News

A burn ban has been approved by Lawrence County supervisors at the request of County Forester Steven Williams. Williams made the request during the Oct. 21 meeting because of extremely-dry conditions in the county. Exemptions to the ban include the state forestry commission and county fire services. The countywide ban will remain in place for…

The Mississippi Department of Transportation has announced a temporary closure of MS 587 in Lawrence County. The section between Bethel Road and Divide Road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. only, Monday, Oct. 21, to Wednesday, Oct. 23, for maintenance. Drivers should seek an alternate route.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) will soon begin a critical hydro-demolition project on the north and southbound I-55 bridges over the Pearl River in Jackson that will cause travel delays. “Over time, the high volume of traffic has caused these bridge decks to deteriorate. That is why once the Mississippi State Fair wraps up,…

On Saturday, Sept. 28, Pearl River Clean Sweep volunteers will join together in a massive, community-wide effort to clean up our waterways. This river cleanup event includes 25 land and water-based locations from the Pearl River’s headwaters near Philadelphia downriver through the Ross Barnett Reservoir, along the border of Mississippi and Louisiana, all the way…

Applications are now open for the fourth year of the Mississippi Health Ambassador program. Anyone who is passionate about public health is invited to apply. Ambassadors serve as a trusted voice for emerging health issues in the state. The program is a one-year commitment. Ambassadors will attend a Zoom call from noon to 1 p.m.…

As Hurricane Francine impacts the Mississippi Gulf Coast today, the Mississippi Department of Transportation advises motorists in south Mississippi to avoid travel during the storm and use extreme caution if travel is necessary. MDOT’s crews are prepared and stand ready to respond as soon as it is safe for them to do so. Francine’s landfall…

As Tropical Storm Francine moves closer to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Department of Transportation advises all south Mississippi residents to prepare now for possible storm impacts, including blocked roadways, flash flooding, and power outages. Tips on how to prepare can be found in MDOT’s free Hurricane Evacuation Guide and Hurricane Emergency Checklist, available…

The shell of a burned-out car containing human remains was found Sunday in a remote area of southern Lawrence County by the property owner. The car matches the description of a vehicle involved in a missing person case that has been open since Aug. 16. Gregory V. Varnado, 42, of Lawrence County, was reported missing…

By Edwin Smith Of the thousands of businesses launched every year, a large percentage fail within the first couple of years. However, aspiring entrepreneurs can dramatically improve their odds for success by following some fundamental steps, two University of Mississippi experts advise. “A few absolute necessities that one must have when starting a business are…

By Susan Collins-Smith, MSU Extension Service Extracurricular activities offer many benefits for children and teens, but parents should help young people set important boundaries when it comes to these activities. “Participating in sports, music, dance and other activities not only helps children learn life skills, like time management and interpersonal skills, but also teaches them…