin for
error. In the House their majority is
a scrawny 10 votes.
The bill, aimed at battling the
killer virus and nursing the stag-
gered economy back to health, will
provide direct payments of up to
$1,400 to most Americans. There’s
also money for COVID-19 vaccines
and testing, aid to state and local
governments, help for schools and
the airline industry, tax breaks for
lower-earners and families with
children, and subsidies for health
insurance.
“We are not going to be timid
in the face of a great challenge,”
said Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, D-N.Y.
The new provisions offered
items appealing to all manner of
Democrats. Progressives got mon-
ey boosting feeding programs,
federal subsidies for health care
for workers who lose jobs, tax-free
student loans, and money for public
broadcasting and consumer protec-
tion investigations.
Moderates won funds for rural
health care, language assuring
minimum amounts of money for
smaller states and a prohibition on
states receiving aid using the wind-
falls to cut taxes. And for everyone,
there was money for infrastructure,
cultural venues, start-up companies
and afterschool programs.
Even with the late revisions,
there was a good chance lawmak-
ers will make yet another one and
vote to pare back the bill’s $400
weekly emergency unemployment
benefits to $300.
That potential change could also
extend those emergency payments
another month, through Septem-
ber. It was described by aides and
a lobbyist who spoke on condition
of anonymity to describe internal
conversations.

Job growth likely rose in February in rebound from slump

Analysts more optimistic that hiring
will accelerate in the coming months
BY CHRISTOPHER provider FactSet. That
RUGABER would mark a sharp im-
AP Economics Writer provement over an aver-
age of just 29,000 jobs a
WASHINGTON — month from November
America’s employers through January.
likely stepped up their Yet with the nation
hiring in February as still 10 million jobs short
confirmed viral cases de- of its pre-pandemic lev-
clined, consumers spent el, monthly hiring would
big chunks of their gov- need to significantly ac-
ernment aid checks and celerate to bring relief to
the economy appeared to the many people who re-
be sustaining a tentative main laid off, especially
recovery. at restaurants, hotels, en-
Economists have tertainment venues and
forecast that job growth other areas of the hospi-
reached 175,000 last tality industry that are
month, according to data far from recovered. The
unemployment rate is
predicted to have ticked
up from 6.3 percent to 6.4
percent on the assump-
tion that more Americans
started looking for work
in February and began
to be counted as unem-
ployed.
One year into the pan-
demic, most analysts
are growing more opti-
mistic that hiring will
accelerate in the coming
months, with the econ-
omy strengthening and
gauges of consumer
spending and manufac-
turing rising. Americans
as a whole have accumu-
lated a huge pile of sav-
ings after having slashed
spending on travel, movie
tickets and visits to bars
and restaurants. Much
of that money is expect-
ed to be spent once most
people feel comfortable
about going out.
With so much money
being pumped into the
economy, Oxford Eco-
nomics now forecasts
that growth will reach
7 percent for all of 2021,
which would be the fast-
est calendar-year expan-
sion since 1984. The Con-
gressional Budget Office
projects that the nation
will add a substantial 6.2
million jobs this year,
though that wouldn’t be
nearly enough to restore
employment to pre-pan-
demic levels.

Republican state lawmakers seek to nullify federal gun limits

Legislation in at least a dozen states St. Louis Police Depart-
ment who is now a senior
strain on officers at this
point in time seems to be
seeks to nullify any new restrictions, advisor for Everytown for quite displaced,” he said.
Gun Safety. Federal law Gun sales also have set
such as ammunition limits or a ban plays a big role in some monthly records nation-
areas, such as keeping wide since the coronavi-
on certain types of weapons guns away from domestic rus pandemic took hold.
violence offenders. Isom is concerned
BY LINDSAY a dozen states seeks to Putting local officers in
WHITEHURST about a Missouri measure
nullify any new restric-
The Associated Press a position to decide which passed by the state House
tions, such as ammuni-
laws to enforce is the last that would allow police
tion limits or a ban on
SALT LAKE CITY certain types of weapons. thing police need at a time departments with officers
— With Democrats con- Some bills would make when cities such as St. who enforce federal gun
trolling the presidency it a crime for local police Louis are experiencing a laws to be sued and face
and Congress, Republi- officers to enforce federal rise in violent crime, Isom a $50,000 fine. It’s not the
can state lawmakers con- gun laws. said. first time Missouri has
cerned about the possi- That can create confu- “This has been an ex- considered such a bill,
bility of new federal gun sion for officers who of- tremely challenging year but supporters pointed to
control laws aren’t wait- ten work with federal law for both communities President Joe Biden tak-
ing to react. enforcement, said Daniel and law enforcement, and ing office as a reason to
Legislation in at least Isom, a former chief of the to ask any more mental pass it now.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 3A

Mississippi gov will sign bill Resisting pressure,

limiting transgender athletes Alabama governor
BY EMILY WAGSTER PET TUS
The Associated Press
Teacher pay raise plan inches forward in Senate
extends mask order
BY KIM CHANDLER
JACKSON — Mississippi is on THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Associated Press
track to become the first state this
year to enact a law banning trans- JACKSON — The Mississippi Senate is pushing forward with a plan MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay
gender athletes from competing on to increase some of the lowest teacher salaries in the United States. Ivey has faced political pressure and angry con-
girls or women’s sports teams. Senators unanimously passed a bill Thursday to give most Mississip- stituents over her state’s mask order during the
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves pi teachers and teachers’ assistants a $1,000 pay raise during the year COVID-19 pandemic.
said Thursday that he will sign that begins July 1. Newer teachers would receive $1,100 in an effort to But the 76-year-old governor of the deeply red
a bill that the Republican-con- make the jobs more attractive. state has resisted calls to drop the requirement
trolled Mississippi Legislature has The proposal is in House Bill 852. Although the bill started in the as Republican governors across the South either
passed. It should reach his desk in House, the Senate removed all the House language and replaced that shunned mask mandates altogether or lifted them
the next few days. with its own plan. in late winter.
Mississippi is one of more than The bill will return to the House, which could either accept the new “Maybe they don’t have access to the same in-
20 states proposing restrictions version or seek final negotiations with the Senate. formation I have. We want to be abundantly clear
on athletics or gender-confirming Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has said he will sign any teacher pay and abundantly safe before we drop the mask
health care for transgender minors raise bill that legislators send him this year.
mandate,” Ivey said when asked about fellow Re-
this year. Conservative lawmakers Mississippi has long had some of the lowest teacher salaries in the
publicans — including the Alabama Senate and
are responding to an executive or- nation. According to the Southern Regional Education Board, the aver-
the lieutenant governor — who urged her to end
der by Democratic President Joe age teacher salary in the U.S. for 2018-19 was $62,304. For Mississippi,
the order.
Biden that bans discrimination the average was $45,105.
Ivey issued Alabama’s mask order in July and
based on gender identity in school
announced on Thursday that she would extend it
sports and elsewhere. Biden signed “It’s crazy we have to address focused on prioritizing bullying five more weeks until April 9.
it Jan. 20, the day he took office. it, but the Biden E.O. forced the against transgender kids,” David “We need to get past Easter and hopefully al-
Wyatt Ronan, a spokesman for issue,” Reeves tweeted Thursday. said during an online news confer- low more Alabamians to get their first shot before
the LGBTQ civil rights group Hu-
“Adults? That’s on them. But the ence Thursday. we take a step some other states have taken to
man Rights Campaign, said the
push for kids to adopt transgender- The Mississippi House passed remove the mask order altogether and lift other
Mississippi bill would be the first
ism is just wrong.” the bill Wednesday, and the Sen- restrictions. Folks, we are not there yet, but good-
transgender sports ban signed
Human Rights Campaign presi- ate passed it last month. The votes ness knows we’re getting closer,” Ivey said at a
into law this year. Idaho enacted
dent Alphonso David sharply crit- were largely along party lines, with Thursday news conference.
a similar law in 2020 that has been
icized Mississippi and other states most Republicans supporting the GOP governors from Texas to South Carolina
blocked by a federal court.
that are considering such legisla- bill and most Democrats either op- have resisted, or ended, statewide mask orders.
Reeves has three daughters who
tion. posing it or refraining from voting. Florida, South Carolina and Georgia never had a
play sports, and he said on Twitter
that Mississippi’s Senate Bill 2536 “While millions of people in Republican legislators who statewide order. Ivey’s announcement came days
would “protect young girls from Mississippi are waiting for urgent pushed the bill gave no evidence after Mississippi and Texas dropped their man-
being forced to compete with bio- relief as it relates to COVID-19, of any transgender athletes com- dates, decisions President Joe Biden called “Ne-
logical males for athletic opportu- the leaders of Mississippi are not peting in Mississippi schools or anderthal thinking.”
nities.” focused on that. Rather, they’re universities. Mississippi’s governor took issue with the crit-
icism.
“Mississippians don’t need handlers. As num-
bers drop, they can assess their choices and lis-
ten to experts. I guess I just think we should trust
AREA ARRESTS Americans, not insult them,” Gov. Tate Reeves
responded on Twitter.
The following arrests On social media, Ivey’s decision drew a mix of
were made by Lowndes rage and gratitude.
County Sheriff’s Office: “Meemaw you gotta go.... I ain’t wearing it
n Arthur Jefferson, 36, and whoever runs against you in 2022 has got my
was charged with posses- vote,” one person tweeted at Ivey using the phrase
sion of a controlled sub- for a Southern grandmother.
stance. Another thanked her and wrote, “you are the
n Benjamin Morris, 30, only Southern governor doing the right thing.”
was charged with felony Jefferson B. Morris Gurley Hendricks J. Morris Jackson
false pretense.
n Christopher Gurley,
35, was charged with pos-
session of a controlled sub-
stance.
n Eddie Hendricks, 29,
was charged with posses-
sion of cocaine.
Guyton Peeks Otts Brooks Dukes Poindexter
n Jamie Morris, 31,
was charged with felony
false pretense.
n Joshua Jackson, 26,
was charged with posses-
sion of a weapon by a felon
and contempt of court.
n Michael Guyton, 43,
was charged with posses-
Henderson McCullough Mann Jones Roberson Williams
sion of methamphetamine.
n Michael Peeks, 48, paraphernalia, possession stance and
was charged with posses- of marijuana less than 30 grand larce-
sion of methamphetamine. grams and two counts im- ny.
n Ronnie Otts, 56, was proper equipment. n Stacy
charged with (2x) posses- n Dushun Poindexter, Jones, 46,
sion of methamphetamine 24, was charged with rob- was charged
and (2x) fleeing or eluding bery and murder. with grand
in a motor vehicle. n Justin Henderson, larceny.
Luckett Sellers Betts
n Anthony Brooks, 45, 32, was charged with pos- n Lee
was charged with posses- session of cocaine, posses- Roberson, 64, on an officer, public drunk
sion of a controlled sub- sion of marijuana less that was charged with a bench and disorderly conduct.
stance. 30 grams and an indict- warrant. n James Betts, 19, was
ment. n Clinton Williams, charged with domestic
The following arrests n Adarrius Mc- 67, was charged with two violence-aggravated as-
were made by the Oktibbe- Cullough, 21, was charged counts DUI 4th offense. sault.
ha County Sheriff’s Office: with possession of mari- n Christopher Luckett,
n Ginger Dukes, 52, juana with intent. 41, was charged with hold
was charged with pos- n Thomas Mann, 53, for other agency.
session of a controlled was changed with posses- n Tennille Sellers, 20,
substance, possession of sion of a controlled sub- was charged with assault

Solar facility
Continued from Page 1A
Both facilities will be
located on 4,000 acres
west of the Infinity Meg-
asite that Origis leased in
2020.
In fact, Origis orig-
inally hoped to build a
350-megawatt facility on
that property, Origis Chief
Procurement Officer Jo-
hann Vanhee said, before
TVA opted for a smaller,
200-megawatt facility.
“What I said to TVA
was, ‘If you are ever in-
terested in the additional
150 (megawatts) let me
know,’” Vanhee said in an-
two facilities will produce
350 megawatts along with
another 100 megawatts in
battery storage.
TVA said the second
solar facility is expected
to start producing energy
in late 2023.
The two facilities will
mean 250 construction
jobs, but they will employ
only three to five people
after the plants go into op-
eration.
The real economic im-
pact for the county will
come from property tax
revenue, Higgins said.
Higgins said the coun-
ty supervisors approved a
fee-in-lieu of taxes agree-
ment for both projects
in February 2020. That
allows companies to pay
a fee of one-third of full
property taxes for up to 10
years.
Those fee-in-lieu reve-
nues could begin as early
as 2023 for the first project
and 2025 for the second,
Higgins said.
The projects are a part
of TVA’s Green Invest pro-
gram to add a significant
amount of renewable ener- SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates

nouncing the 200-mega- “The easiest way to do gy to its customers. peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Fri. Sat.
watt contract. “They were the math is that the first Higgins said Wednes- Major
Minor
6:28a
1:35a
7:28a
2:45a
very frank and said, ‘Yes, (solar facility) will gener- day’s announcement may Major 6:57p —
Minor 12;14p 1:05p
we are interested.’ Again, ate an average of $284,000 not mean the end of solar Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
there was no guarantee, for the county (annually) facility production in the

but TVA did express inter-
est, so we will continue to
develop plans for the re-
maining 150 megawatts.”
Vanhee said the origi-
nal 350-megawatt facility
would be the largest solar
facility east of the Missis-
sippi River. Combined, the
and $321,000 for the coun-
ty schools over the first
10 years,” Higgins said.
“When the second one
is added in, that number
will go up to an average
of $662,000 for the coun-
ty and $750,000 for the
schools.”
Golden Triangle.
“We’re working on two
more solar projects, one in
Lowndes County and one
in Clay County,” Higgins
said. “Here is the office,
the talk (Wednesday)
was, ‘We got this one, now
let’s go get another one.’”
The Dispatch
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Opinion
4A FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021
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

OTHER EDITORS STATE OF AMERICA

A better way to entice
business
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hose-
mann is leading the charge
to simplify and better
cost-justify the incentives
that Mississippi gives to lure
new businesses and help
others expand.
It’s a worthy endeavor.
Too often in this state,
those in political office — es-
pecially whoever is residing
in the Governor’s Mansion
— tend to want to give away
the store, bribing business-
es to come to this state
with incentives so lucrative
that they will never pay for
themselves. Sometimes
state officials don’t vet the
projects well to see whether
they are sustainable. Or they
award the incentives based
on promises of jobs created
and wages paid, with little
follow-up to see whether
those promises are kept or
to hold the companies finan-
cially accountable.
The Institutions of Higher
Learning, the oversight
agency for the state’s public
universities, also uncovered
another problem recently
with the state’s incentive
plans: There are so many of
them and so uncoordinated
that not all of them are being
used.
Under the legislation that
Hosemann is pushing, no
new incentive plans would
Dr. Seuss has not been ‘canceled’
N
be created. Rather, some o, Dr. Seuss hasn’t been Jr. — he appeared at CPAC White parody, “Coal Black and de Sebben
would be killed, others “canceled.” shortly after it gave the boot to Dwarfs” any time soon?
would be consolidated, and Granted, you’d never an anti-Semitic speaker. Don’t hold your breath. The truth is,
in general the process would know it from the ruckus that And by Michigan congres- Dr. Seuss Enterprises, like Aunt Jemima
be streamlined so that those erupted after Theodor Seuss sional candidate Tom Norton and the Washington Redskins, has simply
seeking incentives and Geisel’s estate decided to stop — he is pushing for a boycott undergone a belated but needed process of
those awarding them would publishing six lesser-known of Target stores. self-reflection; they woke up and smelled
know exactly and in simple titles by the celebrated chil- And by Sen. Ted Cruz — he the 2021. So, this outcry is less about out-
terms what’s available. Any dren’s book author because swore two years ago to stop rage than opportunism, a means of firing
business creating at least 10 they contained offensive racial buying Nike. up a certain segment of white America.
new jobs and a $2.5 million stereotypes. We’re talking Not that their hypocrisy is Meaning those who simmer in gnawing
investment would be eligible Asians with “their eyes at a surprising. After a while, you grievance at cultural changes they find
to apply. slant,” and ape-like Africans Leonard Pitts come to expect it. threatening. Those who live with a bone-
Most importantly, these in grass skirts. In a statement, For the record, the books deep fear of losing their God-derived
so-called MFlex incentives Dr. Seuss Enterprises called such portray- in question, including “And to Think That prerogatives, their “place” as white women
would be awarded based on als “hurtful and wrong.” I Saw it on Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran and men.
performance, not promises. Meantime, in his proclamation last the Zoo,” date back as far as 1937. Unless These feelings are dangerously com-
And some of them would week recognizing the National Education you’ve spent quality time immersed in it, bustible. If Charlottesville didn’t prove
be tiered so that the more Association’s annual Read Across America it’s hard to appreciate how deeply, openly that, the siege of the U.S. Capitol surely
jobs created, and the higher Day, President Biden didn’t mention Seuss and unapologetically racist the pop and did. Yet even knowing this, some of us
paying those jobs are, the by name, as some of his predecessors did. consumer cultures of that era could be. continue playing with matches. Because
larger would be the rebates This was actually in line with a 2017 NEA Will Fox also condemn Disney for it’s easy and politically expedient. Because
and tax credits. decision to reduce its focus on Seuss in censoring from its classic “Fantasia” the they haven’t a single constructive idea
Let’s see if Hosemann’s favor of including a larger variety of chil- little pickaninny polishing the hooves of a between them.
idea is enacted, and, if it dren’s authors. blonde centaur? And, because, ultimately, they do not
is, how it plays out before That’s it. Those are the facts underlying Will the junior Trump attack Col- love America. Oh, they’ll say they do. They
rendering any definitive the uproar. It ought not shock you that gate-Palmolive for renaming Darkie may even think they do. But they don’t.
judgment on it. It certainly those facts — prosaic and even a little toothpaste? What they love is a sepia-toned myth, a
sounds, however, like a sig- bit boring — are starkly at odds with the Will Norton blast the Rice Council of nation that never was.
nificant improvement over howl — “Cancel culture run amok!” — America for no longer running the ad that If the rest of us aren’t careful, they’ll
how Mississippi’s economic now rising from the conservative outrage asked, “Did you ever see a fat Chinese?” burn this country down trying to get there.
development deals have complex. “Progressives seek to cancel or Royal Crown Cola for the one with the Leonard Pitts Jr., winner of the 2004 Pu-
been structured in the past. beloved author,” wailed an online headline American Indian and the headline, “Hon- litzer Prize for commentary, is a columnist
Greenwood Common- from Fox “News.” est Injun!” for the Miami Herald. Email him at lpitts@
wealth (Feb. 25) The cry was echoed by Donald Trump Will Cruz host a screening of the Snow miamiherald.com.

THE NATION

How Mike Lee ditched constitutional conservatism for Trump

I
didn’t watch
much of this
year’s CPAC. My
digestion is sound,
but there’s no point
in taking unneces-
sary risks. Still, I did
note the presence
of Sen. Mike Lee, a
legislator who styles
himself a “constitu-
tional conservative.”
Lee is the son of a Mona Charen
distinguished former
solicitor general of the United
States, a graduate of Brigham
Young University and its law
school, and the author of three
books on the Founding era:
“Our Lost Constitution,” “Our
Lost Declaration” and “Written
Out of History: The Forgotten
Founders Who Fought Big Gov-
ernment.” That’s a lot of losing
and forgetting.
But it seems that Lee is the
one who has forgotten what the
founding was about.
Less than two months have
elapsed since Donald Trump
committed the most monstrous
attack on the constitutional order to the separation of powers. He
in 150 years by siccing a violent
mob on the Congress as it was
attempting to certify the election ity, and when Trump usurped
of the man who defeated him.
That came on the heels of at-
tempts to strong-arm
the secretary of state
of Georgia to “find”
enough votes to alter
the results, efforts
to persuade state
legislators to defy the
voters and replace
their states’ electoral
college slates in his
favor and a protract-
ed effort to discredit
the election process
itself as fraudulent.
CPAC was the first gathering
of Republicans and conservatives
since those events. And yet, the
“constitutional conservative” Lee
did not see fit to mention any
of that in his address. He spoke
of “leftists who hate the Bill of
Rights” and he argued that “faith
in government is tyranny.” He
denounced Democratic gover-
nors, who had imposed what he
regarded as overly restrictive
COVID-19 rules, as tyrants and
stressed that “we” (meaning
Republicans) “trust the people.”
Lee may be sincere in his de-
sire to restore some equilibrium
has introduced several bills that
would curtail executive author-
legislative powers and arguably
broke the law by declaring a
spurious border emergency, Lee
was among a small number of
senators who opposed him. But
that burst of independence must
have exhausted the senator,
because at the time of Trump’s
first impeachment trial, less
than a year later, Lee was among
Trump’s firmest defenders.
“What he did was not impeach-
able,” Lee told Politico. “It was
not criminal. And I don’t think
what he did was even wrong.”
CPAC was, according to The
Bulwark’s Tim Miller, a festival
of forgetting. If the Capitol in-
surrection was mentioned at all,
it was only to blame it on judges
who ruled against Trump’s
risible lawsuits. Mostly though,
the speakers stuck to antifa
and imaginary late-night ballot
dumps.
If Lee is genuinely concerned
about the constitutional order,
his highest priority should be
the authoritarian turn that the
Republican Party has taken un-
der Trump. He might begin with
these facts: Nearly two-thirds of
the Republican House caucus,
along with eight senators, voted
not to certify President Joe
Biden’s election. Seventeen Re-
publican state attorneys general
signed onto Texas’s prepos-
terous lawsuit challenging the re-
sults in Pennsylvania, Michigan,
Georgia and Wisconsin. (The
Supreme Court tossed it.)
The MAGA crowd stormed
the Capitol and erected a gal-
lows, but elected Republicans
helped prepare the ground.
Any “constitutional conser-
vative” surveying the wreckage
of the post-Trump GOP must
be concerned about the state
of the people they are so ready
to “trust.” Can self-government
succeed when a plurality of one
of the two major political parties
no longer even believes in de-
mocracy?
A survey of Trump support-
ers, who number about half the
Republican Party, found that not
only do they nearly universally
believe the fraudulent election
lie, but 70% want Trump to serve
another term and remain in
office — after his second term is
complete.
Among Republicans more
broadly, 86% opposed convic-
tion and disqualification in the
second impeachment trial, and
83% thought the trial itself should
never have happened. In other
words, not even attempting to
subvert the election through im-
proper influence, pressure and,
eventually, violence was enough
to break their cult-like devotion.
Sixty-five percent do not believe
Biden was legitimately elect-
ed. Nearly 30% of Republicans
believe the chief claim of the
QAnon conspiracy, that Trump
was secretly fighting a cannibal
cabal of child-abusing Democrats
and Hollywood elites. Half of
Republicans aver that antifa, not
MAGA supporters, rioted at the
Capitol.
Lee waxed indignant about
some regulations instituted legal-
ly by Democratic governors to
deal with a 100-year emergency.
Did some go overboard? Maybe.
Is that a threat to the Republic?
Good God, no.
On the other hand, a signif-
icant portion of the electorate
is slavishly loyal to a person
rather than a party, philosophy
or country. A huge number
of Americans have had their
faith in democracy significantly
eroded. A large minority of the
population believes pernicious
falsehoods and cannot be dis-
abused. And leaders who hold
advanced degrees and write
books about the founding cannot
bring themselves to confront that
reality. That seems like a bigger
challenge.
Mona Charen is a Senior
Fellow at the Ethics and Public
Policy Center.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 5A

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
OBITUARY POLICY
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tion including visitation and
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more information, call 662-
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Chester Love
COLUMBUS —
Chester Richard “Rick”
Love, 72, passed away.
Lowndes Funeral
Home of Columbus is
in charge of arrange-
ments.
Mr. Love was born
July 7, 1948, to the late
Chester C. and L. Mae
Love. He was a grad-
uate of Blanchester,
Ohio and a veteran of
the United States Air
Force.
In addition to his
AREA OBITUARIES
Linda Bilbo Home. ents, she was preceded Jones; and one grand- officiating.
Hair- in death by her siblings, child. Visitation
WEST POINT —
Linda Bilbo, 57, died ston and Ralph Rogers, Ozell Re- He is survived by is from 2-6
Feb. 18, 2021, at North Hairston gers, Henrietta Brown- his children, Archie p.m. today,
Mississippi Medical Funeral lee, Eva M. Rogers and Jones Jr., Latasha Jones, at Carter’s
Center-West Point. Home of Elaine R. Lampkin. Tymeshia Lavender, Ra- Funeral
Graveside services Starkville She is survived by ven Jones all of Macon, Services.
will be at 11 a.m. Sat- is in Guy her son, Willie Rogers; Terry Jones, Prentiss Carter’s Macon Sr.
urday, at Greenwood charge of siblings, Alma Ross Jones of Columbus, and Funeral
Cemetery, with the Rev. arrangements. of Columbus, Evelyn A’sha Holiday of Deca- Services of Columbus
Orlando Pannell officiat- Mrs. Guy was Mason of Memphis, tur, Alabama; siblings, is in charge of arrange-
ing. Carter’s Mortuary born July 20, 1937, in Tennessee, Helen J. Viera J. Shelton of Jack- ments.
Services of West Point Starkville, to the late Belk of Pheba, Ellen A. son, Mary Ruth Jones of Mr. Macon was
is in charge of arrange- Alfred Collins and Brownlee of Memphis, Brooksville, Dora Jones born Oct. 13, 1957, in
Snowden Bibbs. She Tennessee, Willie B. of Pickensville, Ala-
ments. Columbus, to the late
Mrs. Bilbo was born was formerly employed Rogers, J.T. Rogers and bama, Bobrella Jones Mamie L. Shields. He
Aug. 24, 1963, in Clay in dinning services with Charlie Rogers all of of Columbus, Martha was formerly employed
County, to Vernice MSU. Starkville. Spann and Thomas as an aircraft mechanic
Swift Bilbo and the late She is survived by Jones of Atlanta, Geor- for the United States Air
Charles Bilbo. her siblings, Annie Archie Jones Sr. gia; and 13 grandchil- Force.
In addition to her Shine of Paterson, MACON — Archie dren. In addition to his
mother, she is survived California, Mary Bell Earl Jones Sr., 63, died mother, he was preced-
by her children, Albert Tucker of Palo Alto,
Collins Jr., Shamika California, Alberta Cook
Feb. 23, 2021, at Bap- Robert Macon Sr. ed in death by his sister,
tist Memorial Hospi- COLUMBUS — Rob- Rosie Macon.
Collins and LaToyria of St. Louis, Missouri tal-Golden Triangle. He is survived by his
ert Earl Macon Sr., 63,
Collins; sister, Jennifer and Ules Young of Flint, Graveside services children, Robert Macon
died Feb. 21, 2021, at his
Bilbo of West Point; and Michigan. will be at 2 p.m. Sat- Jr. and Keisha Macon
residence.
six grandchildren. urday, at Christian Graveside services both of Valdosta, Geor-
Margie Bell Hill M.B. Church of will be at 11 a.m. Satur- gia; and two grandchil-
Nolan Williams STARKVILLE — Brooksville. Visitation is day, at Union Cemetery, dren.
COLUMBUS — Margie Renee Bell, 55, from 2-6 p.m. today, at with Bennie Coleman See OBITUARIES, 7A
Infant Nolan Blake died Feb. 24, 2021, in Carter’s Funeral Ser-
Williams, Tupelo. vices. Carter’s Funeral
one month, Graveside services Services of Macon is in
died Feb. will be at 2:30 p.m. charge of arrangements.
18, 2021, at Saturday, at Sixteen Mr. Jones was born
University Section Cemetery, March 22, 1957, in
Medical with Charles H. Bell Brooksville, to the late
Center in officiating. Visitation is R.L. Wells and Vera
Jackson. from 1-5 p.m. today, at Lee Jones. He was
Grave- Williams Hairston and Hairston formerly employed as a
side Funeral Home. Hairston school bus driver with
services will be at 11 and Hairston Funeral Noxubee County and
a.m. Saturday, at Union Home of Starkville is in as a mechanic. He was
Cemetery, with Tommie charge of arrangements. a member of Christian
Williams officiating. Mrs. Bell was Hill M.B. Church.
Visitation is from 4-6
p.m. today, at Carter’s
Funeral Services. Car-
born May 27, 1965, in
Starkville, to the late
In addition to his par-
ents, he was preceded Pastor Steve Jamison
Willie D. Rogers and in death by his daugh-
ter’s Funeral Services of Cora L. Rogers. ter, Jasmine Chandler; Pastor Steve M. Jamison was
Columbus is in charge In addition to her par- brother, Johnny L. born to William and Pinkie
of arrangements. LaNita Jamison on September

Albert Caldwell, Jr.

parents, he was pre-
ceded in death by his
daughter, Jacquelyn
Rene Love.
He is survived by his
wife, Avelina (Aveth)
Love; children, Joshua
Richard Love of Gos-
hen, Ohio and Jason
Roy Love of Columbus,
Ohio; siblings, Chris-
topher Zane Love of
Crestview, Florida,
Pamela Jane Butler of
Amelia, Ohio, Terril
Christina Dawson of
Denver, Colorado,
Delanea Mae Mackey
of North Carolina and
Cynthia Maria Love of
Crestview, Florida; and
two grandchildren.
Infant Williams was 6, 1953, in Prairie, Mississippi.
born Jan. 20, 2021, in He transitioned from labor
Columbus, to Cortney to his reward on Tuesday,
Williams and Tasia Albert Percy Caldwell Jr. was February 23, 2021, at the North
Blunt. born August 1, 1931, at Helena, Mississippi Medical Center in
In addition to his Arkansas and died February Tupelo, MS.
parents, he is survived 25, 2021, at League City, Texas, A Celebratory Service will
by his brother, Noah a life spanning 89 years, 6 be Saturday, March 6, 2021, 2 PM at Vibrant
Easley of Columbus. months and 25 days. Church Campus (outside), 500 Holly Hills
He was the eldest child of Road, Columbus, MS with Pastor Terry Weems
officiating. Visitation will be today from 1-6 PM at
Edna Guy Albert Percy Caldwell Sr. and
Maranatha Faith Center, 716 Waterworks Road,
STARKVILLE — Mary Jo Bland Caldwell, who
preceded him in death. He was Columbus, MS. His Final Resting Place will
Edna Ruth Collins Guy,
also preceded in death by two brothers, Richard be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 176 South
83 died Feb. 24, 2021.
Caldwell and Robert Caldwell. Frontage Road, Columbus, MS on Sunday, March
Graveside services
He is survived by his wife, Clevie Jean Friday 7th , 2 PM. Professional services are entrusted to
will be at 11 a.m.
Caldwell, to whom he was married on June 2, 1953, Carter’s Funeral Services of Columbus, MS.
Saturday, at Memorial
a loving union lasting almost 68 years. He is also Steve was named by his grandfather, Fred D.
Gardens, with Tyrone
survived by two sons, Stanley Caldwell and his Jamison. He was given his middle name Myklen
Stallings Sr. officiating.
wife Stephanie, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and by his mother. He was their six child and their
Visitation is from 1-5
Kevin Caldwell and his wife Colleen, of Pearland, third man-child, who epitomized the boldness
p.m. today, at Hairston
Texas; by two daughters, Mary Jean Caldwell of his father and the gentleness of his mother.
and Hairston Funeral
Slazer and her husband Hollis, of League City, Although Steve was the baby of the family,
he soon grew up and assumed the mantle of

James Lawson, III

Texas and Caroline Caldwell Alberstadt and her
husband John, of St. Francisville, Louisiana; leadership in the family after the demise of his
by 11 grandchildren, Sam Caldwell and his father, William Jamison Sr. Preceding him in
wife Kelly, Stephen Caldwell and Sarah-Jean death two sisters, Miriam (Midge) Pugh and
James ‘”Jim” Hugh Lawson Bettye Jamison Brown.
Caldwell, all of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Becky
III, 76, of Cary transitioned Steve’s childhood was spent in the rural
Caldwell Wilson and her husband Wyatt, of Hot
into eternal rest at his home on settings of the prairie. He received his formal
Springs, Arkansas, James Caldwell of Pearland,
Saturday, February 27, 2021, education in the Clay County School System.
Texas, Daniel Slazer and his wife Emily, of
with his loving family by his After the death of his mother, he moved to
League City, Texas, Aaron Slazer of Carrollton,
side. Boston, MA and attended Boston High School.
Texas, Joel Slazer of Webster, Texas, Anne-
Jim was born in Big Spring, He received a certificate of Theology from the
Claire Alberstadt, Sophie Alberstadt and Ian
TX on December 16, 1944, to United Institute of Theology in Atlanta, GA.
Alberstadt, all of St. Francisville, Louisiana;
the late James Hugh Lawson He also is a graduate of the COGIC Charles
four great-grandchildren, Camden Slazer of
II and Emma Lee (Robertson) Harrison Mason Seminars and the Moore House
League City, Texas, Connor Caldwell and
Lawson. Spending most of his childhood in Theological Seminary.
Kieran Caldwell of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and
Columbus, MS, Jim graduated from SD Lee High Known for his wit, wisdom, and winsome
Lynnon Caldwell of Long Beach,Mississippi;
School in 1963. He attended Auburn University personality, Steve was a bold entrepreneur,
one brother, Rudy Caldwell Sr. and his wife Lee
on a football scholarship. leader, and trailblazer, who served God first and
Pryor, of Tupelo, Mississippi; and two sisters,
From humble beginnings selling dog food, Jim then mastered his craft. He soon rose above
Shirley Seals of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and
became a pioneer in technology sales beginning cultivating the land to laying bricks with his
Margery Grammer of Spring, Texas; along with
his early days with companies like Honeywell, artistic hands, which led to his command of
many friends, extended family and associates.
McDonnell Douglas and Stratus Computers. He General Contractors, a construction company
Al Caldwell was raised in Columbus,
later ventured out to Silicon Valley in California that constructed across the land. He also served
Mississippi and graduated from S.D. Lee High
where he took several companies public as the as construction consultant on several major
School with the Class of 1949. He was a graduate
head of sales for companies including Auspex church construction projects.
of the University of Mississippi, earning a
Systems, Agile Software and Alteon Web In 1980, after hearing the voice of God to
Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in
Systems. At the end of Jim’s career, he served as start a church, the ministry of Maranatha Faith
1953 with honors, then served 20 years in the
a consultant, board member and mentor to many Center was born, where he pastored for 40 years.
United States Navy, four on active duty. While on
next generation technology entrepreneurs. The Family of Maranatha was special and dear
active duty, he flew anti-submarine patrols. After
Jim married his high school sweetheart, Andy to his heart.
leaving active duty, he had a long, distinguished
Jeane and they shared 42 loving years together. He leaves to cherish his memories his wife
career in petroleum refining, serving in plants
Jim is preceded in death by his father, James H. of 46 years, LoRen Jones Jamison; daughter,
at Destrehan, Louisiana; Texas City, Texas;
Lawson, II; his mother, Emma Lee (Robertson) LaShae (Gregory) Virgil; grandson, Gregory
El Dorado, Kansas; Chalmette, Louisiana and
Lawson. (Petrice) Virgil II; great-grandsons, Gregory
Pasadena, Texas. Following his retirement, he
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Andrea Leon, III, Mekhi Hunter and Elijah Cole Virgil,
worked as a freelance consultant and expert
(Andy) Lawson; his daughters, Kim Goodling all of Columbus, MS; sisters, Gloria Jamison
witness in matters of oil refining.
and Michelle Bell (Tony); his sons, Tim Daspit and Harriette Jamison, both of Columbus,
As a young man, Albert was an Eagle Scout
(Jo), James Lawson IV and Charlie Lawson MS; brothers, Norman (Mattie) Jamison of
from Boy Scout Troop 1 in Columbus. He was
(Maria); his eight grandchildren, Zoe Goodling, West Point, MS, Matthais (Yvette) Jamison of
an avid gardener, whose tomatoes were known
Taylor, Brody and Harrison Bell, Dani and Columbus, MS and William (Diane) Jamison
far and wide, both for their quality and quantity,
Jacqui Daspit, Olivia and Madeline Lawson; of Auburn, AL; stepmother, Mary Jamison of
along with the many other vegetables he produced
his brothers, Dennis (Jean) and Scott Lawson West Point, MS; brothers-in-law, Alfred (Mary)
from the soil. He also loved to hunt, read books
(Denise). Jones of Clarksdale, MS and Pastor RH Brown
on military history and work crossword puzzles.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, of Columbus, MS; sister-in-law, Sophia Jones of
He was a longtime member of First United
March 5, 2021, at 12:30 PM at Apex Funeral Las Vegas, NV; several nieces, nephews, cousins,
Methodist Church in Dickinson, Texas, where
Home, 550 W. Williams St. Apex, NC 27502. The godchildren, other relatives and friends, and the
he taught an adult Sunday School class and was
family will receive friends immediately following entire Maranatha Family, whom he loved so
a monthly lay reader for many years. In his later
the service. dearly.
years, he became the center around which the
Due to COVID 19, masks are required to be Elder Jerome Jack, Elder Hosea Heard,
extended Caldwell family gathered, the patriarch
worn at all times and social distancing is kindly Elder Robert Wilson, Elder James Goodman,
who was the guiding force in the semi-annual
requested. Elder James Brown, Elder Kevin Jackson, Elder
reunions that have become a family tradition.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may Edward Yeates and Elder Russell Tate will serve
He was a great man, and he will be missed by
be made in Jim’s honor to the Wounded Warrior as Pallbearers.
all who knew him.
Project.
Paid Obituary - Apex Funeral Home Paid Obituary - Crowder Funeral Home Paid Obituary - Carter’s Funeral Services
6A FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Some SUD customer to experience

brief power outage Saturday
Utility bringing
new $9M
substation online
BY TYLER B. JONES
tjones@cdispatch.com
A large
portion of
Starkville
Utilities De-
partment
customers
should pre-
pare for a
brief power Kemp
outage at 7 a.m. Saturday.
This planned outage,
which should last ap-
proximately 15 minutes,
is part of the transfer of
the old southwest elec-
trical substation to a new
substation. Terry Kemp,
general manager for SUD,
said roughly two-thirds of
the company’s customer
base, mainly those in the
southern portion of the
city, will be affected.
SUD has been working
with Tennessee Valley Au-
thority on this project for
almost eight years, Kemp
said, with construction
work lasting the last 18
months. He said the sub-
station will create a sur-
plus of energy to ensure
growth and have a sec-
ond connection from TVA
which will improve the
overall system reliability
in customers.
“What this substation
allows us to do is have a
direct connection from
TVA to our south side of
Starkville, and we’ll have
some from the north side
as well,” Kemp said. “It
will have more reliability,
a capacity upgrade and
improvement.”
TVA is a corporate U.S.
agency that provides elec-
tricity for customers and
local power companies
and is one of SUD’s prima-
ry utility partners.
According to the SUD’s
website, teams have been
conducting tests since
January as part of the
commissioning plan. Af-
ter Saturday, load-shift-
ing procedures will begin
to balance the system and
associated equipment to
allow the new substation
to be placed into normal
operations.
Kemp said SUD wants
to ensure that its custom-
ers have safe and reliable
utilities, and this new
station is the first step to-
ward that goal.
“We’re excited about
getting to this point after
this brief outage on Sat-
urday,” Kemp said. “We
appreciate our customers
understanding about it,
but we’re excited to be at
this point and look
forward to getting this
past us.”
SUD has plans to up-
grade another substation,
its primary station, in the
fall of this year, Kemp
said.
Mayor Lynn Spruill
said the city spent approx-
imately $9 million on this
project with the thought
of taking the city into the
future and giving more re-
liability, support, growth
and development to the
community.
“It will help both our
business community and
our residential commu-
nity to create a stronger
reliability and allow for
growth,” Spruill said.

Judge dismisses wrongful termination

suit against city by former investigator
Court rules Adams’ driving police
car to Moorhead while on duty for
personal reasons created a matter
of public concern
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com
C O -
LUMBUS
— A federal
judge has
dismissed
w ithout
prejudice
a lawsuit
against the Adams
city of Columbus filed by
a former Columbus Police
Department investigator
who alleged wrongful ter-
mination and violation of
privacy.
Reginald Adams,
whom the city council ter-
minated from his position
during an executive ses-
sion of a council meeting
on March 5, 2019, filed
the suit in federal court
in Aberdeen in May 2020.
Also named in the suit
were Ward 2 Councilman
Joseph Mickens and two
other council members
who are listed as “Coun-
cilmen A-D.”
In the complaint, Ad-
ams alleges the three
council members violated
his privacy and breached
an implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing
by telling The Dispatch
that Adams would be dis-
ciplined for taking a police
vehicle and driving to an-
other city while on duty
and without authorization
to apply for another job.
Adams drove the ap-
proximately two hours
and nine minutes from
Columbus to Moorhead in
Sunflower County in Feb-
ruary 2019, multiple city
sources told The Dispatch
at the time. Police Chief
Fred Shelton learned of
the incident when Indi-
anola Police Chief Edrick
Hall, who briefly served as
assistant chief in Colum-
bus in 2018, called him to
tell him he’d seen Adams
in Moorhead applying for
the city’s chief of police
position that day.
Though Shelton re-
portedly recommended
a 10-day suspension as
punishment, Mickens and
other council members
told The Dispatch they felt
it was not severe enough,
and the council ultimately
voted to fire Adams. The
Civil Service Commission
later unanimously upheld
Adams’ firing.
Adams also argued in
his suit that termination
was too harsh compared
to Shelton’s recommenda-
tion.
However, the suit was
dismissed Wednesday for
failure to state a claim,
meaning federal judge
Sharion Aycock did not
feel Adams had presented
enough evidence to prove
he was fired unjustly.
The order of dismissal
says violation of privacy
only occurs when the in-
formation shared is not a
matter of public concern.
“Here, the Court …
finds that the Plaintiff’s
actions constitute a matter
of public concern,” the or-
der says. “Specifically, the
Plaintiff, as a police officer
with the Columbus Police
Department, clocked into
work and drove a patrol
car outside of his jurisdic-
tion for the purpose of ap-
plying for a job. Hence, the
Plaintiff was using public
funds purely for personal
matters.”
City Attorney Jeff Tur-
nage said the city is hap-
py the suit
has been
dismissed,
though he
pointed
out Adams’
at torneys
technical-
ly have 14 Turnage
days to re-
spond by rephrasing the
allegations in such a way
that there is a legal claim.
“I just hope that he will
leave it where it lays,” Tur-
nage said.
Neither of Adams’ at-
torneys, Carlos Diallo
Palmer of Greenwood and
Tangala LaNiece Hollis
of Grenada, responded to
messages from The Dis-
patch by press time.
Conflict disclosure:
Managing Editor Zack
Plair took part in editing
this article. He is currently
in legal proceedings that
involve the city of Colum-
bus. Details are available
in previous reporting.

Recycling
Continued from Page 1A
“This is an opportunity for us to re-
boot and have a program that is finan-
cially sustainable and gain community
interest,” Sistrunk said. “The program
will evolve and grow based on communi-
ty experience.”
Ward 5 Alderman Hamp Beatty, who
strongly championed bringing the city
“back into the recycling business,” said
this program is a good first step. The
city is hoping to start sending promo-
tional materials in residents’ utility bills
to spread the word and generate interest
in the program.
“Starkville is growing, and we’re do-
ing a lot of good things,” Beatty said.
“Recycling is part of that. I’m committed
to it, and I hope this works out. I hope
people will come back to recycling and
buy into it.”

Shooting
Continued from Page 1A
here shooting.”
Waters also told the Dispatch that
the mother of one of the victims did
not know her son had died until she ar-
rived on the scene Wednesday.
“I just feel for that mama that had
to find out her son had died out here,”
Waters said.
Lovelady said SPD is hoping the
public can help investigators with in-
formation that will lead to locating sus-
pects.
“We’re putting a lot of resources
into this,” Lovelady said. “If you have
any information please contact the
Starkville Police Department or leave
an anonymous tip on our website.”
Anyone with information on the inci-
dent can also contact Golden Triangle
Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 7A

Obituaries
Continued from Page 5A

Leonard Glispie Jr. R. Wilson officiating. Columbus is in charge ing. Visitation will be Lisa Armstrong officiating. Visitation
COLUMBUS — Visitation is from 2-5 of arrangements. from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, COLUMBUS — Lisa will follow at the funeral
Leonard Glispie Jr., 65, p.m. today, at Carter’s Mr. Williams was at Carter’s Funeral Ser- Armstrong, 54, died home. Skelton Funeral
died Feb. Funeral Services. Car- born Dec. 30, 1929, in vices. Carter’s Funeral Feb. 26, Home of Reform is in
20, 2021, ter’s Funeral Services Columbus, to the late Services of Columbus 2021. charge of arrangements.
at Baptist of Macon is in charge of Aaron Williams and Ola is in charge of arrange- Memori- Mrs. Terry was born
Memorial arrangements. Mae Williams. He was ments. al services Oct. 30, 1968, in Aber-
Hospi- Mrs. Henley was a veteran of the United Mr. Rogers was will be at deen, to Zella Hartle
tal-Golden born March 7, 1926, in States Army. He was born July 26, 1976, in 2 p.m. Sat- and the late Lester Leon
Triangle. Noxubee County, to the formerly employed as a Columbus, to Tommy urday, at Spruill.
Funeral Glispie Jr. late Jessie Macon and crane operator with Co- Rogers and the late Lee-Sykes Armstrong In addition to her fa-
services Carrie Cotton. She was lumbus Marble Works Alberta Rogers. He Funeral ther, she was preceded
will be at formerly employed with and was a member was formerly employed Home in death by her hus-
11 a.m. Saturday, at Car- Sanderson and Plumb- of Shiloh Full Gospel with Walmart and was Chapel, with the Rev. band, Michael Shane
ter’s Funeral Services ing and was a member Church. a member of Northside Tony Montgomery Terry; and step-mother,
Chapel. Visitation will of Sylvian Ridge MBC. In addition to his M.B. Church. officiating. Lee-Sykes Shirley Spruill.
be two hours prior to In addition to her par- parents, he was preced- In addition to his Funeral Home of Co- In addition to her
services Saturday, at the ents, she was preceded ed in death by his wife, father, he is survived by lumbus is in charge of mother, she is survived
funeral home. Carter’s in death by her hus- Edna Leech Williams; his siblings, Lachondria arrangements. by her children, Latasha
Funeral Services of band, John E. Henley; son, Dennis Williams; Gholston of Steens, Mrs. Armstrong was Terry, Ashley Pearson,
Columbus is in charge daughter, Betty Macon and siblings, Aaron Patricia Burey of Chi- born June 9, 1966, to the Michael Terry, Joshua
of arrangements. Brooks; and siblings, Williams Jr., Elizabeth cago, Illinois and Falisa late Carrie Harris-Arm- Terry and Jamie Ter-
Mr. Glispie Jr. was Willie Mary Jackson, Williams, Stella Mae Wilburn of Crawford. strong and Joe Clerk. ry; siblings, Lisa Mae
born Aug. 24, 1955, in James W. Macon and Williams and Ethel Mae She was a member of Spruill, Lester Frank
Chicago, Illinois, to Jessie Bubba Macon. Freeman. Kevin Stewart Missionary Union Bap- Spruill, Milton Lynn
Eliza Bailey and the She is survived by He is survived by COLUMBUS — tist Church. Spruill and Richard Lee
late Lee Glispie. He was her children, Margaret his children, James Kevin Stewart, 49, In addition to her par- Spruill; and nine grand-
formerly employed as a Henley, Barbara Branch Williams, Delores Rice, died March 3, 2021, at ents, she was preceded children.
customer service repre- both of Macon, Jessie Castella Fields all of Co- Baptist Memorial Hos- in death by her step-fa- See OBITUARIES, 8A
sentative with Illinois, Henley of New York, lumbus, Odessa Fields pital-Golden Triangle. ther, David Shelton, and
BELL. NY, Donald Henley of of Hamilton, Oscar Wil- Funeral services will siblings, Sandra Renea
In addition to his Columbus, Sylvester liams of Birmingham, be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Armstrong and Tony
mother, he is survived Henley and Jimmy Alabama, Sarah Sand- at First United Meth- Armstrong.
by his children, Sadie Henley both of Brooks- ers of Tupelo, Shirley odist Church. Burial She is survived by
Glispie, Julius Glispie ville; 23 grandchildren; Dean of Macomb, South will follow at Nebo her daughter, Carrien
both of Chicago, Il- 44 great-grandchildren; Carolina and Mary Cemetery in Ackerman. Selecia Armstrong;
linois, Starlett and and one great-great- Thomas of Huntsville, Visitation will be two step-mother, Shelley
Leonard Bohannon of grandchild. Alabama; siblings, Lu- hours prior to service Clerk of St. Louis, Mis-
Rock Island, Illinois; Pallbearers will be cille Butler and Annie at the church. Memori- souri; siblings, Carolyn
siblings, Rhonda Bailey Ralph Henley, sons and L. May both of Warren, al Gunter Peel Funeral S. Murray of Southaven,
of Columbus and Rev. grandsons. Ohio; 29 grandchil- Home and Crematory, Sheila Armstrong Wil-
Tyrone Glispie of Chi- dren; 28 great-grand- College Street location lis of Byram, Daphne
Helen Willis
cago, Illinois; and seven Oscar Williams children; and seven is in charge of arrange- Logan of Columbus and Graveside Services:
grandchildren. COLUMBUS — Os- great-great-grandchil- ments. Daryl Harris of Jack- Saturday, March 13 • 1 PM
dren. Blaylock Cemetery
car Lee Williams, 91, Mr. Stewart was son; half-siblings, Mar- College St. Location
Patsy Henley died Feb. born Sept. 10, 1971, in cus Miller, Keith Clerk
NOXUBEE COUN- 22, 2021, Tommy Rogers Memphis, Tennessee, and Dion Clerk all of St. Kevin Stewart
TY — Patsy Lee Henly, at Baptist COLUMBUS — Tom- to Judy Stewart and the Louis, Missouri; and Visitation:
one grandchild. Saturday, March 6 • 12-2 PM
94, died Memorial my Kenyon Rogers, 44, late Dr. G. Seale Stew- First United Methodist Church
Feb. 19, Hospi- died Feb. art. He was formerly Services:
2021, at her tal-Golden 26, 2021, at employed as a coach Carolyn Terry Saturday, March 6 • 2 PM
First United Methodist Church
residence. Triangle. UMMC in and teacher at Caledo- COLUMBUS — Burial
Grave- Jackson. nia High School. Nebo Cemetery
Grave- Williams Carolyn Mae Terry, 52, Ackerman, MS
side side ser- Grave- In addition to his died March 3, 2021, at College St. Location
services vices will side ser- mother, he is survived Baptist Memorial Hospi-
will be at be at 3 p.m. Saturday, vices will by his wife, Tabitha tal-Golden Triangle.
11 a.m. Henley at Memorial Gardens. be at noon Rogers Stewart; children, Quin- Memorial services
Saturday, at Visitation is from 2-6 Sunday, at cy, Drew, Bailey, Ann, will be at 6 p.m. Sun- memorialgunterpeel.com
Sylvian Ridge and Tab- p.m. today, at Carter’s Memorial Lauren and Brady; day, at Skelton Funeral
ernacle MBC Cemetery, Funeral Services. Car- Gardens, with the Rev. sister, Kim Johnson; Home Chapel, with the
with the Rev. William ter’s Funeral Services of Leon Williams officiat- and one grandchild. Rev. Kenny Gardner
8A FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Obituaries
Continued from Page 7A

Ronnie Montgomery and Eliza Phifer. ber of First United She was a member of
COLUMBUS — He is survived by his Methodist Church. Exodus Assembly of
MSGT Ronnie Ray wife, Wander Phifer; In addition to his par- Apostolic Faith.
Montgom- children, Vernon Phifer ents, he was preceded In addition to her
ery died Jr. of Southaven, Katie in death by his chil- parents, she was pre-
March 2, Davis of Ft. Walton dren, Kenny McKinney ceded in death by her
2021, at Beach, Florida, Angela and Kathy McKinney. son, Bernard Jackosn
Baptist Phifer, Tiffany Phifer He is survived by his Jr.; and sister, Sherry
Memorial and Tammy Stone all wife, Sara McKinney; Patmon.
Hospi- of Columbus; siblings, children, Scott McK- She is survived by
tal-Golden Harold Phifer of Grand inney of Jackson, Beth her husband, Geof-
Triangle. Montgomery Prairie, Texas and Herring of Rainbow fer Bryant; children,
Grave- Timothy Phifer of City, Alabama, Sally Sabrina Nicole Nance
side services will be Columbus; and seven Wiygul of Tupelo and and Brandon McAuthur
at 11 a.m. Saturday, at grandchildren. David McKinney of Jones; step-children,
Memorial Gardens. Vis- Winfield, Alabama; 14 Corey Bryant and Tori
itation is from 4-6 p.m. Sarah Nickels grandchildren; and 10 Barnes; siblings, May
today, at Lee-Sykes STARKVILLE — great-grandchildren. Winford, Felicia Keys,
Funeral Home Chapel. Sarah Doss Gable Pallbearers will be Jennifer Linsey all of
Lee-Sykes Funeral Nickels, 79, died Feb. Tyler McKinney, Whit- Columbus and Allic-
Home of Columbus is 17, 2021. ney McKinney, Patrick eson Leigh Nance of
in charge of arrange- A memorial service McKinney, Coleman Jackson; and six grand-
ments. will be at 2 p.m. Sat- Pipkin, Brandon McK- children.
urday, March 13, at inney, Michael McK-
Shirley Robertson First Baptist Church in inney, Chris Wiygul, Stephen Edwards
Maben. Welch Funeral Wesley Wiygul, Luke KOSCIUSKO — Ste-
BEAVERTON, Ala.
— Shirley Mae Robert- Home of Starkville is McKinney and Mac phen York Edwards, 45,
son, 78, died March 3, in charge of arrange- Crawford. died March 3, 2021.
2021, at Fayette Med- ments. Memorials may be Funeral services
ical Center in Fayette, Mrs. Nickels was made to First United are at 2 p.m. today, at
Alabama. born Nov. 26, 1941, in Methodist Church of Victory Baptist Church
Funeral services are Calhoun County, to Vernon, 210 1st Street in Mathiston, with the
at 2 p.m. today, at Otts the late James Jackson NE, Vernon, AL 35592, Rev. Philip Edwards
Funeral Home, with Da- Doss and Essie Mc- or to St. Jude’s Chil- officiating. A private
vid Crowe and Lamar Dowell Doss. She was dren’s Research Hospi- graveside service will
Cox officiating. Burial a graduate of Ole Miss tal, 262 Danny Thomas be held at Craig Spring
will follow at Love Joy nursing school. Place, Memphis, TN Cemetery in Sturgis.
Cemetery. Visitation In addition to her 38105. Visitation is one hour
will be one hour prior parents, she was pre- prior to services at the
to services at the funer- ceded in death by her John Harris Jr. church. Welch Funeral
al home. Otts Funeral siblings, Pete Doss, STARKVILLE — Home of Starkville is
Home of Sulligent, Tula Doss Vance, Jim- John H. Harris Jr., 82, in charge of arrange-
Alabama is in charge of mie Doss Pendegrass, died Feb. 22, 2021. ments.
arrangements. Ethelene Doss Thomas Graveside services Mr. Edwards was
Mrs. Robertson was and Geneva Doss Mc- will be at 11 a.m. Satur- born to Steve Edwards
born Feb. 11, 1943, in Cafferty. day, at Mt. Peiler Cem- and the late Patsy Ed-
Lamar County, Ala- She is survived by etery #2. Visitation is wards. He was formerly
bama, to the late Ray- her husband, Charles from 1-6 p.m. today, at employed as a carpen-
mond Walden and Eula Nickels; children, Jamie West Memorial Funeral ter and was a member
Mae Gilmore Walden. Gable of New Hope, Home. West Memo- of Victory Baptist
She attended Sulli- Jerry Gable of Gautier, rial Funeral Home of Church.
gent Schools and was Jennifer Kimbrough Starkville is in charge In addition to his
formerly employed as of Starkville, Melissa of arrangements. father, he is survived by
owner and operator of Neely of Holcomb He is survived by his wife, Joni Edwards;
Robertson Grocery and and Emme Tindall his children, Bren- children, Cassidy
as an Avon representa- of Grenada; siblings, da Malone, Barbara Edwards, Jacob Layne
tive. She was a member Raymon Doss, Thomas Ellis, Vanessa Mondest, Edwards and Peyton
of Piney Grove Freewill Steve Doss, Minnie Phyllis Arnold, Char- Edwards all of Sturgis;
Baptist Church. Lou Franklin and lene Rice, Mary Camp- and siblings, Angel
In addition to her Barbara Morris; eight bell, Rhonda Manuel, Coggins of Starkville
parents, she was grandchildren; and 12 Johnny Harris, Fred and Shannon Edward of
preceded in death by great-grandchildren. Rice and Herbert Rice; Mathiston.
her husband, Coy Lynn siblings, Betty Martin,
Robertson; and sib- Kenneth McKinney Ethel Harris, and Lu- Alice Barnes
lings, Excene Stranger, VERNON, Ala. cille Thompson; and 29 STARKVILLE —
William “Bill” Walden — Kenneth Harold grandchildren. Alice Barnes, 83, died
and infant James McKinney, 86, died Feb. 27, 2021.
Walden. March, 3, 2021, at his Joanne Bryant Funeral services will
residence. COLUMBUS— Jo- be at 2 p.m. Saturday, at
Vernon Phifer Funeral services will anne Nance Bryant, 50, Rock Hill U.M. Church.
COLUMBUS — Ver- be at 2 p.m. Saturday, at died Feb. 21, 2021. Burial will follow in
non Lee Phifer, 63, died the Vernon First United Funeral services will the church cemetery.
Feb. 18, 2021. Methodist Church, with be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Visitation is from 3-6
Graveside services Patrick Gunn officiat- at Brick M.B. Church. p.m. today, at West Me-
will be at 1 p.m. Satur- ing. Burial will follow Burial will follow in the morial Funeral Home.
day, at Union Cemetery, at Henry Cemetery in church cemetery. Vis- West Memorial Funeral
with the Rev. Vernon Corinth. Visitation will itation is from noon-5 Home of Starkville is
Phifer Jr. officiating. be two hours prior to p.m. today, at Lee-Sykes in charge of arrange-
Visitation is from 1-5 services at the church. Funeral Home. Lee- ments.
p.m. today, at Hairston Chandler Funeral Sykes Funeral Home of She is survived
and Hairston Funeral Home of Vernon, Columbus is in charge by her children, Ty-
Home. Hairston and Alabama is in charge of of arrangements. rone Barnes, Katie
Hairston Funeral arrangements. Mrs. Bryant was Barnes-Watkins,
Home of Starkville is Mr. McKinney was born July 18, 1970, Alvin Barnes, Carolyn
in charge of arrange- born Jan. 8, 1935, in to the late Ezelle and Barnes-Ward, Calvin
ments. Tuscumbia, Alabama. Mary Nance. She was Barnes and Donna; sib-
Mr. Phifer was born He was formerly formerly employed as lings, Herence Sullivan
April 2, 1957, in Colum- employed as a football a home preservation- and Robert Barnes; and
bus, to Robert Spann coach and was a mem- ist and homemaker. 15 grandchildren.

cdispatch.com
Sports
MHSAA CLASS 1A CHAMPIONSHIP: INGOMAR 55, WEST LOWNDES 51
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021
B
SECTION

Panthers come up just short against Falcons in title game

BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
JACKSON — Over and
over, the shots went up as
10 white and blue jerseys
convened haphazardly at
the rim.
Again and again, the
basketball refused to go
down. Shot attempts went
awry off the back iron, off
the front of the rim, off
the side — anywhere but
in the net.
Finally, after scor-
ing chance after scor-
ing chance for the West
Lowndes girls basketball
team in the fourth quar-
ter of Thursday’s MHSAA
Class 1A championship
game, the ball was deflect-
ed out of bounds to oppos-
ing Ingomar.
Instead of cutting a
three-point Falcons lead
to one, West Lowndes
jogged back down the
court with 4 minutes,
46 seconds to go. Twen-
ty-seven seconds later,
Ingomar’s Katie Beth
Hall made a dagger of a
3-pointer from the right
wing.
“Things just didn’t fall
the way we wanted them
to fall,” Panthers coach
Takeea Bozeman said.
Ultimately, it cost West
Lowndes (19-6) a chance
at its second-ever state ti-
tle in a 55-51 loss to Ingo-
mar (23-9) at the Missis-
sippi Coliseum in Jackson.
“They didn’t give up,”
Bozeman said. “We were
competitive.”
It was a marked im-
provement from last
season, in which the
Panthers brought an un-
defeated record to the Big
House only to be routed in
the semifinals by eventu-
al champion Pine Grove.
A year later, a seasoned
West Lowndes team start-
ing five seniors beat Big-
gersville 44-40 in Mon-
day’s semifinal.
But the Panthers’ run
ended there as they stood
in a row on the free-throw
line and watched Ingomar
hoist the championship
trophy for the 11th time
in school history and the
first time since 2018.
It was a surprising-
ly fast title for a Falcons
team that didn’t start a
single senior Thursday
and had just one on the
roster, Ingomar coach
Trent Adair said.
“We were hopeful, but
I did not expect it this
soon,” he said. “If you’d Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
asked me a month ago, I West Lowndes senior Tydajasha Hood (12) makes a layup in the first quarter of
thought we would have Thursday’s MHSAA Class 1A championship game against Ingomar at the Mississippi
Coliseum in Jackson. Hood had a team-high 22 points as the Panthers lost to the
been done two weeks
Falcons, 55-51. “She put forth what she’s been working on all season,” coach
ago.” Takeea Bozeman said. “She was able to put it all out there on the floor and be
See PANTHERS, 4B productive.”

Previewing NO. 8 LSU 71, NO. 9 MISSISSIPPI STATE 62

MSU softball’s
3 opponents
this weekend Bulldogs fall to Tigers in first game of
SEC women’s basketball tournament
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com

After an uneven week

on the road against stiff
competition, the Missis-
sippi State softball team
returns to Nusz Park to
host the Bulldog Invita-
tional tournament from
Friday to Sunday.
The Bulldogs (8-5)
went 2-3 at the Lone Star
State Invitational, split-
ting with Texas State,
losing to No. 7 Texas
and then-No. 23 Baylor
and beating Houston. On
Wednesday, Mississippi
State struck out 16 times
in a 4-0 loss to No. 3 Ala-
bama.
But the Bulldogs will
get a respite this week-
end in Starkville as three
unranked schools come
to town. Mississippi State
will open play against
Ball State on Friday af-

See SOFTBALL, 4B

Caledonia
edges New
Hope in first
meeting of
2021 season
BY THEO DEROSA
tderosa@cdispatch.com
NEW HOPE — The
Caledonia High School
baseball team beat New
Hope 6-4 in Thursday’s
game in New Hope.
Josh Pitts drove in a
run with a double in the
first inning, and Gavin
Holloman had a sacrifice
fly in a two-run third for
Caledonia (5-0).
Carson Elliott walked
to force in a run in the
fifth inning, and John
Lewis was hit by a pitch
to force in another.
Elliott had a sacrifice
fly in the sixth for Cale-
donia. Jacob Humbers
had a single and scored
two runs for the Cavs.
Loren Cox got the win
on the mound for Caledo-
nia, and Gavin Holloman
earned the save.
For New Hope, Brant
Smith scored in the sec-
ond, and Adam Adair
scored in the third. The
Trojans added two runs
in the sixth as Gates
Gerhart and Adair were
hit by pitches with the
See CALEDONIA, 4B
Mississippi State sophomore Rickea Jackson kept up her offensive struggles with a 5-for-14 shooting performance and a team-high three
turnovers Thursday against LSU in the SEC tournament in Greenville, S.C. The Bulldogs were eliminated with a 71-62 loss to the Tigers.
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
Mississippi State has found a
comfort in the confines of Bon
Secours Wellness Arena in re-
cent years. It’s a place the Bull-
dogs have reached the South-
eastern Conference tournament
finals each of the past five sea-
sons. It’s the place where two
years ago coach Vic Schaefer
earned his first conference title
with a thumping of Arkansas.
Thursday, though, the Green-
ville, South Carolina-based are-
na proved a house of horrors.
After being run off the floor by
Missouri at Humphrey Coli-
seum over the weekend, MSU
(10-9, 5-7 SEC) exited the SEC
tournament in its first game of
the week for the first time since
2015, falling to eighth-seeded
LSU (9-12, 6-8 SEC) 71-62.
“I mean, we just came off a
loss, so of course everybody
is a little emotional right now,”
junior guard Myah Taylor said
through a hushed and somber
tone. “Have to move on. Have to
move on and get better.”
For a team that’s made a
sport of slogging through open-
ing frames, the Bulldogs were
locked in early. MSU shot just
33.3 percent from the floor in
the opening frame, but four Ti-
ger turnovers gave Nikki Mc-
Cray-Penson’s squad the lead
at the end of the first quarter —
marking the first time since Jan.
28 the Bulldogs have led after
the opening 10 minutes.
Yet as has been the case all
too often this winter, MSU failed
to build off its momentum. With
the defense breaking down and
the offense continuing its lack-
luster ways, LSU rode a 15-4
run through the end of the first
quarter and into the second.
The Tigers went on to score
15 of the first 19 points of the
frame, watching their lead bal-
loon to as many as eight ahead
of halftime.
A week ago, it was a dynam-
ic third quarter that spurred
MSU’s late charge to a confi-
dence-building win over LSU
in Baton Rouge. Thursday,
though, the Bulldogs looked
the part of a team whose sea-
son-long frustrations reached a
boiling point.
After a brief exchange during
a dead ball, sophomore JaMya
Mingo-Young and LSU guard
Khayla Pointer exchanged
words before being separated
by Tigers head coach Nikki
Fargas and a gaggle of team-
mates. Tagged with a technical
and a personal foul in the mo-
ment, the brushup fouled out
Mingo-Young, who otherwise
turned in her most energetic
and productive outing in two
months.
Rather than respond off the
outburst, MSU wilted down
the stretch. Sophomore Rickea
Jackson continued to struggle
offensively, shooting just 5 of 14
from the floor while notching a
team-high three turnovers.
Classmate Aliyah Matharu
was also held out of Thursday’s
second half after she picked
up a technical foul of her own.
Postgame McCray-Penson said
it was a “coach’s decision” not
to play her and didn’t elaborate
further.
Taylor, who’s proved a stal-
wart for the bulk of this season,
found a brief spurt of offensive
rhythm before the LSU bench
— which totaled 34 combined
points Thursday — slammed
the door shut.
“LSU makes you play a cer-
tain way,” McCray-Penson said.
“I thought when we were at their
place we controlled the tempo.
They really controlled the tem-
po of this game.”
Todd Van Emst/SEC
Having dropped seven of its
last nine games, MSU looks like
a shell of its former self. Thurs-
day marked the ninth consec-
utive game the Bulldogs have
fallen behind by double digits.
MSU also hasn’t beaten a team
with a winning record since a
Dec. 31 win over No. 16 Georgia
in Athens that looks as perplex-
ing as any result in SEC compe-
tition this year.
Speaking on Thursday’s
broadcast, ESPN bracketologist
Charlie Creme said MSU should
be into the field, but a win over
LSU would’ve made them feel
safe. Instead, the Bulldogs head
into the March 15 selection
show sweating far more than
any preseason prognosticator
anticipated.
“Definitely I think that
we’ve had some quality wins,”
McCray-Penson said when
asked whether she felt MSU
is still a tournament team.
“I think the fact that we had
such a long break, I’m hop-
ing that the committee would
take that into consideration.
That breaks the rhythm of any
team, and that’s something
that we just could not control.”
2B FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

HOCKEY

Walter Gretzky, father of NHL star Wayne Gretzky, dies at 82

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
TORONTO — Wal-
ter Gretzky, the father
of hockey great Wayne
Gretzky, has died. He was
82.
Wayne Gretzky said
in a social media post
Thursday night that his
father battled Parkinson’s
disease and other health
issues the past few years.
“It’s with deep sadness
that Janet and I share the
news of the passing of
my dad,” Wayne Gretzky
said. “He bravely battled
Parkinson’s and other
health issues these last
few years, but he never let
it get him down.
“For me, he was the
reason I fell in love with
the game of hockey. He
inspired me to be the best
I could be not just in the
game of hockey, but in
life.”
Walter Gretzky be-
came a name himself,
a constant in Wayne’s
world. As Wayne’s star as-
cended, Walter remained
a blue-collar symbol of
a devoted hockey parent
in a country filled with
them.
The two were also
often intertwined, their
father-son story used in
commercials from Tim
Hortons to Coca-Co-
la. And following in the
footsteps of Alexander
Graham Bell, they made
Brantford, Ontario, fa-
mous.
Walter was celebrated
for far more than just fa-
thering a superstar, how-
ever. His down-to-earth,
no-airs approach to life
and devotion to his family
struck a chord with Cana-
dians.
“Sometimes, I swear to
you, I have to pinch my-
self to make sure I’m not
dreaming,” Walter wrote
in his 2001 autobiography
“Walter Gretzky. On Fam-
ily, Hockey and Healing.”
“Wayne says the same
thing.”
Walter’s celebrity sta-
tus increased after mak-
ing a remarkable recov-
ery from a stroke suffered
in 1991. His autobiogra-
phy and a 2005 made-for-
TV movie told the story.
Walter Gretzky was
the son of immigrants —
a Polish mother and Rus-
sian father — who started
a vegetable farm in 1932
in Canning, Ontario, just
outside Brantford, on the
Nith River, where Wayne
learned to skate when he
was two. They bought it
for $600.
Walter played minor
hockey in Paris, Ontar-
io, then junior B for four
years in Woodstock. He
went on to play some se-
nior hockey, but said he
wasn’t good enough to
play pro.
Walter met Phyllis,
his wife to be, at a wiener
roast at the family farm.
She was 15 at the time.
Three years later, they
got married. Phyllis died
of lung cancer in 2005.
Wayne was the first
born in 1961, followed
by Kim, Keith, Glen and
Brent. Keith and Brent
also played professional
hockey.
The same year as
Wayne was born, Walter
fractured his skull in a
work accident as a Bell
lineman. He spent some
time in a coma and was
off work for 18 months.
Left deaf in his right ear,
he was eventually trans-
ferred to another Bell de-
partment and became an
installer/repairman.
The winter when
Wayne was four, his fa-
ther turned the backyard
of their Brantford home
into a rink that young
Wayne called The Wally
Coliseum.
Walter decided to
make his own rink to
avoid having to freeze
standing outdoors at
some outdoor rink else-
where — or sit in his car
with the engine running
to get some heat — while
Wayne skated. Gas was
too expensive, he said.
“It truly, truly was
self-preservation,” he ex-
plained.
Walter fed his eldest
child’s obsession, recruit-
ing bigger kids for Wayne
to practice against in the
backyard rink, and find-
ing him a spot on a team
of 10-year-olds when he
was six.
“You knew he was
good at his age at what he
was doing,” Walter said in
a 2016 interview. “But to
say that one day he’d do
what he did, you couldn’t
say that. Nobody could.”
Wayne recalled crying
after that first year of or-
ganized hockey when he
didn’t get a trophy at the
year-end banquet.
“Wayne, keep practic-
ing and one day you’re
going have so many tro-
phies we’re not going to
have room for them all,”
his dad said.
Walter drove one old
blue Chevy station wagon
after another — calling
each the Blue Goose. He
called it a “reliable car for
a family of seven.”
Wayne bought his fa-
ther a blue Cadillac for
his parents’ 25th wedding
anniversary.
Walter was a much
sought-after speaker by
groups organizing sports
awards dinners, and he
worked tirelessly as na-
tional spokesman for the
Heart and Stroke Foun-
dation of Canada. He was
named to the Order of
Canada in 2007.
In 2010, Walter carried
the Olympic torch on the
last day of the Olympic
relay in the leadup to the
opening ceremonies in
Vancouver, where Wayne
lit the Olympic flame.
He was 53 when he suf-
fered his stroke, just a few
months into retirement
after 34 years at Bell. He
wasn’t expected to live
through the night. But
he did, and it changed his
life.
He lost much of his
memory and it took time
to get snippets of it back.
“Those were dark
times,” he wrote about
the early days after the
stroke, “and I wouldn’t
want to go back there for
anything in the world.
It’s an awful thing not to
know who or where you
are, to feel confused and
hopeless and not know
whether you are ever go-
ing to be able to do all the
things your used to to.”
Hockey helped his
recovery as he started
working with kids in the
Brantford Minor Hockey
Association. The four-
and five-year-olds used to
call him Wally.
In his remaining years,
he was more outgoing and
carefree. After one game
when his minor hockey
team was downcast, he
invited everyone to his
home to see Wayne’s
memorabilia. There were
61 of them. He also be-
came an avid golfer.
He’d been a hyper
chain-smoker before the
stroke. He gave that up,
while devoting more of
his time to worthwhile
causes.
’“I really don’t like to
sit still for too long,” he
said. “I’m most comfort-
able when I’m active.”
Walter also is survived
by numerous grandchil-
dren and great-grandchil-
dren.

NFL

Saints cut 12-year punter Thomas Morstead

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints have
cut punter Thomas Morstead, who was a rookie when
the franchise won its only Super Bowl and then played
11 more seasons.
“I’m obviously sad to be moving on from the team.
The season I had wasn’t to the normal standard that I
had set; there are a variety of reasons for that,” Mor-
stead said Thursday, adding that he struggled with
back problems during the previous offseason.
Morstead, whose contract paid an average annual
salary of about $3.96 million, said he understands that
as one of the highest paid players at his position, “the
expectation is that you’re playing at an elite level — and
I didn’t do that.”
Morstead appeared in all 16 regular-season games
last season and had a net punting average of 41.7 yards,
with 23 punts landing inside-the-20 yard line.
The 34-year-old Morstead said during a sometimes
tearful video conference that he is “overwhelmed with
gratitude” for his experience with the Saints. But he
added that he was “surprised there wasn’t more con-
versation around any other way for me to try to stick
around or come back and show that some of the things
that were issues for me aren’t going to be issues going
forward.”
The Saints had another punter, Blake Gillikin, in
training camp last summer and he has remained under
contract with the club, making him the front-runner to
take over entering this year’s training camp.
Still, Morstead, who also handled kickoffs for parts
of his career, will remain part of Saints lore, particular-
ly for his role in the Saints’ Super Bowl triumph over
Indianapolis. He served as the kicker when the Saints
opened the second half of their Super Bowl triumph
over Indianapolis with a surprise onside kick which be-
came known by it’s play call, “ambush.”
“We know that as we approach the beginning of the
NFL calendar year, that very difficult decisions have
to be made and this certainly falls into this category,”
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 3B

Sims leads No. 15 Texas past No. 16 Oklahoma
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NORMAN, Okla. —
Texas coach Shaka Smart
and forward Jericho Sims
were powerless when
Oklahoma beat the Long-
horns earlier this season.
Smart was recovering
from COVID-19 and Sims
was among several Long-
horns who were unavail-
able when the Sooners
won the first matchup by
a point.
Both were available for
the rematch, and Sims
matched season highs
with 16 points and 12 re-
bounds to help No. 15
Texas beat No. 16 Okla-
homa 69-65 on Thursday
night.
Smart remembered
how it felt watching the
first matchup.
“It was very upsetting,”
he said. “Watching that
game was one of the worst
basketball experiences of
my life because I just felt
helpless and I knew our
team was just less than
whole.”
This time, the Long-
horns had the depth they
needed. Their relative
good health has helped
them win three of their
past four games.
“This time of year, the
best teams that make it
far in the NCAA Tourna-
ment are playing in the
best rhythm,” said guard
Courtney Ramey, who
also was unavailable for
the first matchup. “It’s
about just getting in a
rhythm as a team and so-
lidifying what we want to
do each and every game.
Today was a good step in
the right direction of what
we want to do.”
Andrew Jones added
16 points for the Long-
horns (16-7, 10-6 Big 12),
Oklahoma guard Alondes Williams (15) goes to the basket as Texas forward Jericho Sims (20) defends during the
first half Thursday at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
Austin Reaves scored
16 points and Alondes
Williams and Brady
Manek each added 13 for
the Sooners. Oklahoma
(14-9, 9-8) has lost four
straight games by a com-
bined 17 points.
“Obviously, again, very
similar to the last couple,”
Oklahoma coach Lon
Kruger said. “Super dis-
appointing result. First
half, Texas dictated. I
thought second half, cer-
tainly, a different level of
intensity to come back
and take the lead. Again,
have to do some things
better for 40 minutes. No
question about that. Tex-
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
as is awfully good, and
you can’t afford to not play
40 minutes against them.”
The Longhorns got
loose on a fast break late
in the first half, and Jones’
one-handed jam put Texas
up 41-30. Reaves banked
in a deep 3-pointer as time
expired in the first half to
cut Texas’ lead to 44-34.
Oklahoma went on a
7-0 run early in the sec-
ond half to cut Texas’ lead
to five.
Oklahoma center Kur
Kuath’s block sparked a
fast break, and Reaves’
putback cut the Texas
lead to 53-50. A steal and
layup by Elijah Harkless
Alonzo Adams/USA TODAY Sports
cut Texas’ lead to one, Coleman was 0 for 5
and a two-handed jam on from the field with five
the fast break by De’Vion turnovers before he made
Harmon finally gave the the shot in the final min-
Sooners the lead with just ute.
under eight minutes to “Matt Coleman had
play. a tough, tough night,”
The game came down Smart said. “He looked
to the final minute. After tired, he looked a little
Texas’ Matt Coleman III down. But he responded
drained a short jumper and made a huge shot for
with 12 seconds left to us, which is what high
put the Longhorns up character guys do.”
four, Reaves got a quick Just a few weeks ago,
layup with six seconds Oklahoma was ranked
remaining. The Sooners seventh in the nation.
fouled Greg Brown, and Now, the Sooners will
the freshman made two have to play a first-round
free throws with four sec- game in the Big 12 Tour-
onds remaining to put the nament.
game out of reach. “We’ve just got to let
this loss get past us and
just focus on the future,”
Williams said.
Big picture
Texas: The Longhorns
are peaking at the right
time. Their size and ath-
letic ability caused prob-
lems for the Sooners, and
those things could carry
them far in the postsea-
son.
Oklahoma: The of-
fense got bogged down,
and the Sooners shot just
37% in the game. They
aren’t playing horrible
basketball, they are just
coming up a bit short.
“The margin is small,”
Kruger said. “It’s one play
here, one play there. I
don’t think we’re playing
much differently than
when we won seven out of
eight. We’ve got to finish
games differently. Those
games we did finish,
these games we haven’t.”
Game changer
Kuath entered the
game with 12:23 remain-
ing and the Sooners down
six, but he sparked a rally
and immediately allowed
the Sooners to match Tex-
as’ athletic ability. The
senior had two blocks
and three rebounds in 12
minutes and was one of
just two Sooners to finish
with a positive plus/mi-
nus score.
“They really turned up
their defensive intensity,”
Smart said. “I thought
Kur Kuath was phenom-
enal on defense for them
and changed the game.”
Up next
Texas visits TCU on
Sunday.
Oklahoma will play in
the Big 12 Tournament.

Big 12 champ No. 3 Baylor beats No. 17 Oklahoma State

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WACO, Texas — Jared But-
ler and No. 3 Baylor certainly
seem to be getting their legs
back after a three-week stretch
when the Bears couldn’t play
any games games because of
COVID-19 issues in the pro-
gram.
Two days after the Bears
clinched their first Big 12 title
with an overtime win at No. 6
West Virginia, Butler had two
impressive dunks while scor-
ing 22 points in an 81-70 victo-
ry over No. 17 Oklahoma State
on Thursday night, ending the
Cowboys’ five-game winning
streak.
“We’re overcoming the
COVID assault against us,” But-
ler said.
Baylor (20-1, 12-1 Big 12)
played its fourth game in 10
days since returning to action
and was home after securing its
first league title since 1950 in
the Southwest Conference.
“You want to be content with
winning the Big 12, but at the
same time you don’t want to
lose a game,” Butler said. “It’s a
hard line to maneuver in.”
Matthew Mayer and MaCio
Teague both added 19 points for
the Bears, and Davion Mitchell
had 12. Mayer had two baskets
in a 9-0 run midway through the
first half that put them ahead to
stay.
Freshman standout and Big
12 leading scorer Cade Cun-
ningham had 20 of his 24 points
after halftime for Oklahoma
State (17-7, 10-7), whose win-
ning streak was the longest ac-
tive in the Big 12. The last three
wins had been against Top 25
teams, including over Bedlam
rival No. 16 Oklahoma twice in
three days.
Cunningham, considered by
most as the potential No. 1 over-
all NBA draft pick, was moving
gingerly when he left the court
with help in the final minute
after colliding with Mitchell,
who was called for the foul —
before Oklahoma State was in
the bonus. Cunningham didn’t
return to the game but was able
to walk off the court afterward
without any assistance.
“It happened right in front of
me there. I didn’t see anything
unusual other than stepping on
a guy’s foot,” Oklahoma State
coach Mike Boynton said.
Boynton said his first and
foremost concern was Cunning-
ham’s future. After initially say-
ing it didn’t seem that serious,
the coach added that he wasn’t
a doctor and didn’t want to give
any information either way un-
til after a medical evaluation.
Teague missed a free throw
for Baylor with 5:43 left, but
Cunningham then had a turn-
over. Jonathan Tchamwa Tcha-
tchoua got the steal, then Butler
passed to Teague, who weaved
through traffic inside for a
layup. Teague then had a steal
that led to a 3-pointer by Butler
that pushed the lead to 69-60
with five minutes left.
Butler had a breakaway slam
earlier in the second half after
another Teague steal from Cun-
ningham.
The Bears never trailed after
a dunk by Tchamwa Tchatchoua
put them up 16-15 with 13 min-
utes left in the first half.
“Being able to refocus and
compete against maybe the hot-
test team in conference ... really
proud of our guys, player-led
team,” Drew said. “They came
out focused and really did a
great job in making sure we got
the win tonight.”
Big picture
Oklahoma State: The Cow-
boys shot 53.8% (28 of 52) but
were undone by 18 turnovers
that led to 26 points for Baylor.
“Say we cut them in half, it’s
a different kind of ball game,”
said Kalib Boone, who had 10
points.
Baylor: In their first game
back Feb. 23, the Bears had to
rally in the second half for a 77-
72 home win over Iowa State,
which is still winless in the Big
12. Baylor then lost by 13 at No.
13 Kansas on Saturday night.
“I don’t think we’re all the
way back. I think the West Vir-
ginia game gave us a little more
stamina, like a workout almost.
It got us back to playing hard,”
Butler said. “Iowa State, my legs
were gone about the 12-minute
mark of the second half. West
Virginia, my legs were gone
as soon as I fouled out (in OT).
Tonight we’re stretching out a
little more. I think we’re back to
about 75 (percent).”
Winning notes
After only three 20-win sea-
sons in its first 100 seasons of
basketball, Baylor reached 20
wins for the 12th time in the
past 14 seasons. ... Baylor is
10-0 in the Ferrell Center with
one home game remaining. The
last time the Bears were unde-
feated at home was when they
were 9-0 in 1947-48.
“We have a checklist of
things we want to accomplish
this season, and one of them
is to go undefeated at home. ...
This would be a great opportu-
nity,” Mayer said. “We want to
leave a legacy as the best team
Baylor has ever had.”
Up next
Oklahoma State finishes the
regular season Saturday at No.
6 West Virginia.
Baylor is home against No.
18 Texas Tech on Sunday.

No. 2 Michigan clinches Big Ten, beats Michigan State

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANN ARBOR, Mich.
— At some point during
Michigan’s giddy post-
game celebration, Juwan
Howard saved himself a
little keepsake from this
marvelous season.
“I put some of that con-
fetti in my pocket,” How-
ard said. “I’m just going
to keep it in a nice safe
place, because it’s hard
winning championships,
man. I’m going to always
remember this moment.”
Franz Wagner scored
19 points, Hunter Dick-
inson added 14 and No. 2
Michigan wrapped up the
Big Ten title with a 69-50
victory over rival Mich-
igan State on Thursday
night. It was an emotional
night for the Wolverines,
even though there weren’t
many fans at Crisler Cen-
ter because of the pan-
demic. When the game
ended, confetti fell from
above and players danced
on the court before cut-
ting down the net.
Howard reached the
Final Four as a player
twice with the Fab Five,
but even those teams nev-
er won the Big Ten. When
Michigan shared the
conference title in 2012
under John Beilein, it was
the program’s first reg-
ular-season crown since
1986. The Wolverines
won it again in 2014.
Now Howard has a
championship in just his
second season as coach,
having outlasted a loaded
league that currently has
four teams ranked in the
top seven nationally.
“We were fortunate
enough to win the Big Ten
championship during the
regular season. It’s hard
doing that. It’s so hard,”
Howard said. “And I re-
member as a player, it was
very hard for us, and so to
do it this year, it’s a beau-
tiful moment.”
The Wolverines (19-
2, 14-2) had a chance to
clinch the championship
based on winning per-
centage with a victory in
any of their final three
games. They were blown
out by No. 4 Illinois — the
team chasing them — on
Tuesday night, but they
rebounded with a gritty
effort two nights later.
Michigan went on a
9-2 run to take a 39-28
lead into halftime. The
Wolverines later went on
a 25-4 tear that spanned
much of the second half.
Aaron Henry scored
14 points for Michigan
State (14-11, 8-11), which
will finish with a losing
conference record for
the first time since 1993.
It had never happened
before under coach Tom
Izzo, and the Spartans are
struggling to extend Iz- dunks, and the 7-foot-1 their in-state rivals. It
zo’s streak of 22 straight center made another big wasn’t a particularly
NCAA tournament ap- play when he dove on the pretty first half for either
pearances. floor for a loose ball. team, but Michigan de-
“We’ll bounce back,” fended tenaciously and
Izzo said. “We’ve been
here — a lot this year.”
Big picture eventually pulled away.
Michigan State: The The Wolverines were in a
Michigan State did tough spot when Beilein
Spartans had made some
have two recent wins left for the NBA, but How-
progress recently in their
over top-five opponents, ard has kept Michigan
push for an NCAA bid,
beating Illinois and Ohio rolling, and it didn’t take
but it’s been a grueling
State. The Spartans will him long to win a confer-
stretch, and Michigan
get another crack at ence title.
Michigan on Sunday. This exposed all of their prob-
home-and-home series lems at the offensive end.
to finish the regular sea- Michigan State went 0 Motivational video
son came about because for 9 from 3-point range, Former Michigan
of the Michigan athletic its first game without State star Draymond
department’s coronavi- a 3 since Nov. 15, 2013 Green made an appear-
rus-related pause that against Columbia, accord- ance in a pregame video
started in January. ing to Sportradar. the Wolverines watched.
“We’ve got some work “We didn’t shoot the “Coach showed us
to do and I’m looking ball well,” forward Joey a video of Draymond
forward to Sunday,” Izzo Hauser said. “Defensive- Green. You know he’s a
said. ly, I think we did a pretty big talker,” Smith said.
Wagner and Mike decent job.” “He was just saying, like,
Smith both had 3-point- Michigan: The Wol- how he wished we would
ers early in Michigan’s verines secured their never win a game ever. ...
second-half run. Dickin- championship in style — That just shows how com-
son also had a couple big with a blowout against petitive this matchup is.”
4B FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

CALENDAR
Today
College Softball
Ball State at Mississippi State, 3 p.m.
Alcorn State at Mississippi State, 5:30
p.m.
College Baseball
Kent State at Mississippi State, 6 p.m.
College Volleyball
Mississippi State at Tennessee, 5:30
p.m.
Prep Softball
Aberdeen at Columbus, doubleheader,
5 p.m.
West Point at Amory, 6:30 p.m.
Prep Baseball
West Point at Nanih Waiya, 5 p.m.
New Hope at Caledonia, 6 p.m.
Oak Hill Academy at Starkville Acade-
my, 6 p.m.
North River Christian Academy (Ala.) at
Columbus Christian Academy, 6 p.m.
Kemper Academy at Pickens Academy
(Ala.), 6 p.m.
Heritage Academy at Louisville, 7 p.m.
Saturday
College Softball
Western Kentucky at Mississippi State,
12:30 p.m.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College at
East Mississippi Community College,
doubleheader, 1 p.m.
Steelers, Roethlisberger agree to new deal for 2021
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PIT TSBURGH — Ben Ro-
ethlisberger is returning for
an 18th season with the Pitts-
burgh Steelers and is taking a
pay cut to do it.
The team and the two-time
Super Bowl winner announced
on Thursday they have agreed
on a new contract that assures
the 39-year-old will be back in
2021.
Financial details were not
immediately available, though
the Steelers made no secret of
the need for Roethlisberger to
take a pay cut to ease some of
the burden of his NFL-high
$41.25-million salary-cap hit
scheduled for 2021.
NFL Network, citing anon-
ymous sources, said Roethlis-
berger’s new deal will essen-
tially pay him $14 million this
season and adds four voidable
years to spread out the dead
money.
“I am grateful to be at this
stage of my career and more
than happy to adjust my con-
tract in a way that best helps
the team to address other play-
ers who are so vital to our suc-
cess,” Roethlisberger said in
a statement. “I love this game
and love to compete, and I be-
lieve in this team and my abili-
ty to deliver when called upon.
It all starts with great prepara-
tion and I am ready to go.”
Roethlisberger passed for
3,803 yards with 33 touch-
downs and 10 interceptions in
15 games in 2020 after miss-
ing almost all of 2019 with a
right elbow injury. The Steel-
ers won their first 11 games
on their way to a 12-4 record
and captured the AFC North
title but were stunned at home
by Cleveland in the first-round
of the playoff game thanks in
part to four Roethlisberger in-
terceptions.
Steelers President Art
Rooney II, head coach Mike
Tomlin and general manager
Kevin Colbert all expressed
the desire to bring Roethlis-
berger, stressing the need to
do it in a way that gives the
Steelers some financial flexi-
bility. The new contract does
offer a bit more freedom, but
Pittsburgh is facing several
high-profile departures in free
agency.
Wide receiver JuJu
Smith-Schuster, outside line-
backer Bud Dupree, running
back James Conner and left
tackle Alejandro Villanueva
are among more than a dozen
Steelers who will hit the open
market this month. Conner
and Villanueva are unlikely
to be brought back after un-
derwhelming play in 2020.
Smith-Schuster and Dupree
have likely priced themselves
out of a return.
Throw in the retirements of
center Maurkice Pouncey and
tight end Vance McDonald
and the decision to part with
offensive coordinator Randy
Fichtner — all three of whom
have a close relationship with
Roethlisberger — and the
veteran quarterback will find
himself in the midst of an over-
haul.
The franchise’s leader in
just about every major statisti-
cal passing category remains,
he was at the controls of an
offense that finished last in
the NFL in yards rushing and
yards per rushing attempt.
Those are numbers the front
office said it will spend the off-
season trying to improve.
Pittsburgh has the 24th
pick in the draft and several
glaring needs, particularly
along the offensive line. If
left guard Matt Feiler — also
a free agent — doesn’t come
back, Roethlisberger could
find himself playing behind a
line with three new starters
and a running back who isn’t
Conner for the first time since
2017.

Mississippi State in Bulldog Invitational
semifinal, TBD
College Baseball
Kent State at Mississippi State, 2 p.m.
East Mississippi Community College
at Copiah-Lincoln Community College,
doubleheader, 2 p.m.
College Volleyball
Mississippi State at Tennessee, 5:30
p.m.
Prep Boys Basketball
Starkville Academy vs. Clinton Christian
Academy at Madison-Ridgeland Acade-
my, MAIS overall tournament quarterfi-
nal, 4:30 p.m.
Starkville vs. Clinton at Mississippi
Coliseum, Jackson, MHSAA Class 6A
championship, 7 p.m.
Prep Baseball
Oak Hill Academy at Ethel, doublehead-
er, 1 p.m.
West Point at Kosciusko, 2 p.m.
New Hope vs. Mooreville at Amory, 3
p.m.
Tuscaloosa Academy (Ala.) at Heritage
Academy, 5:30 p.m.
ON THE AIR
Saturday
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
11 a.m. — Georgetown at UConn, CBS
11 a.m. — Rutgers at Minnesota, FOX
Panthers
Continued from Page 1B
But eighth-grader Macie
Phifer set out to prove the Fal-
cons were already capable of
great things. Phifer, who just
turned 14, had a game-high 29
points and added 13 rebounds
to lead Ingomar.
“She’s obviously pretty vi-
tal,” said Adair in somewhat
of an understatement. “She’s
nowhere near her ceiling yet.”
With 10 seconds to go and
the Falcons up two points,
Phifer was the recipient of a
play drawn up by Ingomar as-
sistant Katherine Downing.
The eighth-grader sprinted
down the court to catch a long
inbounds pass and lay it in,
catching the Panthers by sur-
prise as the clock ran out and
the Falcons bench mobbed
Phifer and her teammates.
It was perhaps the only time
West Lowndes didn’t have an
answer for any Ingomar offen-
sive Thursday. The Panthers
kept the game close time and
time again when the Falcons
threatened to blow it open,
including coming back from a
20-8 deficit early in the second
quarter.
It took nearly 15 minutes,
but West Lowndes senior Tyda-
jasha Hood sank a pair of free
throws with 37 seconds left
to tie the game at 40-40. Boz-
eman said Hood, who had 22
points and sank several clutch
baskets, played one of her best
games in her final time suiting
up for the Panthers.
“She put forth what she’s
been working on all season,”
Bozeman said. “She was able
to put it all out there on the
floor and be productive.”
But as the two teams head-
ed into the final eight minutes
of a tied contest, Ingomar
wasn’t deterred.
“What more could you
want?” Adair and his assis-
tants told the Falcons in the
short interlude. “It’s 40-40.
We’re in the fourth quarter of
a state championship game.
You’ve got a shot to win the
game. Go win the game.”
Ingomar did. After Phifer
buried a go-ahead 3-pointer
from the top of the key with
5:02 to go, Hood was fouled
with 4:46 to go. She missed
both free throws, but West
Lowndes rebounded the sec-
ond. The Panthers tried shot
after shot from close range but
couldn’t connect before losing
the ball out of bounds, and
Hall’s triple put the Falcons up
six.
“She’s a shooter,” Adair
said. “There’s no other way to
say it: That’s a shooter right
there.”
West Lowndes got the
lead down to two points on a
banked-in 3 by Averi Sanders
with 19 seconds to go, but it
was too little, too late. After
the Panthers tried to force a
turnover, the Falcons hurled
the basketball downcourt to
Phifer, who beat a West Lown-
des defender for the game’s
final score.
“It’s just so fulfilling be-
cause we’ve worked hard all
season, and it paid off,” Hall
said.
Ultimately, West Lowndes
came up just five points short
of its first state title since
2004, the last time the school
reached the championship
game. Even though Thursday
didn’t end in jubilation for the
Panthers, Bozeman said she
was proud of an excellent sea-
son.
“Some you win, some you
lose, but I’m still proud of
them,” Bozeman said.
Other scores
Class 1A boys championship:
Biggersville 47, Ingomar 46
Class 4A girls champion-
ship: Pontotoc 55, Choctaw
Central 52
Class 4A boys championship:
Lanier 64, Raymond 48

11 a.m. — South Carolina at Kentucky,
ESPN
11 a.m. — Florida State at Notre
Dame, ESPN2
Noon — Mississippi State at Auburn,
SECN
1 p.m. — Alabama at Georgia, CBS
1 p.m. — Arizona at Utah, FS1
1:30 p.m. — Villanova at Providence,
FOX
2 p.m. — LSU at Missouri, SECN
3 p.m. — Illinois at Ohio State, ESPN
3 p.m. — Virginia at Louisville, ESPN2
3 p.m. — USC at UCLA, CBS
3 p.m. — Butler at Creighton, FOX
4 p.m. — Texas A&M at Arkansas,
SECN
5 p.m. — Duke at North Carolina, ESPN
6 p.m. — Vanderbilt at Ole Miss, SECN
6 p.m. — Seton Hall at St. John’s, FS1
7 p.m. — Ohio Valley Tournament: TBD,
Championship, Evansville, Ind., ESPN2
8 p.m. — Xavier at Marquette, FS1
8 p.m. — West Coast Tournament:
Saint Mary’s vs. TBD, Quarterfinal, Las
Vegas, ESPNU
10 p.m. — Utah State at Fresno State,
FS1
11 p.m. — West Coast Tournament:
Pepperdine vs. TBD, Quarterfinal, Las
Vegas, ESPN2
Sunday
AUTO RACING
2:30 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series: The
Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube,
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas,
Caledonia
Continued from Page 1B
bases loaded.
New Hope finished the
game with just two hits.
New Hope will play at Cale-
donia at 6 p.m. Friday.
Other scores
Prep Softball
East Webster 11, New Hope 5
NEW HOPE — New Hope
softball fell 11-5 to East Web-
ster in Thursday’s home game.
The Wolverines took the
lead with a five-run fifth inning
to break a 2-2 tie. New Hope
responded with three runs in
the bottom of the inning, but
East Webster added two in the
sixth and two in the seventh to
stretch the lead.
Zoe Goodman drove in two
runs for the Trojans. Adi Due-
itt pitched a complete game for
New Hope.
Starkville 25, Louisville 2,
three innings
STARKVILLE — Starkville
High School scored 17 runs in
the first inning of Thursday’s
home game against Louisville
and added two in the second to
beat the Wildcats 25-2 on the
run rule in three innings.
Roniyah Campbell had
two hits and five RBIs for the
Yellow Jackets. Aubree Mont-
gomery had a hit and drove in
four runs, while Casey Meador
drove in two runs.
Olivia Mattison struck out
two in two innings, and Bri-
anne Locke struck out two in
one inning.
Prep Baseball
Heritage Academy 5, Copiah
Academy 2
Caleb Hall drove in two
runs as the Heritage Acade-
my baseball team beat Copiah
Academy 5-2 on Thursday in
Columbus.
Hall had a game-high two
hits for the Patriots, and Aaron
Downs walked twice.
Cole Ketchum struck out
seven in four innings, and
Rhett Ketchum had five strike-
outs in three innings.
Heritage Academy scored
three runs in the first inning
and two in the third. Copiah
had a run in the fourth inning
and one in the sixth.
Hartfield Academy 14,
Starkville 0, five innings
FLOWOOD — Starkville
High lost 14-0 to Hartfield
Academy in Thursday’s road
game on the run rule in five
innings.
The Yellow Jackets had just
one hit in the contest.
Mason Thurlow pitched
2.2 innings with four strike-
outs, and Ethan Pulliam had a
strikeout in 1.1 innings on the
mound.
Hartfield scored in every
inning with three runs in the
first, seven in the second, one
in the third and three in the
fourth.
Calhoun Academy 10, Co-
lumbus Christian Academy 0
CALHOUN CITY — Co-
lumbus Christian Academy
lost Thursday’s season opener
at Calhoun Academy, 10-0.
Luke Phillips had the Rams’
lone hit in the first inning. He
pitched 2.2 innings and struck
out four.
Caleb Farlow had two
strikeouts in two innings on
the mound.
Daniel Pate and John James
Butler were hit by a pitch and
reached base for the Rams.
Pickens Academy (Ala.) 16,
Restoration Academy (Ala.) 2,
two innings
FAIRFIELD, Ala. — Cole
Gibson had a double and three
RBIs to lead Pickens Academy
(Alabama) in a 16-2 road win
over Restoration Academy
(Alabama) in just two innings
Thursday.
Bodhi Parham was 2 for 2
with a triple and two RBI as
Pickens scored 11 runs in the
first inning and five in the sec-
ond. Drake Lowery was 2 for 2
and drove in a run.
Sawyer Perrigin, Aidan
Johnson, Hayden Dyer, Lane
Lowry and Clay More all had
RBIs for Pickens. Johnson
struck out two in his only in-
ning on the mound, giving up
one hit, two walks and two
runs.

FOX
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
11 a.m. — Houston at Memphis, CBS
11 a.m. — Big South Tournament:
Campbell at Winthrop, Championship,
ESPN
11 a.m. — Florida at Tennessee,
ESPNU
11:30 a.m. — Wisconsin at Iowa, FOX
1 p.m. — Atlantic Sun Tournament:
TBD, Championship, Jacksonville, Fla.,
ESPN
3 p.m. — Texas Tech at Baylor, ESPN
3:30 p.m. — Michigan at Michigan
State, CBS
4 p.m. — Southern Tournament: TBD,
Semifinal, Asheville, N.C., ESPNU
6:30 p.m. — Southern Tournament:
TBD, Semifinal, Asheville, N.C., ESPNU
7 p.m. — Oregon at Oregon State, FS1
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)
1 p.m. — SEC Tournament: TBD, Cham-
pionship, Greenville, S.C., ESPN2
7 p.m. — Pac-12 Tournament: TBD,
Championship, Las Vegas, N.V., ESPN2
NBA BASKETBALL
5:30 p.m. — All-Star Game: Skills Chal-
lenge and 3-Point Contest, Atlanta, TNT
7 p.m. — All-Star Game: Team LeBron
vs. Team Durant, Atlanta (Dunk Contest
during halftime), TNT
Softball
Continued from Page 1B
ternoon with a game against Alcorn State
scheduled for the evening. On Saturday
afternoon, the Bulldogs will take on West-
ern Kentucky.
From there, the teams will be seeded
1-4 for bracket play, with the No. 2 and No.
3 teams squaring off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday
and the No. 1 and No. 4 schools playing
at 6 p.m. Saturday. The losers of the two
semifinals will play in the consolation
game at 11 a.m. Sunday, and the winners
will face off in the championship game at
1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Here’s a look at what Mississippi State
can expect from each of its three oppo-
nents this weekend.
Ball State (2-2) — 3 p.m. Friday
2020 record: 18-9
The Cardinals have played just four
games this season, beating Saint Lou-
is and Austin Peay and losing to DePaul
and Southern Illinois. The Salukis also
dealt Mississippi State an extra-inning
defeat Feb. 21, the Bulldogs’ first loss in
18 games.
Star hitter Stacy Payton returns for
Ball State after posting a .400 batting
average, eight home runs and a 1.328
on-base plus slugging percentage in 27
games last season. A one-run loss at No.
8 Louisiana was the Cards’ only ranked
contest of the season.
Pitchers Deborah Jones (1.63 ERA in
2020) and Alyssa Rothwell (1.79) both
return for Ball State. Mississippi State
pitching coach Josh Johnson previously
held the same position for the Cardinals
until joining Samantha Ricketts’ staff in
2019.
Alcorn State (2-4) — 5:30 p.m. Friday
2020 record: 5-21
If the Bulldogs hope to take home a
win in round-robin play, the Braves are
likely their best bet.
Alcorn State is off to a 2-4 start after
posting a 5-21 record in the abbreviated
2020 campaign. The Braves didn’t have a
single hitter finish above .825 in OPS and
posted a team ERA of 6.10 last season.
Mississippi State beat Alcorn State
twice last year, posting 8-1 and 9-1 wins
on Feb. 29 and March 1 at last year’s
Snowman (Alex Wilcox Memorial) tour-
nament in Starkville.
Former Bulldogs infielder Sarai Niu,
who played for Mississippi State from
2016 to 2019, returns to Nusz Park as a
graduate assistant for Alcorn State.
Western Kentucky (6-1) — 12:30 p.m.
Saturday
2020 record: 20-5
Western Kentucky, off to a 6-1 start to
2021, could be Mississippi State’s tough-
est opponent this weekend.
The Hilltoppers posted a 20-5 record
last spring, though no ranked opponents
graced their schedule.
So far in 2021, Western Kentucky has
three wins against Indiana State and
victories over Chattanooga and Bowling
Green State. The Toppers also split a pair
of games with Kennesaw State.
Leading hitters Kennedy Sullivan
(.417 average, 1.146 OPS) and Taylor Da-
vis (.437 average, .918 OPS) are back for
Western Kentucky.
Pitchers Kelsey Aikey (1.86 ERA in 79
innings pitched) and Shelby Nunn (1.15
ERA in 54.2 IP) also return for the Top-
pers.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 5B

Florida visits Tennessee, SEC Tournament seeding on the line

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A look at the final weekend in
the Southeastern Conference:
Game of the weekend
Florida (13-7, 9-6) at Tennes-
see (16-7, 9-7). Sunday’s rematch,
rescheduled from Feb. 10 in Knox-
ville, concludes the SEC regular
season on a weekend left open
to make up postponed games. A
Volunteers victory claims a first-
round bye, while the Gators could
earn the No. 3 seeding with a win
and a LSU loss at Missouri. Flori-
da aims to rebound from Wednes-
day’s last-second, 72-70 loss to
Missouri. Tennessee also looks
to bounce back after falling out
of the rankings with a five-point
loss at Auburn last weekend. The
Volunteers have lost two of three
but remain the league’s stingiest
defense, allowing just 63.1 points
per game overall and 67.1 in SEC
play. Florida beat then-No. 6 Ten-
nessee 75-49 in the season’s first
meeting in Gainesville, begin-
ning a Vols slide in which they
lost three of five.
Also scheduled
LSU visits Missouri on Satur-
day, postponed from Jan. 9, while
Auburn hosts Mississippi State
after being originally scheduled
on Feb. 16. Texas A&M, which
had all eight games postponed
last month, travels to No. 12
Arkansas to make up a Feb. 20
meeting. South Carolina visits
Kentucky to make up a Dec. 29
game.
No. 8 Alabama at Georgia and
Vanderbilt at Mississippi are new,
added last month to mirror the
site of previous matchups and
help balance teams’ home and
away schedules. Vandy and Ole
Miss are meeting on consecu-
tive Saturdays, a week after the
‘Dores’ 75-70 road win in Oxford
despite missing leading scorer
Scotty Pippen Jr.
Tide turnaround
Alabama clinched its eighth
SEC regular season title and first
since 2002 with Saturday’s 64-59
win at Mississippi State. It’s the
first time since the 1975-76 ac-
ademic year the school has won
conference titles in men’s basket-
ball and football. The top-seeded
Crimson Tide earned a double
bye into next Friday’s SEC Tour-
nament quarterfinals, two years
after being the No. 10 seed.
Impact player
Moses Moody, Arkansas. The
freshman guard and Razorbacks’
leading scorer (17.0 points per
game) tied a career high with
28 in Tuesday night’s 101-73 rout
at South Carolina. He has aver-
aged 20.0 points over his past
five outings. Moody was 10 of 15
shooting against the Gamecocks,
including 4 of 9 from long range,
and made all four free throws to
set a program freshman record
with 120 made. Two games ear-
lier, he made 16 of 19 from the
line for 24 points on the way to
earning freshman of the week
honors. The No. 12 Razorbacks
(20-5, 12-4) enter Saturday’s reg-
ular season finale against Texas
A&M having won their past 10
SEC games and last seven over-
all, including a win over Alabama.
Inside the numbers
Three LSU players posted
triple doubles in Tuesday’s 83-
68 win over Vanderbilt, led by
Cameron Thomas’ 23 points and
10 rebounds. Trendon Watford’s
season-high 13 boards helped
the Tigers dominate the Com-
modores 51-29 on the glass. …
Kentucky was a season-worst
minus-14 in rebounding margin
in a 70-62 loss at Ole Miss that
ensured its first losing SEC fin-
ish since 8-10 in 1988-89. … Ala-
bama guard Jahvon Quinerly has
scored in double digits the past
eight games, including 19 points
off the bench at Mississippi State
last weekend.
On the women’s side
Top-seeded and No. 2 Texas
A&M (22-1, 13-1) opens SEC
Tournament play on Friday in
Greenville, South Carolina,
against No. 8 seed LSU. The Ag-
gies have won 10 in a row, includ-
ing Sunday’s 65-57 victory over
No. 2 seed South Carolina that
clinched their first-ever SEC
regular season championship. ...
No. 6 seed Arkansas (19-7, 9-6),
which faced No. 11 Mississip-
pi late Thursday, enters as the
league’s second-hottest team
with five consecutive wins.

Comics & Puzzles

DILBERT
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: I marriage back on funeral home or crematorium
suspect that track. Share the that handled your mother’s re-
something journal with your mains and ask what the rules
has been going on therapist during are in your state about the
with my husband some of the disposition of ashes. Because
and our daughter- sessions, or with rules differ in different states,
in-law. My hus- your attorney, if counties, etc., the people
band has become the need arises. there would be in the best
DEAR ABBY: position to assist you.
obsessed with
My mom died DEAR ABBY: I have a
her, and they both five years ago. relationship problem I hope
seem to become I didn’t talk to you can help me with. I have
nervous when her the last few loved this woman for years. We
ZITS they are around months before grew up together. We parted
me at the same her death be- because I had to move away
time. My husband cause of the ex- to Japan.
is always check- treme stress she Well, a few years ago,
ing to see when Dear Abby put me under. we met again. We began to
I’m leaving. I finally told my communicate, and all my
My son and brother it was his feelings for her rushed back
daughter-in-law and their three turn to deal with her because after all these years. I know
kids live in our duplex, but my she had always been sweet to she doesn’t feel the same way
son isn’t home most of the him. I dealt with her issues for about me. How can I let her
day. Should I be concerned 40 years and could no longer know how bad it hurts, this
about what’s going on with continue. Mom was greedy, unrequited love? — SMITTEN
them? Everything in me is tell- self-centered and narcissistic. IN THE WEST
ing me something is not right. She caused many issues be- DEAR SMITTEN: I don’t
— WORRIED IN WISCONSIN tween my brother and me. think that’s such a good idea.
GARFIELD DEAR WORRIED: I hope you My question concerns Knowing this woman doesn’t
are wrong, but if “everything in her ashes. I have them. My reciprocate your feelings, do
you” is telling you something brother wanted nothing to do you really think informing her
is not right, listen to your intu- with them, and I don’t know that “all those feelings have
ition. Continue monitoring the how to dispose of them. I have rushed back” will endear you?
situation and keep a journal of considered spreading them It may cause her embarrass-
your observations. in the mountains since she ment. You will be happier if you
If your marital relation- liked camping and fishing, stop dwelling on your unrequit-
ship with your husband has but I don’t know if it is legal. ed love from the past, resolve
changed, it’s a red flag. Talk to Otherwise, they will sit in my to live in the present and, from
him about it. It may take the basement forever. — NEEDS A now on, look for companion-
services of a licensed marriage SOLUTION ship from candidates who are
and family therapist to get your DEAR NEEDS: Contact the emotionally available.

CANDORVILLE Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March
5). An inspiring relationship
plays into the changes you
make this year. That long list
of things you didn’t have time
for before gets a lot shorter as
you check off many adventures.
You’re not setting out to develop
yourself; it just happens. Plans
shift and expand. There are
more people to care for and
also put to work. Cancer and
Scorpio adore you. Your lucky
BABY BLUES numbers are: 1, 36, 46, 10
and 5.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
You’re a treasure. If you want
to be pursued, then go where
the treasure hunters are. Like a
tattoo in invisible ink, it takes a
special light to see the art, and
it really only happens when a
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
FAMILY CIRCUS
person knows it’s there in the
first place.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
We can only be trapped by what
we want. We are held by our
own white knuckles clinging to
what we don’t want to let go of.
Fear of loss is the turn of the
key that locks us in chains. If
you agree to lose, then you will
be free.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
You have more stories than you
think. The things you’ve done
are so familiar to you that you
cannot imagine how impres-
sive they would be to another
person, but if you share, you’ll
find out.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
The best and brightest version
of future-you hinges on the
ability of today-you to pay close
attention. To stay engaged,
figure out what’s in it for you,
even when the scene seems to
revolve completely around the
other person.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
Sometimes, you have faith
and you act on it. Today, your
faith isn’t as strong, but you
still benefit from action. Keep
shooting for the goal regardless
of whether you think you can
make it.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
Messes occur. It’s not your job
to clean them up, though you’ll
probably do it anyway, or at
least be involved, because leav-
ing things better than you found
them is in your creed.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
Some pressures exist only
because of a thought. The
thought doesn’t have to be true
to make the pressure very real.
A thought is causing you stress
unnecessarily. Identify and
release it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
If you ask the others, they’ll
tell you what they see and you
won’t be able to help being
influenced. To find that truly
original take on the situation,
wait before you ask. Look at it a
long time by yourself first.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-
Dec. 21). Trying to accomplish
everything on the list will be too
stressful and counterproduc-
tive. Decide on what you’re not
going to do today and, suddenly,
everything lightens up. Plus, you
move quicker.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). There’s a risk inherent in
every interaction, only it doesn’t
feel as risky with those whom
you can predict. Fresh blood will
energize you and bring about
your most daring self.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). With so many unwritten
rules governing today’s inter-
actions, you may just decide to
go rogue and put an end to the
easy compliance that has been
the dysfunctional norm of the
situation.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). No one knows how you
do it, but somehow you’re able
to draw vitality from lackluster
scenes, badly illuminated in flu-
orescent light. Your imagination
knocks out walls to install its
own sun-streamed windows.

Okay by me
SOLUTION:
6B FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

7th Anniversary Celebration
Concord Independent Methodist
Church, 1235 Concord Road, hosts a
drive-by celebration for Pastor Robert L.
Hamilton Sr. and Sister Dorothy Hamil-
ton’s seventh anniversary, from noon-1
p.m. March 14. The public is invited.
Southern Gospel
The “New Revivers” Quartet from
Columbus will sing at “New Covenant”
Baptist Church on Hwy 50 E. at 10 a.m.
March 7. The public is welcome.
RELIGIOUS BRIEFS
Open to all ages and ethnicities. For
more information, call Barbara Mattison
or Lillian Murray, 662-570-5595.
Grief Support Group
The Oil of Joy for Grief and Mourning
offers a grief support group at 6 p.m.
every second Thursday of the month at
United Christian Baptist Church, 232
Yorkville Road East. “Making your griev-
ing journey easier.” For more information,
call 662-327-0604 or e-mail unitedchris-
tian@cableone.net.
Radio Program
Apostles Patrick Perkins invites the
public to tune in to WTWG, radio 1050
AM for Perfecting the Saints Broadcast,
Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.
Women Prayer, Worship Service
Church of the Eternal Word, 106 22nd
St. S., holds a prayer and worship service
every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Call Marie
Nabors, 662-549-4322 or 662-329-
1234, for prayer requests.

Celebrate Recovery Prayer Ministry

Mississippi State School
Ministry
Mississippi State School of Ministry
Celebrate Recovery, the nation’s larg-
est Christian recovery program, meets
Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. at Meadowview
New Beginning Everlasting Outreach
Ministry invites the public to call in with
Sudoku
YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
their prayer requests at 662-327-9843.

Sudoku
will be taking applications for enrollment Church, 300 Linden Circle in Starkville.
into their online degree granting program. Millions have found help, healing, and Prayer Service
Sudoku is a number- Yesterday’s answer
placing puzzle based on
Earn your Certification, Associates, support for hurts, habits, and hang- Church of the Eternal Word, 106 22nd Sudoku 6 7 8 9 3 4 2 5 1
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num-
Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Degree in ups using our popular Biblical 12 step ber-placing
St. S., Columbus, holds prayer service given numbers.puzzleThe object 4 1 3 7 2 5 6 9 8

2021 Conceptis Puzzles, Dist. by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Religious Studies. We are an accredita- program. Thursday nights 5-6 p.m. Contact Marie based onthe a 9x9
is to place numbers 9 2 5 6 1 8 7 4 3
tion School of Ministry authorized through grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
Nabors, 662-549-4322. Church service
empty spaces 8 4 9 1 5 6 3 7 2
State of Mississippi and Federal Govern-
ment. Our degrees are for ecclesiastical
Recovery Room times: Sunday school 10 a.m.; Sunday given
so that numbers.
each row, eachThe 7 3 1 2 4 9 8 6 5
New Life Assembly, 4474 New worship 11:15 a.m.; Tuesday Bible study object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place box
purposes only. We accept transcripts numbers 2 5 6 3 8 7 9 1 4
contains the1same to 9 number
in
Hope Road (near Dollar General) hosts 7 p.m. For information, call Pastor Dis-
and your life experience also can also be Recovery Room, at 6:30 p.m. each trict Elder Lou Nabors, 662-329-1234. the empty spaces so 5 6 4 8 7 2 1 3 9
used for degree granting purposes. For only once. The difficulty 3 8 7 5 9 1 4 2 6
Sunday. Find help, healing, and support that each row, each
level increases from
further information feel free to call 662- for any hurt, habit, or hang-up using our Fitness Transformations column and each
Monday
1 9 2 4 6 3 5 8 7
425-8443 Christ-centered 12 steps. The Transformational Church, 2301 3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 3/04

Fellowship Dinner, Youth
Service
Pleasant Ridge Faith Center, 923
Ridge Road, hosts a fellowship dinner
and youth service every third Sunday.
Gospel Book Club
Friendship M.B. Church, 1102 12th
Ave. S., invites the public to join its Com-
munity Gospel Book Club from 6-7 p.m.,
on the fourth Friday of each month, to
study and share views of the Holy Bible.
Prayer for Youth
Every second and third Saturday,
Pleasant Ridge Faith Center hosts a
prayer for the youth from 2-3 p.m.
Prayer, Free Coffee
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist
Church, 2221 14th Ave. N., hosts free
coffee and a prayer community out-
reach service from 8-9 a.m. every fifth
Saturday. For information, contact Jesse
Slater, 662-328-4979.
Jess Lyons Road, hosts boxing lessons the same number only once. The difficulty level
Mondays and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m., increases from Monday to Sunday.
weight-loss boot camp Tuesdays and
Thursdays 5-7 p.m. and both on Satur-
days 9-11 a.m.
Youth Fellowship
The Transformational Church, 2301
Jess Lyons Road, hosts Youth Fellowship
from 7-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Games,
prayer, service, food, and more. Transpor-
tation available. For information, call Iris
Roberson, 662-295-7456.

Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Iraqi Foreign Minister him. Francis was visibly the pope’s plane touching
Fuad Hussein said Iraqis limping in a sign his sci- down.
BAGHDAD — Pope were eager to welcome atica, which has flared Iraqis were keen to wel-
Francis arrived in Iraq on Francis’ “message of and forced him to cancel come him and the global
Friday to urge the coun- peace and tolerance” and events recently, was pos- attention his visit will
try’s dwindling number of described the visit as a sibly bothering him. bring, with banners and
Christians to stay put and historic meeting between A largely unmasked posters hanging high in
help rebuild the country the “minaret and the choir sang songs as both central Baghdad, and bill-
after years of war and per- bells.” Among the high- pope and premier made boards depicting Francis
secution, brushing aside lights of the three-day their way to a welcome with the slogan “We are
the coronavirus pandemic visit is Francis’ private area in the airport. People all Brothers” decorating
and security concerns to meeting Saturday with wandered around with- the main thoroughfare.
make his first-ever papal the country’s top Shiite out masks, and the pope In central Tahrir square,
visit. cleric, Grand Ayatollah and the prime minister a mock tree was erected
The pope, who wore Ali al-Sistani, a revered took theirs off as they sat emblazoned with the Vat-
a facemask during the figure in Iraq and beyond. down for their first meet- ican emblem, while Iraqi
flight, kept it on as he de- Francis’ plane touched ing — seated less than and Vatican flags lined
scended the stairs to the down at Baghdad’s air- two yards apart — and empty streets.
tarmac and was greeted port just before 2 p.m. lo- later stood next to each The government is
by two masked children cal time. A red carpet was other shaking hands and eager to show off the
in traditional dress. But rolled out on the tarmac chatting. relative security it has
health measures appeared in Baghdad’s interna- Hundreds of people achieved after years of
lax inside the airport de- tional airport with Prime had gathered along the wars and militant attacks
spite the country’s worsen- Minister Mustafa al- airport road with hopes that nevertheless contin-
ing coronavirus outbreak. Kadhimi on hand to greet of catching a glimpse of ue even today. ACROSS
1 Duel count
6 Regatta entry
11 Lucy’s pal
12 Concur
13 Capital on the
Nile
14 Boat back-
bones
15 Refer to
17 Pretzel topper
18 Croupier’s
tool
20 Clothing line
22 Have debts
23 Poseidon and
Neptune
26 Minstrel’s DOWN 24 Slimming plan
instrument 1 Chest muscle 25 All there
28 Bulgaria’s 2 One — time 27 Small piers
capital 3 Soup choice 30 Obtained
29 Cooperative 4 Spine-tingling 33 Forbidden
force 5 Place for a 34 Ship lockup
31 Decimal base coin 35 Store in the
32 Director 6 Shaggy ox hold
Preminger 7 Long in the 37 Rank above
33 Carryall past viscount
34 Moral flaw 8 Soup choice 39 Mined find
36 Bulls or Bears 9 Pluto’s domain 41 Spinning toy
38 Ham’s need 10 Ordeal 42 Hosp. sec-
40 Ease up 16 Jargon suffix tions
43 Lazy fellow 18 Holds up
44 Chopper part 19 Not at home
45 Gaggle group 21 Effortless
46 Belt holders 23 Ilk
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 7B

Classifieds
LEGALS
CALL US: 662-328-2424
Legal Notices
The following vehicle has been
abandoned at Shelton's Tow-
ing, Inc., 1024 Gardner Blvd.,
Columbus, MS 39702.
2006 Nissan Altima
Vin# 1N4AL11D46N330275
This vehicle will be put up for
sale on the 20th day of March thence North 00 degrees 18
2021 at 10am at Shelton's
Towing, Inc., 1024 Gardner
Blvd., Columbus, MS 39702.
PUBLISH: 2/26, 3/5 &
3/12/2021
The following vehicles have
been abandoned at Louisville
Wrecker Service, 346 Tuck
Wilkes Road, Noxapater, MS.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 09 minutes East a distance of
VIN#1GC4K1E8XGF272885
IF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT
CLAIMED, IT WILL BE PUT UP
FOR PUBLIC SALE ON THE
22ND DAY OF MARCH, 2021 at minutes East a distance of
10:00 A.M. AT LOUISVILLE
WRECKER SERVICE, 346 TUCK thence South 00 degrees 29
WILKES ROAD, NOXAPATER,
MS.
PUBLISH: 2/26, 3/5 &
3/12/21
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
ERICA LAGRONE TURNER
PLAINTIFF
VERSUS
KEITH O’BRIAN FIELDS AND
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH-HUMAN SERVICES
DEFENDANT
CAUSE NO.: 2016-0051-JNS
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
THE COUNTY OF LOWNDES
TO: KEITH O’BRIAN FIELDS,
whose last known address is
1206 Lott Fields Road, Craw-
ford, Mississippi, but whose
current whereabouts after dili- run thence South 86 degrees
gent search and inquiry are un- 08 minutes East a distance of
known. You have been made a 632.5 feet to a point; run
Defendant in the suit filed in
this Court by Erica Lagrone
Turner in a Complaint to Estab- 1703.0 feet to a point; run
lish Custody, Child Support,
Visitation, and to Cite for Con- minutes West a distance of
tempt and for Other Relief.
You are summoned to appear
and defendant against the
complaint or petition filed
against you in this action at
9:00 A.M. on the 17th day of
May 2021, in the courtroom of public county road known as
the Lowndes County Court-
house/Chancery Building at
Columbus, Mississippi, and in
case of your failure to appear
and defend a judgement will be to an iron pin and the point of
entered against you for the
money or other things deman-
ded in the complaint or peti-
tion.
You are no required to file an
answer or other pleading, but
you may do so if you desire.
ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND thence South 00 degrees 02
THE SEAL OF SAID COURT¸ this minutes West a distance of
the 1st day of March, 2021.
CINDY EGGER GOODE,
Chancery Clerk of Lowndes
County, Mississippi
BY: /s/ Tina Fisher
D.C.
PUBLISH: 3/5/2021
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
CAUSE NO.: 2021-0038
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
LOWNDES COUNTY
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to the
undersigned upon the estate of
NELLIE G. MCCRORY, de-
ceased, by the Chancery Court
of Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi, on the 1st day of March,
A.D., 2021. This is to give no-
tice to all persons having
claims against said estate to
Probate and Register same
with the Chancery Clerk of
Lowndes County, Mississippi,
within ninety (90) days from
this date. A failure to so Pro-
bate and Register said claim
will forever bar the same.
This the 3rd day of March,
2021.
/s/ Michael D. McCrory
MICHAEL D. MCCRORY
PUBLISH: 3/5, 3/12 &
3/19/2021
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
SALE
On October 7, 2016, ROBERT
TUCKER, Grantor, executed
and delivered to JEFFREY C.
SMITH, Trustee, for the use
and benefit of CHISM PART-
NERS, L.P., a Deed of Trust
covering the property de-
scribed herein which is recor-
ded in Trust Deed Book 2016
at Pages 22658 through
22664 of the land records of
Lowndes County, Mississippi.
There was a default in the pay-
ment of the indebtedness se-
cured by the Deed of Trust, and
the owner and holder of the
Deed of Trust requested the
undersigned to foreclose the
Deed of Trust and sell the prop-
erty described herein for collec-
tion of indebtedness secured
and other allowed expenses.
Notice is given that I will on the
1st day of April 2021, within
the legal hours (between 11:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) offer for
sale and will sell at public auc-
tion to the highest and best
bidder for cash, at the eastern
front door of the Lowndes
County Courthouse in Colum-
bus, Mississippi, the property
described herein which is situ-
ated in Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, and more particularly
described as follows:
Tract 1:
A tract of land being located in
the Southeast Quarter (SE ¼)
Deed of Trust requested the
undersigned to foreclose the
Deed of Trust and sell the prop-
erty described herein for collec-
tion of indebtedness secured
and other allowed expenses.
Notice is given that I will on the
1st day of April 2021, within
the legal hours (between 11:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) offer for
sale and will sell at public auc-
tion to the highest and best
bidder for cash, at the eastern
front door of the Lowndes
County Courthouse in Colum-
bus, Mississippi, the property
described herein which is situ-
ated in Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, and more particularly
described as follows:
Legal Notices
Tract 1:
A tract of land being located in
the Southeast Quarter (SE ¼)
of the Southwest Quarter (SW
¼) of Section 7, Township 19
South, Range 17 West,
Lowndes County, Mississippi
and more particularly de-
scribed as follows:
Commencing at an iron pin
marking the Southwest corner
of the Southeast Quarter (SE
¼) of the Southwest Quarter
(SW ¼) of said Section 7; run
thence South 88 degrees 08
minutes East a distance of
210.0 feet to an iron pin; run
minutes East a distance of
363.4 feet to the point of be-
ginning of the herein described
tract; run thence North 00 de-
grees 18 minutes East a dis-
tance of 476.8 feet to an iron
pin; run thence North 88 de-
grees 05 minutes West a dis-
tance of 210.0 feet to an iron
pin; run thence North 00 de-
grees 18 minutes East a dis-
tance of 183.6 feet to a point;
run thence South 83 degrees
508.1 feet to an iron pin; run
thence South 00 degrees 18
minutes West a distance of
325.0 feet to a point; run
thence South 88 degrees 13
61.4 feet to an iron pin; run
minutes East a distance of
289.4 feet to a point; run
thence North 88 degrees 30
minutes West a distance of
148.3 feet to a point; run
thence North 89 degrees 41
minutes West a distance of
60.0 feet to a point; run thence
North 88 degrees 30 minutes
East a distance of 149.9 feet
to the point of beginning and
containing 5.5 acres, more or
less.
Tract 2:
A tract of land being located in
the Southwest Quarter (SW ¼)
of Section 7, Township 19
South, Range 17 West,
Lowndes County, Mississippi
and more particularly de-
scribed as follows:
Commencing at a concrete
monument marking the Northw-
est corner of the Southwest
Quarter (SW ¼) of said Sec-
tion 7; run thence South 88 de-
grees 15 minutes East, along
an existing fence, a distance of
1372.3 feet to a fence corner;
thence South 00 degrees 27
minutes East a distance of
thence North 88 degrees 33
129.7 feet to a fence corner;
run thence North 83 degrees
23 minutes West a distance of
508.5 feet to a point; run
thence South a distance of
1019.0 feet to a fence corner
on the North right-of-way of a
Hildreth Road; run thence
South 87 degrees 50 minutes
East, along said North right-of-
way, a distance of 359.7 feet
beginning of the herein de-
scribe tract:
Run thence North 00 degrees
01 minutes East a distance of
363.4 feet to an iron pin; run
thence South 89 degrees 22
minutes East a distance of
60.1 feet to an iron pin; run
365.0 feet to a point on said
North right-of-way of Hildreth
Road; run thence North 87 de-
grees 50 minutes West, along
said North right-of-way, a dis-
tance of 60.0 feet to the point
of beginning and containing 0.5
acres, more or less.
Title to the property is believed
to be good, but I will sell only
such title as is vested in me.
WITNESS MY SIGNATURE on
this the 2nd day of March
2021.
/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith
JEFFREY C. SMITH, Trustee
PUBLISH: March 5, 2021
March 12, 2021
March 19, 2021
March 26, 2021
EMPLOYMENT
CALL US: 662-328-2424
General Help Wanted
DEPENDABLE CAREGIVER
needed for a senior in
Columbus area. MUST
HAVE EXPERIENCE IN
SENIOR CARE. Must have
references, reliable trans-
portation, background
check, Covid test & vac-
cine. 630-698-6049.
Read local.
cdispatch.com
Medical / Dental
General Help Wanted
HELP NEEDED: Looking for
someone with a good work
ethic, a reliable source of
transportation and a posit-
ive attitude. Must be able
to work off of a ladder and
walk on a roof. Bonuses
for production output.
$12/hr. 662-574-0062.
LEGAL SECRETARY needed
for local firm. Must be able
to work dual screen
computer. Email resume
with references to:
job117@cdispatch.com
THE COMMERCIAL
DISPATCH
is seeking a part time
employee for approxim-
ately 2-3 hours of work per
day. Driving required.
Must have reliable trans-
portation, valid driver's
license & auto insurance.
$9 per hour plus mileage.
Apply at our office at 516
Main Street in Columbus
or via email to Mike Floyd
at mfloyd@cdispatch.com
THE COMMERCIAL
DISPATCH
seeks a motivated,
contracted carrier for the
Caledonia area. Excellent
opportunity to earn money
for college. Must have
good transportation, valid
driver's license & insur-
ance. Delivers on Sunday
morning and Mon-Fri after-
noons. Apply at The Com-
mercial Dispatch, 516
Main Street in Columbus.
No phone calls please.
Medical / Dental
The Golden Triangle Plan-
ning and Development Dis-
trict is accepting applica-
tions for part-time person-
al care attendants to work
in the Golden Triangle area.
Applicants must have a val-
id driver’s license, reliable
transportation and liability
insurance on vehicle. Male
and female applicants
needed. Contact Minnie
Lindsey at the Golden Tri-
angle Planning and Devel-
opment District, 106 Miley
Drive, P. O. Box 828, Stark-
ville, MS 39760. No tele-
phone calls please.
RENTALS
ADS STARTING AT $25
Apts For Rent: North
802 17TH ST. N.
2 bed/ 1 bath, all electric,
ceramic tiled bath, carpet,
appliances. $475/Mth.
Credit check. Call Long &
Long @ 662−328−0770.
Apts For Rent: West
VIP
Rentals
Apartments & Houses
1 Bedrooms
2 Bedroooms
3 Bedrooms
Furnished & Unfurnished
1, 2, & 3 Baths
Lease, Deposit
& Credit Check
viceinvestments.com
327-8555
Apts For Rent: Other
ADS APPEAR IN THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH,
THE STARKVILLE DISPATCH AND ONLINE
Apts For Rent: Other
COLEMAN
RENTALS
TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS
1 BEDROOM
2 BEDROOMS
3 BEDROOMS
LEASE,
© The Dispatch
DEPOSIT
AND
CREDIT CHECK
662-329-2323
2411 HWY 45 N
COLUMBUS, MS
Houses For Rent: North
COLONIAL TOWNHOUSES.
2 & 3 bedroom w/ 2−3
bath townhouses. $650 to
$750. 662−549−9555.
Ask for Glenn or text.
Mobile Homes for Rent
1909 ROBERSON ST. 3BR/
2BA, $650/mo + $650
dep. No smoking. No pets.
No HUD. Near hospital.
662−549−3328.
3BR/2BA MH in New Hope.
$650 dep + $650/mo.
No pets, quiet area. Leave
voicemail with full name &
message, 205−712−6697.
4BR/2BA MH, on private 1
acre setting with covered
back porch. Caledonia
school dist. Credit check
required. Call 662−251−
3205 & leave message.
RENT A CAMPER!
CHEAPER THAN A MOTEL!
Utilities & cable included,
from $150/wk − $555/mo
Columbus & County School
locations. 662−242−3803
or 601−940−1397.
REAL ESTATE
ADS STARTING AT $25
Farms & Timberland
203 ACRES
PRIME TIMBERLAND
$270,000
Exc deer, turkey hunting
Good Investment
(615)719−8329
ads.cdispatch.com
SERVICE DIRECTORY
PROMOTE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS STARTING AT ONLY $25
Building & Remodeling
HOME REPAIRS &
CONSTRUCTION.
Repair damaged doors,
holes in doors, door sills,
and door jambs. Repair
holes in walls and ceilings.
Repair fascia boards and
soffit. Electrical, plumbing
& carpentry. Stairs &
decks.
Call 662−549−7031.
GRAVEL, $360 PER LOAD. 104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville
General Services
Local delivery, 14 yd truck.
Backhoe & Dozer work.
WORK WANTED: Licensed
Mobile Home Pads &
& Bonded. Carpentry, minor Driveways. Concrete work.
electrical, minor plumbing,
662−497−1388
insulation, painting, demo−
lition, gutters cleaned,
pressure washing, land−
scaping, cleanup work.
LIST YOUR BUSINESS HERE!
662−242−3608.
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021 n 8B
Farms & Timberland
LAMAR COUNTY, AL: 63
ACRES on County Road 34.
Exc hunting, some timber,
power & county water.
$1,150 per acre. 205−712
−5606 or 205−799−9846.
Lots & Acreage
1.75 ACRE LOTS: Good/
Bad Credit Options. Good
credit as low as 20% down,
$499/mo. Eaton Land,
662−361−7711.
Restricted residential lot,
very nice, over 3 acres with
some trees. Callaway
Estates off Taylor Thurston
Road. $35,000. Call Long
& Long, 662−386−2023.
GARAGE SALES
TWO FREE SIGNS
Estate Sales
Junkin Estate Sale
499 Lacy Road
Columbus, MS 39702
Fri. March 5, 9am−4pm
Sat. March 6, 9am−4pm
Sun. March 7, 1pm−4pm
Selling the estate of the
late Herbert Junkin and
Mrs. Maxine Junkin Gilmer.
Lots of nice furniture,
linens, outstanding Capo−
di−Monte Lamp, La−z−Boy
recliner, Broyhill sofa,
loveseat and chair,
Henredon chair and
ottoman, Broyhill Country
French end tables, two
queen size bedroom
suites, beautiful bed linens
queen size, dining table
and chairs, Howard Miller
clock, Sony and LG flat
screen tv’s, lots of canning
jars, children’s books,
beanie babies,
Chippendale camel back
sofa, wingback chairs,
kitchen items, baskets,
china, crystal, toys, tools,
church bench, stump vice,
riding mower, contents of
outdoor buildings, rolling
chicken coop, Steele
laundry cart, twin bed
frames, ladies clothes, old
freezers, much more!!!!
Photos @
www.estatesales.net
Stewart’s Antiques &
Estate Sales
Benny Shelton
Columbus, MS
662−251−1515
Garage Sales: East
5532 HIGHWAY 50 E.
Clothes−kid/women/men,
shoes, jewelry, tools, furn,
fishing items & much more!
General Services
A & T TREE SERVICES
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!"
Please visit our website:
jimharnold.com
Saturday morning appointments
available for Starkville Office.
Ads starting at $25 • ads.cdispatch.com
To place ads starting at only $12,
Garage Sales: New Hope
COMMUNITY
FOUNTAIN SQUARE APT
Club House 80 Suffolk Dr.
off of Yorkville Rd E. Sat.
ADS STARTING AT $12
6a−until. Multi family sale.
Inside office.
Lost & Found Items
Garage Sales: Caledonia
Missing M&O RR Fireplace
345 WOOD RD Mantle. A $200 Ransom
will be paid for recovery of
Sat. 7a−until. Toys, furn.,
and more. Fireplace mantle pried from
wall of Crawford’s M&O RR
Section House. No
questions will be asked
MERCHANDISE
and the "law" is NOT
involved. 662−769−1889.
ADS STARTING AT $12 Pets
Burial Plots
REGISTERED DACHSHUND
puppies for sale.
Ready to go now!
2 BURIAL PLOTS
Call 205−596−3264.
Located in Veteran location
@ Memorial Gardens of
Columbus, MS. Must have
cash, $7500. A savings of
$1500. Plots include burial Need a new
companion?
vaults and can be
exchanged for any spot
other than a veteran.
Call 662−386−4080 or
662−386−4081.
Lawn & Garden
HEAVY DUTY REAR TYNE
GARDEN TILLER. In good
shape. Price: $350. Call
662−251−3304.
Sporting Goods
ED SANDERS GUNSMITH
Open for season!
Tue−Fri: 9−5 & Sat: 9−12
Over 50 years experience!
When looking
for a new pet,
Repairs, cleaning, refin−
ishing, scopes mounted &
zeroed, handmade knives.
adoption is
Located: Hwy 45 Alt, North
of West Point, turn right on
Yokahama Blvd, 8mi & turn
left on Darracott Rd, will
see sign, 2.5mi ahead
shop on left.
always a
good option.
662−494−6218.
VEHICLES
Five Questions:
ADS STARTING AT $12
1 UCLA
Motorcycles & ATVs
’05 HONDA REBEL 250
2 Australia
Black, red & grey. Actual
miles, 1,432. $1200.
662−364−0120.
3 Five
Want to get back to nature?
Need some R&R?
4 True
5 Japan
Shop here first.
General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping
BANKRUPTCY JESSE & BEVERLY’S
LAWN SERVICE
CHAPTER 7 Fall Cleanup, Tree Cutting,
BANKRUPTCY Landscaping, Sodding &
$545 plus Filing Fee Bush Hogging
662−356−6525
CHAPTER 13
BANKRUPTCY Painting & Papering
All Attorney Fees Through The Plan
Jim Arnold, Attorney QUALITY PAINTING
Ext/Int Painting
662-324-1666 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