News

By John Carney A new ordinance passed by Monticello aldermen during their July 15 recessed meeting will prohibit camping and campsites in public places inside the municipal limits of Monticello. The ordinance prohibits campsites which are defined to include bedding, stoves, or fires used to establish a temporary place to live. It prohibits anyone from…

The Mississippi Public Service Commission has been made aware of a scam targeting utility customers in our state. A caller is impersonating a Public Service Commission employee, claiming to collect bank account numbers to deposit overcharges from their utility company into their account. Last week, the Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) received a phone call…

By Eddie Smith, MSU Extension Service I am always looking for unique plants that brighten the landscape. Scaevola, commonly known as fan flower, is one of those plants. Native to Australia and the Pacific Islands, these plants are popular for their distinctive, fan-shaped flowers, versatile growth habit, and robust nature. Scaevola offers both aesthetic appeal…

By Sid Salter NESHOBA COUNTY FAIR ­– The tin roof of the Founder’s Square reverberated with a lot of political rhetoric this week – some of it serious and relevant and some of it, well, not so much. While 2024 is a presidential election year, the White House race between Republican former President Donald Trump…

By John Carney School board members welcomed a new superintendent of education during their regular monthly meeting July 15 and were updated on the schedule leading up to school starting July 31. Allen Barron took the reins of the district July 1. He reported that school secretaries returned to work July 15, and teacher training…

By John Carney Lawrence County’s new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, and officials are beginning to map out the anticipated spending plan for the year. Financial Advisor Charlie Prince discussed with supervisors many of the factors that go into budget planning during their July 15 meeting, with one of the most difficult issues being dealing…

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is inviting high school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare careers to visit the campus on Saturday, Aug. 24, for Exploring Health Care Pathways. The one-day enrichment event, which is free, will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the UMMC School of Medicine, with check-in starting at…

By Edwin Smith The opinions of professional critics can make or break a film’s box office prospects, but anyone can learn to watch movies with a critical eye, a University of Mississippi film expert says. “The biggest piece of advice I have is to watch as many movies of as wide a variety as possible…

Motorists across the state face increasing challenges at intersections as traffic volumes rise and congestion worsens. These challenges can lead to severe crashes on Mississippi’s roadways, which is why the Mississippi Department of Transportation is always looking for ways to improve overall roadway safety and operations, including implementing innovative solutions such as Restricted Crossing U-turns.…

By John Carney A hearing in Monticello July 11 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to receive input on a plan to create a new lake in the Jackson area for flood control purposes brought a wave of protests from property owners and residents south of Jackson. Lawrence and Copiah County property owners have…