From farm to table, transportation infrastructure requires dedicated funding
By Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson Fresh farm-raised food from the garden usually follows a simple and inexpensive path, and often the farmer is also the cook and the consumer. On the larger and more common commercial scale, farm-to-table food is a bit more complicated: traveling over local roads, state highways, and federal…
Read MoreForesters expect bark beetle risk to rise in spring
By Susan Collins-Smith, MSU Extension Service As drought takes its toll on Mississippi’s trees, foresters encourage landowners and homeowners to be on the lookout for pine bark beetles as spring arrives. Butch Bailey, a forester with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said most of the tree death people are seeing across the state is…
Read MoreAgriculture holds key to Mississippi workforce challenges
By Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Most everyone seems to understand that workforce development is crucial in addressing Mississippi’s labor challenges. Most everyone accepts that reaching our youth, training them, and keeping them in Mississippi is key to our success when it comes to workforce development. As Ag Commissioner, I believe that Mississippi’s…
Read MoreHighway 43 overlay project nearing completion
Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District, has announced an update to a Mississippi Department of Transportation project in Lawrence County. An overlay project is nearing completion on State Route 43 from County Road 43A to State Route 184 in the county. All work is complete except for final striping, which will be placed when weather…
Read MoreJerrie Barnes
Funeral services were held Feb. 7, 2024, at Lucas Church of Christ Holiness USA, Prentiss, for Jerrie Barnes, 73, who passed away Jan. 30 at Asbury Hospice House, Hattiesburg. Elder Rufus Fields officiated, with interment following in Lucas Cemetery, Prentiss. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. He is the son of the late…
Read MoreBradley Joe Showers
Bradley Joe Showers was born Jan. 23, 1969, in Monticello to the late Wilmon Showers Sr. and Ola Mae Showers. He transitioned from this earthly life on Nov. 16, 2023, at his residence in Texarkana, Ark. He attended Monticello High School and completed his education at Gulfport Job Corps in Gulfport. He began his career…
Read MoreLillie B. Stowers
Funeral services were held Feb. 3, 2024, at Colemans Chapel Church of God in Christ, Silver Creek, for Lillie B. Stowers, 67, of New Hebron, who passed away on Jan. 21 at Lawrence County Hospital, Monticello. Elder Adell Brown officiated, with interment following in the church cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.…
Read MoreCo-Lin holds ribbon cutting for new softball facility
Members of the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Board of Trustees, administration, athletic department, along with representatives from Paul Jackson and Son Construction, and Allred Stolarski Architecture of Ocean Springs cut the ribbon to officially open the newly-constructed press box/concession stand at the Lady Wolves softball field. The project is just another example of the college’s vision…
Read MoreWild Hog Control Program application period closes Feb. 15
Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson recently announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will begin accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) on Thursday, Feb. 1. The application period will close on Thursday, Feb. 15. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period. In…
Read MoreRose Mary Bergeron
Rose Mary Bergeron, 73, of Monticello, passed away Jan. 23, 2024, at Lawrence County Nursing Center in Monticello. She was born Nov. 29, 1950, in New Orleans, La. A funeral service was held Jan. 27 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Sontag, with burial following in the church cemetery. Bro. Jimmy Smith officiated, with Wilson Funeral…
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