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CDISPATCH.COM
Call for
leadership
diversity denied
by supervisor
majority
Sanders, Holliman
return to president, vice
president roles in votes
split along racial lines
By Slim Smith
ssmith@cdispatch.com
Monday’s Lown-
des County Board of
Supervisors meeting
began with an unfa-
miliar face seated at
the end of the table,
a space normally oc-
cupied by the board
president. Sanders
It didn’t take long
for the old seating
arrangement to be re-
sumed, however.
The first supervi-
sors meeting of 2020
was devoted primari-
ly to the perfunctory
tasks of hiring staff Brooks
and electing officers.
Because the meeting was the
first of the new election cycle, Cin-
dy Goode, the new chancery clerk,
presided over the meeting until the
board voted on a new board presi-
dent and vice president.
There was nothing new about
the outcome, however. Harry Sand-
ers and District 3 Supervisor John
Holliman were again elected presi-
dent and vice president, again by 3-2
votes split across racial lines.
As he did four years ago, Holli-
man opened the election discussion
See Supes, 3A
Starkville teen
arrested for
attempted murder
BY TESS VRBIN
tvrbin@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE —
A Starkville teenager
has turned himself in
to Starkville Police
Department after a
shooting on Cather-
ine Street Monday
afternoon.
D e ’ A n t h o n y Carpenter
Avante Carpenter, 17, is accused
of shooting a male victim during
a fight, according to a Starkville
Police Department press release
issued Monday. The victim was
treated at OCH Regional Medical
Center and then airlifted to the
University of Mississippi Medical
Center in Jackson, where he is in
serious but stable condition, OCH
Director of Emergency Services
Michael Hunt said.
In the press release, SPD au-
thorities asked for citizens to call
with information on Carpenter’s
See Shooting, 3A
Weather
Silas Zaradona
Pre-K, Annunciation
58 Low 30
High
Mostly sunny
Full forecast on
page 3A.
140th Year, No. 255
75 ¢ Newsstand | 40 ¢ Home Delivery
Tuesday | January 7, 2020
Storm recovery projects making
progress on Northside
Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff
Greg Mixon gestures to his new house being built on Seventh Avenue North Tuesday morning. After the February
2019 tornado damaged his home beyond repair, volunteers with Community Recovery of Lowndes County demol-
ished the debris and have been rebuilding the home with a slightly different layout. Project manager L.C. Cook
hopes Mixon will be moved into his new home within the next year.
Exterior of one rebuilt
house complete,
rebuilding scheduled for
two more on 18th Avenue
in coming months
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com
It’s been almost a year since
Greg Mixon got to go home to his
house on Seventh Avenue North. Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
The house, which had been Out-of-state volunteers with Mennonite Disaster Services work on a home on
in his family for decades and be- Seventh Avenue North that was destroyed during the February 2019 tornado
longed to his mother before him, and is being rebuilt with the help of Community Recovery of Lowndes County
was destroyed beyond repair in the
February 2019 tornado that roared
and United Methodist Committee on Relief. Project manager L.C. Cook said
the frame of the house is complete and most of the work left to be done is
through central and northeast Co- interior. There are about 20 projects CRLC is working on altogether.
lumbus. complete with plumbing, electricity, though it could take
“Most of the top of the house was
gone,” Mixon said. “... Water dam-
aged the rest of the house. It wasn’t
HVAC systems and other neces-
sities, the house has seen a lot of
progress.
up to a year, he said.
The house is one
of 20 projects Colum-
livable anymore.” “The framing is good to go, the bus nonprofit Com-
But months after volunteers de- windows are in, the doors are in,” munity Recovery of
molished what was left of the struc- said project manager L.C. Cook. Lowndes County and
ture and had the debris moved, a United Methodist
“We can secure the home until we
new house is taking shape on the Committee on Re- Cook
start with the next phase of the
same property. Though the exterior lief (UMCOR) are currently work-
house-building process.”
ing on in the long-running fight to
still needs vinyl siding, and it will be With luck, it will be ready for
several months before the interior is Mixon to move in within six months, See Construction, 6A
Storms put pressure on Oktibbeha supes to deal with water management
Trainer steps down as board’s president, of heavy rains and floods on
their property and the related
“If you get four inches in
the period of a few hours,
replaced by Montgomery infrastructure problems.
A branch of Sand Creek
it’s going to happen, and the
chances are we won’t make it
By Tess Vrbin sors’ debate on whether to flows directly through the another season without los-
tvrbin@cdispatch.com join the Tombigbee River Val- JennLake Meadows Manufac- ing a home,” Hale said.
ley Water Management Dis- tured Home Community, and Dora Powers, a resident
STARKVILLE — Citi- trict again to the fore — but it does not take much rain for of nearby East Sand Creek
zen complaints about recent still with no agreement. the creek to overflow into the Road, said the culverts under
flooding in their neighbor- Several citizens came be- mobile home park, property the gravel road are “wasting
hoods brought an ongoing fore the board to express manager Dori Hale told the away” and asked the board
Oktibbeha County supervi- concerns about the impacts board. See Oktibbeha, 3A
Five Questions Calendar Local Folks Public
1 Which 2010 James Franco flick featured the rocky Thursday meetings
landscape of Utah’s Canyonlands National Park? Today: Colum-
■ Exhibit reception: The
2 Which MSNBC show host has a recurring “Moment bus City Council
of Geek” segment featuring cool math, science or Columbus Arts Council hosts
regular meeting,
other geeky news? a free reception from 5:30-7
5 p.m., Munici-
3 Which credit card company helped establish the p.m. for “Worlds Collide: Clay to
day after Black Friday as Small Business Saturday in pal Complex
Play,” an exhibit of ceramics by
a 2010 ad? Stephen Phillips and photogra- Jan 8: Colum-
4 What is the name of the 20-foot tall red dog named bus Municipal
phy by Erik Studdard in the main
by Emily Elizabeth in the classic children’s stories by School Dis-
gallery of the Rosenzweig Arts
Norman Bridwell?
Center, 501 Main St. Artwork by trict Board of
5 What music and film guru’s $200 million gift to
UCLA in 2002 was so generous they named their CAFB youth will be in Artist Alley. Trustees agenda
medical school after him? For more information, colum- review meeting,
Answers, 6B bus-arts.org or 662-328-2787. 11:30 a.m., Sale
■ Regional Business After Elementary
Hours: The Columbus-Lowndes Jan. 10:
Inside Chamber of Commerce presents Lowndes County
a members’ Regional Business School Board
Classifieds 6B Health 6A
Comics 5B Obituaries 5A After Hours from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Eric Tate works at Air Control regular meeting,
Crossword 4B Opinions 4A at Paccar Engine Co., 1000 Engineering and spends his 12:30 p.m.,
Dear Abby 5B Paccar Drive, Columbus. time hunting and fishing. Central Office
DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471
2A TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

US prepares for possible Iranian reprisal after drone strike

Officials: Ships across Mideast waterways
warned about the ‘possibility of Iranian action’
against U.S. maritime interests in the region
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. offi-
cials braced for Iran to respond
to the killing of its most power-
ful general, noting heightened
military readiness in the coun-
try and preparing for a possible
“tit-for-tat” attempt on the life of
an American military command-
er. They warned ships across
Mideast waterways crucial to
global energy supplies about the
“possibility of Iranian action”
against U.S. maritime interests
in the region.
President Donald Trump or-
dered the Jan. 2 strike against
Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the
head of Iran’s elite Quds Force,
after the death of an American
contractor in Iraq. Now, amid
massive demonstrations of
Iran’s public mourning period
for Soleimani and a state TV re-
port of a deadly stampede at his
funeral, officials believe the next
steps by America’s longtime
foe will determine the ultimate
course of the latest crisis.
While officials say American
intelligence isn’t clear on wheth-
er Iran’s latest military moves
are designed to bolster Tehran’s
defenses or prepare for an of-
fensive strike, the U.S. is con-
tinuing to reinforce its own po-
sitions in the region, including
repositioning some forces. One
official said the U.S. anticipated
a “major” attack of some type
within the next day or two.
On Monday, Defense Sec-
retary Mark Esper said no de-
cision had been made about
withdrawing troops from Iraq.
Pro-Iranian factions in the Iraqi
Parliament have pushed to oust
Death of Iran general spurs anxiety over fate of US hostages
The Associated Press fornia, has been imprisoned since July while visit-
WASHINGTON — The killing of a top Iranian
ing a girlfriend in Iran. “I don’t know if anyone is
going to retaliate.”
general has ratcheted up the anxiety of families Iran has vowed revenge for the airstrike that
of Americans held in Iran, one month after the killed Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Solei-
release of a New Jersey student had given them mani — the U.S. accused him of plotting new at-
hope. tacks just before his death — and has abandoned
The Trump administration has made a prior- the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with
ity of bringing home hostages held abroad, but world powers. The Trump administration, while
the prospect of a resolution for the handful of saying it remains committed to freeing Ameri-
captives in Iran seems to have dimmed with the cans from Iran, has said it’s prepared to respond
two nations edging dangerously close to conflict to any attacks from the Islamic Republic.
and warning of retaliatory strikes and continued The tensions are the worst in 40 years and are
agitation. in contrast to the diplomatic breakthrough that
“He wasn’t safe before now, but now he’s real- resulted in December’s release of Princeton Uni-
ly not safe,” said Joanne White, whose son, Navy versity graduate student Xiyue Wang in exchange
veteran Michael White of Imperial Beach, Cali- for the U.S. freeing a detained Iranian scientist.
American troops following weekend. “There’s been no de- last year in mine attacks the U.S.
Soleimani’s killing on Iraqi soil. cision whatsoever to leave Iraq,” blamed on Iran. Tehran denied
Esper spoke to reporters after Esper said. being responsible though it did
a letter from a U.S. Marine gen- On Tuesday, the U.S. Mari- seize oil tankers around the cru-
eral circulated that seemed to time Administration put out the cial Strait of Hormuz, the nar-
suggest a withdrawal had been warning for ships, citing the ris- row mouth of the Persian Gulf
ordered in response to a vote ing threats after Soleimani’s kill- through which 20 percent of the
by the Iraqi Parliament over the ing. Oil tankers were targeted world’s crude oil travels.

Bolton willing to testify

in impeachment trial if subpoenaed
Former White House national
security adviser could provide a first-
hand account of events central to the
impeachment case against Trump
By ZEKE MILLER, MARY
CLARE JALONICK and
ERIC TUCKER
The Associated Press
WA S H -
INGTON
— Former
White House
national
security ad-
viser John
Bolton said Bolton
he is “pre-
pared to testify” if he is
subpoenaed by the Senate
in its impeachment trial of
President Donald Trump,
a surprise statement that
bolstered Democrats in
their push for new witness-
es.
Bolton, who left the
White House in Septem-
ber, said Monday that he
has weighed the issues of
executive privilege and af-
ter “careful consideration
and study” decided that
he would comply with any
Senate subpoena.
“If the Senate issues a
subpoena for my testimo-
ny, I am prepared to testi-
fy,” he said.
If Bolton were to appear,
he could provide a first-
hand account of events
central to the impeachment
case against the president.
As a senior adviser, he was
present for key moments
that were investigated in
the House’s impeachment
inquiry, including meet-
ings with Ukrainian offi-
cials.
His willingness to com-
ply with a subpoena could
complicate the strategy of
Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell, who
has expressed resistance
to calling new witness-
es. Bolton left a message
for McConnell before he
issued his statement on
Monday morning, a person
familiar with the matter
confirmed to The Associ-
ated Press on the condition
of anonymity because he
or she wasn’t authorized to
speak publicly.
McConnell has called
for a swift impeachment
trial, with a possible final
vote after opening argu-
ments. He has repeatedly
referred to President Bill
Clinton’s impeachment,
when leaders decided how
to proceed after the trial
had started. In that case,
witnesses gave closed-door
depositions and some ex-
cerpts of those interviews
were played on the Senate
floor.
“The Senate has a unan-
imous bipartisan prece-
dent for when to handle
mid-trial questions such as
witnesses — in the middle
of the trial,” McConnell
said as he opened the Sen-
ate on Monday.
First, though, the Senate
must receive the articles
of impeachment. House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has
stalled the transmission
of House-passed articles
against Trump in a bid for
the witness testimony that
Democrats are seeking.

6.4 quake strikes Puerto Rico amid heavy seismic activity

U.S. Geological Survey: Quake was
followed by a string of aftershocks
from 5.6 to 4.5 in magnitude
By DANICA COTO
The Associated Press
SAN JUAN, Puerto
Rico — A 6.4-magnitude
earthquake struck Puer-
to Rico before dawn on
Tuesday, the largest in a
series of quakes that have
struck the U.S. territory
in recent days and caused
heavy damage in some ar-
eas.
Puerto Rico’s power
authority said on Twitter
that one of the country’s
main power plants, which
sits near the epicenter,
had been damaged, but
officials expect to restore
power to the island later
Tuesday.
The U.S. Geological
Survey said the quake
hit at 4:24 a.m. just south
of the island at a shallow
depth of 10 kilometers. It
initially gave the magni-
tude as 6.6 but later ad-
justed it. It said the quake
was followed by a string of
aftershocks from 5.6 to 4.5
in magnitude.
A tsunami alert was
initially issued for Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands, but later can-
celed.
Albert Rodríguez, who
is from the southwest
town of Guánica, said the
tsunami sirens went off
before officials canceled
the alert. He said there is
widespread damage in his
neighborhood.
“The road is cracked
in the middle and it lifted
up,” he said.
The mayor of Guayanil-
la, Nelson Torres, told No-
tiUno radio station that the
church in the public plaza
of his town collapsed.
Víctor Huérfano, direc-
tor of Puerto Rico’s Seis-
mic Network, told The
Associated Press that it
is hard to obtain reports
of damage or injuries be-
cause communications
are down for much of the
island. He said officials in
the large southern coast-
al city of Ponce told him
there was widespread
damage.
“We expect that this
will be the largest quake
for now,” he said. “The
aftershocks will continue
for some time.”

Mississippi legislators starting new 4-year term
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS
The Associated Press
JACKSON — Mississippi lawmak-
ers will be sworn in Tuesday to begin
their four-year term with Republi-
cans maintaining control of both the
House and the Senate.
The opening day will be filled with
formalities.
Members of the House of Rep-
Supes
Continued from Page 1A
by nominating Sanders for
board president.
Before the motion was
seconded, District 5 su-
pervisor Leroy Brooks,
now in his 10th term, of-
fered a substitute motion
to open up the discussion
to all nominations before
the vote.
“Look, we already know
what (the outcome) is go-
ing to be,” Brooks said.
“But if we don’t open it up
for other nominations, I’m
going to have to vote no on
this.”
District 4 Supervisor
Jeff Smith seconded the
substitute motion and the
board voted unanimously
in favor. Brooks and Smith
are the two black mem-
bers of the five-member
board.
Brooks opened the dis-
cussion before any other
Oktibbeha
Continued from Page 1A
to fix them. Kevin Cane,
who lives on South Mont-
gomery Street south of
Starkville, said the county
installed two culverts that
actually made it easier for
his property to flood.
“Now that water that
was going two ways is
only going one way, and
when it rains two inches,
four inches, I get all that
water coming off South
Montgomery,” Cane said.
“It doesn’t drain to the
east anymore. All the wa-
ter comes to the west.”
The board had dis-
cussed the possibility of
joining the Tombigbee
River Valley Water Man-
agement District at two
of its fall 2019 meetings,
but decided to further re-
search membership in the
Tupelo-based state agen-
cy that does flood con-
trol, cleanup and repair
projects on waterways of
all sizes in 12 northeast
Mississippi counties.
The agency can go on
private property to clean
up creeks, something the
county cannot do without
previous consent from
property owners.
District 5 Supervisor
Joe Williams proposed
that the county join the
water management dis-
trict without further dis-
cussion.
“The longer we delay,
the more problems we’re
going to have,” he said.
“It’s not good enough to
hire someone to (clean a
waterway) one time be-
cause this is an ongoing
problem.”
The motion to join
failed 3-2, with Williams
and District 2 Supervisor
Orlando Trainer voting
in favor. District 1’s John
Montgomery, District 3’s
Marvell Howard and Dis-
trict 4’s Bricklee Miller
voted against.
Montgomery and
Howard had previously
expressed their misgiv-
ings in November about
joining the agency. Mont-
gomery said his research
showed that the agency
completed several proj-
ects in some member
counties and very few
in others. Membership
would cost $139,000 per
year indefinitely.
Shooting
Continued from Page 1A
whereabouts. Carpenter turned himself in at about 11 p.m.
Police do not have any other suspects in the shooting, SPD public information
officer Brandon Lovelady said.
Carpenter is in custody at Oktibbeha County Jail on $100,000 bond.
resentatives will elect Republican
Philip Gunn to serve a third consec-
utive term as speaker. They also will
choose a new speaker pro tempore,
the second-ranking leader of the
122-member House.
Republican Rep. Jason White of
West is expected to easily win the
vote to become pro tem. He will suc-
ceed Republican Greg Snowden, who
held the post two terms and was de-
Holliman Smith
nominations were made.
Smith nominated
Brooks for president and
the nominations closed.
Goode then called for
a vote on the nominations
in the order in which they
were made, with Sanders
returning to the board
president position. Holli-
man, new District 2 Su-
pervisor Trip Hairston
and Sanders voted in favor
with Brooks and Smith op-
posed.
Sanders then moved to
his spot at the end of the
table and the nominations
“Forty-eight cents on
the dollar is what the aver-
age county gets back, and
there’s no guarantee that
we’ll get any projects,”
he said. “I understand
the need, but I just wasn’t
comfortable with it at that
moment, and I’m still not.”
Howard said some
counties have been able
to back out of their wa-
ter management district
membership, which the
board previously believed
was impossible. Counties
with no debt incurred
from water management
projects can leave the
agency if the remaining
member counties agree to
it, County Administrator
Emily Garrard said.
Miller suggested the
county consider other op-
tions, and Montgomery
said he will look for those
options at the Mississippi
Association of Supervi-
sors Mid-Winter Legis-
lative Conference, which
all five supervisors will
attend in Jackson today
through Thursday.
If the county joins the
district, the supervisors
and the governor will
each appoint a member
representing Oktibbeha
County to the water man-
agement district board.
Property taxes fund the
district’s services, and
the county would reallo-
cate existing millage in-
stead of raising taxes.
County Lake filled
to capacity
The recent storms
have filled the Oktibbeha
County Lake back up to
full capacity, making it
even more imperative for
the county to replace the
levee, Howard said.
If the levee breaks,
17,500 acres of nearby
land would flood to some
extent, and about 250 peo-
ple would have to evacuate
at least 112 households. It
would cost about $8 mil-
lion to replace the levee,
emergency spillway and
floodgate valve, as well as
replacing part of County
Lake Road and construct-
ing a detour.
Emergency Manage-
ment Agency Director
Kristen Campanella told
the board in December
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
feated in the party primary in August.
Republican Tate Reeves is com-
pleting his second term as lieutenant
governor, and he will preside over
the 52-member Senate on Tuesday
and Wednesday. The next lieutenant
governor, Republican Delbert Hose-
mann, will be inaugurated Thurs-
day, along with most other statewide
elected officials. Reeves’ inaugura-
tion as governor is Jan. 14.
for vice president were
opened.
Brooks nominated
Smith for vice president.
“I think it would send a
better message through-
out the county if we were
to reflect the diversity,”
Brooks said. “Just for per-
ception and fairness, we
need to change the offi-
cers. I know how politics
go, but I think we are one
of the few (county) boards
that doesn’t rotate pres-
idents. It’s not an issue
with me, but when you ro-
tate and allow everybody
to serve in a leadership
position, it’s good for the
board and the community.
I’d like to see Jeff get that
opportunity.”
Sanders then nomi-
nated Holliman to return
as vice president and the
board again voted 3-2 in
that the county could ap-
ply for five grants that
could fund the project.
“It’s getting to the point
where it’s just a matter of
time before something
happens, and I think it’s
time for this board to be
serious,” Howard said
Monday. “I’m not talking
about delaying for another
year. I’m saying we need
to start looking at taking
some immediate action to
address this issue.”
The lake is in the
northeastern portion of
the county, west of Coun-
ty Lake Road, which in-
cludes the bridge on the
levee. It was built in the
1960s and holds about
3,406 acre feet, or more
than 148 million cubic
feet, of water at normal
operating conditions. Its
full capacity is more than
454 million cubic feet over
935 acres.
Howard said he, Cam-
panella and County En-
gineer Clyde Pritchard
have traveled to Jackson
multiple times to discuss
funding options with state
agencies.
“We’ve pretty much
arrived to the point where
all the agencies are go-
ing to be expecting and
looking for us to put some
skin in the game first and
let them know we’re seri-
ous about this, and then
I think we’ll start to see
some help coming in,”
Howard said.
New board leadership
Supervisors unani-
mously elected new board
officers Monday, as well.
Trainer, who has been
president for more than
seven years, stepped
down from that role
and nominated previ-
ous board vice president
Montgomery to replace
him. He also nominated
Joe Williams as the new
vice president.
The board accepted
both nominations.
Trainer had been
board president and
Montgomery had been
vice president since Oc-
tober 2012, when Howard
relinquished the presi-
dent’s position after al-
most three years. Trainer
was previously vice presi-
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 3A
Mississippi DA
leaves murder case
after multiple trials
District Attorney Doug Evans
asked the state attorney
general’s office to decide whether
to try Curtis Flowers again
The Associated Press
JACKSON — A Mississippi prosecutor filed a
court order Monday saying he won’t be the one to
decide whether to try a man a seventh time in a qua-
druple murder case.
District Attorney Doug Evans recused himself in
favor, again with the three the case of Curtis Flowers and asked the Mississip-
white supervisors voting pi attorney general’s office to decide whether to try
on favor and the two black Flowers again in the death penalty case.
supervisors opposed. “While I remain confident in both the investiga-
After the meeting, tion and the jury verdicts in this matter, I have come
Brooks said he raised the to the conclusion that my continued involvement will
issue as a matter of record. prevent the families from obtaining justice and for
“I’m past the time the defendant being held responsible for his actions,”
Evans said in the order.
when I would be upset by
this,” Brooks said. “But I Flowers’ attorney, Rob McDuff, said he is pleased
did want to make a point Evans is stepping away from the case. McDuff also
here.” said he hopes the case will receive an impartial re-
The board has not had view from Mississippi’s new attorney general, who
a black president since takes office this week.
2004 when Joe Brooks was “As the trial judge indicated when granting bail,
elected to the position. the evidence of innocence has become even more
The rest of Monday’s clear since the last trial,” McDuff said. “There is no
board meeting continued reason to continue wasting taxpayer money and put-
amicably. ting everyone through a seventh trial. Curtis Flowers
The board voted unan- is innocent. This misguided prosecution has been
imously to re-hire county plagued from the beginning by misconduct and ra-
attorney Tim Hudson, cial discrimination, and it is time to bring it to an end.”
road manager Ronnie On Dec. 16, Flowers was released from state cus-
Burns, county engineer tody for the first time in 22 years after a judge grant-
Bob Calvert and county ed a request for bail.
administrator Ralph Bill- Flowers was convicted four times in connection
ingsley. with the 1996 killings in the north Mississippi city
of Winona: twice for individual slayings and twice
for all four killings. Two other trials involving all four
deaths ended in mistrials.
Each of the convictions was overturned, but Flow-
ers had remained in jail because the original murder
indictment is still active. During his sixth trial in
2010, Flowers was sentenced to death. The U.S. Su-
preme Court overturned that conviction in June, find-
ing that prosecutors had shown an unconstitutional
pattern of excluding African American jurors in the
trials of Flowers, who is black.
Montgomery Trainer
dent. The board elects the
positions at the beginning
of each calendar year.
“Mr. Montgomery ex-
pressed a desire to serve,
so hey, everything has a
beginning and an end,”
Trainer told The Dis-
patch. “I feel comfortable
that he can take the board
even higher than where
we are now.”
He said stepping down
gives him opportunities
as a supervisor that were
less available to him in a
board leadership role.
“When you have the
chair, you have to be diplo-
matic and accessible, but
when you’re out in the au-
dience on the board, you
can have more conversa-
tions (and be) involved in
some of the discussions
instead of appearing like
you’re trying to drive,
lead and take over every-
thing,” Trainer said.
SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Major
Tues.
9:52p
Wed.
10:43p
Minor 4:03p 4:47p
Major 10:17a 11:09a
Minor 5:26a 6:27a
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
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Opinion
4A TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020
PETER BIRNEY IMES Editor/Publisher
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher 1998-2018
BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003

Dispatch
The
BIRNEY IMES SR. Editor/Publisher 1922-1947

ZACK PLAIR, Managing Editor

BETH PROFFITT Advertising Director
MICHAEL FLOYD Circulation/Production Manager
MARY ANN HARDY Controller

Our View
Cooperation between services key to flood response
B
y Saturday night, the
rain has passed and the
floor waters had crested
and started to recede.
But the work to recover
from the flooding contin-
ued through the weekend, a
reminder that even short-term
flooding can put a strain on
resources for county and city
governments.
And, at the risk of intro-
ducing a needly dispute over
climate change, the truth is
that the flooding incidents
have increased and are likely
to continue.
In Columbus, especially
East Columbus, the impact
of flooding is compounded
by an earlier era, when areas
could be developed with little
to no restriction, even in flood
plains. The result is that these
areas are prone to flooding
after heavy rainfalls of even
short durations. And with each
flooding incident, residents
in the affected areas point the
finger of blame are current city
officials, most often wrongly
suggesting that improper
maintenance of creeks and
storm drains is the primary
cause when, in fact, the pri-
mary cause of flood is simple
topography.
Today, those natural fea-
tures are factored into devel-
opment. As an example, when
Mark Castleberry built his
hotels on 18th Avenue, he was
required to raise the elevation
of the development by three
feet — no small cost.
To suggest that local gov-
ernment is to the problem is
unfair. If local government is
to be blamed, the government
officials who bear that burden
have been long in their graves.
During Monday’s super-
visors meeting, county road
manager Ronnie Burns provid-
ed a snapshot of the impact of
the heavy rains of Thursday
and Friday.
“We had 14 roads closed at
one time,” Burns said. “We’ve
been working on this all week-
end and we’re still working,
filling potholes and and fixing
the shoulders.”
Burns said the response
was a collaborative effort and
thanked county emergency
services, the sheriff’s depart-
ment and Columbus Fire &
Rescue for working with the
county to close roads, redirect
traffic and assist in rescues
resulting from people driving
around barricades.
“It’s really been a team
effort,” Burns said.
Unfortunately, these events
are no longer rare occurrenc-
es.
This summer, when the
Starkville Board of Aldermen
addressed updates on the city’s
codes, there was much discus-
sion over the city’s storm-water
requirements. Starkville, like
Columbus, requires new devel-
opment to formulate a plan to
mitigate a 10-year storm event.
The city engineer suggested a
change in the code that would
require developers to mitigate
water run-off common to a
100-year event — 9.4 inches of
rain over a 24-hour period. The
city ultimately approved that
standard despite pushback
from developers who argued
that providing that sort of mit-
igation could be so costly as to
discourage growth.
Updating the code to make
sure new development is held
to a higher standard of miti-
gation doesn’t eliminate the
problems where flooding is al-
ready prominent, but it doesn’t
exacerbate it, either.
Obviously, a change in code
requirements will do little to
address flooding problems in
those areas where it has been
a problem for years. Address-
ing that problem will be costly
— tens, if not hundreds of
millions of taxpayer dollars.
There’s simply no painless
solution. For those existing
developments, continued coop-
eration between government
and non-profit services will be
essential.

Letter to the editor

Voice of the people
Agrees with letter on personalities during conflict
With regard to Bill Gilmore’s January 6 letter to the editor,
Neville Chamberlain could not have said it better.
Mike McLaughlin
Starkville

Anxiety grips
leaderless America
G
eorge W. Bush and Barack
Obama both had Gen. Qassem
Soleimani in their gunsights.
Neither ordered the trigger pulled

If Baghdad wants us out, let’s go!

because of the enormous risks
involved in killing one of Iran’s
top leaders. In listing the possible

responses to recent Iranian provoca-
tions, U.S. military commanders told
President Donald Trump that doing
this would be the most dangerous.
Trump did it on Friday. Iran pre-
Froma Harrop
dictably returned fire with dire threats
to U.S. interests. Trump then tweeted
in big capital letters that he would retaliate against the retalia-
tion by bombing Iran’s cultural sites, among other targets. That
would be a war crime, so his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo,
said Trump had no intention of doing that. Soon after, Trump
tweeted, again in big capital letters, that, yes, he would.
Then Iran announced plans to go full speed ahead on develop-
ing nuclear weapons. Iraqi lawmakers voted to expel American
forces from their country, and Trump answered with a big-letter
threat to destroy Iraq’s economy with crippling sanctions. And
oh, yes, he’s sending American troops back into the Middle East.
All of this happened in the course of a three-day weekend.
Are you, fellow Americans, feeling safer today than on Thurs-
day? Probably not. Your ship of state is sailing on wild seas with
a captain who may not be well in the head or know anything
about sailing.
Today we’ll dispense with political talk of what this all means
for the 2020 election. Let’s also set aside debate of whether Solei-
mani was evil. No one of any consequence on either side of the
political aisle says he wasn’t.
The question is whether ridding the planet of the man is
worth the terrible fallout Americans could face as a result. The
even more pressing question is whether America’s commander
in chief has any idea what he’s doing — or whether he is mentally
capable of understanding the repercussions.
“Even after Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal and Okinawa ... the
United States deliberately refrained from bombing Kyoto, be-
cause it was ... a cultural jewel,” tweeted Eliot A. Cohen, a coun-
selor in Bush’s Department of State. “Talk of hitting Iranian cul-
tural sites is not mere vulgarity — it indicates a willingness to
barbarize our military.”
It’s easy to guess one motivation for Trump to take such an
extreme step. The mob attacks on our embassy in Baghdad eeri-
ly resembled the 2012 assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
A higher order of thinking would have included other con-
siderations. There had been months of pushback in Baghdad
against the Iranian presence in Iraq. And in Tehran, Iranians
were angrily demonstrating against their own leaders. Now Ira-
nians are united in anger against the United States, and Iraqis
want Americans, not Iranians, thrown out of their country. Same
weekend.
The Trump administration has virtually handed Iraq over to
Iran, according to Richard Haass, president of the Council on
Foreign Relations. It broke the 2015 nuclear deal even though
Iran was in complete compliance. It slapped sanctions on the
Iranians without a giving them a diplomatic out. “This to me
suggests a total absence of any strategic discipline, the total ab-
sence of a national security process,” Haass said.
Not only is Iran steaming ahead to build a nuclear bomb;
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un now says he will no longer honor a
moratorium on testing nuclear weapons. This is after two years
of Trump’s sending blood-curdling threats against doing so,
mixed with his talk of having fallen “in love” with him.
Americans, if you’re consumed with fear of your country get-
ting sucked into terrible new crises with scary incompetence at
the helm, you have lots of company. These are anxious times.
Froma Harrop, a syndicated columnist, writes for the Prov-
idence (Rhode Island) Journal. Her e-mail address is fharrop@
gmail.com.
F
ifteen years after
the U.S. invaded
Iraq to turn Sadd-
am Hussein’s dicta-
torship into a beacon
of democracy, Iraq’s
Parliament, amid shouts
of “Death to America!”
voted to expel all U.S.
troops from the country.
Though nonbinding,
the expulsion vote came
after mobs trashed the Patrick Buchanan
U.S. embassy in an
assault that recalled Tehran 1979.
What provoked Iraq’s Parliament into de-
manding the ouster of all U.S. troops?
First, the five December U.S. strikes on Iraq’s
Popular Mobilization Forces in retaliation for a
dozen Kataib Hezbollah rocket attacks on U.S.
bases, which killed a contractor and wounded
four U.S. soldiers.
Then came President Donald Trump’s deci-
sion to launch a drone-strike and kill Iranian
General Qassem Soleimani at Baghdad Interna-
tional Airport. Killed in the same strike was the
Shiite Iraqi leader of Kataib Hezbollah.
During his return flight to Washington
Sunday, Trump warned Iraq: Follow through on
your demand that all U.S. troops get out, and we
will insist that Baghdad repay the money we just
spent on a major air base.
Moreover, said Trump, if Iraqis expel U.S.
troops, then we will impose upon them “sanc-
tions like they’ve never seen before, ever. It’ll
make Iranian sanctions look somewhat tame.”
Where do we stand now in Iraq?
Though Sunnis and Kurds abstained, the
Iraqi parliament has voted to expel all our
troops. The State Department has urged U.S.
civilians to flee Iraq. 82nd Airborne units have
moved into the region to protect the U.S. em-
bassy. U.S. troops fighting ISIS alongside Iraqi
troops have separated themselves and stood
down. In Iraq, the war on terrorism is on hold.
Across the Middle East, U.S. diplomats,
soldiers and civilians are on alert. The acting
prime minister of Iraq, in an echo of Tehran and
radical Shiites, is demanding that all 5,200 U.S.
soldiers in Iraq depart.
How can our troops, detested by the PMF
militias and their thousands of fighters, unwant-
ed by the Iraqi Parliament majority, the acting
prime minister, and much of the Shiite majority,
remain safely inside the capital city of Baghdad
or the country?
What a difference a presidential decision can
make.
Two months ago, crowds were in the streets
of Iraq protesting Iran’s dominance of their
politics. Crowds were in the streets of Iran
cursing that regime for squandering the nation’s
resources on imperial adventures in Iraq, Syria,
Lebanon, Yemen. Things were going America’s
way.
Now it is the Americans who are the targets
of protests.
Over three days, crowds numbering in the
hundreds of thousands and even millions have
packed Iraqi and Iranian streets and squares to
pay tribute to Soleimani and to curse the Ameri-
cans who killed him.
As emotions are running high and America’s
friends in the region are mute, the twin goals of
Iran and its militia allies appear clear:
Tehran wants to avoid a war with the United
States, but to direct the passions of the moment
toward forcing an expulsion of the Americans
from the Middle East, beginning with their
ouster from Iraq.
Thus, Tehran has signaled that its retaliation,
its revenge for the death of Soleimani, a military
man, will be proportionate. Tehran is telegraph-
ing an attack on the U.S. military. Hassan
Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah in Lebanon,
has called on his followers not to attack innocent
Americans in the region but to zero in on U.S.
military targets.
Oddly, what the America-haters of the Middle
East seek is what Soleimani wanted, and what
Trump promised in his campaign of 2016 — an
end to U.S. involvement in the forever wars of
the Middle East.
Perhaps, rather than sending troops into Iraq
and Kuwait to defend U.S. troops already there,
we should accede to the local nationalist de-
mands, start bringing our troops home, and let
Iranians, Iraqis, Libyans, Syrians, Yemenis and
Afghans settle their quarrels.
Despite the rage in Iran over the killing of
Soleimani, the political imperatives that existed
before last Friday’s drone strike remain.
Iran does not want war with the United
States. And Trump wants no war with Iran.
But Iran made a mistake in its extrapolation
from that truth.
Assuming that because Trump did not want
war, he would recoil from a fight, Soleimani be-
lieved he could kill Americans with impunity, as
long as his fingerprints were not on the murder
weapon.
Killing Soleimani was just. But what is just is
not always wise.
Yet, his killing restores Trump’s credibility as
a Jacksonian who avoids wars but who, wounded,
will stab the enemy who cut him.
Trump has a red line. It is not shooting at
American drones but shooting at American
soldiers, the drawing of American blood.
The message the rulers of Iran should have
received?
If they retaliate for Soleimani by killing
American soldiers, diplomats or civilians, using
either Iranian troops or proxy militias, Trump
will retaliate against Iran itself.
Otherwise, “Come Home, America,” George
McGovern’s slogan from the 1972 presidential
campaign, has rarely seemed more relevant.
Patrick J. Buchanan, a nationally syndicated
columnist, was a senior advisor to presidents
Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.
His website is http://buchanan.org/blog.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 5A

Election year to feature bitter fights, deepening divides

In less than a month, Democratic voters will
begin the formal process of sifting through
a historically large field of candidates
By STEVE PEOPLES
AP National Political Writer
NEW YORK — Four years
after President Donald Trump
drove the rules of politics over a
cliff to win the Republican pres-
idential nomination and ulti-
mately the White House, Demo-
crats will go through their own
version of the same test.
In less than a month, Demo-
cratic voters will begin the for-
mal process of sifting through
a historically large field of can-
didates. The options include
progressives who have inspired
energy — and strong opposition
— by rejecting traditional party
politics and pushing for funda-
mental changes to America’s
political, social and economic
systems. Voters could pick the
oldest nominee in the party’s
history — or the youngest.
Ironies abound at the outset
of the Democratic primary.
The oldest candidate at 78,
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders,
has a loyal following among
young voters but has yet to
prove he can build a broader
coalition. Older voters, mean-
while, have shown interest in
Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old
former mayor of South Bend,
Indiana, whose moderate vision
has been greeted with skepti-
cism by many fellow millenni-
als.
And a party that prides itself
on valuing diversity is contend-
ing with a top tier that is all
white and mostly male.
The battle for the White
Trump qualifies for March 10 primary ballot in Mississippi
The Associated Press nor Jan. 14, said Trump has led with economic
growth and tax cuts.
JACKSON — President Donald Trump’s “As we talk about all of his accomplishments
campaign has filed paperwork for him to appear
in the last three years, what we find is that many
on the March 10 Republican primary ballot in of his policy initiatives are similar to the ones
Mississippi. that Gov. Bryant has led us on, here in Missis-
The qualifying papers and a $2,500 check sippi,” Reeves said.
were filed Monday at the state Republican head- Mississippi Republican Party chairman Luc-
quarters by Gov.-elect Tate Reeves. He was ien Smith said Trump is the only Republican
accompanied by Gov. Phil Bryant, a fellow Re- presidential candidate to file qualifying papers
publican. The two are co-chairman of Trump’s so far. Jan. 15 is the deadline for presidential
campaign in Mississippi. candidates to file for the Mississippi primary
Reeves, who will be inaugurated as gover- ballot.
House will unfold amid a great Some of Trump’s most influ- into populism and nationalism
political realignment that is dis- ential allies say he is ready and over the coming year. And he
rupting decades-long political willing to make 2020 the nasti- offered a warning to Democrats
alliances and further dividing est presidential contest in living who have engaged in a largely
America by education, gender memory. polite nomination fight so far:
and race. That means the elec- Steve Bannon, a former The “pillow fight” is almost
tion will likely serve as a refer- White House adviser who over.
endum not only on the candi- has long fanned the flames of “This will be one for the
dates, but also the country and Trump’s scorched-earth pol- ages. You’re going to get full
its definition of the American itics, indicated that Trump Trump at max speed,” Bannon
presidency. would lean more aggressively told The Associated Press.

Unique sex-abuse suit filed against Boy Scouts in US capital

Lawsuit seeks to establish Washington, D.C., as a venue where statute of limita-
tions laws would prevent
and obtained a congres-
sional charter in 1916.
comment on pending
litigation. It reiterated
for men across the U.S. to sue the Boy Scouts of America them from suing the BSA
based on claims of sex
Along with several states
— including New York,
its previous apologies to
“anyone who was harmed
for allegedly failing to protect them from long-ago abuse abuse that occurred de-
cades ago.
New Jersey and Califor-
nia — the District of Co-
during their time in
Scouting.”
By DAVID CR ARY the nation’s capital as scoutmasters and other The plaintiffs’ law- lumbia eased its statute “We believe victims,
AP National Writer a venue for men across leaders. yers contend that federal of limitations in 2019 to we support them, we
the U.S. to sue the Boy The eight plain- court in Washington is accommodate claims like pay for counseling by a
A team of lawyers filed Scouts of America for al- tiffs in the potentially an appropriate venue for those in the new lawsuit. provider of their choice
a lawsuit Monday in fed- legedly failing to protect ground-breaking lawsuit, such a lawsuit because The Boy Scouts, in an and we encourage them
eral court in Washington, them from long-ago sex- identified as John Does 1 the Boy Scouts were in- email to The Associat- to  come forward,” the
D.C., seeking to establish ual abuse at the hands of through 8, live in states corporated there in 1910 ed Press, said it cannot BSA said.

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
OBITUARY POLICY
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tion including visitation and
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tion, call 662-328-2471.
Louie Taylor
COLUMBUS — Lou-
ie Gene Taylor, 89, died
Jan. 1, 2020, at Baptist
Memorial Hospi-
tal-Golden Triangle.
A graveside service
will be held at 11 a.m.
Wednesday at Asbury
Cemetery in Millport,
Alabama, with the Rev.
Jerry Bridges officiat-
ing. Lowndes Funeral
Home of Columbus is
in charge of arrange-
ments.
Mr. Taylor was born
Oct. 8, 1930, in Colum-
bus, to the late Mary
Hayes and George
Carl Taylor. He was a
Area obituaries
U.S. Air Force veteran, Jimmie Butler
serving in the Korean
MABEN — Jimmie
War and as Staff Ser- Lee Butler, 74, died Jan.
geant. He was formerly 1, 2020, in Tupelo.
employed in the dry Services will be at
cleaning business and 11 a.m. Wednesday at
as a security guard at Kingdom Glory Minis-
Airline Manufacturing tries. Burial will follow
Company. at Chapel Hill Ceme-
In addition to his tery in Grand Rapids,
parents, he was pre- Michigan. Visitation is
ceded in death by his from 1-6 p.m. today at
wife, Sharon F. Taylor;
West Memorial Funeral
daughter, Mary Cath-
Home. West Memo-
erine Taylor; and eight
rial Funeral Home of
siblings.
Starkville is in charge
He is survived by his
of arrangements.
daughters, Teresa
He is survived by his
Champon and Kristi
wife, Henretta Butler;
Woolbright, both of
and children, Carol
Columbus, Sheila
Ogbya and Shantay Lee
Hassler of Websten,
Johnson.
New York, Terri
Crowell of Tuscaloosa,
and Sandra Taylor Patsy Haralson
of Jacksonville, ABERDEEN — Pat-
Florida; son, Matthew sy Brewer Haralson,
Moore of Columbus; 77, died Jan. 4, 2020,
14 grandchildren; at Brooklyn Hall in
and several great- Mathiston.
grandchildren. Services will be at
11 a.m. Thursday at
Tisdale-Lann Memorial
Lee Ash Chapel, with Jack In-
COLUMBUS — Lee
Ash, 82, died Jan. 4,
mon officiating. Burial
will follow at New
2020, at Baptist Memo-
Prospect Cemetery.
rial Hospital-Golden Visitation will be from
Triangle. 5-7 p.m. Wednesday
Arrangements are at the funeral home.
incomplete and will be Tisdale-Lann Memo-
announced by Carter’s
rial Funeral Home of
Funeral Service of Aberdeen is in charge
Columbus. of arrangements.
Mrs. Haralson was
Alcurtis Sherrod born Nov. 20, 1942, in
COLUMBUS — Monroe County, to the
Alcurtis Sherrod, 70, late Hoyle Brewer and
died Jan. 4, 2020, at his Mante V. Smith Brewer.
residence. She was formerly em-
Arrangements are ployed as a nurse.
incomplete and will be In addition to her par-
announced by Carter’s ents, she was preceded
Funeral Service of in death by her son,
Columbus. Matthew Christopher
Haralson; and sisters,
Sandra Brewer and
Sharon Self.
She is survived by
her son, Michael Bryan
Haralson.
Pallbearers will be
Daniel Bray, Austin
Bray, Joe Bagwell and
Josh Samples.
Helen Forrester
WEST POINT —
Helen J. “Prunie” For-
rester, 86, died Jan. 6,
2020, at Dugan Memo-
rial Home.
Services will be at
2 p.m. Wednesday at
Pheba Baptist Church,
with the Rev. Terry
Rhodes officiating.
Burial will follow at
Pheba Cemetery. Visi-
tation will be two hours
prior to services at the
church. Calvert Funeral
Home of West Point is
in charge of arrange-
ments.
Mrs. Forrester was
born June 25, 1933,
in Sparta, to the late
William Jennings Bryan
and Eula Carpenter
Scott. She was formerly
employed as a nurse’s
aide at Starkville Manor
and was a member of
Pheba Baptist Church.
In addition to her par-
ents, she was preceded
in death by her hus-
band, Thomas David
Forrester; sisters, Edna
Ruth Reeves, Thelma
Lou Morgan and Althea
Lee Brand; and one
grandchild.
She is survived by
her daughters, Debbie
White of Starkville, Lin-
da F. Millsaps of Pheba
and Susan Schaffer of
New Madrid, Missouri;
sons, Kenneth David Callahan; sisters,
Forrester of Glenwood, Nina Kaye Marshall
Arkansas, and Richard and Yvonne Byrd; two
Dale Forrester of West grandchildren; and one
Point; brothers, J. B. great-grandchild.
Scott of Woodland and Memorials may be
Kenny Scott of Hous- made to Aberdeen
ton; eight grandchil- Church of Christ, 424
dren; 17 great-grand- Frontage Road, Aber-
children; and a host of deen, MS 39730.
great-great-grandchil-
dren.
Pallbearers will be
Ralph Brand, Jimmy
Brand, Dennis Morgan,
Kenneth Scott, Sam
White and Cole Woo-
ten.
Memorials may be
made to Pheba Baptist
Church, P.O. Box 5,
Pheba, MS 39755.
Linda Callahan
ABERDEEN — Lin- Martha Toupous
da Faye Marshall Cal- Services:
lahan, 71, died Jan. 4, Tuesday, Jan. 7 • 10 AM
College St. Location
2020, at her residence. Burial
Graveside ser- Friendship Cemetery
vices will be at 3 p.m.
Wednesday at Oddfel- Doris Dailey
lows Rest Cemetery Visitation:
Tuesday, Jan. 7 • 9-11 AM
with Jonathan Hagar 2nd Ave. North Location
officiating. There Memorial Service
Tuesday, Jan. 7 • 11 AM
will be no visitation. 2nd Ave. North Chapel
Tisdale-Lann Memo-
rial Funeral Home of Ann I. Palmer
Aberdeen is in charge Visitation:
of arrangements. Saturday, Jan. 11 • 10-11 AM
The Earlene Robertson Room of
Mrs. Callahan was St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
born Oct. 9, 1948, in Memorial Service:
Saturday, Jan. 11 •11 AM
Quitman County, to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
the late Eber Marshall College St. Location
and Christine Walters
Marshall. She was a Theo Burns
member of Aberdeen Incomplete
2nd Ave. North Location
Church of Christ.
In addition to her par-
ents, she was preceded
in death by her hus-
band, Homer Hansell
“Hamp” Callahan; five
memorialgunterpeel.com
sisters; and one brother.
She is survived by
her son, Jason Scott

Mississippi Medicaid director staying in new administration

The Associated Press
JACKSON — Gov.-
elect Tate Reeves said
Monday that he will keep
the director of Mississip-
pi’s Medicaid program.
Drew Snyder was ap-
pointed to the post two
years ago by Republican
Gov. Phil Bryant. Snyder
is an attorney who had
worked as an assistant It is paid by federal and in the past two weeks
secretary of state. state tax dollars. about leadership of state
“I know what it means The Mississippi Di- agencies. Reeves is keep-
to be the youngest in a vision of Medicaid has ing the director of the
leadership position and about 900 employees, Mississippi Emergency
step up for Mississippi,” and about 672,000 people Management Agency. He
Reeves said on Twitter. are covered by the pro- will find new leaders for
“Two years ago, Drew gram. Mississippi Development
Snyder did just that.” Reeves will be inau- Authority, the Depart-
Medicaid is a govern- gurated as governor on ment of Public Safety and cdispatch.com
ment health insurance Jan. 14, and he has made the Department of Cor-
program for the needy. several announcements rections.
6A TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Health
Health tip
n Don’t go on a diet: Diets are notoriously ineffective
and rarely work well in the long term. In fact, dieting is one
of the strongest predictors for future weight gain. Instead
of going on a diet, try adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Source: www.healthline.com

Health tips from Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen

When you’re pregnant,
don’t blow it — pot
smoke, that is!
In the film “Parent-
hood,” Mr. and Mrs.
Buckman (Steve Martin
and Mary Steenburgen)
show up for a meeting at
their son’s school and are
told he has behavioral
problems and needs reme-
dial education. Angered
by the news, Martin’s
character accuses his wife
of marijuana use while
she was pregnant.
Laws around cannabis
use have changed drasti-
cally in the three decades
since the film, and there’s
far less stigma about the
drug when it comes to
both medical and recre-
ational use. But the facts
about marijuana use
during pregnancy haven’t
changed: Cannabis and
pregnancy don’t mix.
A study published in
the Journal of Mater-
nal-Fetal and Neonatal
Medicine involved 450
pregnant women who
self-reported using mar-
ijuana. The researchers
found that marijuana use
during pregnancy may
raise the risk for de-
creased fetal oxygen lev-
els and lower infant birth
weight, and is associated
with poorer infant health.
This is alarming, since
marijuana use during
pregnancy has doubled
over the past 15 years,
and 70 percent of women
believe marijuana use is
safe during pregnancy.
It’s as likely that it’s
the inhalation of smoke
as it is the cannabinoid
compounds that are
detrimental to fetal brain
development and overall
health. Pregnant women
should avoid being around
secondhand cannabis
smoke too.
If you need help man-
aging pregnancy-related
symptoms like nausea,
insomnia or anxiety (mar-
ijuana is
touted for
easing
these
prob-
lems),
acupunc-
ture and
aroma-
therapy
are
reported
to be very Drs. Oz and Roizen
effective.
Talk with your doctor
about other safe inter-
ventions, such as daily
exercise, talk therapy and
changing your diet and
eating schedule.
Kindness boosts
your mental and
physical health
On World Kindness
Day lots of stories were
told about the joys of
giving and receiving
affection: One was about
a young man named
Francis who is colorblind.
A dozen or more of his col- should happen 365 times
lege friends pooled their
money and bought him a
pair of EnChroma glasses
so he could see the world
in full color for the first
time. Just watching the
video of that on YouTube
(search for “A colorful gift playing until they get it
for Francis”) makes you
feel so good; imagine how winner of 39 tennis Grand
those folks felt!
But as wonderful as
that moment is, a study
published in Personality
and Individual Differenc-
es suggests that ges-
tures of care (given and
received) don’t have to be
that grand to boost your
psychological well-being,
including your sense of
purpose and optimism.
What’s really important,
the researchers say, is no- push yourself. It’s a sure-
ticing smaller moments,
so often overlooked, that
are touched with kind-
ness.
The health benefits
of what they’re calling
“felt love” are well-docu-
mented.
Studies
show that
a sense of
purpose
may
reduce
your risk
of stroke
and
dementia,
and boost
memo-
ry and
executive functioning, as
well as help you keep your
blood sugar under con-
trol! Optimists have better
heart health and live
longer than pessimists.
So take time to notice
and acknowledge mo-
ments of caring: When a
neighbor asks about your
health; a colleague thanks
you; or your partner
shares a quiet moment
holding your hand. And
offer such small gestures
of care to those you
encounter throughout the
day. World Kindness Day
a year.
New insights into how
to protect your brain
as you age
“Champions keep
right.” — Billie Jean King,
Slam titles.
“You have to expect
things of yourself before
you can do them.” —
Michael Jordan, winner of
six NBA championships
with the Chicago Bulls.
“Passion first and
everything will fall into
place.” — Holly Holm,
UFC competitor.
Those athletes know
how important it is to
fire way to protect your
brainpower as you age,
too! A 2017 The Lancet
commission on dementia
found that 35 percent of
cases were preventable
if folks were educated
and managed high blood
pressure, obesity, hearing
loss, depression, diabetes,
inactivity and isolation in
later life.
But missing from that
equation was the influ-
ence of emotional health
in midlife — a critical
period for dementia-re-
lated brain changes and
psychosocial crises — on
the development of cog-
nitive problems later on.
So, using decades of data,
researchers found that a
sense of personal growth
and a continuing drive to
pursue improved health
and happiness at 52 sets
you up for better cognition
at 69. In other words, look
for new experiences and
aim for self-improvement.
1. Expand your circle of
friends and acquaintances
by helping others.
2. Learn new skills and
pursue whatever you’re
curious about.
3. Work to improve
your health: Increase dai-
ly activity (go for 10,000
steps daily or the equiv-
alent). Eat a plant-based
diet, free of ultrapro-
cessed foods.
4. Avoid exposure to
toxins from smoking/
vaping.
5. Manage your stress
response.
6. Get enough sleep
(seven to eight hours)
nightly.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is
host of “The Dr. Oz Show,”
and Mike Roizen, M.D. is
Chief Wellness Officer and
Chair of Wellness Institute
at Cleveland Clinic. To
live your healthiest, tune
into “The Dr. Oz Show” or
visit www.sharecare.com.

Construction
Continued from Page 1A
repair homes damaged
during the tornado. CRLC
formed in the wake of the
storm to work with people
whose homes and prop-
erty had been affected,
and is armed with thou-
sands of dollars in private
donations along with a
$250,000 grant from Mis-
sissippi Emergency Man-
agement Agency. The
organization also works
with other volunteer out-
fits, such as from Men-
nonite Disaster Services,
on the constructions proj-
ects.
UMCOR case worker
Vanessa Walker, whom
CRLC hired last year, said
Mixon’s house is the sole
rebuild in progress, but
there are two more homes
approved for rebuilding
on 18th Street North.
Cook, who oversees all
CRLC’s projects, said one
of those homes is slated to
be demolished in the next
couple of months. The oth-
er has been demolished.
“We’re probably about
a month out before we
get the slab down to
start framing that one as
well — maybe one to two
months out,” Cook said,
adding the status of many
of the projects depends on
the weather and volunteer
availability.
CRLC volunteers are
also completing work on
13 roofs and eight other
projects, Walker said.
Five smaller projects have
been completed in their
entirety.
“From new roofs to
Walker Clinkscales
interior,” she said. “We
had to replace walls or
windows. ... We did a lot
of window repairs, roof re-
pairs, ceiling repairs. And
then we did some flooring.
We replaced sinks and toi-
lets and that kind of stuff
— a lot of interior work.”
Though not everyone
CRLC has worked with
had severe enough dam-
age to need to move, sev-
eral people who were dis-
placed have moved back
into their homes, Walker
said.
“(They were) very ex-
cited and very thankful,”
she said. “... We’ve got a
number of calls and some
letters saying how grate-
ful they were, or thank-
ful.”
Other CLRC projects
CRLC chair Nicole
Clinkscales said the or-
ganization has about 40
cases right now, some of
them renters who need
help replacing furniture
or other property, and
some of them homeown-
ers who only applied for
help after Federal Emer-
gency Management Agen-
cy came to Columbus late
last year to sign up people
for individual assistance.
Other cases are being
assessed, and Cook and
Clinkscales both said they
expect to sign off on more
house projects in the com-
ing months.
Several national orga-
nizations have sent vol-
unteers to help work on
the projects, with local
volunteers helping out on
an as-needed basis. While
Clinkscales said MDS has
been handling the brunt
of the work the last couple
of months, she is always
looking for more.
“We’re always need-
ing volunteers to come in
and do construction work,
contracting, electrical,
plumbing, hammering,
nailing,” she said. “We
always need those kind of
volunteers, so construc-
tion companies, church
groups, reach out to us if
they’ve got some volun-
teer hours they want to
dedicate to the cause.”
As for Mixon, he is ex-
cited at the thought of one
day moving back into his
own home — he’s current-
ly living with his mother
in a home off Bluecutt
Road — and hopes the
weather cooperates so
that move can come all the
sooner.
The new house has a
slightly different layout,
he said — the bedrooms
will be in the back of the
house instead of the side,
and the kitchen and bath-
room will be on complete
other sides.
“I like it a whole lot bet-
ter,” he said.

If you don’t read The Dispatch, how are you gonna know?
Sports
Does Joe Judge makes sense for MSU?
New England Patriots special teams coordinator Joe Judge reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field in December of
2017.
By Ben Portnoy
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — The
MSU coaching carousel
has begun to spin.
While no finalists have
been officially disclosed
by the school, New En-
gland Special Teams
Coordinator Joe Judge’s
name has quickly been
thrust to the forefront of
the coaching search.
Judge makes sense on
a number of levels. For
one, he’s an MSU guy.
Judge was recruited to
MSU in 2000 as a quar-
terback and played four
seasons for MSU coach
Jackie Sherrill.
Judge’s wife, Amber,
is also an MSU graduate
and a former Bulldog
College football
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa says he is entering 2020 NFL draft
The Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
— Alabama quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa put an
end to the initial ques-
tion about his future, an-
nouncing Monday that he
is entering the NFL draft
and closing the book on a
college career that began
with a splash and ended
with a devastating injury.
Now the questions will
be about where he’ll be
drafted not if he would
turn pro.
Tagovailoa is recover-
ing from right hip surgery
in November following an
injury on Nov. 16 against
Mississippi State that
ended projections of the
start quarterback being
the potential No. 1 overall
pick. The serious injury
made has made his draft
status less clear though
Alabama team surgeon
Dr. Lyle Cain has said
Tagovailoa’s prognosis is
soccer player — giving
the couple obvious ties to
Starkville.
As for the on-field
fit, there’s plenty to like
about Judge’s past em-
ployment. After finishing
at MSU, he spent three
years as a graduate as-
sistant under Sylvester
Croom between 2004
and 2007. He followed
that up with a stint as
the linebackers coach at
Birmingham Southern
— the same school MSU
Athletic Director John
Cohen began his college
baseball career before
playing for the Bulldogs.
After just a year in
Birmingham, Judge be-
gan a three year run as
a special teams assis-
tant for Alabama coach
“excellent” and predicts a
full recovery.
Tagovailoa said during
a news conference that
he’s optimistic he’ll be
able to play next season,
but said it’s hard to pre-
dict how high he’ll be
drafted.
“It’s a unique situation,
for sure,” Tagovailoa said
with his parents and little
brother, Taulia, watching
from the front row. “A lot
of the guys, the general
managers, the owners,
that I’ve talked to kind
of said the same thing.
They kind of look at this
injury like a knee injury
almost, although it’s not.
In a way that, OK, are we
going to take a chance
on this guy or will he be
able to possibly do a pro
day before the draft and
what-not?
“Really, the biggest
thing they want to do is
just see that we can move
and we can just be back
ANALYSIS
Nick Saban in Tuscaloo-
sa. During that time the
Crimson Tide took home
national titles in 2009 and
2011.
Following seven years
in the college ranks,
Judge moved from one
legend’s coaching staff to
another’s — joining the
New England Patriots un-
der coach Bill Belichick.
After spending his first
three seasons in New En-
gland as a special teams
assistant before being
elevated to special teams
coordinator in 2015 and
added wide receivers
coach to his job descrip-
tion in 2019.
In sum, the resume is
there. Judge has worked
for perhaps the two best
football coaches at the
to how we were playing
prior to the injury.”
This year’s draft class
of quarterbacks includes
LSU Heisman Trophy
winner Joe Burrow and
Oregon’s Justin Herbert.
If Tagovailoa had re-
turned to Alabama and
looked like his old self,
there was still no guaran-
tee he would be the top
pick in a 2021 draft that
will likely include Clem-
son’s Trevor Lawrence.
Tagovailoa, the 2018
Heisman Trophy run-
ner-up, helped Alabama
navigate the transition
into one of the nation’s
top passing offenses. In
less than two seasons
as starter, he set an Al-
abama record with 87
career touchdown pass-
es and ranks third with
7,442 passing yards.
He was regarded as
one of the top Heisman
candidates again before
the season-ending injury.
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020
NFL and collegiate level
of the past two decades.
Further, his connections
to Starkville figure to
quell the “he isn’t one of
us” doubters that leapt
out of the woodwork
throughout Joe Moor-
head’s tenure as head
coach.
This isn’t to say Judge
is without his issues.
Over his 15-year coach-
ing career, the 38-year-
old has never called
plays.
Perhaps more con-
cerning, he only spent
one season as an on-
field coach at the col-
lege level, leaving his
recruiting acumen to be
determined. Say what
you will about Moor-
head, but he was able to
In his absence, Alabama
lost to rival Auburn and
failed to make the Col-
lege Football Playoffs for
the first time.
“Tua has probably had
as much of an impact
on our program here
as any player that we’ve
ever had,” Crimson Tide
coach Nick Saban said.
“And I’m not just talking
about as a football player.
He’s got great character.
He’s a great leader. He’s
done a wonderful job in
the classroom.
“There’s a spirit about
him that has impacted
myself and everybody
around him in a very,
very positive way.”
Tagovailoa, who went
to New York to have his
hip examined over the
weekend, acknowledged
the uncertainty of his
draft status. He’ll contin-
ue to rehab in Tuscaloo-
sa.
See alabama, 4B
pull three-straight top-25
classes during his time
at MSU — something
Dan Mullen never did
before he darted for Flor-
ida. Should Judge get
the head coaching job, it
would take a host of ex-
perienced coordinators
and position coaches to
sure up MSU’s recruiting
ability both in and out of
state.
Another hitch in his
candidacy is whether
he wants to return to
the college game at all.
Judge interviewed for the
New York Giants’ head
coaching job Monday
and should be in line for
an NFL job in a few years
if not this year. So while
a return to his alma ma-
ter might sound cushy on
MSU linebacker Willie Gay
Jr. to enter NFL Draft
By Ben Portnoy
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — was a limited participant
Mississippi State junior
linebacker Willie Gay Jr.
is going pro.
A Starkville native,
Gay released a statement
Monday morning on
Twitter announcing he
will forgo his final year of
eligibility and enter the
2020 NFL draft.
“Playing for your
hometown team is a
feeling words cannot
describe and so few are
blessed to experience,”
he wrote. “This city and
university will always
hold a special place in my
heart as the only place I
have ever known. I am
so thankful for all I have,
while I pursue all I’ve
ever dreamed of. After
much thought and prayer
I have decided to declare
for the 202 NFL Draft.”
After a standout soph-
omore season in which
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
B
SECTION
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
the surface, he’s already
a candidate for NFL
jobs — something that
wouldn’t change should
he succeed in Starkville.
Of all the candidates
being discussed for the
MSU opening, Judge
has undoubtedly gained
the most steam in recent
days. But as a former spe-
cial teams coordinator
with limited college ex-
perience to his name —
not to mention he’s never
been a head coach — he’s
also the riskiest. MSU
bet big on Joe Moorhead
to succeed after his run
as a hot-shot offensive
coordinator at Penn State
and he flopped. Would
chasing Judge be a com-
parable addition? It re-
mains to be seen.
he recorded 48 tackles,
two interceptions and
one fumble recovery, Gay
in 2019 as he was sus-
pended eight games for
his role in the academ-
ic misconduct scandal
that has
come to
be known
as ‘Tutor-
gate.’
More
r e c e n t l y,
he was
also in- Gay Jr.
volved in a
fight with
freshman quarterback
Garrett Shrader that left
the latter injured and un-
able to play in MSU’s 38-
28 Music City Bowl loss
to Louisville. Gay was
not publicly disciplined
for the skirmish.
In all, he notched 28
tackles — 3.5 for a loss
— two fumble recover-
ies, one forced fumble
See Gay Jr., 4B
2B TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

NFL MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Next up for Tom Brady after Undefeated Auburn,

early playoff exit? Who knows?
The Associated Press
Teammates and opponents,
coaches and NFL executives, even
most fans recognize that Tom
Brady has nothing left to prove.
There might be one dissenting
voice: Brady himself.
Maybe that’s why in the midst
of the disappointment — and
some discontent — with how the
Patriots’ season ended and how
he performed in the second half of
the schedule, Brady came pretty
close to guaranteeing he will be
back for a 21st season. At age 43.
Asked about retirement follow-
ing the wild-card loss to the Tex-
ans, Brady said, “I would say it’s
pretty unlikely, but, yeah, hopeful-
ly unlikely.”
Later, to another question
about his plans, Brady added:
“Again, I don’t want to get too
much into the future and stuff. I
mean, this team has fought hard.
We battled every day, we tried to
get better, we worked hard to im-
prove, and I was proud to be a part
of this team. Not only this year,
but every year.
“Again, I just don’t know what’s
going to happen and I’m not go-
ing to predict it. No one needs to
make choices at this point. I love
playing football, I love playing for
this team. I’ve loved playing for
this team for two decades and win-
ning a lot of games. And again, I
don’t know what it looks like mov-
ing forward, so we’ll just take it
day by day.”
Brady doesn’t need football any
longer from a success standpoint.
Not with a record six Super Bowl
rings, four MVP honors in the
big game, and three league MVP
awards. Five years after he has
retired, he’ll be feted in Canton,
Ohio as a first-ballot Hall of Fam-
er.
He doesn’t need the money, ei-
ther.
‘Again, I don’t want to get too much into the
future and stuff. I mean, this team has fought
hard. ... I was proud to be a part of this team.
Not only this year, but every year.’
What he seems to require, like
so many star athletes, is the com-
petition that spices his existence.
The adrenaline explosions. The
challenges.
The locker room rapport. The
practices. The game planning.
Brady surely knows there are
few, if any, replacements outside
of the game once he leaves the
sport for good. Unlike the man
he is most compared to among
his contemporaries, Peyton Man-
ning, Brady doesn’t fit the off-field
celebrity role Manning has em-
braced so well.
So, barring physical ailments
— and few football players ever
have taken care of themselves the
way Brady has — another year at
the helm of the Patriots or anoth-
er team appears doable. Here’s a
peek into which uniform Brady
could wind up in for 2020.
Patriots
Obviously, remaining where he
has spent the last two decades not
only as the face of the franchise
but for several years the face of
the league is most logical. Or is it?
Maybe Brady would like to
try replicating his New England
successes with another coach. In
part to show he can reach the top
in a different system and a differ-
ent city. In part to display that the
Patriots’ dynastic run was built on
his brilliance more than anything.
Should he return to Foxbor-
ough, Brady can name his price.
Does anyone see owner Robert
Kraft balking? Especially af-
ter some of the “hometown dis-
Tom Brady
counts” Brady allegedly took in
past negotiations?
He also would be wise to insist
on better personnel around him
after the drop-off in talent level at
receiver and on the offensive line
this season.
Chargers
Brady is a California guy; sure,
it’s NoCal, but he and his wife,
super model Gisele Bundchen,
would seem a perfect fit in SoCal.
Philip Rivers comes off one of
his worst seasons and the Char-
gers could be ready to move on
from their long-time QB. Plus,
what better way to move into
their new home? They will be
overshadowed by the Rams in
SoFi Stadium — except with
Brady behind center.
Bengals
Brady could play and tutor Joe
Burrow. Nah, he’s not likely to
touch the NFL’s worst team.
Bears
Brady at 53 might be more
reliable than Mitchell Trubisky
was this season. And, like New
England, Chicago has a top-shelf
defense.
Cowboys
Maybe Dak Prescott isn’t the
answer to America’s Team’s near-
ly quarter-century Super Bowl
drought. We all know how much
Jerry Jones likes to create head-
lines. What a doozy that would be
in Big D.
San Diego St rise in
Top 25; Butler No. 6
The Associated Press
San Diego State survived a big test by beating a tal-
ented Utah State team on the road. Auburn kicked off
the SEC season by winning at Mississippi State for the
third time in its last 18 tries.
As the calendar flipped to a new year, the Aztecs and
Tigers are the only undefeated Division I teams left.
Both moved up in The Associated Press poll re-
leased Monday.
The top three spots remained unchanged. No. 1
Gonzaga received 54 first-place votes from a 65-mem-
ber media panel, with No. 2 Duke getting nine and No.
3 Kansas two. Baylor was No. 4.
Auburn (13-0) climbed three spots to No. 5, its high-
est ranking since reaching No. 2 in 1999-00. San Diego
State (15-0) moved up six places to No. 7, the Aztecs’
highest ranking since hitting No. 5 six years ago.
The Tigers have a new cast of characters this season
after a surprising Final Four run a year ago. Even with-
out Bryce Brown, Jared Harper and Chuma Okeke, Au-
burn has continued to find ways to win.
The Tigers blew through their nonconference
schedule before opening SEC play at Humphrey Col-
iseum, where they’ve struggled since 2001. Auburn
pulled away in the second half of the 80-68 victory and
was led by J’Von McCormick, a bit player on last year’s
team who scored 28 points.
“I think we’re a good team. I don’t think we’re a very
good team yet and it’s not criticism,” Auburn coach
Bruce Pearl said last week. “It’s just that I know how
much we’ve got to do offensively, defensively to get
there. We’re improving. We’ve got a long way to go.”
San Diego State is off to its best start since the Kawhi
Leonard-led team in 2010-11 won its first 20 games.
The Aztecs have been stingy defensively in their third
season under Brian Dutcher, allowing teams to score
70 points just twice this season.
San Diego State went to Logan, Utah, on Saturday
and ended Utah State’s 15-game home winning streak
with a 77-68 victory. The Aztecs are No. 1 in the NCAA’s
NET rankings based on the nation’s best adjusted effi-
ciency margin and a top-50 strength of schedule.
“They’re really, really good,” Utah State coach Craig
Smith said.
Stability on top
Gonzaga became the first team to remain atop the
poll for three straight weeks in a season of parity.
The Bulldogs didn’t make it easy on themselves,
having to rally in the second half to beat Portland and
Pepperdine last week.

Top-seed Ravens focus on now,

Even so, Gonzaga leads the nation with 88.3 points
per game, is winning at a clip of nearly 20 points per
game and has six players averaging double figures.

not then, in playoff vs Titans

The Associated Press
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — There’s really nothing
about the past that interests the Baltimore Ravens in
relation to their playoff game against the Tennessee
Titans on Saturday night.
The 21-0 win over the Titans in the 2018 season
is irrelevant, given how much has changed since
then. Baltimore’s NFL-best 14-2 record this season
got them home-field advantage and a first-round bye,
but as guard Marshal Yanda noted, “The records are
gone right now. The guys who got into the playoffs,
you respect them. They’re there for a reason.”
The Titans (10-7) are in this position because they
upset the New England Patriots 20-13 on the road
last Saturday. That’s what the Ravens care about, far
more than that Week 6 game in 2018 at Tennessee,
when Baltimore sacked Marcus Mariota 11 times
and held running back Derrick Henry to 21 yards on
seven carries.
Ryan Tannehill is now running the Tennessee of-
fense, and Henry has blossomed into a star. In ad-
dition to leading the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing,
he rambled for 211 yards against Houston on Dec.
29 before running through the Patriots for 182 yards
and a touchdown.
That’s why the Ravens probably won’t be watching
much film from that game last year. Baltimore got
three sacks from Za’Darius Smith, who’s now playing
for Green Bay, and each of the Ravens’ three touch-
downs were produced by players no longer with the
team.
Joe Flacco was Baltimore’s quarterback back
then. Now it’s Lamar Jackson, who’s never faced the
Titans but certainly knows what it’s like to open the
playoffs at home.
It’s an experience he would rather forget. Facing
the Los Angeles Chargers last January in the wild-
card round, Jackson struggled in a 23-17 defeat that
made Baltimore’s first playoff appearance in four
years a one-and-done affair.
Jackson was 6-1 as a starter, but against Los Ange-
les he completed only 14 passes in 29 attempts with
an interception. Two touchdown passes in the fourth
quarter after the Chargers had built a 23-3 lead did
nothing to make him feel better about the final game
of his rookie season.
That was then. Better to move forward than think
about the past.
“That game is over with,” Jackson said. “I really
hated it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I can’t
wait to play this week.”
Jackson is a far more complete player than he was
then. After an offseason in which he dedicated him-
self to becoming a better passer, Jackson had two
games with a perfect quarterback rating and threw
36 touchdown passes with just six interceptions. He
also set an NFL record for yards rushing by a quar-
terback (1,206 yards).
“He wants to win very badly,” Ravens quarterback
coach James Urban said. “So, when you have a great
attitude and you come to work and you’re really tal-
ented and you work hard at it, you see the results.”
Against Tennessee last year, Alex Collins ran for
54 yards and two touchdowns. This time, the Titans
will have to stop Mark Ingram, who ran for 1,108
yards in his first season with the Ravens to help the
team set an NFL record with 3,296 yards rushing.
Coupled with a defense that improved steadily as
the season went on, Baltimore won its final 12 games.
Not that it means much now.
“We played some good ball in the regular season,”
cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “Going into this
new season, there’s really not a favorite. Everybody
has a fair shot to win it all. You don’t really get an-
other win, so you have to win out if you want to get
there.”
Duke remained at No. 2 after rolling over Boston
College and Miami last week. Kansas held at No. 3 fol-
lowing a hard-fought 60-53 win over then-No. 16 West
Virginia.
Bulldogs on the rise
Butler has bounced back from a disappointing 2018-
19 season by grinding opponents down defensively.
The Bulldogs (14-1) are fourth in Ken Pomeroy’s ad-
justed defensive efficiency and are fourth in Division I
scoring defense, allowing 54.1 points per game.
Butler moved up five spots in this week’s poll to No.
11, the program’s highest ranking ever, after shutting
down high-scoring Creighton.
Rising
No. 10 Florida State had the week’s biggest jump,
moving up eight spots after knocking off No. 13 Louis-
ville and Georgia Tech last week.
No. 8 Michigan State moved up six spots after crush-
ing rival Michigan 87-69. San Diego State also was up
six spots and Butler was next, improving five places.
Falling
Memphis had the week’s biggest drop, falling 12
places to No. 21 after a three-point loss to Georgia.
No. 19 Michigan dropped seven spots after the loss
to Michigan State.
No. 11 Ohio State, which was once up to No. 2, tum-
bled six spots after consecutive losses to West Virginia
and Wisconsin.
No. 9 Oregon dropped five places after losing to Col-
orado and beating Utah.
Moving in/out
Colorado was the lone team to move into the poll
this week. The Buffaloes, who were up to No. 20 earlier
this season, were back in the poll at No. 24 after beat-
ing Oregon and losing to Oregon State.
An 89-86 loss to No. 20 Penn State knocked Iowa
out of the poll from No. 23.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UConn women still No. 1; S Dakota, Michigan, Princeton in
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — UConn cruised to two
more conference wins and remained No.
1 in The Associated Press women’s bas-
ketball poll to start off 2020.
The Huskies received 19 first-place
votes Monday from a 30-member media
panel to stay ahead of second-ranked
Oregon. The Ducks got seven first-place
votes, picking up two from Oregon State,
which got three. The Beavers stayed No.
3 and were followed again by South Car-
olina, Stanford and Baylor.
The Lady Bears will play at Connecti-
cut on Thursday — the first of three
marquee matchups for the Huskies over
the next month. UConn, which beat
Wichita State and SMU last week, also
plays Tennessee and Oregon, as well as
having an exhibition game against the
USA Basketball national team.
Louisville was No. 7, with UCLA
jumping two spots to No. 8 after the Bru-
ins beat previously undefeated Arizona
on Sunday. North Carolina State was No.
9 and Texas A&M moved up to No. 10.
While the top of the poll was relative-
ly unchanged, South Dakota, Michigan
and Princeton entered the rankings at
Nos. 22, 23 and 25 while Miami, Minne-
sota and Texas fell out.
The Tigers entered the poll despite
not playing since Dec. 29. Princeton (12-
1) plays rival Penn on Saturday and then
is off for exams for a few weeks.
“I’m really thrilled to be in the Top
25 and for us to be recognized,” first-
year Princeton coach Carla Berube said.
“It’s great for our league. Our league is
really, really strong this year. Opening
up this weekend so we’re excited about
that. It’s great to get this national atten-
tion. We’ve put together a great noncon-
ference these first couple months. Had
some really great wins. I like where our
team is at.”
Princeton is the only Ivy team ever to
be ranked, reaching the women’s Top 25
for the first time in the final poll of 2012
before having an 11-week run in 2015.
The Tigers edged Northwestern by one
point for the final spot. The Wildcats
had a huge 23-point win over then-No.
12 Maryland before getting blown out
by Iowa.
Here are a few other tidbits from the
poll:
FALLING SEMINOLES: Florida
State dropped three spots to No. 11 af-
ter losing its first game of the season on
a last-second shot in overtime at Syra-
cuse. The Seminoles bounced back with
a nine-point victory over then-No. 23 Mi-
ami on Sunday.
WILY COYOTES: South Dakota is
back in the poll for the second time this
season. The Coyotes (15-2) had a one-
week stay in the middle of December.
South Dakota plays Omaha on Saturday.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 3B

CALENDAR AP-NORC poll: 66% favor endorsement money for NCAA athletes
The Associated Press what they are trying to turned to federal legis- AP, public opinion has latest NCAA’s contract
Local Soccer sort out. lators for help. Demo- helped drive home the extension with CBS and
As the NCAA grap- “That’s the chal- cratic Sen. Chris Mur- need for change. Turner pays $8.8 billion
CSO adult soccer opens 2020 registration ples with how to provide
Registration is currently open for the Columbus lenge that we have,” phy of Connecticut and “We do, indeed, need over eight years for the
Soccer Organization’s 2020 adult soccer league season athletes opportunities Atlantic Coast Commis- Republican Sen. Mitt to make this work with rights to broadcast the
on the CSO website, https://columbusmssoccer.org/ to be compensated for sioner John Swofford Romney of Utah have students playing stu-
adult-league-soccer/ men’s basketball tour-
their fame, about two- said. started a congressional dents. Not having an
Any player over 19 years old at the time of registra- nament.
tion is eligible, and registration closes Jan. 24. Matches,
thirds of Americans The NCAA board of working group to ex- employee-based model.
support college players Forty-six percent
which feature seven players per side, will begin at the governors voted in Oc- amine college athlete Not blowing up what’s
Columbus Soccer Complex downtown in February, being permitted to earn tober to permit athletes compensation and relat- so good about college also said athletes par-
typically on Sundays. money for endorse- to benefit from their ed issues. Emmert met sports right now,” Em- ticipating in major ath-
Players can register individually or with a team
ments. names, images and like- with them last month mert told AP. “The con- letic programs should
— all teams are co-ed. The cost of registration is $60,
which includes league fees and entry to the Friendly That’s according to nesses, and directed its in Washington and has cern about the large, be provided additional
City Shootout in April. This year, the league will be a new poll from The As- 1,100 member schools said he believes feder- strong public opinion spending money.
divided into junior and senior divisions based on the sociated Press-NORC to have legislation al legislation that sets voice like this is that in Athletes already
average roster age. Center for Public Af-
Zachary’s restaurant is sponsoring the league,
ready for implementa- national parameters a federal or state legis- receive a stipend that
and all registered players will receive a discount card fairs Research. Support tion by January 2021. for what is permissible lative process — and covers the true cost of
for Zachary’s and 15 percent off food purchases at the for the NCAA allowing The vote came a compensation for ath- I believe we’re seeing attending college, an
restaurant. college athletes to cash month after California letes seems likely. this in the state legis- amount determined
For more information and to register, see the CSO in on their names, im- Gov. Gavin Newsom “I started talking lative process — it can by federal guidelines.
website. For questions, contact CSO President Tom
Velek at tvelek@yahoo.com or send a message through
ages and likenesses is signed into a law a bill about the inequities in overwhelm the need for Those stipends vary by
the CSO website. especially high among that would make it ille- college sports almost a a thoughtful approach.” school and generally
young adults, as well as gal for colleges in the year ago, and now we’re Public opinion seems
College basketball black Americans and state to penalize ath- on the cusp of signifi- to be with Emmert on
fall between $2,000-
MUW women falter against SUNO Hispanics, though ma- letes for taking money cant reforms with bipar- not turning college ath- $5,000 per year.
My’Neka Frazier hit a career-high 25 points Mon-
jorities of white Amer- for endorsements. tisan backing that put letes into professionals. Asked for their opin-
day night against Southern University – New Orleans,
icans and older adults That law is sched- college athletes’ rights Compared with ion of the NCAA, most
but it wasn’t enough as MUW fell 79-62 in a road con-
test. Frazier also recorded her seventh double-double of are also in favor. uled to go into effect front and center,” Mur- broad support for col- Americans were ambiv-
the season with 11 rebounds. NCAA officials and in 2023, but it sparked phy said in a statement lege athletes receiving alent. Only 14 percent
The W (3-12) is back in action against Judson college sports leaders said they held a favor-
a flurry of activity in to the AP. “This kind of endorsement money,
College at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on the road.
broadly agree, too. other states to adopt strong public support only 38 percent said able opinion of the asso-
EMCC splits pair of contests with MCC “The opinions of the similar legislation. Law- will continue to spark colleges and universi- ciation and its hundreds
The East Mississippi Community College women’s
basketball team earned its 10th win of the season
public in general are makers in at least 20 much needed change, ties with major athletic of schools competing
Monday, while the men dropped a heartbreaker against very important because other states have said and it’s clear the programs should give in three divisions of
MCC on the road. they are reflected in the they want to pass sim- groundswell of support athletes a salary. sports. But only 17 per-
On the women’s side, Taylor Lattimore tied a attitudes of universi- ilar bills — some with for athletes is growing.” The poll did find 52 cent said they held an
season-high with 19 points, while Ja’Mia Hollings had ties, who are the ones the goal of having laws Emmert and other percent of Americans unfavorable opinion of
14 points and 11 rebounds en route to the Lions’ fifth
straight win, a 61-48 victory. that actually make the in place later this year. college sports leaders believe college athletes
the NCAA.
Meanwhile, the men fell to MCC 63-62. Donte rules,” NCAA President “You can’t have mul- say they are concerned should receive a cut of
Powers had 17 points and eight rebounds, while Trae- Mark Emmert told AP. tiple state regulations about allowing college the millions of dollars Another 21 percent
mond Pittman contributed 13 points and nine rebounds. How to make this and compete for the athletes to enter the the NCAA, conferences expressed neither a fa-
Jakorie Smith also scored 11 points. The Lions (9-4) are
work within the current same championships free market with no re- and schools make annu- vorable nor unfavorable
back in action against Holmes Community College at
7:30 p.m. Thursday in Scooba. framework of college nationally and within strictions on how and ally from media rights opinion of the NCAA,
SOURCE: From Special Reports athletics while also the same rules national- by whom they can be deals involving football and 47 percent said they
guarding against cor- ly,” Swofford said. paid for endorsements. and basketball. did not know enough to
CALENDAR ruption in recruiting is The NCAA has But, Emmert told For example, the say.
Today
Prep Girls Soccer
Oxford at Starkville, 5:30 p.m.
West Point at Caledonia, 5:30 p.m.
Prep Boys Soccer
Oxford at Starkville, 7 p.m.
West Point at Caledonia, 7:15 p.m.
Prep Girls Basketball
Chiefs prepped for Texans in pseudo-rematch of Week 6
Mooreville at Caledonia, 6 p.m. The Associated Press as healthy as it has Those big numbers rell Suggs, who was league’s best offenses
Columbus at West Point, 6 p.m. been all season, and a that Mahomes has waived by the Ari- was left playing little
New Hope at Houston, 6 p.m. K A NSAS CIT Y, defense that was once been putting up have zona Cardinals and more than a support-
South Panola at Starkville, 6 p.m. Mo. — The Kansas the Achilles’ heel has come thanks in part claimed by the Chiefs ing role.
McAdams at West Lowndes, 6 p.m. City Chiefs will wel- become one of the to the emergence of just in time to play in It certainly isn’t
Starkville Academy at Heritage Acade- come the Texans to biggest reasons that rookie wide receiv- their final two regu- the same hodgepodge
my, 6:30 p.m. Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City is among er Mecole Hardman, lar-season games and bunch that was still
Carroll Academy at Oak Hill Academy, on Sunday for the di- the favorites to reach who was still getting get fully acquainted picking up the scheme
6:30 p.m. visional round of the the Super Bowl in Mi- his legs under him with the defense for in Week 6, when De-
Newton Academy at Columbus Christian playoffs, a rematch ami. in October, and the what he hopes is an- shaun Watson ran for
Academy, 6:30 p.m. in name only of their “Every team I think return of veteran other championship two scores and threw
Kemper Academy at Hebron Christian, Week 6 nail-biter changes throughout Sammy Watkins, who push. for another in leading
6:30 p.m. won by Houston on a the season. They de- was absent during “This team plays
Prep Boys Basketball
the Texans to a 31-24
fourth-quarter touch- velop their person- the first meeting with with tremendous victory.
Mooreville at Caledonia, 7:30 p.m. down. alities,” said Chiefs Houston because of a swag,” said Suggs,
Columbus at West Point, 7:30 p.m. “We have some
The Chiefs are so coach Andy Reid, hamstring injury. who climbed another great momentum
New Hope at Houston, 7:30 p.m. markedly different whose team was The Chiefs also notch on the career
South Panola at Starkville, 7:30 p.m. heading into the post-
that their early Oc- back at work Mon- lost cornerback Ken- sack list with one
McAdams at West Lowndes, 7:30 p.m. season,” Mathieu
tober game is nearly day. “We all have dall Fuller in that against the Chargers.
Starkville Academy at Heritage Acade- said. “I know my
meaningless. highs and lows. You game. He is back to “That’s the No. 1 edge
my, 8 p.m. teammates feel the
The Chiefs were in kind of work through 100 percent, too. that a football play-
Carroll Academy at Oak Hill Academy, same.”
the midst of a shaky that and here you sit. There have been er has: confidence.
8 p.m. NOTES: Reid said
6 -4 start to the sea- We’re not the same other personnel When you have a
Newton Academy at Columbus Christian everybody participat-
son, their defense as we were at the be- changes, of course, team that’s playing
Academy, 8 p.m. ed in Monday’s work-
was still adjusting ginning. They’re not and not all of them with swagger, and the
Kemper Academy at Hebron Christian,
to Steve Spagnuolo’s out, a good sign for a
the same as they were have been good. The head ball coach is en-
8 p.m.
new 4-3 scheme, and team that dealt with
at the beginning. So Chiefs lost defensive couraging that, that
Men’s College Basketball
their injury list was plenty of illnesses late
here we go.” end Alex Okafor to a can help you in Jan-
Rhodes College at MUW, TBA
about as long as the The easiest change torn pectoral muscle uary in playoff foot- in the regular sea-
receipt at a CVS. Five to parse out between late in the season, and ball.” son. ... Mathieu and
on the air starters were missing the Chiefs of three rookie safety Juan That swagger Hitchens were joined
by Mahomes, TE Tra-
because of injuries, months ago and the Thornhill had his dy- comes in part from
Today including offensive current bunch is in namic debut season a defense that has vis Kelce, P Dustin
AUTO RACING linemen Eric Fisher personnel. cut short when he tore leaned on newcom- Colquitt and K Harri-
5 p.m. — Dakar Rally 2020: Stage 3, son Butker as playoff
Neom to Neom, Saudi Arabia (taped), and Andrew Wylie, Fisher is back from his ACL in a Week 17 ers Frank Clark and
NBCSN and a handful of other his groin injury and win over the Chargers All-Pro safety Tyrann captains. They were
CHL HOCKEY key contributors were Wylie from his ankle that helped the Chiefs Mathieu, the latter of chosen in voting by
11 a.m. — Lulea at Frolunda, First hobbled by ailments. sprain. Chris Jones is earn the No. 2 seed in whom played for the their teammates. ...
Semifinal, Leg 1, NHLN Former Chiefs S Ron
1:30 p.m. — Mountfield at Djurgarden, Among them was back from his groin the A FC playoffs. Texans last season.
Second Semifinal, Leg 1, NHLN quarterback Patrick injury, fellow defen- But even those They put together a Parker announced
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) Mahomes, who was sive tackle Xavier Wil- losses have been off- streak of 10 consecu- on social media Mon-
6 p.m. — Virginia at Boston College, still dealing with a liams has returned set by some notewor- tive quarters without day that he was retir-
ACCN
6 p.m. — Penn State at Rutgers, BTN sore ankle. from injured reserve thy additions. First allowing a touchdown ing. “He came in as
6 p.m. — Houston at Temple, CBSSN Well, the league’s and linebacker Antho- came defensive tackle late in the season, a small-college guy
6 p.m. — Ohio State at Maryland, ESPN reigning MVP is ny Hitchens — voted Mike Pennel, who has shutting down Tom and he just did a great
6 p.m. — Miami at Louisville, ESPN2 back to putting up one of Kansas City’s helped to shore up Brady and the Patri- job,” Reid said. “I told
6 p.m. — Florida at South Carolina,
ESPNU mind-blowing stats, playoff captains — the run game. Then ots along the way, and him he’d be a great
6 p.m. — Providence at Marquette, FS1 the Chiefs’ postsea- has returned from yet came seven-time Pro had become so dom- coach. He just has a
6 p.m. — Tennessee at Missouri, SECN son bye has the team another groin injury. Bowl pass rusher Ter- inant that one of the great way about him.”
8 p.m. — Virginia Tech at Syracuse,
ACCN
8 p.m. — Iowa at Nebraska, BTN
8 p.m. — Loyola Chicago at Drake,
CBSSN
8 p.m. — Kentucky at Georgia, ESPN
8 p.m. — Baylor at Texas Tech, ESPN2
8 p.m. — Texas Christian at Kansas
Pro Football
Norfolk St. 82, Coppin St. 59 analyst; Barry Weinberg special adviser to National Football League from San Antonio (AHL). Assigned D Jake Wal-
State, ESPNU SOUTHWEST player development; Braden Looper and Or- BUFFALO BILLS — Signed TE Nate Becker, man to San Antonio.
Arkansas St. 90, Georgia St. 87 lando Palmeiro Cardinals core coaches; Keith American Hockey League
8 p.m. — Villanova at Creighton, FS1 NFL Playoff Glance South Alabama 66, Texas-Arlington 54 Joint player development medical coordinator;
LB Tyrel Dodson, WR Nick Easley, CB Cam
Lewis, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, LB Del’Shawn HARTFORD WOLF PACK — Recalled G Tom
8 p.m. — Mississippi at Texas A&M, Wild-card Playoffs Troy 71, Texas State 63 Aaron Rhodes player development strength Phillips, OT Victor Salako, RB Christian Wade, McCollum from Florida (ECHL).
UALR 79, Georgia Southern 73 and conditioning coordinator; Matt Leonard OLYMPIC SPORTS
SECN Saturday, Jan. 4
player development rehab coordinator; DC
QB Davis Webb and DE Jonathan Woodard to
reserve/future contracts. USADA — Announced weightlifter Ted Dreaver
Houston 22, Buffalo 19, OT
10 p.m. — Utah State at Air Force, McShea player development performance CHICAGO BEARS — Signed TE Darion Clark accepted a 39-month suspension for an an-
ESPNU2
10 p.m. — Fresno State at New Mexi-
Tennessee 20, New England 13
Sunday, Jan. 5
Minnesota 26, New Orleans 20, OT
Transactions Monday’s moves
specialist; and Victor Kuri player development
rehab coordinator assistant.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Agreed to
to a reserve/future contract.
CINCINNATI BENGALS — Signed LS Dan
ti-doping rule violation.

Major League Soccer

co, ESPNU
NBA BASKETBALL
6:30 p.m. — Oklahoma City at Brook-
lyn, NBATV
9:30 p.m. — New York at LA Lakers,
NBATV
NHL HOCKEY
6:30 p.m. — Colorado at NY Rangers,
NBCSN
TENNIS
2 a.m. — ATP/WTA: The ATP Cup, Day
5 Group Stage AND The Brisbane Inter-
national, Early Rounds, TENNIS
5 a.m. — ATP: The ATP Cup, Day 5
Group Stage, Brisbane, Perth, and
Sydney, Australia, TENNIS
5 p.m. — ATP/WTA: The ATP Cup, Day 6
Group Stage AND The Auckland Open,
The Shenzhen Open, and The Brisbane
International, Early Rounds, TENNIS
2 a.m. (Wednesday) — ATP/WTA: The
ATP Cup, Day 6 Group Stage AND The
Auckland Open, Early Rounds, TENNIS
Seattle 17, Philadelphia 9 BASEBALL
Divisional Playoffs American League
Saturday, Jan. 11 CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Selected the con-
Minnesota at San Francisco, 3:35 p.m. (NBC) tract of OF Luis Robert from Charlotte (IL).
Tennessee at Baltimore, 7:15 p.m (CBS) DETROIT TIGERS — Agreed to terms with
Sunday, Jan. 12 RHP Michael Fulmer on a one-year contract.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Acquired RHP
Houston at Kansas City, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)
Seattle at Green Bay, 5:40 p.m. (FOX) Kyle Keller from Miami for C Jose Estrada.
Conference Championships Designated RHP Jake Jewell for assignment.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Announced Chris
Sunday, Jan. 19 Giles has resigned as chief operating officer.
AFC, 2:05 p.m. (CBS)
NFC, 5:40 p.m. (FOX)
National League
CINCINNATI REDS — Agreed to terms with OF
Pro Bowl Shogo Akiyama on a three-year contract.
At Orlando, Fla.
Sunday, Jan. 26 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Named Bobby
Meacham assistant coach and Greg Brodzinski
AFC vs. NFC, 2 p.m. (ESPN) bullpen catcher/catching coach.
Super Bowl ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Named Brandon
Sunday, Feb. 2 Allen hitting coach of Memphis (PCL); Tyger
At Miami Gardens, Fla. Pederson hitting coach of Springfield (TL);
NFC champion vs. AFC champion, 5:30 p.m. Rick Harig pitching coach and Brian Burgamy
hitting coach of Palm Beach (FSL); Adrian
(FOX)
Martin pitching coach and Cody Gabella hitting
coach of Peoria (MWL); Dean Kiekhefer pitch-
College Basketball
Monday’s scores
ing coach and Jason Broussard hitting coach
of State College (NYP); Renee Cortez pitching
coach and Daniel Nicolaisen hitting coach of
EAST Johnson City (Appalachian); Joe Hawkins
Colgate 70, Army 65 manager and Tyler Wolfe and Bernard Gilkey
SOUTH hitting coaches of the GCL Cardinals; BJ Rop-
Alabama A&M 66, Jackson St. 57 er-Hubbert hitting coach of the DSL Blue; Es-
Bethune-Cookman 102, Howard 73 tuar Ruiz manager and Ismael Castro and Luis
Coastal Carolina 93, Louisiana-Monroe 64 Cruz hitting coaches of the DSL Blue; Chris
Grambling St. 68, Alabama St. 63 Swauger minor league field coordinator; Russ
Louisiana-Lafayette 81, Appalachian St. 73 Steinhorn minor league hitting coordinator; Ja-
Morgan St. 77, SC State 63 son Isringhausen minor league roving pitching
NC A&T 97, Florida A&M 90 instructor; Cale Johnson minor league pitching
terms with RHPs Matt Carasiti, Rico Garcia,
Trey McNutt, Carlos Navas, Andrew Triggs,
Raffi Vizcaino, Sam Wolff, LHP Sam Moll, Cs
Tyler Heineman, Chad Tromp, INFs Cristhian
Adames, Zach Green, Drew Robinson, OFs
Joey Rickard and Jamie Westbrook on minor
league contracts.
Eastern League
BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES — Named
Lorenzo Bundy manager, Luis Rivera bench
coach and Tanner Miracle performance coach.
Frontier League
LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS — Signed LHP Paul
Hall, Jr. to a contract extension.
NEW JERSEY JACKALS — Signed C Jason
Agresti, INF Santiago Chirino, RHP Matt Dal-
las, and RHP Christian Tessatore to contract
extensions.
ROCKLAND BOULDERS — Signed LHP
James Mulry to a contract extension. Signed
RHP Austin Hutchison.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MINERS — Signed C
Arturo Nieto and RHP Zac Westcott.
TROIS-RIVIERES AIGLES — Sold the con-
tracts of RHP Garrett Harris, LHP Domenic
Mazza, and RHP Garrett Mundell to the Win-
nipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.
WASHINGTON WILD THINGS — Signed INF
Nick DeTringo.
New York-Penn League
BROOKLYN CYCLONES — Named Ed Blank-
meyer manager.
BASKETBALL
National Basketball Association
ATLANTA HAWKS — Signed F Paul Watson to
a 10-day contract.
FOOTBALL
Godsil to a reserve/future contract.
GREEN BAY PACKERS — Signed WR Reggie
Begelton and FB Elijah Wellman to reserve/
future contracts.
HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed LB Davin Bel-
lamy.
LOS ANGELES RAMS — Fired defensive coor-
dinator Wade Phillips.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Signed WR
Quincy Adeboyejo, LB Terez Hall, DB Obi Meli-
fonwu, DB Adarius Pickett, WR Devin Ross, DL
Nick Thurman and OL Najee Toran to future
contracts.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Named Ryan
Vermillion athletic trainer.
Canadian Football League
CFL — Announced the sale of the Montreal
Alouettes to Sid Spiegel and Gary Stern.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS — Signed WRs
Travis Rudolph and Kayaune Ross, DBs Malik
Boynton and Clifton Duck, and LB Otha Peters.
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
BUFFALO SABRES — Assigned F Dalton
Smith to Rochester (AHL).
DALLAS STARS — Recalled F Joel Kiviranta
from Texas (AHL).
LOS ANGELES KINGS — Activated F Trevor
Lewis from injured reserve.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Fire coach Peter
Laviolette.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Activated D Matt
Tennyson from injured reserve and assigned to
Binghamton (AHL).
NEW YORK RANGERS — Recalled G Igor
Shesterkin from Hartford (AHL).
ST. LOUIS BLUES — Recalled D Niko Mikkola
SOCCER
NEW YORK CITY FC — Named Ronny Deila
coach.
ORANGE COUNTY FC — Signed MF Seth
Casiple.
National Women’s Soccer League
CHICAGO RED STARS — Traded their 2020
first-round (No. 6) pick to North Carolina for
the 2020 first- (No. 9) and second-round (No.
18) draft picks. Acquired F Kealia Ohai from
Houston for D Katie Naughton and the 2020
second-round (No. 18) draft pick.
U.S. Soccer Federation
USSF — Named Laura Harvey coach of the
U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team.
COLLEGE
ALABAMA — QB Tua Tagovailoa announced
he will enter the NFL draft.
ALBANY (N.Y.) — Announced the resignation
of women’s soccer coach Nick Bochette to ac-
cepted the same position at Temple.
BOSTON COLLEGE — Named Frank Cignetti
Jr. offensive coordinator and quarterbacks
coach.
MISSISSIPPI STATE — LB Willie Gay Jr. an-
nounced he will enter the NFL draft.
NORTH CAROLINA — Named Jovan Dewitt
outside linebackers coach and special teams
coordinator.
RUTGERS — Named Jeff Poulard assistant
athletic director of compliance and Andrew
Aurich offensive line coach.
TEMPLE — Named Nick Bochette women’s
soccer coach.
VIRGINIA TECH — RB Deshawn McClease
announced he will enter the NFL draft.
WISCONSIN — WR Quintez Cephus an-
nounced he will enter the NFL draft.
4B TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

AP source: Cowboys pick McCarthy

to replace Garrett as coach
The Associated Press
FRISCO, Texas —
Mike McCarthy won a
Super Bowl and went to
the playoffs eight straight
years while coaching two-
time MVP quarterback
Aaron Rodgers.
The Dallas Cowboys
are hoping for similar re-
sults from McCarthy with
Dak Prescott.
McCarthy, who won
whose contract expires
next week.
Green Bay made nine
trips to the postseason in
13 years under McCarthy.
That’s the only other head
coaching job the 56-year-
old has held. He was fired
during what ended up be-
ing a second straight los-
ing season for the Packers
in 2018.
McCarthy led the
Packers to at least 10 wins
run for McCarthy and
Rodgers was from 2009-
16, a stretch that included
two divisional-round vic-
tories over the Garrett-led
Cowboys.
The Cowboys believe
they have their next fran-
chise QB in Prescott, who
was the 2016 NFL Offen-
sive Rookie of the Year af-
ter replacing the injured
Tony Romo and never re-
linquishing the starting
first time in nearly 25
years, Garrett couldn’t
build on a 3-0 start. Dal-
las went 4-8 in the next
12 games with a pair
of three-game losing
streaks.
The Cowboys still
had a chance to make
the playoffs with a win at
Philadelphia in Week 16,
but the 17-9 loss handed
their postseason fate to Sudoku YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

the title as Green Bay’s

coach at the home of the
in eight of his first 11 sea-
sons, including four trips
job.
Prescott, whose rookie
the Eagles for the final
week. Philadelphia beat Sudoku
Sudoku is a number-
placing puzzle based on
Yesterday’s answer
Cowboys nine years ago, to the NFC championship contract is expiring, and the New York Giants 34- Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num- 4 5 6 3 9 1 8 7 2
has agreed to become game. two-time rushing cham- 17, eliminating Dallas ber-placing
given numbers.puzzleThe object 1 8 3 5 2 7 4 6 9

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

the ninth coach in Dallas Dallas hasn’t been that pion Ezekiel Elliott have despite its 47-16 win over based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 7 9 2 8 6 4 1 5 3
team history, a person far in the playoffs since made the playoffs twice Washington. grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
empty spaces 2 7 9 4 5 6 3 8 1
with direct knowledge of the last of the franchise’s in four seasons and got Dallas finished 8-8 given
so thatnumbers.
each row, each The 6 4 1 9 3 8 7 2 5
the deal said Monday. five Super Bowl titles to their first playoff victory object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place box
four times under Gar- 5 3 8 1 7 2 6 9 4
The person spoke to finish the 1995 season. in 2018 after losing their numbers
contains the1same to 9 number
in
rett, who had an 87-70 9 6 5 7 1 3 2 4 8
The Associated Press on The Cowboys missed the postseason debut to Rod- the empty spaces so
record, including 2-3 in only once. The difficulty 3 2 4 6 8 5 9 1 7
condition of anonymity playoffs six times in Gar- gers and McCarthy with that each row, each
the playoffs, in nine-plus level increases from
because the team hasn’t rett’s nine full seasons. Dallas as the NFC’s top column and each 8 1 7 2 4 9 5 3 6
seasons. Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 1/06

announced the decision. McCarthy also inter- seed in 2016.

McCarthy interviewed
over the weekend, before
the Cowboys made the an-
nouncement Sunday that
Jason Garrett wouldn’t re-
turn after 9½ seasons.
Dallas missed the play-
offs at 8-8 with high ex-
pectations in a make-or-
break season for Garrett,
viewed with Cleveland,
Carolina and the New
York Giants. He went 125-
77-2 in the regular season
with the Packers and 10-8
in the playoffs. The Cow-
boys have just three play-
off wins since their last
championship.
The eight-year playoff
McCarthy was fired af-
ter an embarrassing loss
at Lambeau Field to Ari-
zona, a defeat that all but
sealed a second straight
year without a postseason
trip for the Packers.
With a mandate to get
the Cowboys past the
divisional round for the
Despite never win- the same number only once. The difficulty level
ning more than one play- increases from Monday to Sunday.
off game in a season, the
53-year-old Garrett has
the club’s second-lon-
gest tenure behind Pro
Football Hall of Famer
Tom Landry, coach for
the franchise’s first 29
seasons.

Getting it done: Clemson, LSU backs proving they belong

The Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C.
— LSU’s Clyde Ed-
wards-Helaire and Clem-
son’s Travis Etienne
have much more in com-
mon than their Louisi-
ana backgrounds head-
ing into the national title
game.
Both are smallish
running backs who were
overlooked at times in
high school but have
emerged as critical fac-
tors for next week’s
College Football Playoff
championship game.
“Definitely a great op-
portunity to go out there
and finish it off with a
W,” said Etienne, a ju-
nior considering a jump
to the NFL after playing
for a second straight na-
tional crown.
Etienne has proven
he can get it done on the
biggest stage. But his
path from Jennings, Lou-
isiana to Clemson was
far from direct.
The Tigers were
locked into another
promising tailback com-
mit from Tennessee be-
fore Cordarrian Richard-
son had a change of heart
and caused Clemson of-
fensive coordinator and
running backs coach
Tony Elliott to scramble
to fill the roster spot. Eti-
enne emerged as a possi-
bility and Elliott went to
meet him in mid-January
2017 — soon after Clem-
son won the 2016 nation-
al championship over Al-
abama.
“When we saw him,
we just hit it off,” said
Elliott, who remembered
waiting through visits
from LSU and Tennes-
see before meeting the
5-foot-11 Etienne.
Etienne grew up a fan
of the Southeastern Con-
ference, first of Alabama
and then LSU, from at-
tending so many games
as a teenager.
But after meeting El-
liott and talking with
coach Dabo Swinney,
Etienne became hooked
on Clemson.
He still can’t fully
believe that Clemson
reached out to “a small
kid from Jennings, Lou-
isiana.”
He can thank Richard-
son for that, who played
at UCF as freshman be-
fore transferring to Tex-
as A&M.
But when Clemson
did make the call was
when Etienne decided
where he wanted to play
college football, “like
this is meant to be, me
going there.”
The coupling has
been fruitful ever since.
Etienne was the At-
lantic Coast Conference
player of the year the
past two seasons, setting
league marks for most
rushing touchdowns
(55) and total TDs (60).
He’s run for 1,536
yards so far this season
and is seven yards away,
at 3,990 fin three sea-
sons, at breaking Clem-
son’s career rushing
mark.
LSU coach Ed Org-
eron, the interim coach
in 2016, said whenever
he sees Clemson play “or
every time I’ve seen (Eti-
enne) having success,
I’m sick to my stomach.”
Örgeron said he loves
his running backs, just
wished that Etienne was
part of LSU’s rotation.
“We wanted Travis
Etienne, but it was too
little, too late,” he said.
Not that Orgeron com-
pletely lost out.
While Etienne was
leaving his home state,
Edwards-Helaire was
excelling close to his fu-
ture campus as a stellar
prep tailback in Baton
Rouge.
Edwards-Helaire was
a one-time high school
teammate of former LSU
star tailback Derrius
Guice. There was one
distinction that stood out
about Edwards-Helaire.
The Tigers’ recent start-
ing running backs like the
6-foot Leonard Fournette
and 5-11 Guice were tall-
er; Edwards-Helaire is just
5-7.
Edwards-Helaire has
embraced the challenge,
more than living up to that
LSU running back pedi-
gree. He has rushed for
1,305 yards and 16 touch-
downs this season.
He was crucial in end-
ing LSU’s eight-year run of
futility against Alabama in
a 46-41 victory this season
with 103 yards and three
touchdowns rushing with
nine catches for 77 yards
and another score.
Edwards -Helaire,
whose mother once
thought he was too small
to play football, has dealt
with having to prove him-
self on the field.
“Ít’s, ‘Lets see what
this small guy can do ACROSS
as far as football,’ and 1 Atlantic catches
then it’s, ‘Oh my gosh, 5 Elizabethan
he’s actually good,’” Ed- barmaid
wards-Helaire said. 10 Similar
Edwards-Helaire had 12 Honolulu hello
a hamstring injury lead- 13 Race ends
ing up to LSU’s 63-28 15 Holiday
win over Oklahoma at lead-in
the Peach Bowl and was 16 Parrot or
pretty much just a decoy puppy
in the semifinal win. He 17 Manx, for one
had just two rushes for 18 Belgrade’s
14 yards and sat once the nation
game turned into a blow- 20 Aspiration
out. 21 Did shoe work
22 “That’s my
cue!”

Alabama
23 Small body of DOWN 20 Think up
land 1 Casual eateries 24 Like some
25 Danson and 2 Relish-tray mushrooms
Continued from Page 1B Nugent items 25 Plots of land
28 Pop stars 3 Moolah 26 Trick-taking
Tagovailoa demurred when “I’d say it’s been a roller coast- er Jalen Hurts for the starting job. 31 Regrets 4 Enjoy the card game
asked if he felt confident he’d still er because I’ve gotten to see the After the season, Hurts trans- 32 Right angle’s slopes 27 Redirected
be a high first-round pick. spectrum of both sides, having a ferred to Oklahoma and was the degrees 5 Poet Whitman route
“I don’t think I can tell you lot of success, winning a national Heisman runner-up while leading 34 Play division 6 Yale student 29 Crude shed
that,” he said. “I don’t think any of championship, losing a national the Sooners into the playoffs. 35 Pres. Day mo. 7 Sergeant, for 30 Parade site
the teams can tell you that. It re- championship,” Tagovailoa said. But it had become Tua’s team 36 Verb for you one 33 Agreeable
ally depends on how the doctors’ “Going through adversity, com- well before that. Now, Alabama 37 Revue groups 8 Low-quality, in answers
report goes with the MRI and my ing back from it, continuing to go begins a search for his successor 40 More loyal slang 35 Trappers’
X-rays at the three-month mark through it. It’s just been a mixture who can keep the program in na- 41 Lauder of 9 Hurry up wares
(from the injury). of emotions. tional title contention. cosmetics 11 Spots 38 Game caller
“But then again, I think what “I think coming to a place like Mac Jones started the final two 42 Feudal 14 Front-page 39 Supporter
factors into this decision, too, is this has helped set me up to be in workers items
regular season games and the
our faith. It’s a leap of it.” the best position to become suc- 43 Young ones 19 Total happi-
Citrus Bowl against Michigan.
Tagovailoa also had other in- cessful later in life.” ness
He passed for 1,503 yards and 14
jury issues during his career. He The left-handed passer from
left the Southeastern Conference Hawaii became one of Alabama’s touchdowns against just three in-
championship game as a soph- most prolific passers, and most terceptions.
omore with an ankle injury and popular players. Tagovailoa be- He finished with a big bowl per-
missed the second half of the Ten- came a sensation in the national formance, passing for 327 yards
nessee game and the Arkansas championship game two years ago. and three touchdowns in the West-
game with a high ankle sprain. The freshman came off the bench ern Carolina and Auburn in a 35-16
He returned to throw for 418 to lead the Crimson Tide to a come- win.
yards and four touchdowns in a back win over Georgia, throwing Jones could face competition
loss to No. 1 LSU and was injured the game-winning touchdown to from freshman Taulia Tagovailoa,
late in the first half of the next DeVonta Smith in overtime. Tua’s younger brother, and incom-
game. He then beat out two-year start- ing five-star recruit Bryce Young.

Gay Jr.
Continued from Page 1B
and one interception in five games played this year.
With Gay now off to the NFL, the decision of class-
mate and fellow linebacker Erroll Thompson becomes
all the more important. A source with immediate
knowledge of the situation told The Dispatch Jan. 3
Thompson is leaning toward entering the draft fol-
lowing coach Joe Moorhead’s firing. He is expected to
make a decision this week or early next week.
Should Thompson leave, the Bulldogs would be left
with a stable of underclassmen to fill his and Gay’s
spots. Former Copiah-Lincoln Community College
standout Tyrus Wheat — the No. 1 rated junior college
inside linebacker by 247sports.com could also aid in
the effort.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 5B

Johnson leads No. 10 Texas A&M to 79-35 rout of Mississippi

The Associated Press Carter not collecting her
first field goal until 2:51
COLLEGE STATION, remained in the first half
Texas — Texas A&M of A&M’s league home
proved it can win big
without plenty of points
opener. Carter entered
the contest averaging
from star guard Chenne- 23.2 points per game, but
dy Carter. scored 13 points against
Ciera Johnson scored the Rebels (7-8, 0-2 SEC),
17 points and N’dea Jones with 11 of those coming in
grabbed 13 rebounds as the second half.
the Aggies cruised to a Shambria Washington
79-35 victory over Missis- and Johnson combined
sippi on Monday night.
for more points in the first
“Great defense tonight
half (23) than the Rebels
— great defense,” A&M
scored over the first two
coach Gary Blair said. “I quarters. Washington,
was able to rotate all 11 who finished with a sea-
kids in, and we shared the son-high 12 points, made
basketball. Everything 5-of-6 field goals in the
we ran was working.” decisive first half, includ-
The Aggies (14-1, 2-0 ing both of her 3-point at-
Southeastern Confer- tempts in helping launch
ence) jumped to a 37-19 the Aggies to a ninth con-
lead at halftime, despite secutive victory.
“They left me open,
so I shot the ball a little
more,” Washington said.
“Chennedy is a great
passer, and she’s great at
finding open people.”
The Aggies re-entered
the top 10 on Monday for
the first time since falling
out after an 80-58 loss to
current No. 11 Florida
State on Dec. 1. The Reb-
els were led by Deja Cage
with 15 points – the only
Mississippi player in dou-
ble digits – and were held
to a season-low in points.
“We didn’t expect
Shambria to make the
shots she made, and that
threw us off big time,”
Rebels coach Yolett
McPhee-McCuin said.
“She made us pay for it,
and dug us a pretty good
hole. On the road, you’ve
got to make shots, and
we’ll have to go back to
the drawing board as far
as that is concerned.”
Mississippi was 5-of-
24 from the 3-point line
(20.8 percent), with Cage
making 3-of-10 from that
distance. The Aggies shot
55.7 percent from the
field (34 of 61) compared
to the Rebels’ 27.5 percent
(14 of 51).
The Aggies held a 44-
23 rebounding advantage,
tying their largest margin
of the season (plus 21),
with Cage also leading
the Rebels with eight re-
bounds.
“You can play great
defense, but if you don’t
rebound the basketball,
it doesn’t matter,” John-
son said. “We worked this
week on boxing out and
rebounding.”
Big Picture:
Mississippi: The Reb-
els have lost six of eight
games dating to late No-
vember, and following an-
other blowout loss don’t
figure to snap out of their
funk any time soon.
Texas A&M: The
surging Aggies have a
lone setback on their re-
sume, a head-scratching
22-point loss to Florida
State, and Carter has
plenty of complementary
teammates who are find-
ing their groove.
Highlight reel
A&M guard Kayla
Wells launched a buzz-
er-beating 3-pointer to
end the third quarter and
Carter, who’d passed the
ball to Wells across the
top of the key, threw up
her arms in jubilation.
He said it
“The practice we had
on Saturday — it looked
like we were 1-13. We
took it a little easier on
Sunday.” Gary Blair on
his team’s rugged prepa-
ration for its SEC home
opener.
Up next
The Rebels host Ten-
nessee on Thursday
night.
The Aggies host LSU
on Thursday night.

Comics & Puzzles

DILBERT
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY:
I have been
married to
a wonderful man
for 33 years. He
doesn’t drink or
smoke and has
never used pot or
drugs. We have
the best time to-
gether, love each
other and enjoy
ZITS our life together.
The trouble is
his family. He’s
the youngest, and
they treat him
like an outsider.
Dear Abby
Whenever we get
together, his mother often
tells him he was a “surprise”
baby, and his siblings treat
him like an interloper.
I have been wanting to
limit our contact with his
family, and my husband, who
has been loyal to them even
GARFIELD though they treat him this
way, is finally coming around. I
don’t want to be rude, but his
family will never change their
ways. What’s the most polite
way of distancing ourselves
without hurting anyone? —
OUTSIDER’S WIFE
DEAR WIFE: The “polite
way” is to tell the relatives
you can’t see them because
you have a schedule conflict,
a previous commitment, a
trip planned, a sick pet, or
think you may be coming down
CANDORVILLE
Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan.
7). Waves lapping at the shore
look gentle enough while moving
the enormity of oceans. You are
like the moon, exerting an invis-
ible, constant and mighty force
over the tides of life. You make
a plan daily and follow through.
Your commitment to yourself is
how all things are possible. Leo
and Scorpio adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 8, 40, 14,
BABY BLUES 3 and 38.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
Perspective is impermanent.
You want it to change fast?
Move. That’s the quickest way.
Time — you have to wait for.
Colors — you have to impose
with a lens. Want to keep a per-
spective as long as possible?
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
FAMILY CIRCUS
with something
contagious and
don’t want to
give it to them.
The BETTER way
would be for
you AND YOUR
HUSBAND to tell
them you don’t
like the way they
treat him and if it
continues, they
will see much
less of both of
you.
DEAR ABBY: I
have been at my
current job just
over a year, and
I really enjoy it. My co-workers
and I get along, and it is a
great job for my skill set.
When I was interviewing for
the position, I made a point of
saying that I am not the type
of person who will leave after
a short while because it’s a
problem employers face where
I live. Recently, however, I
have been asked to help my
father run his business. He’s
not a young man, and he
genuinely needs the help I can
provide.
I’m torn. Should I put my
family first, or keep my prom-
ise not to leave this job after
such a short time? — TORN IN
COLORADO
DEAR TORN: I think you
already know what you must
do. Talk to your boss, explain
Stand still.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
You like yourself better around
certain people. There’s a reason
for it, though one you may not
be consciously aware of yet.
What if you made it a rule that
you only pursue relationships
with people you feel good
around?
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
Your attention needs are versa-
tile. You can operate beautifully
as a self-contained business of
one, and you can also be a cog
in the wheel of a large organiza-
tion. You’ll do both before the
day is done.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
You don’t have to do anything.
All the things you feel you’re
the situation and apologize.
Then give enough notice that
a replacement can be found
so you are not leaving your
employer in the lurch.
DEAR ABBY: My husband
and I recently lost our beloved
pet of 12 years, “Bootsy.” He
was our first “fur baby.” His
death was very sudden, and
we are devastated. We don’t
have children; it was as if he
was our firstborn. What can
we do to get through the death
of our beloved dog-child? —
SUFFERING IN THE SOUTH
DEAR SUFFERING: I am
sorry for your loss. An unfortu-
nate aspect of being emotion-
ally invested in a pet is the
reality that they have much
shorter lifespans than humans
do. Start the healing process
by reminding each other that
you gave Bootsy the best life
possible. Consider making a
contribution in his name to an
animal rescue organization.
Then contact the veterinarian
who cared for Bootsy about
joining a grief support group to
help you through this time of
bereavement.
Dear Abby is written by
Abigail Van Buren, also known
as Jeanne Phillips, and was
founded by her mother,
Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear
Abby at www.DearAbby.com or
P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles,
CA 90069.
being forced to do are actually
quite optional. All the things you
tell yourself you must do are
also optional. Take the pressure
off. See your options.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). As
the sign that rules the heart,
Leos connect in a network of
hearts and send love through
invisible cords that extend
throughout humanity. Healing
is taking place between friends
and strangers.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
Babies of all ages throw tan-
trums when they don’t get what
they want. Your mature way
is more fun and creative, and
that’s why you’ll choose it. You’ll
keep your wits about you and
look for new opportunities.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
A person who is very concerned
about pleasing another will
have a hard time establishing a
unique and independent voice
and view. Forget the rest for a
minute. Do a deep dive into your
own perspective.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). The prevalent “cult of the
individual” values self-reliance
in an essentially eusocial spe-
cies; it’s easy to see the clash.
Today’s problems melt away as
you see yourself as interdepen-
dent instead of isolated.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). You don’t have to sacrifice
anything as an incentive for love
to stay with you. It doesn’t work
like that and neither should your
professional life, family relation-
ships or friendships.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). Keep looking for an excel-
lent fit for what it is you want to
do. You don’t have to already be
doing your side perfectly. The
right team members will help
to figure out the vision along
the way.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). Part of learning how to
be happy is learning about
unhappiness. When the joy is
cut off, it’s a chance to see why
and make a plan of action for
keeping it flowing.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). Healthy relationships
are good for other healthy
relationships. The positivity you
generate with one person spills
over to your relationship with
another. Quality exchanges only
add value all around.

A bold attempt
SOLUTION:
Classifieds
LEGALS
Call us: 662-328-2424
Legal Notices
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN THE MATTER OF THE ES-
TATE OF BESSIE JONES, DE-
CEASED
STEPHEN JONES, PETITIONER
CAUSE NO.: 2017-0189-RPF
SUMMONS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
TO: THE UNKNOWN OR KNOWN BY: Ann Marie Langford, D.C.
GENERAL HEIRS-AT-LAW AND
ANY AND ALL OTHER PER-
SONS CLAIMING RIGHT, TITLE, 2020
OR INTEREST AS HEIRS OF THE
ESTATE OF BESSIE JONES, DE- IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
CEASED.
You have been made Respond-
ents in the lawsuit filed in this IN RE: THE ADOPTION OF
Court by Stephen Jones, Peti-
tioner. The Petition filed
against you is a civil action
seeking to have Willie T. Jones, IE MAXEY AND THE UNKNOWN
Carolyn Baldwin Aviles , Janice FATHER OF E.R.M.
Jones, Laverne Jefferson, Wil-
lie Tyrone Jones, Stephanie
Jones Theaker, and Stephen
Jones, the Petitioner herein,
adjudicated as the only heirs-
at-law of Bessie Jones, De-
ceased, as fully set forth in the KRISTINA MARIE MAXEY AND
Petition on file in the Chancery THE UNKNOWN FATHER OF
Court of Lowndes County , Mis- E.R.M.
sissippi .
YOU ARE SUMMONED TO AP-
PEAR AND DEFEND AGAINST
THE PETITION FILED AGAINST
YOU IN THIS ACTION AT 9:00
A.M. O' CLOCK ON THE 27TH
DAY OF JANUARY, 2020, IN
THE CHANCERY COURTROOM
OF THE LOWNDES COUNTY
COURTHOUSE AT COLUMBUS,
MISSISSIPI; AND IN CASE OF
YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR AND
DEFEND, A JUDGMENT WILL BE
ENTERED AGAINST YOU FOR
THE RELIEF DEMANDED IN
THIS PETITION.
You are not required to file an
answer or any other pleading,
but you may do so if you de-
sire in care of J. Douglas
Dalrymple II, Dalrymple Law
Firm PLLC, 508 2n d Avenue
North, Columbus, MS 39701.
Issued under my hand and seal tion and Termination of Parent-
of Court, this the 18th day of
December, 2019.
CHANCERY CLERK
(SEAL)
BY: Tina Fisher, D.C.
Prepared By:
J. Douglas Dalrymple II (MSB# ded in the complaint for peti-
105401)
DALRYMPLE LAW FIRM, PLLC
508 2ND Avenue North Colum- A COPY OF YOUR WRITTEN RE-
bus, MS 39701 Telephone:
(662) 327-1088
jase@recsi.net
PUBLISH: 1/7, 1/14, &
1/21/2020
IN THE SPECIAL COURT OF EM- AFTER THE 7TH DAY OF JANU-
INENT DOMAIN
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
COLUMBUS REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY PLAINTIFF
VS.
LINDA OWENS DEFENDANT
NO. 2019-0003-ED2
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
TO: LINDA OWENS
You have been made a Defend- afterward.
ant in a lawsuit filed in this
Court by the Columbus Re-
development Authority to con-
demn by eminent domain cer-
tain real property located at
407 4th Street North, Colum-
bus, Mississippi, and being
Lowndes tax parcel
61W090004200. The property LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
is necessary to renew and re-
develop blighted conditions in
accordance with the Urban Re-
newal Plan (Burns Bottom) of
the City of Columbus, Missis-
sippi.
You are summoned to appear
and defend against the com-
plaint or petition filed against
you in this action at 9:30
o’clock a. m. on the 3d day of
March, 2020, in the second
floor courtroom of the Lowndes FAX: 205.695.8353
County Courthouse in Colum-
bus, Mississippi, and in case
of your failure to appear and
defend, a judgment will be
entered against you for the
money or other things deman-
ded in the complaint or peti-
tion.
You are hereby further given
notice that not less than ten
(10) days prior to the date of
the trial on March 3, 2020, you
are required to file the State-
ment of Values pursuant to
Miss. Code Ann. §11-27-7,
Just a click away!
which shall be treated as
pleadings in this action. The
date of the filing of the Com-
plaint herein is the 10th day of
September, 2019, and the
name and address of the attor-
ney for the Plaintiff is Martha
Bost Stegall, P. O. Box 7120,
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802.
Other than the Statement of
Values you are not required to
file an Answer or other plead-
ing but you may do so if you de-
sire.
Issued under my hand and the
seal of said Court, this 2d day
of January, 2020.
TERESA BARKSDALE, CLERK
SPECIAL COURT OF EMINENT
DOMAIN,
LOWNDES COUNTY, MS
ads.cdispatch.com
BY: Ann Marie Langford, D.C.
Publish: January 7, 14 and 21,
2020
You are summoned to appear
and defend against the com-
plaint or petition filed against
you in this action at 9:30
o’clock a. m. on the 3d day of
March, 2020, in the second
floor courtroom of the Lowndes
County Courthouse in Colum-
bus, Mississippi, and in case
of your failure to appear and
defend, a judgment will be
entered against you for the
money or other things deman-
ded in the complaint or peti-
tion.
You are hereby further given
notice that not less than ten
(10) days prior to the date of
the trial on March 3, 2020, you
Legalrequired
are Notices to file the State-
ment of Values pursuant to
Miss. Code Ann. §11-27-7,
which shall be treated as
pleadings in this action. The
date of the filing of the Com-
plaint herein is the 10th day of
September, 2019, and the
name and address of the attor-
ney for the Plaintiff is Martha
Bost Stegall, P. O. Box 7120,
Tupelo, Mississippi 38802.
Other than the Statement of
Values you are not required to
file an Answer or other plead-
ing but you may do so if you de-
sire.
Issued under my hand and the
seal of said Court, this 2d day
of January, 2020.
TERESA BARKSDALE, CLERK
SPECIAL COURT OF EMINENT
DOMAIN,
LOWNDES COUNTY, MS
Publish: January 7, 14 and 21,
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
E.R.M., A MINOR CHILD, AND
THE TERMINATION OF PARENT-
AL RIGHTS OF KRISTINA MAR-
CHESTER KEITH MAXEY
PLAINTIFF
VS.
DEFENDANTS
CIVIL ACTION NUMBER: 2019-
20DE
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
TO: THE UNKNOWN FATHER OF
E.R.M.
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT
YOU HAVE BEEN MADE A DE-
FENDANT IN THE SUIT FILED IN
THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY MISSIS-
SIPPI BY CHESTER KEITH
MAXEY, PLAINTIFF, IN AN AD-
OPTION AND THE TERMINA-
TION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF
YOUR MINOR CHILD, E.R.M,
THE UNKNOWN FATHER, AS A
DEFENDANT.
You are summoned to appear
and defend agains said Adop-
al Rights at 9:30 A. M. on the
24th day of February, 2020, in
the Courtroom of the Lowndes
County Courthouse at Colum-
bus, Mississippi, and in case
of your failure to appear and
defend a judgment will be
entered against you for the
money or other things deman-
tion.
SPONSE MUST BE MAILED OR
DELIVERED TO THE ATTORNEY
OF THE PLAINTIFF, MOSE LEE
SUDDUTH, JR. AT HIS AD-
DRESS OF P.O. BOX 369, VER-
NON, ALABAMA 35592, NOT
LATER THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS
ARY, 2020, WHICH IS THE
DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICA-
TION OF THIS SUMMONS. IF
YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT SO
MAILED OR DELIVERED, A
JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT WILL
BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU
FOR THE MONEY OR TOHER
RELIEF DEMANDED IN THE PE-
TITION OF ADOPTION AND TER-
MINATION OF PARENTAL
RIGHTS OF YOUR MINOR
CHILD E.R.M..
You must also file the original
Response with the clerk of this
Court within a reasonable time
ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND
THE SEAL OF THIS COURT on
this the 2nd day of January, A.
D., 2020.
CINDY GOODE
CHANCERY CLERK OF
SIPPI
(SEAL)
BY: Shantrell W. Granderson
DEPUTY CHANCERY CLERK
OF COUNSEL:
MOSE LEE SUDDUTH, JR.
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
P. O. BOX 369
VERNON, ALABAMA 35592
OFFICE PHONE: 205.695.0053
MISSISSIPPI BAR NUMBER
#8039
EMAIL: moselee@bellsouth.net
PUBLISH: 1/7, 1/14, &
1/21/2020
Classified ads are a great form of
person-to-person advertising.
Legal Notices
SUBSTITUTED TRUSTEE'S NO-
TICE OF SALE
WHEREAS, on the 5th day of
October, 2017, Mary H.
Humphries a/k/a Mary H. Sum-
merville, unmarried, executed a
certain Deed of Trust to Angie
Dellinger, Trustee for the bene-
fit of Regions Bank, which
Deed of Trust was recorded in
the office of the Chancery Clerk
of Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi, and recorded in Deed of
Trust Book 2017 at Page
23491 of the land records;
and,
WHEREAS, Simpson Law Firm,
P.A. has been substituted in
the place and stead of Angie
Dellinger, Trustee for Regions
Bank, said Appointment of Sub- GENERAL LABORER
stitute Trustee being recorded needed. Valid driver's li-
in Book 2019 at Page 23326 cense, transportation & ex-
of the records of the Chancery perience required. Will train
Clerk of said County; and, on the job if needed. Call
Jesse & Beverly's Lawn
WHEREAS, fee simple title is Service at 662-356-6525.
vested in Mary H. Summerville;
and,
WHEREAS, default having been
made in the terms and condi-
tions of said Deed of Trust and
the entire debt secured thereby
having been declared to be due
and payable in accordance with
the terms of said Deed of
Trust, the legal holder of said
indebtedness, Regions Bank,
having requested the under-
signed Substituted Trustee to
execute the trust and sell said
land and property in accord-
ance with the terms of said
Deed of Trust and for the pur-
pose of raising the sums due
thereunder, together with attor-
ney's fees, trustee's fees and
expense of sale.
NOW, THEREFORE, Simpson
Law Firm, P.A., Substituted
Trustee in said Deed of Trust,
will on the 23rd day of January,
2020, offer for sale at public
outcry and sell within legal
hours (being between the
hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m.), at the Southeast Front
Door of the Lowndes County
Courthouse, in Columbus, Mis-
sissippi, to the highest and
best bidder for cash the follow-
ing described property situated
in Lowndes County, State of
Mississippi, to-wit:
The following described real es-
tate located in Lowndes
County, Mississippi, to-wit:
Beginning at the Southeast
corner of the Northeast Quarter
(NE1/4) of the Northeast
Quarter (NE1/4) Section 19,
Township 17 South, Range 17
West, Lowndes County, Missis-
sippi; thence North along the
East side of said Quarter-
Quarter (1/4 – 1/4) Section for
311.7 feet to a concrete
corner; thence North 86 de-
grees 15 minutes West along a
fence for 272.6 feet to the
Point of Beginning; thence con-
tinue North 86 degrees 15
minutes West along said fence
for 133.0 feet; thence North
38 degrees 34 minutes West
for 289.0 feet to the East right
of way of Mississippi Highway
#12; thence Northeasterly
along said East right of way for
100.0 feet; thence South 38
degrees 34 minutes East for
378.7 feet to the Point of Be-
ginning, containing 0.76 acre,
more or less, lying in the East
Half (E1/2) of the Northeast
Quarter (NE1/4) of the North-
east Quarter (NE1/4) of Sec-
tion 19, Township 17 South,
Range 17 West, Lowndes
County, Mississippi.
Subject to restrictions, reserva-
tions, easements, covenants,
oil, gas or mineral rights of re-
cord, if any.
Being the same premises con-
veyed to Mary H. Summerville,
a single person from Hopper
Builders, Incorporated, a Mis-
sissippi Corporation by War-
ranty Deed dated 6/26/1991,
and recorded on 6/27/1991,
at Book 948, Page 802, in
Lowndes County, MS.
Simpson Law Firm, P.A. will
convey only such title as is ves-
ted in it as Substituted Trust-
ee.
WITNESS MY SIGNATURE, this
the 12th day of December,
2019.
/s/ T. Frank Collins
Simpson Law Firm, P.A., Sub-
stituted Trustee
SIMPSON LAW FIRM, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
P.O. Box 1410
Ridgeland, MS 39158-1410
(601) 957-6600
Dates of Publication: Decem-
ber 31, 2019, January 7, Janu-
ary 14 and January 21, 2020
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