Established 1879 | Columbus, Mississippi
CDISPATCH.COM
THE RIVER CAME TO THEM
Some in the path of flood waters evacuate, others ‘ride it out’
River rises more
than 20 feet in
some places after
six-plus inches
of rain this week
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
AND YUE STELLA YU
ialtman@cdispatch.com, syu@
cdispatch.com
Most of the time, Tommy
and Kay Jones, who live at the
end of Bigbee Loop right on the
Tennessee-Tombigbee River, go
to the river.
But on occasion, Tommy
said Thursday, the river comes
to them.
That’s the case right now,
with flood waters under his
home — built on stilts — and
his river deck completely im-
mersed. The only way for him
or Kay to leave is to take their
paddle boat and literally paddle
down their street, past Reuben’s
— which on Thursday had just
managed to escape flood wa-
ters — and the butterfly garden
at the Columbus Riverwalk,
all the way to where the end of
their street meets the west end
of Main Street.
As of late Thursday after-
noon, the Columbus area had
seen five to six inches of rain
since Monday, while Starkville
saw 6.5 inches, according to
Marty Pope, a senior hydrolo-
gist with the National Weather
Service’s Jackson office. Parts
of the Tombigbee River have
risen more than 21 feet in the
last few days of rain.
The rains have sent many
of the “river people,” as Bigbee
Loop resident Ann Marie Mill-
er referred to herself and her
neighbors, to higher ground.
Miller and her husband, Carson
Miller, packed up some belong-
ings, their 4-month-old daugh-
Jenna Sullivan, 17, far left, holds the wheelchair of her sister, 13-year-old Mary Margaret
Sullivan, as Mary Margaret plays catch with volunteer Elizabeth Carranza on Sunday at
the Starkville Sportsplex.
WEATHER
Laura Lea Sharp
Fourth grade, Heritage
49 Low 26
High
Sunny and chilly
Full forecast on
page 3A.
140th Year, No. 288
Ann Marie and Carson Miller kayak from their home on Bigbee Loop to the west end of Main Street on Thursday afternoon. They evac-
uated Tuesday, due to rising flood waters, and said the water was about two feet away from their home, which is built on stilts. “When
else do you ever get to kayak from your house to the road?” Ann Marie said. Behind them, portions of the Riverwalk and the Butterfly
Garden lay under water.
ter and their dog and drove to
stay with Ann Marie’s parents
in Clay County until the water
goes down.
“It’s a little surreal getting
in your kayak,” Ann Marie said
Thursday afternoon after she
and Carson had, indeed, kay-
aked to their home to turn off
their electrical breaker. Their
home, built up on approximate-
ly eight-foot stilts, was two feet
away from the flood waters. “I
told Carson, ‘What if we were
just river people and our en-
tire lives we went everywhere
by kayak?’ Instead of walking
Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
FIVE QUESTIONS
1 What two colors are the cat’s hat in
“The Cat in the Hat”?
2 What classic children’s toy started
out as wallpaper cleaner?
3 What ingredient is EVOO, which
Rachael Ray often asks you to add to
a recipe?
4 What New Yorker and reality TV star
created Skinnygirl Cocktails in 2009,
then sold it two years later for more
than $100 million?
5 Which Fox drama depicted the teen-
age years of Ryan Atwood, a tough
kid taken in by the wealthy Cohens of
Orange County, California?
Answers, 6B
INSIDE
Classifieds 6B Obituaries 5A
Comics 4B Opinions 4A
Crossword 5B Religion 5B
Dear Abby 4B
DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471
75 ¢ Newsstand | 40 ¢ Home Delivery
Friday | February 14, 2020
Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
around the block, we go paddle grass still showing through,” erything is still the normal.”
around the block. It’s strange.” Cox said. “I guess (around) 11 Others, like Tommy and Kay
Becky Cox and her three o’clock … my back tires started who are both retired, plan to
children were forced to evacu- sitting in the water. stick it out.
ate their home on Pine Avenue “It was scary,” she said. “I’ve “We ride it out,” he said. “As
Thursday afternoon. The fam- never experienced anything long as we’ve got power and wa-
ily of four is now staying with like this before.” ter, we hang in there.”
Cox’s sister on the other side of Cox said she was told that it
town, she said. might be three days before she
Wednesday afternoon, Cox can return to her home. Fortu- Official responses
said, water started to cover the nately, she said, water did not This is the second year in a
road, but she decided to stay. flood the inside of the house. row flood waters have covered
The next morning her driveway Now that they are safe, Cox properties like the Columbus
and backyard were flooded. By said the family will carry on Soccer Complex and Terry
early Thursday afternoon, she with their daily routine. Brown Amphitheater at the Co-
felt the need to leave. “We got school tomorrow, lumbus Riverwalk.
“I had a few patches of green I have to work,” Cox said. “Ev- See FLOODING, 6A
For children with special needs,
Starkville’s Challenger basketball
program is ‘uninhibited fun’
BY THEO DEROSA On Feb. 2, Emma participated in
tderosa@cdispatch.com the Starkville Parks and Recreation
Department’s first annual Challenger
STARKVILLE — Martha Ann Basketball Program. The event, held
Welch played basketball in high
from 2-3 p.m. Sundays through March
school, so when she found out she was
1 at the Starkville Sportsplex, is
pregnant with a girl, she was excited.
geared toward introducing the sport
“I was like, ‘She’s gonna be a bas-
ketball player!’” Welch recalled. to children with physical and develop-
But Welch’s daughter Emma was mental disabilities.
born with pyruvate dehydrogenase “It’s something that’s been needed
deficiency. At age 9, Emma can’t walk for a long time,” Starkville Parks and
and has used a wheelchair ever since Rec Program Supervisor Lisa Cox
she got too big for her parents to car- said. “Everybody needs recreation.
ry. Unable to participate in sports It’s just a way to reach out and to have
available to able-bodied kids, Emma different needs for different popula-
hasn’t lived out the vision her mother tions.”
once had for her. As of Sunday, Cox estimated 13
Until two weeks ago. See CHALLENGER, 3A
CALENDAR LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC
Today MEETINGS
Feb. 18: Colum-
■ Lee Foundation Valen-
bus City Council,
tine’s Day Gala: Specialty
desserts and elegant florals 5 p.m., Munici-
are highlights of the Stephen pal Complex
D. Lee Foundation 10th annual Feb. 24:
Valentine’s Day Gala, 7-10 p.m.
Columbus-
at the Stephen D. Lee Home,
316 Seventh St. N., Columbus.
Lowndes
Convention and
Contact Eulalie Davis, 662-328-
3088. Visitors Bureau
Board regular
Saturday meeting, 4 p.m.,
■ Book signing: Dottie Porter CVB office
of Columbus reads from and March 2:
signs copies of her book, “Our
Columbus City
from Under the Bedpan and into
Council, 5
Cyberspace Nursing,” from 10 Katie Voda is a senior at Mississippi
a.m.-noon at the Columbus Arts State University. Her yellow Labrador, p.m., Municipal
Council, 501 Main St. Sailee, is almost 9 months old. Complex
2A FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
COMMERCIAL DISPATCH OBITUARY
POLICY
Obituaries with basic information including
visitation and service times, are provided
free of charge. Extended obituaries with a
photograph, detailed biographical informa-
tion and other details families may wish to
include, are available for a fee. Obituaries
must be submitted through funeral homes
unless the deceased’s body has been
donated to science. If the deceased’s
body was donated to science, the family
must provide official proof of death. Please
submit all obituaries on the form provided
by The Commercial Dispatch. Free notices
must be submitted to the newspaper no
later than 3 p.m. the day prior for publica-
tion Tuesday through Friday; no later than 4
p.m. Saturday for the Sunday edition; and
no later than 7:30 a.m. for the Monday edi-
tion. Incomplete notices must be received
no later than 7:30 a.m. for the Monday
through Friday editions. Paid notices must
be finalized by 3 p.m. for inclusion the next
day Monday through Thursday; and on
Friday by 3 p.m. for Sunday and Monday
publication. For more information, call
662-328-2471.
Kelban Hodges
CRAWFORD — Kelban
Hodges, 71, died Feb. 5, 2020, in
Tupelo.
Services will be at 11 a.m.
Saturday, at Truevine M.B.
Church of Artesia. Burial will
follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 2-6 p.m. today,
at West Memorial Funeral Home
of Starkville. West Memorial
Funeral Home of Starkville is in
charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his wife,
Priscilla Ann Hodges; children,
Angel Hodges, Yuvet Tate,
Pamela Hodges, Daphne Brooks
and Phillip Harris; siblings,
Barbara Clark, Katherine Wash-
ington, John Stovall Jr. and Willie
Stovall.
Emma Harris
STARKVILLE — Emma Jean
Harris, 77, died Feb. 4, 2020, in
Starkville.
Services will be at 2 p.m.
Saturday, at Beth-el M.B. Church
of Starkville. Burial will follow
at Mt. Peiler Cemetery II of
Starkville. Visitation is from 4-6
p.m. today, at West Memorial
Funeral Home of Starkville.
West Memorial Funeral Home of
Starkville is in charge of arrange-
ments.
She is survived by her hus-
band, John Harris; children, Fred
Rice, Herbert Rice, Charlene
Rice and Phyllis Arnold; siblings
Nancy Ann Elliott, Teresa Hud-
son, Eddie May Brown and Willie
Earl Gillespie.
Donnie Collier
STURGIS — Donnie Collier,
78, died Feb. 5, 2020, in Tupelo.
Services will be at 11 a.m.
Saturday, at Boyd Chapel U.M.
Church of Sturgis. Burial will
follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation is from noon-6 p.m.
today, at West Memorial Funeral
Home of Starkville. West Memo-
rial Funeral Home of Starkville is
in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her hus-
band, T.L. Collier; children, Greg-
ory Liningham, Stacy Collier and
Tammy Murry; and sister, Mattie
Moore.
Phyllis Dawson
WEST POINT — Phyllis An-
nebeth Dawson, 89, died Feb. 12,
2020, at Baptist Memorial-Golden
Triangle.
Services will be Saturday at
Highland Cemetery Pavilion
in Iowa Park, Texas. Robinson
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
AREA OBITUARIES
Funeral Home of West Point is in
charge of transport. Dutton Fu-
neral Home of Iowa Park, Texas
is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Dawson was born Sept.
11, 1930, in Hayti, Missouri, to
the late Jesse Jettie Getting Phe-
lon. She was formerly employed
as an elementary English teacher.
She is survived by her daugh-
ter, Mary Ann Pryor of West
Point; one grandchild; and one
great-grandson.
Mattee Cox
COLUMBUS — Mattee T.
Cox, 71, died Feb. 5, 2020, at Bap-
tist Memorial-Gold-
en Triangle.
Services will be
at 11 a.m. Saturday,
at Charity Mission
Full Gospel Baptist
Church of Craw-
ford, with the Rev.
Cox
John cox officiating.
Burial will follow at
Cox Family Cemetery of Colum-
bus. Visitation is from 1-7 p.m.
today, at Antioch M.B. Church
of Columbus. Carter’s Funeral
Service of Columbus is in charge
of arrangements.
Mrs. Cox was born Oct. 6,
1948, in Columbus, to the late
Jerry Turner Sr. and Nettie
Hargrove Turner. She was a
1967 graduate of RE Hunt High
School, attended Mary Holmes
Junior College, was a 1971 gradu-
ate of Lane college, a graduate of
Mississippi University of Women
and Mississippi State. She was
formerly employed as a teacher
and a member of Pleasant Grove
Full Gospel Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she
was preceded in death by her
stepfather, Luthaniel Clay; and
brother, James Turner.
She is survived by her hus-
band, Rev. John Cox of Colum-
bus; Children, HiYon Cox of
Columbus, Ohio and Patrick
Cox of Columbus; siblings, Jerry
Turner Jr. of Columbus, Richard
Turner of Macon, Pinkie Fullilove
of Herndon, Virginia, Brenda
Buckhalter and Valerie Porter
both of Columbus.
Pallbearers will be Rodney
Turner, Joe Goulde, Roscoe Stall-
ings, Shamato Mixon, Charles
Cox, Johnathan Cox, Omar Col-
bert, Ronnie Bailey, Kelton Cox
and Jeremy Turner.
Memorials may be made to
American Heart Association/
American Stroke Association PO
Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-
0692.
Lorean Young
WEST POINT — Lorean Pow-
ell Young, 86, died Feb. 6, 2020,
at North Mississippi Medical
Center of Tupelo.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Sat-
urday, at Lake Grove Missionary
Baptist Church of Prairie, with
the Rev. Carlos Petty officiat-
ing. Burial will follow at Randle
Memorial Cemetery. Visitation
is from 3-6 p.m. today, at Carter’s
Mortuary Service Chapel of West
Point. Carter’s Mortuary Service
Chapel of West Point is in charge
of arrangements.
Mrs. Young was born April 30,
1933, in Clay County, to the late
Bennie and Golda Powell.
In addition to her parents, she
was preceded in death by her
husband, Ulysses Young; broth-
ers, George S. Powell, Bennie Cid
Powell and Tommie Powell.
She is survived by her chil-
dren, Charles Young, Delma
Stevenson both of Prairie, Norma
Rambus and Virgie Gardener
both of West Point; 15 grandchil-
dren; 31 great-grandchildren; and
two great-great-grandchildren.
Mildred Bankhead
CALEDONIA — Mildred
Bankhead, 93, died Feb. 5, 2020,
in Columbus.
Services will
be at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, at Shiloh
Full Gospel M.B.
of Columbus, with
Kevin Miller offi-
ciating. Burial will
Bankhead
follow at Sturdivant
Cemetery of Cale-
donia. Visitation is from 12-6 p.m.
today, at Carter’s Funeral Service
of Columbus. Carter’s Funeral
Service of Columbus is in charge
of arrangements.
Mrs. Bankhead was born Jan.
29, 1927, in Caledonia, to the
late James E. and Lucy G. Hollis.
She was a member of Shiloh Full
Gospel M.B. Church.
In addition to her parents, she
was preceded in death by her
children, Celestine Bankhead,
Carl Bankhead and Cassandra
Martin; siblings, Janie Harris,
Nettie Henry, Booker T. and Ex-
cell Hollis; three grandchildren;
and one great-grandchild.
She is survived by her chil-
dren, Leon Bankhead and
Johnnie Bankhead both of
Caledonia, Clifford Bankhead
of Brooksville, Delois Robinson
and Mary B. Richards both of
Columbus; siblings, James Hollis
of Mobile, Alabama and Lillian
Palmore of Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania; 17 grandchildren; 39
great-grandchildren; and three
great-great-granchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jessie
Williams, Brandon Williams,
Eddie Covington, Deacon George
Turner, Danny Henry and
Deacon Roger Allen.
Terrance Coleman
COLUMBUS — Terrance “T
Baby” Lamond Coleman, 35, died
Feb. 6, 2020, at Bap-
tist Memorial-Gold-
en Triangle.
Services will be
at 2 p.m. Saturday,
at Oak Grove M.B
Church of Colum-
bus with the Rev.
Ernest T. Miller Coleman
officiating. Burial
will follow at Memorial Gardens.
Visitation is from 12-6 p.m. today,
at Carter’s Funeral Service of
Columbus. Carter’s Funeral
Service of Columbus is in charge
of arrangements.
Mr. Coleman was born Dec.
16, 1984, in Columbus, to Terry
and Sharron Ferguson Coleman.
He was a 2004 graduate of New
Hope High School and a member
of Sanders Chapel CME Church.
In addition to his parents,
he is survived by his children,
Terriyon and Amir Martin both
of Columbus, and siblings, Sha-
ronda Marin Deccampo, Terrica
Armistad and Keisha Guyton all
of Columbus.
Pallbearers will be Mike
Washington, Charles Davidson,
Michael Hughes, Eric Bryant,
Robert Rogers, Marcus Martin,
Mario Williams, Eric Conner and
Antoine Ferguson.
See OBITUARIES, 5A
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 3A

Lawyer: Mississippi can’t ignore feds’ prison investigation

At least 16 inmates have died since late
December, many amid outbursts of violence
BY EMILY WAGSTER PET TUS
The Associated Press
JACKSON — Mississippi
lawmakers need to act in the
next couple of months to im-
prove conditions inside state
prisons that are crowded, shab-
by and violent, a human rights
lawyer told legislators Thurs-
day.
Cliff Johnson, director of the
MacArthur Justice Center at
the University of Mississippi
law school, said one quick step
would be to reduce the prison
population by emulating the
mass commutation of some
prison sentences in Oklahoma
— another Republican-led state
with a high incarceration rate.
More than 450 Oklahoma in-
mates were released in a single
day in November after the ret-
roactive reduction of sentences
for simple drug possession and
low-level property crimes.
The U.S. Justice Department
announced last week that it
is investigating Mississippi’s
prison system after a string
of inmate deaths in recent
months. At least 16 inmates
have died since late December,
many of them amid outbursts
of violence. Most of the deaths
happened at the Mississippi
State Penitentiary at Parch-
man, where health inspections
have also shown longstanding
problems with broken toilets
and moldy showers.
Speaking of the federal in-
vestigators, Johnson told law-
makers: “We have to take it se-
riously, because I promise you
they do.”
He appeared before two Mis-
sissippi House committees —
Corrections and Judiciary B.
More than two dozen prison-
ers’ rights protesters attended
the hearing at the state Capitol,
wearing thick black tape over
their mouths to symbolize what
they said was state leaders’
unwillingness to hear about
people being hurt or killed in
prisons.
“We will continue to be a
voice for the voiceless,” Sharon
Brown of the Mississippi Prison
Reform Coalition said in a state-
ment.
Mississippi is one of the poor-
est states in the U.S. and John-
son said it has the third-highest
incarceration rate in the world.
The state’s prison population
increased dramatically starting
in the mid-1990s after lawmak-
ers required all felons to serve
at least 85 percent of their sen-
tences. The number of prison-
ers grew from about 12,500 in
1995 to a peak of about 23,000
in 2008. It is now about 19,000.
The 85 percent rule was
erased years ago, but Johnson
said that as of November, more
than 14,000 Mississippi inmates
had at least one sentence that
makes parole impossible. A bill
that legislators could consider
this year would open the pos-
sibility of parole consideration.
Inmates convicted of nonviolent
crimes could be considered for
parole after serving 25 percent
of a sentence or 10 years, which-
ever is less. Those convicted of
violent crimes could be consid-
ered after serving 50 percent of
a sentence or 20 years, which-
ever is less.
Such a system would give
inmates an incentive to behave
well and to participate in educa-
tion or training programs, John-
son said. He said the current
system lacks such incentives
for many inmates.
“With this all-stick-and-no-
carrot system, we have deprived
ourselves of a very important
tool for protecting inmates and
the correctional officers who
work in our prisons,” Johnson
said in an interview after the
meeting.
Republican Rep. Nick Bain
asked Johnson about staffing
levels at Mississippi prisons.
Leaders of the state Depart-
ment of Corrections have told
legislative leaders for years that
it’s difficult to hire guards be-
cause of low pay.
Johnson said Mississippi has
one guard for almost every 17
inmates, while Louisiana has
one guard for every 5.5 inmates
and Tennessee has one guard
for every four inmates.
“We’re not going to hire our
way out of this problem,” John-
son said.
A Mississippi Parole Board
member, Steven Pickett, said
Thursday that Mississippi
needs to improve programs
to help people after they leave
prison, such as those to ensure
that people with addiction don’t
slip back into illicit drug use.
“Everybody is going to per-
form better in some type of
structure with expectations,”
Pickett said.

Challenger
Continued from Page 1A
children had signed up,
but what each child does
depends on their unique
abilities. Some dribble
through multicolored
cones or shoot through
hula hoops or lowered
baskets. For players like
Emma, volunteers clad in
green Challenger T-shirts
set up buckets and tubs
on the ground as targets.
As Emma makes her
introduction to the sport,
she claps loudly and
smiles. When she lands a
ball in the bucket, every-
one cheers.
For Emma, to whom
most typical youth sports
had all but barred their
doors, it’s a “fun time” —
and a great opportunity
for her family.
“It’s not the vision that
I had,” Welch said, “but
she gets to get out there
and play, so that’s been
really cool just to see her
do it in her way, (though)
not necessarily what I had
envisioned.”
A new audience
Mike Sullivan, whose
13-year-old daughter
Mary Margaret also
uses a wheelchair, said
families of children with
special needs often feel
isolated when it comes to
sports. Mary Margaret
had often ridden horses
in the Elizabeth A. How-
ard Therapeutic Riding
Center in West Point, but
she hadn’t gotten to play
any other sports before.
With the Challenger
program, though, the Sul-
livans are no longer left
out of the loop.
“This gets us all out of
the house,” Sullivan said.
“There’s able-bodied peo-
ple there helping too and
other families helping. It
Cox Carver
allows us to be part of the
community, more or less.
We don’t feel so isolat-
ed. We don’t get a whole
lot of opportunities to do
stuff that caters to special
needs kids.”
He and his wife Kelly
watched as their 17-year-
old daughter, Jenna, held
Mary Margaret’s pink
wheelchair as she played
with volunteer Elizabeth
Carranza, a senior at Mis-
sissippi State University.
Mary Margaret squealed
with delight as Carranza
gently tossed the orange
Spalding basketball in
her lap. Mary Margaret is
legally blind, but she was
still laughing the whole
time as she listened to the
sound of the ball bounc-
ing and felt its rough tex-
ture.
“It just brings joy to my
soul,” Sullivan said. “Her
face lights up, and just
seeing her smile and her
eyes light up, it’s some-
thing that I can’t put into
words.”
Mary Margaret was
sick for the first two
weeks the program was
held, so Sunday was the
first time she got to expe-
rience the sport. For her
family, getting to break
the news was the best
part.
“‘Hey, baby, we’re go-
ing to watch you play bas-
ketball today. You’re go-
ing to be on a basketball
team!’” Sullivan told his
daughter before the trip.
Afterward, he told her,
“‘Maybe next week, you
guys are going to have
games, and you’re going
to start playing against
each other.’
“You just see her eyes
light up when you tell her
something like that, be-
cause that’s something
that’s probably normally
out of reach for special
needs kids,” Sullivan said.
No lack of volunteers
And for what effect
the program has on the
participants and their
families, Sullivan said,
its impact is similar on
its volunteers. Many are
MSU students, but plenty
are younger — the Sulli-
vans’ son Michael, 11, is
one.
So is 11-year-old
Hayes Carver, the son of
Starkville Alderman Ben
Carver. After working
with the Challenger par-
ticipants, Hayes realized
he had assumed every-
one got to experience the
same things when it came
to sports.
“He said he took for
granted being able to
run and jump and play
without limitations,” Al-
derman Carver said. “He
felt like he needed to start
giving back to those kids
and just spend time with
them.”
Emily O’Neal, 13,
an eighth grader at
Starkville Academy, came
with her mom, Susan, to
volunteer. Working with
the program feels “good
and rewarding,” Emily
said.
“I think it means a lot
to the kids,” she said. “It’s
fun for them and gives
them something to do.”
Able-bodied people
often ignore people with going to be accessible at option to go out and play
disabilities out of fear or a level where they could to whatever ability they
not knowing how to treat thrive,” he said. can play,” Welch said.
them, Sullivan said, but “I just think this The program, simply
the program serves to is a bright light for put, is “uninhibited fun”
break down those barri- Starkville,” he added. “I for its participants, Sulli-
ers. think this is something van said.
“We’re all perfectly that you can’t go wrong “These kids, the joy
with.” that comes across their
created by God, and we’re
all equal in His eyes, For Welch, the feeling face when they get to hold
but we lose sight of that was similar — the city a ball or bounce a ball or
sometimes,” Sullivan considered families with make a basket?” he said.
said. “But when you go children shut out from ac- “You can’t put a price tag
and play with the special tivities that able-bodied on that.”
needs kids, you remem- kids can do. To sign up for Chal-
ber, ‘Hey, I’m a child of “Somebody thought lenger, contact Cox or
God again. I matter.’” about this group of peo- parks and rec executive
ple that don’t get thought director Gerry Logan at
about, so it gives them the 662-323-2294.
‘A bright light for
Starkville’
According to Alder-
man Carver, there’s been
so much interest in the
program that the parks
department ran out of
Challenger T-shirts.
“I just want to give
a big thank you to
Starkville Parks and Rec
for recognizing the need
for inclusiveness with the
sports program to include
disabled kids and special
needs kids and to recog-
nize, like any other kid,
that they have an oppor-
tunity to play basketball
or softball or whatever
their favorite sport is,”
Carver said.
Understanding that
the program was specifi-
cally created for children
with disabilities was part
of its appeal, Sullivan
said.
“That’s what was cool
about that: You know it
was catered to special
needs children, so you
know everything was

AROUND THE STATE

Grand jury clears officers
in shooting of wanted felon
BAY ST. LOUIS — A grand jury has
ruled that deputies acted appropriately
when they shot and killed a wanted man
during an attempted arrest in Mississip-
pi last year.
Lawrence Bottoms, 29, jumped from
a second-story window after authorities
used tear gas to draw him out of a Bay St.
Louis home in April 2019. He then ran
into a nearby wooded area where offi-
cers said they opened fire after Bottoms
pulled out a handgun.
The grand jury cleared the Hancock
County deputies of any criminal con-
duct, news outlets reported Tuesday.
Bottoms was wanted on a charge of
being a felon in possession of gun out of
East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana.
He had pleaded guilty in 2017 to aggra-
vated battery in the April 2015 stabbing
court officials have said. The teenager
died months later.
Bottoms had several facial tattoos
that include horns on his forehead and
the word “cutthroat” across his neck.
Prosecutors: Fugitive sex offender
arrested in Mississippi
HAT TIESBURG — A sex offender
who left Iowa without notifying author-
ities has been apprehended in Mississip-
pi, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
A criminal complaint this month says
Antonio Earl Satcher was required to
register as a sex offender after his con-
viction in Black Hawk County, Iowa, of
lascivious acts with a child - solicitation.
During a months-long search for
SOLUNAR TABLE
Satcher, authorities received tips that The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
he was staying with relatives in Jasper Major
Fri.
5:40a
Sat.
6:12a
County, Mississippi. Minor 12:13a 1:19a
Major 6:07p 6:40p
He was eventually apprehended in Minor 11:58a 12:00p
Clarke County, Mississippi, last week.
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

of a teenager in the face with a screw- Court records list no lawyer for Satch-
driver in Livingston Parish, Louisiana, er who could be reached for comment.
The Dispatch
The Commercial Dispatch (USPS 142-320)
Published daily except Saturday. Answers to common questions:
Send in your News About Town event. Entered at the post office at Columbus, Mississippi.
Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, MS Phone: 662-328-2424
email: community@cdispatch.com POSTMASTER, Send address changes to:
Website: cdispatch.com/help
Subject: NATS
The Commercial Dispatch, P.O. Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703
Published by Commercial Dispatch Publishing Company Inc.,
516 Main St., Columbus, MS 39703
Report a news tip: news@cdispatch.com
Opinion
4A FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Voice of the people
Concerned about oversight
of city projects
I really can’t understand the wisdom
of those of the intellectual community
in saying things on Facebook as to my
reasoning for my concerns and questions
about our city government. My concerns
are for accountability in the way public
funds are spent. I will attempt several
examples of those concerns.
We have an unfinished fire station,
with no updates since 3-19-19 when the
HAVC and electrical contracts were let. I
drive by daily and there is a truck or two
there, but what progress is being made
is a mystery. We’re in this construction
nearly 6 years on a 10,000 square foot
building.
Now the amphitheater stage is under
water again, just after some electrical
repairs were made from the 2019 flood
and the construction of the $400,000
fence was started on high ground. I just
witnessed the tearing out of the walk
leading from the Riverwalk pedestrian
bridge installed during phase 1. Why
was this walk installed to begin with then
removed for the fence? I guess when you
are spending other people’s money it’s
not a big deal.
Some question are being raised as
to who approved the location to be built
below the flood stage? Will FEMA and
MEMA bail us out for the damage? The
city engineer made a statement as to res-
idential areas brought into the city limits
that were below the flood plain and would
not be approved based on today stan-
dards; then we build the amphitheater in
a hole next to the river. My question is do
the same rules apply to the city as apply
to the citizens?
Now to the “public works” dept. If I
had not witnessed it today I would not
believe it. The city crew had the new hot
mix machine out patching a street during
the rain. One man had a blower, trying to
remove water out of a pothole so it could
be patched. You can’t make this up. I even
turned around to make sure and saw a
small pot hole was patched leaving the
larger one full of water, to be patched on
a dryer day.
Next thing, I saw two senior citizens
trying to clean debris out of a ditch and
two public works employees watching.
But then I have unstopped culverts on my
street many times that have not main-
tained by city employee in years. Maybe
they were learning how... who knows?
Who is in charge of overseeing these
project to begin with? J5? It seems we’ve
got a lot of over seeing going on and not a
lot of competence in the projects manage-
ment.
If we all work for the common good
of Columbus, it would make a big differ-
ence.
God Bless Columbus and America.
Lee Roy Lollar
Columbus
My skepticism of President Trump
President Donald Trump has managed
to either diminish or defile virtually every
established institution and norm in the
United States — the U.S. Senate and now
the Department of Justice. What’s next?
Thomas McLeod
Vietnam Veteran U.S Army 1969
Bone spurs and all
Columbus
A letter to the editor is an excellent way
to participate in your community. We re-
quest the tone of your letters be constructive
and respectful and the length be limited to
450 words. We welcome all letters emailed
to voice@cdispatch.com or mailed to The
Dispatch, Attn: Letters to the Editor, PO
Box 511, Columbus, MS 39703-0511.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Friday, Feb. 14, the 45th day
of 2020. There are 321 days left in the
year. This is Valentine’s Day.
On this date:
In 1859, Oregon was admitted to the
Union as the 33rd state.
In 1876, inventors Alexander Graham
Bell and Elisha Gray applied separately
for patents related to the telephone. (The
U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled Bell
the rightful inventor.)
In 1912, Arizona became the 48th
state of the Union as President William
Howard Taft signed a proclamation.
In 1913, labor leader Jimmy Hoffa was
born in Brazil, Ind.; college football coach
Woody Hayes was born in Clifton, Ohio;
sports broadcaster Mel Allen was born in
Birmingham, Ala.
In 1945, during World War II, British
and Canadian forces reached the Rhine
River in Germany.
In 1949, Israel’s Knesset convened for
the first time.
CAMPAIGN 2020
An establishment in panic
From
the day he
entered the
race, Joe
Biden was
the great
hope of the
Democratic
establish-
ment to spare
them from
the horrify-
ing prospect Patrick J. Buchanan
of a 2020 race
between The Donald and Bernie
Sanders.
Today, that same establishment
wants Joe out of the race.
Why has Biden suddenly become
an albatross?
His feeble debate performances
and fifth-place finish in New Hamp-
shire all but ensure Joe will not be
the nominee, and if he stays in, he
will siphon off votes in Nevada and
South Carolina that would go to
candidates who might put together a
majority and stop Sanders.
The panic of the establishment is
traceable to the new political reality.
With popular-vote victories in
Iowa and New Hampshire, Sanders
has largely united the left-wing of
his party and displaced Biden as
the front-runner and favorite for the
nomination.
Meanwhile, the non-socialist wing
of the party has failed to coalesce
around a champion to stop Sanders
and is becoming ever more splin-
tered.
In Nevada, Sanders now has three
moderate challengers.
Biden, “Mayor Pete” Buttigieg,
who ran second in New Hampshire,
and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who ran
third and took votes that might have
given Buttigieg a win in the Granite
State.
Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar
are all now headed for the Nevada
caucuses on Feb. 22, where Sand-
ers is favored. And all three will be
going on to South Carolina, a state
into which billionaire Tom Steyer has
poured millions of dollars.
Sanders, however, is not without
his own problems.
Not only is he anathema to the es-
tablishment, he cannot wholly unite
his party’s left-wing until his senato-
rial soulmate Elizabeth Warren gets
out. Though she ran a poor fourth
in New Hampshire, Warren is also
going to Nevada to offer herself as a
unity candidate.
But as Biden’s hour is up, so is
hers. And if she is not out of the race
before Super Tuesday on March 3,
she risks being beaten in her own
THE STAFF OF THE DISPATCH
Beth Proffitt
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Peter Imes Mary Jane Runnels
Luther Shields
PUBLISHER EMERITUS
Birney Imes BUSINESS OFFICE
Lindsey Beck
ADVERTISING Debbie Foster
Mary Ann Hardy
Claudi Arrington
Eddie Johnson
Amber Dumas Courtney Laury
Kelly Ervin
Melissa Johnson
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
home state of Massachusetts. victims fit one M.O. You can just take
Where does this leave the Demo- the description, Xerox it and pass it
cratic field? out to all the cops. They are male mi-
Two candidacies, Warren’s and norities, 15 to 25,” said Bloomberg.
Biden’s, are in hospice care. “One of the unintended conse-
Two candidates, Buttigieg and quences is people say, ‘Oh, my God,
Klobuchar, competing to be the mod- you are arresting kids for marijuana
erate alternative to Sanders, are in that are all minorities.’ Yes, that’s
danger of canceling each other out. true. Why? Because we put all the
Two candidates, Michael cops in minority neighborhoods. ...
Bloomberg and Tom Steyer, are Why do we do it? Because that is
billionaires who will be battling on where all the crime is. ... And the
Super Tuesday to crush the scourge way you get the guns out of the kids’
of billionaires, Bernie Sanders. hands is to throw them up against
Bloomberg, the three-term mayor the wall and frisk them.”
of New York, upon whom the estab- Midweek, it was learned that
lishment has begun to look like the Bloomberg, during the economic
last best hope of stopping Sanders, crisis in 2008, said that getting rid
has already dumped a third of a bil- of “redlining” — a policy by which
lion dollars into his campaign bankers routinely deny mortgages to
His poll numbers have risen low-income largely minority neigh-
accordingly, and he is probably the borhoods circled in red as risky —
strongest challenger to Sanders now, was to blame for the collapse.
because, with his $60 billion fortune, In remarks at Georgetown Univer-
he can sustain himself and his orga- sity in 2008, Bloomberg said:
nization through the convention. “It all started back when there
But would Sanders lose gracefully was a lot of pressure on banks to
to a plutocrat who deployed his bil- make loans to everyone. ... Redlining
lions to deny him a nomination Sand- ...was the term where banks took
ers has sought for half a decade? whole neighborhoods and said, ‘Peo-
Would Bernie Bros, who believe ple in these neighborhoods are poor,
they were cheated out of the nom- they’re not going to be able to pay off
ination in 2016, accept defeat and their mortgages, tell your salesmen
support a billionaire they believe don’t go into those areas.’”
robbed them of a prize they thought In presidential elections, Demo-
they had won fairly? cratic candidates win 90-95% of the
Bloomberg is now facing more se- black vote. After revelations of his
rious matters as a candidate in a par- candid discussions of the merits of
ty of minorities. Here is an excerpt redlining and the benefits of stop and
from an audiotape of Mayor Mike at frisk, Bloomberg may have a tough
a 2015 conference in Aspen, Colo- time climbing that hill.
rado, addressing the crime-fighting Patrick J. Buchanan, a nationally
tactic of stop and frisk that he used syndicated columnist, was a senior
for years as mayor. advisor to presidents Richard Nixon,
“Ninety-five percent of your Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. His
murders and murderers and murder website is http://buchanan.org/blog.
CIRCULATION Zach Plair Doris Hill
Christopher Dumas Ben Portnoy Quaylon Jones
Michael Floyd Slim Smith Marquisto Miller
Hunter Perrigin Jan Swoope Bobby Williams
Deanna Tess Vrbin Timothy Wilson
Robinson-Pugh Stella Yu
PRODUCTION
NEWS MAILROOM William Hudson
Isabelle Altman Christina Boyd Jamie Morrison
Theo Derosa Joseph Ellis Anne Murphy
Matt Garner Jeffrey Gore Tina Perry
Garrick Hodge Katrina Guyton Sydney White
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 5A

Obituaries
Continued from Page 2A

John Turner M.B. Church.
COLUMBUS — John In addition to her
H. Turner, 89, died Feb. parents, she was pre-
11, 2020, at North Mis- ceded in death by her
sissippi Medical Center husband, Kinley Sum-
merville; and siblings,
in Tupelo.
Arrangements are Lucy Talley, Louise
Gray and Jerrie Brown.
incomplete and will be
announced by Carter’s She is survived by
Funeral Services of her children, Pamela
Columbus. Colvin, Tyrone Wilson,
Jerome Wilson and
Dwight Wilson all of
George Burgin Columbus, Valerie Ed-
COLUMBUS —
wards of College Park,
George Washington
Georgia, Kinley Wilson
Burgin, 79, died Feb.
of Stockbridge, Georgia
13, 2020, at his resi-
and Matilda Parrish of
dence.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama;
Arrangements are
siblings, Mary B. Bra-
incomplete and will be
announced by Carter’s ham of College Park,-
Georgia, Mary D. Lewis
Funeral Services of
Columbus. and Queen Wilson of
Columbus, and Nathan-
iel Wilson of Crawford;
Willie Calmes 22 grandchildren; and
ATKINSON, N.C.
five great-grandchil-
— Willie Calmes, died dren.
Feb. 5, 2020, in Wallace,
North Carolina.
Services will be at 11 Kenneth Johnson
MERIDIAN – Ken-
a.m. Saturday, at Pleas-
neth E. Johnson, 56,
ant Grove M.B. Church
of Crawford, with Riley Feb. 7, 2020, at Ander-
son Regional Medical
Forrest Sr. officiating.
Burial will follow at Center in
the late David R. Lind- Mr. Johnson was Macon is in charge of Saturday in the James
sey. She was a gradu- born Nov. 20, 1983, in arrangements. and Lola Lavender Me-
ate of Sulligent High Fayette, Alabama, to Mr. Macon was born morial Chapel of Laven-
School and Bevill State Esker Jay Johnson Sr. Dec. 22, 1952, in Noxu- der’s Funeral Service
Community College. and Angie Rozell. bee County, to the late
She was formerly em- He was preceded Rosie Mae Richardson of Aliceville, Alabama.
Burial will follow at
ployed in surgery, the in death by his grand- and Henry Macon Sr.
emergency room and fathers, Rector “Rex” He was a graduate of Pine Grove Memorial
orthopedics at Gilmore Johnson Sr. and Revish Noxubee County High Gardens Cemetery of
Hospital in Amory. Lee Rozell. School and a member Carrollton, Alabama.
She was a member of In addition to his of Mt. Oliver Baptist
Crossbound Church of parents, he is survived Church.
Smithville. by his children, Trinity In addition to his par-
In addition to her fa- Johnson of Detroit, ents, he was preceded
ther, she was preceded Alabama and Paris
in death by his brother,
in death by her grand- Johnson of Winfield,
Henry Macon Jr.
parents, Mamie John- Alabama; siblings,
He is survived by
son Creel, Robert H. Tyrone Johnson and Ja-
Mary Frances Macon
Johnson, Leora Lindsey mie Ann Nedrow; and
of Macon; daughter,
Smitherman and Berlie grandmothers, Mattie
Amanda White-Garth;
B. Lindsey. Johnson and Willar
step-children, Derrick
In addition to her Dean Rozell. White and Marinda
mother, she is survived
Carter; siblings, Mi-
by husband, Mike King Richard Allen chael Thomas of Scoo- Brenda Patterson
Services:
of Splunge; children, SHUQUALAK — ba, Catherine Walker, Fri. Feb. 14 • 11AM
Conner King and Cade Richard Allen, 88, died Ruy Macon-Stepter and Mt. Vernon Church Cemetery
King; and brother, Burial
Feb. 5, 2020, at his Sharon Macon-Tate. Mt. Vernon Church Cemetery
Chris Lindsey of Hazel residence. Pallbearers will be
Green, Alabama. Services will be at 11 Garfield Garth Jr., Carl Berlin Tuttle
Pallbearers will be
Bobby Harper, Corey
a.m. Sat- White Jr, Van Duck, Visitation:
Friday, Feb. 14 • 1-2 PM
urday, at Burt Bonner, Terrance
Glenn, Ted Odom, Todd Ivy Grove White and Grady
2nd Ave. North Location
Services:
Glenn, Tony Swan and Baptist Gilkey. Friday, Feb. 14 • 2 PM
2nd Ave. North Location
Greg Norton. Church of Burial
Shuqualak, Adell Garrett Memorial Gardens

Oakland M.B. Church Meridian. Hester Edwards with Con- ST. LOUIS, Mo. —
Services COLUMBUS — Hes- ston Scott Adell H. Garrett died
Cemetery. Visitation is ter Edwards, 98, died officiating. Allen
from 12-6 p.m. today, will be Feb. 3, 2020, at Garden
at 2 p.m. Jan. 31, 2020, in Colum- Burial will Plaza of Florissant in
at Carter’s Funeral memorialgunterpeel.com
Sunday, bus. follow at the church Florissant, Missouri.
Services of Colum- Services will be at 11 cemetery. Visitation
bus. Carter’s Funeral at Shiloh A home going cele-
Full Gospel Johnson a.m. Saturday, at Cen- is from 1-5 p.m. today, bration will be at 1 p.m.
Services of Columbus tury Hairston Funeral at Lee-Sykes Funeral
is in charge of arrange- M.B.
Church of Home Chapel of Colum- Home of Macon. Lee-
ments. bus. Century Hairston Sykes Funeral Home of
Mr. Calmes was born Columbus, with Darren
Leach officiating. Burial Funeral Home of Macon is in charge of
June, 23, 1926, in Ok- Columbus is in charge arrangements.
tibbeha County, to the will follow at Union
Cemetery. Visitation of arrangements. Mr. Allen was born
late Walker Williams Mrs. Edwards was Jan. 26, 1932, in Mem-
and Frances Calmes. will be from 12-6 p.m.
Saturday, at Carter’s born May 30, 1920, in phis, Tennessee, to the
He was formerly em- Aliceville, Alabama, late Richard Allen Sr.
ployed as an equipment Funeral Services of
Columbus. Carter’s to the late Joe and and Ida Mae Thomas.
repairman for the U.S. Sarah Curry. She was He was formerly em-
Military. Funeral Services of
Columbus is in charge formerly employed as a ployed as an engineer
He is survived by housekeeper. for Cook County High-
his wife, Margaree W. of arrangements.
Mr. Johnson was She is survived way Department and
Calmes of Atkinson, by her son, Sammy a member of Antioch
born Feb. 24, 1963, in
Ashton Hammett
North Carolina; chil- C. Edwards of Tus- Baptist Church. In ad-
dren, Bryant Calmes of Lowndes County, to the
late Henrietta Johnson caloosa, Alabama; dition to his parents, he
Mobile, Alabama, Eric eight grandchildren; was preceded in death
A. Calmes of Crawford, Ervin. He was formerly
employed as a constable great-grandchildren; by his grandparents; Ashton Bryant Hammett, 12, of Columbus,
Marie L. Calmes and and great-great-grand- and sister. MS, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2020,
An-Jeanette Calmes for Key Field Military
Base. children. He is survived by at his residence.
of Powder Springs, his wife, Arlean Allen; Services will be announced at a later date.
Georgia; 18 grandchil- In addition to his
dren; 16 great-grand- mother, he was preced- Martha Hogan children, Denise Binns, Ashton was born July 12, 2007, in New Orle-
SOUTHAVEN — Jesse Ruffin, Alesia ans, LA, to Marissa Menendez and Daniel Ham-
children; and two ed in death by his broth-
Martha Hogan, 63, died Coe, Richard III and mett. He attended New Journey Church where
great-great-grandchil- er, Adrian Ervin; and
Feb.13, 2020, in South- Starling Pierre Allen; he enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a big
dren. one granddaughter.
aven. siblings, Shirley and gamer and loved playing Xbox. He was an artist,
He is survived by his
Arrangements are Raymond Cotton; and sculpting clay and drawing, and enjoyed music.
Mamie Summerville wife, Mamie Johnson
incomplete and will be seven grandchildren. Ashton never complained, was selfless and had
COLUMBUS — of Artesia; children,
announced by Century a huge heart. He was a very funny comedian and
Mamie Lou Wilson Lawanda Thompson
Hairston Funeral Home Charles Macon prankster and he loved his dog- Gabby.
Summer- of Columbus, Tambra
of Starkville. MACON — Charles Ashton is survived by his parents, Marissa Me-
ville, 79, Cotton of Macon and
Edward “Beady” Ma- nendez Hammett and Daniel Hammett both of
died Feb. Jamarcus Steel of Ar-
Columbus, MS; sister, Tristan Renee Hammett;
8, 2020, tesia; siblings, Loretta Esker Johnson con, 67, died Feb. 10,
maternal grandparents, Enith Menendez and
Williams and Jackie SULLIGENT, Ala. 2020, at Baptist Memo-
at Baptist rial Hospital-Golden Michael Menendez; paternal grandparents, Cleo
Memorial Leach of Columbus and — Esker “Mookie” Jay
Triangle. Hammett and Donald Hammett; aunts, Jackie
Hospi- Leonard Ervin of North Johnson Jr., 36, died
Services Hammett, Andrea Alexander, Linda Hammett,
tal-Golden Carolina; and three Feb. 11, 2020, in Quin-
will be at Brenda Hammett and Glenda (Marion) Stevens;
Triangle.
Summerville grandchildren. ton, Alabama.
2 p.m. Sat- uncles, Morris (Rae-Lyn) Hammett, Donald
Services will be at
Services urday, at Hammett, Jr. and Darrin Cotton; cousins, Shelby
Danielle King 2 p.m. Saturday, at the
will be at 3 p.m. Satur- Hopewell Hammett, Jacie-Rae Hammett, Davin Savoy, Jade
AMORY — Danielle chapel of Chandler Fu-
day, at Zion Gate M.B. Baptist Hammett, Brittany Alexander, Abby Alexander,
Renee Lindsey King, neral Home of Vernon,
Church of Columbus, Church of Zachary Alexander and Andrew Whittikki.
45, died Feb. 12, 2020, Alabama, with Murry
with James A. Boyd Brooks-
Macon Memorials may be made to Andrew Mc-
in Monroe County. Richard Johnson offici-
officiating. Burial will ville, with Donough B+ Foundation: bepositive.org.
Services will be at 2 ating. Burial will follow
follow at Memorial Gar- Edward Allen officiat-
p.m. Saturday, at Cleve- at New Church Cem- Compliments of
dens. Visitation is from
12-6 p.m. today, at Car- land-Moffett Funeral etery. Visitation will ing. Burial will follow Lowndes Funeral Home
be two hours prior to at Oddfellow Cemetery www.lowndesfuneralhome.net
ter’s Funeral Services Home of Amory, with
services at the funeral of Macon. Visitation is
of Columbus. Carter’s Kevin Cook and Leon-

Marty Miller
home. Chandler Fu- from 1-7 today, at Lee-
Funeral Services of ard Howell officiating. Sykes Funeral Home
Burial will follow at neral Home of Vernon,
Columbus is in charge Chapel of Macon. Lee-
Crenshaw Cemetery. Alabama is in charge of
of arrangements. Sykes Funeral Home of
Visitation is from 5-8 arrangements. Martin “Marty” Lawrence
Mrs. Summerville
was born April 30, 1940, p.m. today, at the funer- Miller, age 54, died on October
in Columbus, to the al home. Cleveland-Mof- 14, 2019 in Los Angeles,
late Hosie Wilson and fett Funeral Home of California.
Cornelious Wilson. She Amory is in charge of Marty was born in Columbus,
was formerly employed arrangements. MS, February 14, 1965, to L.E.
as an inspector for Mrs. King was Miller and Peggie Miller. He
Johnston Tombigbee born Nov. 29, 1974, in attended Caldwell High School
Furniture Company and Waukegan, Illinois, to and was a member of the high
a member of Zion Gate Carleen S. Dodd and school marching band. He
graduated in 1983. While in
high school, Marty became passionate about
music. He spent hours teaching himself how to

Virus death toll nears 1,400 play various instruments including guitar. In the
late 1980’s, Marty moved to Los Angeles and a
attended school for music.
in China, with 5,090 new cases Marty worked in the media research industry
in Los Angeles for over 30 years and was
BY KEN MORITSUGU rising more quickly after employed by Neilsen Media Research and later
The Associated Press the hardest-hit province by National Research Group.
changed its method of Marty was preceded in death by his father,
BEIJING — China on counting them Thursday.
Friday reported another L.E. Miller.
There are now 63,851 Survivors include his mother, Peggie A.
sharp rise in the number confirmed cases in main-
of people infected with a Miller; sister, Leigh Nickoles (Gary); brother,
land China, of which
new virus, as the death Eric Miller; niece, Alaina Nickoles; nephew,
1,380 have died.
toll neared 1,400. Hubei province is now
Bradley Nickoles (Lauren); great-nephew, Axell
The National Health including cases based Nickoles; and extended family members, Karen
Commission said 121 on a physician’s diagno- Miller, Alden Lambert, Amy (Bert) Lambert
more people had died sis and before they have Brande, Matthew Miller and Mark Miller.
and there were 5,090 new been confirmed by lab In remembrance of Marty, donations may be
confirmed cases. tests. Of the 5,090 new made to the American Heart Association.
The number of re- cases, 3,095 fell into that
Paid Obituary - Cedar Hill Mortuary & Accomodations
ported cases has been category.
6A FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Pictured in this photo is 47 Pine Ave., home to Becky Cox and her three children. The family evacuated their home
Thursday afternoon after their backyard and driveway were submerged underwater. Water did not enter the house
when they left, Cox said.
Flooding
Continued from Page 1A
Columbus and Lown-
des County officials said
the damage to public prop-
erty can’t be determined
for sure until the water
recedes.
Faced with the flooding
in parts of the city, Colum-
bus Public Information
Officer Joe Dillon said
extreme weather can’t
be controlled but the city
is trying to minimize the
damage. He said he be-
lieves that “the benefits
(of living near the river)
outweigh the possibility
of things like this happen-
ing.”
“We are located on a
river,” Dillon said. “It’s
like people
that live on
the coast.
You have
hurricanes
that come
that are out
of your con-
trol. … You Dillon
still don’t
avoid that area.”
Located west of the
Tombigbee River, the am-
phitheater was originally
expected to be open for
free public events this
summer in time for the
Market Street Festival
concert. The flooding in
the past few days, howev-
er, added uncertainty as
to when the project would
reach completion, Dillon
said.
“(The water) is back
over the stage,” he said.
“Even if it’s not raining to-
day, the ground is so wet,
they can’t get footing for
the concrete and every-
thing until it dries out.”
Dillon said the amphi-
theater should not suffer
any damage other than
mud and silt stacked up
on the stage, which the
city can wash off once the
water recedes.
The electric panels in-
stalled on stage could be
damaged, Dillon said, but
they were to be replaced
regardless. The construc-
tion crew had held off the
installation process due to
the possibility of flooding
and will wait until the high
water is gone, he said.
Flood waters cover Propst Park, off Main Street, in Co-
lumbus Thursday afternoon. Columbus Public Informa-
tion Officer Joe Dillon said officials do not expect any
permanent damage to the park.
Dillon added water at
Propst Park on the other
end of Main Street ap-
peared to be receding as
of 4 p.m. on Thursday. No
permanent damage is ex-
pected, he said.
Roger Short, director
of Lowndes County Parks
and Recre-
ation De-
par tment ,
said the
county had
just finished
repairing
part of the
damage to Short
the soccer
complex caused by the
last flood.
For the six or seven
years since the complex
was built, he said, floods
rarely reached the site.
“This is really unprec-
edented, what we’re see-
ing,” Short said.
Columbus Light and
Water cut electricity per
the county’s request be-
fore the floods reached the
site, and county officials
rescued the irrigation
system controllers, Short
said. He will assess the
damage to the irrigation
system and the water well
once the water recedes.
“There’s really noth-
ing (else) that we can do,”
Short said.
Floods also cut off
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
parts of the county roads,
and 16 closed as of Thurs-
day morning, including
Lincoln and Spurlock
roads in Columbus and
Waverly Road in West
Point, county Road Man-
ager Ronnie Burns said.
His department was able
to reopen some of the
roads by Thursday after-
noon, he said.
“It concerns me on the
roads,” Burns said. “It
takes a lot
to go back
to fix the
roads once
they get
torn up.”
R o a d
crews try
to prepare Burns
with chain-
saws and barricades for
high waters when a storm
hits, Burns said. Faced
with future possibilities of
natural disasters like the
flooding, he said it’s im-
portant to keep the roads
patched and the shoul-
ders fixed at all times.
The scale of this year’s
flooding is almost as big
as the one from last year,
Lowndes County EMS
Director Cindy Lawrence
said.
As of Thursday, Law-
rence said, the water level
of the Tombigbee River
rose to 166 feet. Last year,
Yue Stella Yu/Dispatch Staff
she said, that number was
167.
“I’ve been there for 22
years,” Lawrence said.
“And I’ve
never seen
(a n y t h i n g
like this)
where you
have the
same back-
to-back in-
cident.” Lawrence
T o m -
my Jones said before
last year, the last the time
there was flooding this
bad was 28 years ago.
“Last year, we were
hoping this was the 28-
year period, and now
we’re dealing with this
again,” he said. “We have
routine ups and downs
and inconveniences but
this is pretty major.”
‘Treading water’
As of this morning,
Kay said, the water had
risen a little bit more, now
completely immersing
the table on her and Tom-
my’s deck.
“We’re treading water,
but otherwise we’re fine,”
she said. “It’s come up
some more.”
Tommy said several
neighbors had paddled by
on Thursday offering to
pick up anything the Jone-
ses needed from town and
take it back to them.
“It’s kind of a close-
knit (community),” he
said. “When people need
stuff, it’s there. I’m not
concerned. ... I’ve got
people I can call to bring
in stuff to me if I need to.
They’re just great. Just
everybody takes care of
everybody out there.”
Despite the flooding,
neither the Joneses nor
the Millers plan to go
anywhere — even if this
happens again next year.
“I can’t say I’m wor-
ried about, but you just
never know,” Jones said.
“... I’ve been out here for-
ever, most of my life, and
every time I think I know
what this river’s going to
do, it puts me back in my
place.”
Sports ‘THE REST IS HISTORY’
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
B
SECTION

AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE COACHING CONNECTION BETWEEN MSU AND WRIGHT STATE

Indiana University Athletics

Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis, formally of Indiana, shares a similar coaching background with his opposing coach Friday, Wright State’s Alex Sogard.

BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — Chris
Lemonis knew the time
was right.
Having spent the better
part of two weeks speak-
ing with Mississippi State
Athletic Director John
Cohen regarding the Bull-
dogs’ opening for a head
baseball coach, Lemonis
— then the head coach at
Indiana — took Cohen up
on his offer.
Accepting the job with-
out visiting Starkville —
the same strategy he em-
ployed when he left The
Citadel to become an as-
sistant coach at Louisville
under former college team-
mate Dan McDonnell —
Lemonis was introduced
as the 18th coach in school
history on June 26, 2018.
“At Indiana, I had spo-
ken with a lot of schools
but I had no interest in
leaving,” Lemonis told The
Dispatch Thursday. “It had
to be a special place to get
me to leave and I had a pri-
or relationship with John
(Cohen) because he was
a college coach and was a
little more laid back than
talking to an (athletic di-
rector), so it was a pretty
simple process.”
Now entering his sec-
ond season leading the
Bulldogs, Lemonis’ squad
opens the 2020 season at
1 p.m. Friday against a
Wright State team led by
a second-year head coach
of its own in former minor
leaguer Alex Sogard.
And while Sogard
and Lemonis have never
served on the same staff,
or even coached in the
same league, it was Lem-
onis’ leap of faith to leave
Bloomington for Starkville
and ensuing coaching
searches at Indiana and
Wright State that have set
the coaching scene for
Friday’s season opener at
Dudy Noble Field.
“That’s how it is,” Lemo-
nis said of the interconnec-
tions of the college base-
ball coaching carousel.
“It’s pretty cool.”
Foundation of a friendship
Lying restlessly in his
bed, Jeff Mercer snagged
his cell phone from the
night stand and unlocked
the screen.
Having just been named
the head coach at Wright
State following Greg Love-
lady’s departure to Cen-
tral Florida, Mercer was
drowning in work as he as-
sumed the lead role at the
school he’d earned Hori-
zon League Player of the
Year honors at and led to
an appearance in the 2009
Fort Worth Regional.
Looking to round out
his staff during the sum-
mer of 2016, Mercer re-
called an email from Sog-
ard from days earlier.
Just concluding a six-
year minor league career
in which he bounced be-
tween 10 teams in 10 differ-
ent states, reaching as high
as Triple-A, the former Or-
egon State and North Car-
olina State standout was
searching for a post-base-
ball career in coaching.
Seeking any opportu-
nity he could find, Sogard
said he sent messages to
every coach in the country.
A few answered. Even few-
er had jobs available — in-
cluding Mercer.
Admittedly a sporadic
emailer at-best, Mercer
was unsure why Sogard’s
earlier email caught his
eye. Regardless, he re-
sponded — noting he’d be
in touch if he heard of any
openings.
Suddenly in need of an
assistant coach, Mercer
fired off a 3 a.m. email to
Sogard asking if he’d be in-
terested in joining his staff
at Wright State. One hour
later, Sogard responded in
the affirmative.
“We talked on the phone
and kind of hit it off and the
rest is history a little bit,”
he told The Dispatch.
With Mercer at the
helm and Sogard help-
ing to guide the ship, the
Raiders compiled a 77-36
record in the pair’s two
seasons at Wright State —
including an appearance in
the NCAA tournament in
2018.
“I definitely lucked out
in that he saw my email
and the timing of it,” Sog-
See FRIENDSHIP, 2B

Mississippi State baseball position preview: Pitchers
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — Of
all the unknowns on the
2020 Mississippi State
baseball roster, the most
belong to second-year
head coach Chris Lemo-
nis’ pitching staff.
Replacing ace Ethan
Small — a first round
pick of the Milwaukee
Brewers in June’s MLB
First Year Player Draft
— No. 3 starter Peyton
Plumlee and bullpen reg-
ulars in Colby White, Jar-
ed Leibelt and Cole Gor-
don, Lemonis, pitching
coach Scott Foxhall and
the rest of the MSU staff
will be tasked with a ma-
jor rebuild on the mound.
And while there will
be plenty of new faces
taking the bump at Dudy
Noble Field this season,
the Bulldogs do boast one
of the top
arms in the
Southeast-
ern Con-
ference in
reigning
National
Freshman
of the Year Ginn
J.T. Ginn.
Ginn — who turned
down first round mon-
ey from the Los Ange-
les Dodgers out of high
school — finished his
inaugural season in
Starkville 8-4 with a 3.13
ERA while fanning 105
batters in 86 1/3 innings
pitched — a total that was
limited due to lingering
shoulder soreness that
surfaced April seventh
against Tennessee.
A right hander with
more velocity than Small,
the Brandon native will
slide into the vacated
Friday starter role, be-
ginning with the season
opener against Wright
State.
“We all know J.T.,”
Lemonis said in January.
“We feel like we can go
Friday night with anyone
in the country with J.T.”
Behind Ginn, the
MSU starting rotation is
unknown. To begin the
season, redshirt fresh-
man Christian MacLeod
will take on the Saturday
role against Wright State,
while sophomore Eric
Cerantola will be the Sun-
day guy.
MacLeod — who
missed all of last season
with an undisclosed ill-
ness — is a big body at
6-foot-4 and 227 pounds.
Using a three-pitch mix
of fastball, curveball
and changeup that MSU
pitching coach Scott
Foxhall categorized as
the best of anybody on
the roster, he offers the
lone left-handed look in
MSU’s present rotation.
As for Cerantola, he
comes off a freshman
campaign in which he
struggled to find the
See PITCHERS, 2B
Pitching inexperience
looms large as New
Hope baseball shoots
for second straight title
BY THEO DEROSA led the team in home
tderosa@cdispatch.com
runs, went on to play at
East Mississippi Com-
NEW HOPE — New munity College. Spring-
Hope coach Lee Boyd field, last year’s No. 1
knows pitching is the pitcher, went to Itawam-
name of the game in ba Community College
high school baseball. along with Tyler Mur-
Strong performances phy and shortstop Jona-
on the mound helped than Whittington.
Boyd’s Trojans win the Although senior left-
MHSAA Class 4A cham- hander Ryan Burt re-
pionship last season, but turns, New Hope lost
one year later, a lot of the other three of its
the players who got New top pitchers along with
Hope to that point have a whole lot of power in
graduated. its starting lineup. With
Rye McGlothin, who See NEW HOPE, 3B
2B FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Friendship
Continued from Page 1B

ard continued. “I’m obvi-
ously very fortunate com-
ing from being a player to
coaching at a really good
program.”
Back home in Indiana
While Mercer had
helped maintain the tra-
jectory Lovelady and his
predecessor, Rob Cooper
— now the head coach at
Penn State — had estab-
lished at Wright State, his
success led to ample oppor-
tunities at the Power Five
level, most notably from
his home state school.
A Bargersville, Indiana
native, Mercer’s father
was an assistant baseball
coach at IU between 1988
and 1989 and was found-
ing member of the Indiana
Bulls — one of the state’s
most prolific travel base-
ball programs.
With Lemonis off to
MSU following the Bull-
dogs’ run to the 2018 Col-
lege World Series, Sogard
saw the opening in Bloom-
ington and asked Mercer if
he was aware of it. He was
— though he wondered at
just 32-years-old if the Hoo-
sier brass would search
for a more experienced
replacement given Lemo-
nis had spent 19 years as
a college assistant before
taking the job at IU.
Instead, Mercer re-
ceived a number of texts
and calls from industry in-
siders gauging his interest.
A call from Scott Joraan-
stad, Indiana’s Senior As-
sociate Athletic Director
for Business Operations,
31 weeks pregnant, had
been admitted to Miami
Valley Hospital. Following
two weeks of monitoring
from doctors, the couple’s
first child, Grady, was de-
livered on June 20, 2018,
weighing just under four
pounds and roughly seven
weeks premature.
“I was quickly given a
dose of reality,” Mercer
told The Dispatch. “So as
we went through that I just
tried to be supportive of
my wife and my family.”
In the midst of Grady
and Stephanie’s hospi-
tal stay, Mercer bounced
between Dayton and
Bloomington to meet with
Indiana’s senior athletic
department officials. Inter-
viewing with IU Athletic
Director Fred Glass, Dep-
uty Director of Athletics
Scott Dolson and Joraan-
stad, Mercer laid out his
vision for the program —
though he quipped his re-
cent run of days in the hos-
pital left him resume-less
in the lead up to his meet-
ing.
Following the meetings,
Mercer was offered the job.
He accepted. One day later,
Grady was released from
the NICU. Heading back
to Ohio, Mercer picked up
Stephanie and their new-
born son and began the
move to Indiana.
Six days after Lem-
onis was introduced in
Starkville, Mercer was of-
ficially named his replace-
ment on July 2, 2018.
“A lot of times when
stressful situations happen
one piece at a time,” he
said. “And that’s kind of
how I did it — by day I took
care of my family and then
by night put together a plan
that I thought would be
successful at Indiana.”
Raider replacement
With Lemonis now in
place in Starkville and
Mercer having been indoc-
trinated in Bloomington,
Wright State Athletic Di-
rector Bob Grant sought a
quick replacement.
Having dealt with the
losses of Lovelady and now
Mercer over the past three
years, Grant looked in-
house to replace his latest
coach that had moved onto
a larger scale position.
Speaking with Sogard,
Grant gauged his interest
in the position. Naturally,
Sogard was drawn to it.
Just two years after
sending emails to college
coaches nationwide in
search of work, and four
days removed from Mer-
cer’s introduction at IU, the
one-time sojourning minor
leaguer was named the
head coach of the Raiders
ahead of the 2019 season.
“I kind of forget all the
other details that went
along with it but very fortu-
nate that he asked me and
I don’t think I necessarily
deserved it at all,” Sogard
joked of his inexperience.
“But my goal is to love on
these guys and give them
the best possible experi-
ence they can get.”
“When you’re as talent-
Completing the circle
In the time since, Le-
monis led the Bulldogs
to a second-straight trip
to Omaha, Nebraska and
the College World Series
in 2019 and finds his latest
squad ranked in the top
10 of all six major college
baseball publications’ pre-
season polls this year.
As for Mercer and
Sogard, the pair notched
37 and 42 wins in their
inaugural campaigns at
Indiana and Wright State,
respectively. Mercer was
even named the 2019 Big
Ten Coach of the Year as
he guided the Hoosiers to
a No. 2 seed in the Louis-
ville Regional and a reg-
ular season conference
championship.
“I wanted to make sure
there are people there
that were going to treat
the players and the pro-
gram with the respect
that I would have as an
alumni,” Mercer said in
reference to Sogard. “And
so to watch him, to know
that he’s investing him-
self into that job and that
he cares about it the way
it should be cared about
puts me at ease knowing
that those players that
I care a lot about are in
great hands and will con-
tinue to have a lot of suc-
cess.”
Friday, Lemonis and
Sogard will meet on the
field for the first time in
their coaching careers
— though they’re both
aware of their backdoor
slated to take on LSU in three different programs
Baton Rouge — a trip from three different con-
Lemonis told The Dis- ferences separated by, at
patch will allow a hand- minimum, a three-hour
ful of Hoosier fans to drive with no discernable
stop through Starkville prior connections.
on their way home to the “Our motto is ‘If you
frosty Midwest to visit want to get better you’ve
with he and a handful of got to play the best,’” Sog-
his former Indiana staff- ard said of his team’s trek
ers that now work at MSU below the Mason-Dixon
for next week’s game line for this weekend’s
against Samford. series. “If you want to be
And while Starkville good and want an oppor-
is vastly different from tunity to play in the post-
Dayton or Bloomington, season you’ve got to play
it’s now the center of a against those teams and
coaching carousel cycle definitely excited to get
that has bred success at down there.”
Is Estate or
Long Term Care
Planning Necessary
to Protect Your
Family’s Future?
• Do you have a Will, Power of Attorney, and Advanced Health Care
Directive?
• Are you certain that your assets will be distributed according to your
wishes at your death?
• Are you confused by the ever changing estate and gift tax laws?
• Are you worried that one day you may not be able to care for yourself
or make the necessary decisions to remain independent and in your
own home?
At Dunn & Hemphill, we can create a plan tailored to fit you
and your family’s needs. Contact us at (662) 327-4211 to
discuss your estate and long term care planning options.
Dunn & Hemphill, P.A.
214 Fifth Street South | Columbus, Mississippi
662.327.4211 | www.marketstreetlaw.com
Offering Peace of Mind, One Client at a Time.
W. David Dunn | Christopher D. Hemphill
you call to get a free 30 minute
Estate or Long Term Care Planning Consultation!
*Background information available upon request.

followed. But it wasn’t that
simple.
Back in Dayton, Mer-
cer’s wife Stephanie, then
we go into fight or flight
and we just have to settle
down and put together a
plan and attack the plan
ed as Alex is there was no
question he was going to
be able to shape his craft
as a coach,” Mercer added.
© The Dispatch
connection. Providing Our Clients Expertise With
T hree -hundred - a nd - Over 50+ Years Of Combined Experience
thirteen miles southwest,
Mercer’s Hoosiers are

Pitchers
Continued from Page 1B

strike zone as a midweek
arm despite finishing 3-0
on the year. Having spent
the summer with the Ca-
nadian National Team and
the Amsterdam Mohawks
of the Perfect Game Col-
legiate Baseball League
over the summer, he’ll
be leaned on as a power
right-arm that has topped
as high as 98 miles per
hour on the radar gun this
preseason.
“I anticipate Eric to be
a more mature pitcher
this year,” Foxhall told
The Dispatch in January.
“He has been markedly
more consistent in his
bullpens than he was at
the end of last year so I
think that he’ll take that
in between the white
lines and he’ll give us a
good four or five innings
as a starter once the sea-
son goes.”
Starters aside, the
Bulldogs’ bullpen is even
more unproven.
With the departures
of White, Leibelt, Gordon
and others, seniors Riley
Self and Spencer price
are the lone experienced
arms returning to the
unit.
Self showed flashes as
a junior but finished with
a 4.91 ERA in just 25 2/3
innings pitched. Price
has been similarly incon-
sistent after he notched
14 saves as a sophomore
but made just 12 appear-
ances last year after he
missed the entire 2018
season due to injury.
“I’d love to be able to
get those guys back in the
mix and have their expe-
rience and maturity with
everything,” Lemonis
said in January. “Spencer
had an okay fall and Riley
didn’t pitch this fall, so us
seeing them this spring
will be a big piece. Riley
was my guy in the middle
of the inning outside of
Jared Liebelt. I felt like
the toughness factor with
Riley being able to go out
there and get us outs was
huge for us, (and) Spen-
cer getting back the mix,
finding his confidence,
and being able to find that
slider.”
Other names to mon-
itor in the MSU bullpen
include graduate trans-
fers David Dunlavey
(Furman) and Carlisle
Koestler (Southeastern
Louisiana) and freshmen
Landon Sims and Will
Bednar.
Dunlavey and Koestler
both have past starting
experience at their previ-
ous stops and could factor
in as midweek starters or
a potential No. 3 should
Cerantola struggle, while
Sims and Bednar are
hard-throwing freshman
with high-upside.
“We bounced around
all year and had a lot of
success,” Lemonis said
of how he’ll utilize arms
in midweek games. “We
were really good at com-
ing back from 4-0 or 7-0
last year early in the
game, which was a credit
to our offense. I’m more
concerned about building
that bullpen right now.
Our bullpen was the rea-
son we were very success-
ful last year.”
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 3B

BRIEFLY Sticking to script: Bregman, Astros discuss sign stealing

College Basketball THE ASSOCIATED PRESS that this didn’t impact and vowed: “This will with, and we’re all still manager, Dusty Baker,
Rebels drop heartbreaker against Florida the game. We had a never happen again on trying to come to grips insisted earlier Thurs-
Ole Miss emptied its tank, clawing its way back
WEST PALM good team. We won the my watch.” with it and process it. day, the players kept
from a 13-point first quarter deficit amid a superb BEACH, Fla. — Alex World Series. And we’ll A day earlier, the As- So it might take a bit.” — more hopefully, per-
offensive night, but ended up falling just short as Florida Bregman spoke for leave it at that.” tros gathered at their Bregman’s club- haps, than realistically
edged out a 74-72 win at Exactech Arena on Thursday about 30 seconds and Moments later, facility, barring media house session lasted 10 — insisting they were
night. said he was sorry, but
The Gators (13-11, 4-7 SEC) took early command Crane tried to back- from the grounds, and minutes and he stuck going to talk about this
of the game, opening on a 9-0 run in a blistering first did not say why. He track, saying, “It’s hard it was apparent that to his message. So, for one day and then fo-
quarter that saw a 7-of-8 line from the field and a 3-of-3 said he had learned, to determine how it im- they mostly agreed on generally, did the oth- cus on the new season
line from deep by the first media timeout, but that was but did not say what. pacted the game, if it a unified message. ers. to come.
before a resilient Rebel squad dug deep and found an On a patch of grass
offensive rhythm. Deja Cage (23 points, five rebounds,
impacted the game.” The talking points Bregman, for exam- The most forthcom-
four assists), Mimi Reid (16 points, four assists, one between the Houston Baseball Commis- became clear Thurs- ple, used words like ing and sincere-sound-
rebound) and Taylor Smith (15 points, five rebounds) Astros’ spring training sioner Rob Manfred day before the first “apologizing” and “re- ing statements came
combined for 54 points tonight, 35 of which came in the building and fields, un- disciplined the Astros official workout of the morse,” but made no from Correa, who said
second half alone. der a sun obscured by after he found the team spring as, one by one, mention of “signs” or the system was not as
Ole Miss (7-17, 0-11 SEC) hopes to hold onto this
clouds, the star third broke rules by using the faces of the fran- “stealing” or “cheat- effective in the post-
momentum as it returns home to host No. 23 Arkansas
(19-5, 7-4 SEC) in a nationally televised contest on SEC baseman stepped to a electronics to steal chise spoke to the me- ing.” season because op-
Network on Sunday, with tipoff set for 2 p.m. inside The microphone at a news signs during 2017 and dia in the clubhouse: Some, such as posing catchers were
Pavilion. conference, becom- 2018. The investigation Bregman, second base- Verlander, said they using multiple signs to
Stevenson lifts Southern Miss ing the first player found the Astros used man José Altuve, short- wished they had “said tell their pitchers what
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Sophomore Tyler Thursday to apolo- the video feed from a stop Carlos Correa, more” at the time to to throw.
Stevenson scored 16 points and sank two free throws gize —-- without re- center field camera to outfielder Josh Red- dissuade the use of “We feel bad and
with 6 seconds left in the game to propel Southern
Mississippi to a 68-66 victory over Florida Atlantic on
ally discussing with view and decode op- dick, pitchers Justin the illegal system that we don’t want to be re-
Thursday night. any detail—-- for the posing catchers’ signs. Verlander and Lance helped batters know membered as the team
Stevenson hit 6 of 9 shots from the floor and he sign-stealing scheme Players banged on a McCullers. what pitches were that cheated to get a
made just 2 of 6 foul shots before sinking his game-win- from the club’s 2017 trash can to signal to The Astros share a coming from opposing championship,” Correa
ners for the Golden Eagles (8-18, 4-9 Conference USA). World Series champi-
Ladavius Draine added 16 points and 11 rebounds
batters what was com- Florida complex with pitchers. said.
for his second straight double-double. Leonard Harp- onship season. ing, believing it would the team they lost to Like Crane, they re- Unlike some of the
er-Baker contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and six “I am really sor- improve chances of in last year’s World frained from offering rhetoric being offered
assists, while Artur Konontsuk finished with 10 points ry about the choices getting a hit. Series, the Washing- any sort of apologies to all around him, Correa
and seven boards. that were made by my Manager A J Hinch ton Nationals, and this teams or players they used the most basic
MUW falls to Tougaloo, 89-65 team, by the organiza- and GM Jeff Luhnow time, it was the run- had beaten in 2017, language to deliver an
Jasmine Shaw led her team for the first time this tion and by me. I have were given one-year ners-up that drew a lot specifically the New apology that actually
season, scoring 18 points, and seniors My’Neka Frazier learned from this and
and Autumn Taylor collected 14 each, but the 12th
suspensions by Man- more attention than York Yankees in the AL sounded very much
ranked Owls women’s basketball team lost at Tougaloo I hope to regain the fred; Crane then quick- the champs as both championship series like an apology and ex-
College 89-65 on Thursday evening at Owens Health trust of baseball fans,” ly fired both. MLB did teams’ camps opened. and the Los Angeles press remorse that ac-
and Wellness Center. Bregman began, be- not punish any players “In the long run, Dodgers in the World tually sounded rather
The Owls will be back in action at 5:30 p.m. on fore thanking Astros for the cheating and some of their actions Series. remorseful.
Thursday when they host Oakwood University in their
final game of the 2020 season.
fans and saying he and Crane said he stood by will speak louder than “I don’t think we feel “What we did in ’17
Source: From Special Reports his teammates “are to- that. words and being sor- the need to reach out to was wrong. ... It’s not
tally focused on mov- “We’re not going to ry that you got caught those guys,” Reddick how we want to be re-
CALENDAR ing forward to the 2020 do anything to the play- and being sorry for said, “or anybody for membered,” Correa
season.” ers,” he said. what you did are two that matter.” said. “I’m going to be
Today And thus the script Crane and players different things. It’s When asked, inev- honest with you: When
College Baseball was set. denied that Astros hit- not going to go away in itably, whether their we first started doing
Jefferson College at East Mississippi The most eye- ters used buzzers to one day. This is going 2017 title was tainted, it, it almost felt like it
Community College, doubleheader, 2 brow-raising statement get information about to be an ongoing pro- they tended to use a was an advantage. ...
p.m. and 5 p.m. came soon thereafter, pitches. cess, unfortunately,” variation of, “People But it was definitely
Wright State at Mississippi State, 1 when Astros owner Jim The owner repeated- Nationals reliever Sean have their own opin- wrong. It was definitely
p.m. Crane replied to a ques- ly pointed to MLB’s re- Doolittle said. “This is ions,” as Correa did. wrong and we should
Louisville at Ole Miss, 4 p.m. tion from a reporter by port instead of directly something that all of Much like Crane and have stopped it at the
Prep Girls Basketball saying: “Our opinion is answering questions baseball has to reckon Hinch’s replacement as time.”
Starkville Academy vs. Pillow Academy,
MAIS Class 2A north state tournament,
Senatobia, 4 p.m.
Marvell Academy (Ark.) at Columbus
Christian Academy, MAIS Class 2A PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
north state tournament, Steens, 5:15
p.m.
New Hope vs. Columbus, district tour- Pickens Academy (Ala.) girls reach state championship
nament, Grenada, 7 p.m.
Germantown at Starkville, district tour- BY THEO DEROSA Lowndes boys beat Nanih dajasha Hood each scored
nament, 7 p.m. tderosa@cdispatch.com Waiya on Thursday in the 21 points for West L own-
Noxubee County boys 54,
Prep Boys Basketball semifinal round of the MH- des. Aberdeen 39
Heritage Academy vs. Bayou Academy, MONTGOMERY, Ala. SA A Class 1A, Region 5 The Panthers (21- 0) will HOUSTON — The Noxu-
MAIS Class 4A north state tournament, — The Pickens Academy tournament to continue face Ethel for the tourna- bee County boys team beat
Senatobia, 7:45 p.m. (Alabama) girls basketball their undefeated season. ment title at 7 p.m. Friday. Aberdeen 54-39 on Thurs-
Tunica Academy at Columbus Christian team beat Patrician Acade- day in the semifinal round of
Albert Plair was the lead- West L owndes is guar-
Academy, MAIS Class 2A north state my 49 -29 on Thursday at the the Class 3A, Region 4 tour-
ing scorer for the Panthers. anteed to host a first-round
tournament, Steens, 7:45 p.m. Multiplex at Cramton Bowl nament in Houston.
West Lowndes will par- playoff game.
Greenville at Starkville, district tourna- in Montgomery to reach the The Tigers will play Hous-
ticipate in the championship
ment, 8:30 p.m. AISA Class 2A champion- ton for the district champi-
Columbus vs. New Hope, district tour- ship game.
game at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Caledonia boys 62, onship at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
The Panthers are guaran-
nament, Grenada, 8:30 p.m. Caroline Lewis had 13 teed to host a first-round
Shannon 58 Noxubee County is guar-
Prep Boys Soccer points and eight rebounds FULTON — The Caledo- anteed to host a first-round
playoff game. playoff game.
Heritage Academy at Bayou Academy, for the Pirates (16 -5), and nia boys team beat Shan-
3 p.m. Audrey Fondren had 10 non 62-58 on Thursday in
College Softball points and 12 rebounds. West Lowndes girls 70, the semifinal round of the Houston girls 56,
East Mississippi Community College at Pickens Academy will French Camp Academy 42 Class 4A , Region 2 tourna- Noxubee County 49
MUW, doubleheader, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. play the winner of Monroe MCA DA MS — The West ment at Itawamba Commu- HOUSTON — The Noxu-
Tulsa and North Alabama at Mississippi Academy and Autauga Acad- L owndes girls beat French nity College in Fulton. bee County boys team beat
State in Bulldog Kickoff Classic, 3 p.m. emy at noon Saturday in the Camp Academy 70 - 42 on With the win, Caledonia Aberdeen 54-39 on Thurs-
and 5:30 p.m. state championship. Thursday in the semifinal advances to face Pontotoc day in the semifinal round of
Ole Miss at California Baptist, 12:30 round of the MHSA A Class at 8:30 p.m. Friday for the the Class 3A, Region 4 tour-
p.m. 1A , Region 5 tournament to district title. nament in Houston.
West Lowndes boys 38, continue their undefeated Caledonia is guaranteed The Tigers will play in the
ON THE AIR Nanih Waiya 37 season. to host a first-round playoff consolation game at 4 p.m.
MCADAMS — The West Mar vaysha Seals and Ty- game Tuesday. Friday.
Today
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
5:30 p.m. — Buffalo at Toledo, CBSSN

New Hope
6 p.m. — Davidson at St. Bonaventure,
ESPN2
6 p.m. — Yale at Princeton, ESPNEWS
6 p.m. — Akron at Central Michigan,
ESPNU Continued from Page 1B
8 p.m. — Illinois (Chicago) at Wright
State, ESPN2
8 p.m. — Rider at Siena, ESPNU unproven arms lin- 15 innings last season, Odom at first base team, so even though different.”
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) ing up behind Burt, and Butler, who will when he’s not pitching, we lost them, I think New Hope is back
6 p.m. — St. John’s at Creighton, FS2 pitching will be the likely hit cleanup for has seen solid at-bats we can replace them in Class 5A, where
8 p.m. — Stanford at UCLA, PAC-12N determining factor of New Hope, missed all from his teammates. and do just as good,” it spent the previous
10 p.m. — Oregon at UCLA, PAC-12N whether New Hope of last season with an Third baseman Hays Shelton said.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL eight seasons before
9 a.m. — The St. Pete Clearwater Elite can match last year’s injury. Lumsden backed him The Trojans have playing the last two in
Invitational: South Carolina vs. Virginia success. Though New Hope’s up, saying contact will taken to heart Boyd’s Class 4A.
Tech, Clearwater, Fla., ESPNU “That’s a big ques- pitching depth is cer- be needed when power message to the team “It’s not something
11 a.m. — The St. Pete Clearwater tion mark for us, so tainly untested, Burt is isn’t there. after last year’s ti-
Elite Invitational: Kansas vs. Georgia, that’s completely new
Clearwater, Fla., SECN hopefully we can fig- glad to see that there “There’s still a few tle: Nobody can take to us because we’ve
12 p.m. — The St. Pete Clearwater ure that piece out,” are plenty of younger guys on this team the crown away from been in that division
Elite Invitational: Washington vs. Florida Boyd said. players with a chance that can hit it really them, but they’ve still for eight years It’s very
State, Clearwater, Fla., ESPNU Burt, who threw to prove themselves. hard, but I think it’s got to keep working
3 p.m. — The St. Pete Clearwater Elite competitive. It’s gonna
Invitational: UCLA vs. Alabama, Clear- a one-hit shutout of “Yeah, I had an ex- just stringing together hard if they want an- be tough.
water, Fla., ESPNU Sumrall to capture the ceptional year last some base hits,” Lums- other one Down the line, New
AUTO RACING title for the Trojans year, but that’s last den said. “I tell them all the Hope could match up
1 p.m. — NASCAR Xfinity Series: Prac- last May, is the team’s year,” he said. “You Senior catcher Stal- time that, ‘Yes, we won
tice, Daytona Beach, Fla., FS1 with powerful teams
unquestioned top never know what lone Shelton and sec- the 2019 champion-
3:30 p.m. — NASCAR Xfinity Series: like West Jones, Lafay-
Final Practice, Daytona Beach, Fla., FS1 pitcher. The lefty has might happen this ond baseman Drew ship, but we have not
ette and Neshoba Cen-
4 p.m. — NASCAR Cup Series: Prac- been pitching for New year. I have confidence Brown round out the won the 2020 cham-
tral. The Trojans know
tice, Daytona Beach, Fla., FS1 Hope’s varsity team in all of them. I feel Trojans’ infield. Senior pionship,’” Boyd said.
GOLF district opponents
since his freshman like they can all go out Cole Ruffin will start “I don’t want our guys
11 a.m. — PGA Tour Champions: The West Point and Grena-
Chubb Classic, First Round, Lely Re- year. there and get the job in left field, and senior playing to defend that;
“Anytime you throw done. I am really ready David Young will like- I want them trying to da will be solid, too.
sort, Fla., GOLF
1 p.m. — PGA Tour: The Genesis Invi- Ryan out as a starter, to see who really does ly play center — but go take 2020, because Altogether, nothing
tational, Second Round, Los Angeles, you know you’ve got a take it by the reins and right field remains an we’ve got a lot of work will come easy for New
GOLF
chance to win,” Boyd step up.” ongoing position bat- to do to get to that Hope in its quest for a
9 p.m. — LPGA Tour: The ISPS Handa second straight title.
Australian Open, Third Round, Seaton, said. “His experience After losing seven tle. Butler and senior point.”
Australia, GOLF is really gonna help seniors — including Kameron Harcrow are After all, Burt said, But the Trojans know
that, and they’re ready.
Saturday us.” that key quartet of Mc- in the mix for the start- relying on old histo-
“It’s definitely gon-
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) Sophomores Daw- Glothin, Springfield, ing job. ry won’t get anything
12 p.m. — Mississippi State at Arkan- son Lofton and Brant Whittington and Mur- That means a se- done. na be a lot harder,”
sas, SECN Smith will get the phy — Burt acknowl- nior-heavy lineup for “The past is the Lumsden said. “It’s
1 p.m. — Ole Miss at Kentucky, ESPN like everybody has a
2:30 p.m. — Georgia at Texas A&M, chance to grab a rota- edged that New Hope New Hope this season, past, and we’re not
SECN tion spot behind Burt, doesn’t possess the even if the Trojans gonna be able to target on us. We can’t
3 p.m. — LSU at Alabama, ESPN2 as will senior Presley pop it did last season. don’t yet have the ex- change that,” he said. be complacent. If we
5 p.m. — Tennessee at South Carolina, Hall and junior Zac “We haven’t had as perience of last year’s “We didn’t cheat. We work hard like we
SECN
5 p.m. — Auburn at Missouri, ESPN2 Butler. Hall, the team’s many bombs,” he said. squad. did it the right way. We did last year, I think
7 p.m. — Vanderbilt at Florida, SECN starting shortstop, Burt, who will split “We’ve got a bunch didn’t Astro it. ... This we have a good shot
only pitched around time with Cooper of leadership on this year is this year. It’s again.”
4B FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020
NASCAR’s guessing game: Trying to predict the Daytona 500
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAYTONA BEACH,
Fla. — Survival is the
most important skill in
the Daytona 500.
NASCAR’s season
opener is a three-hour,
white-knuckle thrill ride
in cramped quarters at
200 mph that’s as much
about finding holes and
help than having speed
and handling.
The fastest car rarely
wins and has as good a
shot at ending up in the
junkyard as victory lane.
It’s why little-known
Michael McDowell has
nearly as many top-10 fin-
ishes at Daytona Interna-
tional Speedway as stars
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin
Harvick and Jimmie John-
Comics & Puzzles
DILBERT
ZITS
GARFIELD
CANDORVILLE
BABY BLUES
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
son since the famed track
was repaved in 2010.
McDowell is far from
the only fluke. A look into
recent top-10s at Day-
tona highlights the un-
predictable nature of su-
perspeedway racing and
gives hope to every driver
in the 40-car field.
“To finish first, you
must finish, right?” vet-
eran driver Clint Bowyer
said. “You’ve got to get
there. Literally the hard-
est thing to do is get to the
end of that race with all
four of your fenders on.”
Thirty years after Der-
rike Cope notched argu-
ably the most improbable
win in Daytona 500 histo-
ry, the track has reached
new heights — more of
a “who’s that” scenario
FAMILY CIRCUS
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
than a who’s who of auto
racing running up front at
the end.
“Think about the way
it was when I first started,
what you had to overcome
handling, slipping and
sliding around and a gutsy
move,” said the 40-year-
old Bowyer, who is 0 for 14
in “The Great American
Race” and winless in 28
Cup Series starts at Day-
tona.
“Now it’s survival.
You’ve got to survive,” he
said. “You’ve got to figure
out how to find that hole
that’s a safe hole that you
can survive and make it to
the end.”
McDowell, Chris
Buescher, Matt DiBene-
detto, AJ Allmendinger,
Ty Dillon and Erik Jones
are among those with
more top-10s at Daytona
than Kyle Larson, who
is considered one of NA-
SCAR’s most complete
and capable drivers.
Austin Dillon, Paul
Menard and Ryan New-
man have combined
for more top-10s at the
famed track than Denny
Hamlin, Kyle Busch and
Brad Keselowski.
Odd, right? Some of
the races look downright
off, even for Daytona.
Ryan Preece and Ross
Chastain slipped into the
top 10 in last year’s 500
following two late crash-
es that knocked out near-
ly half the field.
Austin Dillon notched
his second career Cup
Series victory in the
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY:
I met my
lady on a
blind date many
years ago. When
I knocked on the
door, it opened
and this beautiful
girl was standing
there. Thinking
I could never be
so lucky, I asked,
“Is your sister
home?” No. She
was my date.
We dated for
a few months,
fell in love and
Dear Abby
got married. We
have had a wonderful 55-year
marriage, and it gets sweeter
every day. We handle different
opinions with courtesy and
respect.
I’m 81 now, and hugging
and kissing her fills my heart
with warmth and happiness.
The greatest joy in my life is
to love and be loved. I wish
everyone the same. — EC-
STATIC IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR ECSTATIC: Con-
gratulations on 55 years of
happiness. Thank you for
sharing your love story with
my readers and me. Today,
I wish them — and you and
your lovely wife — a very Hap-
py Valentine’s Day.
DEAR ABBY: My sister
recently self-published a book
that purportedly honors my
Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb.
14). You harmonize in concert
with people of different talents,
making beautiful music of the
year. You’ll also get the chance
to step up and take a solo. You
may even win an award for this,
though the best part is the
surprise you feel at what you’re
able to accomplish with con-
sistent work and a supportive
team. Pisces and Cancer adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 6,
40, 33, 38 and 15.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
Your story is yours to tell and
yours to style, too. Embellish,
edit, light it differently, play with
the music — experiment with
the way you see it. Telling your
2018 opener thanks part-
ly to a 12-car pileup in
overtime. Dillon led just
one lap, the last one.
The July race at Day-
tona has been even more
chaotic.
Rookie Justin Ha-
ley won last year’s
rain-shortened debacle
that also included Corey
LaJoie, DiBenedetto and
Matt Tifft in the top 10. It
was the second straight
year the winner only led
the final lap.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.,
McDowell, David Ragan,
Brendan Gaughan and
Buescher found them-
selves up front at the end
in 2017.
“Mainly it’s all about
making good decisions
on the racetrack and
mother’s service
in World War
II. Her book is
completely inac-
curate. It is filled
with romantic
fantasy and
historical errors,
and cheapens
my mother’s
real service with
untruths.
My sister is
now busy selling
and promoting
the book with
interviews and
book signings.
My mother, if
she were still alive, would be
embarrassed and appalled. I
don’t want to cause a family
feud, but I feel if I remain
silent, I’m helping to perpet-
uate something that is wrong
on multiple levels. What, if
anything, should I do? —
READING A LOT INTO IT
DEAR READING: I am
sure your late mother was an
amazing woman whose story
didn’t need embroidering. It
may be a blessing she isn’t
around to see what your sister
has done to it. Because the
book is now in print, it’s too
late to “stop the presses.” If
you try to discredit what was
written, it will very likely cause
a rift, and I don’t recommend
it. Wish your sister luck and
cross your fingers that it won’t
story is as much for you as it is
for them.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
The best way to have fun with
another person is to loosen
the reigns on control a bit. Do
the things you think are fun,
and then leave room, without
attaching yourself to the other
person’s reactions.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
Each person has a bit of chaos
inside — that’s the storm of
humanity. Sometimes the
internal weather is more severe.
Whether you run from or chase
the condition, it’s not hard to
see the remarkable beauty in it.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
It’s pretty simple really; the
being a smart guy on
the track people want to
work with,” DiBenedetto
said. “It’s really doing all
the things in your control
to the best of your ability
and then, on top of that,
hoping all the things
out of your control work
your way because you’ve
got to have some luck.”
The 2010 repave
changed everything at
Daytona.
The worn-out, slip-
pery and bumpy racing
surface, which prompted
tire changes at nearly
every pit stop, was gone.
Instead, new asphalt
around the 2 ½-mile,
high-banked track cre-
ated the tightest pack
racing ever seen at Day-
tona.
become a bestseller.
DEAR ABBY: My brother
lives in another state. He was
never a good brother. He has
always been self-centered,
controlling and condescend-
ing. He is no longer in good
health. Some time ago, he
named me as his power of at-
torney for financial and health
issues. I am elderly and have
my own issues, so, should
the need arise, it would be
difficult for me to travel to
where he is.
He has never been open,
so I don’t know who his health
care providers are, who his
banker or investment people
are, etc., so, even if I were
to go, I’d have no idea where
to start to act on his behalf
and according to his wishes.
I don’t even know what his
wishes are, for that matter.
Because of his caustic
personality, he has few
friends and no family of his
own. How do I resign as his
power of attorney so there is
no assumption by anyone that
I would be a responsible party
for him? — UNABLE IN THE
WEST
DEAR UNABLE: Discuss
this with your attorney to
be sure you have all your i’s
dotted and your t’s crossed.
Then write your brother a
letter. Explain that because
you have no information
about his doctors, his wishes
more you focus on enjoying peo-
ple, the more you enjoy them.
The trick is in being unselfcon-
scious enough to lose yourself
in the experience of another
person.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
The most touching exchanges
happen when busy people make
time for each other. This means
more than expensive gifts ever
could. Money is a renewable
expense; time isn’t.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
Sometimes people don’t fall in
love at all. Rather, they walk into
love fully aware that the next
step is going to get them deeper
into it, but not as deep as the
one after that.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
Your mind will wander. When
it does, know this is not a
random or uncharted path. Your
thoughts are following the map
that was drawn up and laid out
by your heart.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). “I love you” is like the wa-
terway of the Zen saying, “You
can never step in the same river
twice.” You could say those
three words a million times, and
they would still mean something
different with each utterance.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). Attraction isn’t strictly
about the essence of two
people. Circumstances matter.
Environments matter. This is
why filmmakers employ set and
lighting designers. These vibes
don’t conjure themselves!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). Friendship, romance,
compassion — you’ve a form to
match any of love’s many forms.
Honestly, there’s not one that’s
better than the other for you.
You wear them all wonderfully.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). You can be thoughtful in
the moment because you took
the time to consider the mo-
ment long before it arrived. The
earlier work set you up to relax
and enjoy a mighty fine plan.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). While you don’t exactly
believe that love is a single soul
in two bodies, you cannot deny
the uncanny connections you
feel with certain people. On this
holiday, you’ll celebrate love’s
depth.
Mountain climbing
SOLUTION:
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 5B

Shabbat Service
B’nai Israel, 717 2nd Ave. N. Colum-
bus, hosts its Shabbat service at 7:30
p.m. Feb. 14. The public is invited. For
more information, email bnaiisraelcolum-
busms@gmail.com.
Reunion Meeting
Shepherd’s Care and Share Ministry
Church, 4068 Jess Lyons Road Colum-
bus, hosts the Class of 1981 Motley/
West Lowndes reunion meeting at 4 p.m.
Feb. 16. Refreshments will be served. For
more information, call Rev. Charlie Carter,
662-435-2215 or Rev. D.R. Gore, 662-
497-4188 or 662-497-9406.
RELIGIOUS BRIEFS
Fellowship Dinner, Youth Service
Pleasant Ridge Faith Center, 923
Ridge Road, Columbus, hosts a fellow-
ship dinner and youth service every 3rd
Sunday.
Gospel Book Club
Friendship M.B. Church, 1102 12th
Ave. S., invites the public to join its Com-
munity Gospel Book Club from 6-7 p.m.,
on the fourth Friday of each month, to
study and share views of the Holy Bible.
Open to all ages and ethnicities. For more
information, call Barbara Mattison or
Lillian Murray, 662-570-5595.
Grief Support Group
youth from 2-3 p.m.
Prayer, Free Coffee
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist
Church, 2221 14th Ave. N., hosts free
coffee and a prayer community outreach
service from 8-9 a.m. every 5th Saturday.
For information, contact Jesse Slater,
662-328-4979.
Radio Program
Apostles Patrick Perkins invites the
public to tune in to WTWG, radio 1050
AM for Perfecting the Saints Broadcast,
Wednesdays 8:30 a.m.
Women Prayer, Worship Service Sudoku YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

Black History The Oil of Joy for Grief and Mourning Church of the Eternal Word, 106 22nd
Sixth Avenue M.B. Church hosts its
offers a grief support group at 6 p.m.
every 2nd Thursday of the month at
St. S., holds a prayer and worship service
every Thursday from 5-6 p.m. Call Marie
Sudoku
Sudoku is a number-
placing puzzle based on
Yesterday’s answer
Black History celebration at 3 p.m. Feb Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num- 6 3 7 5 8 1 9 4 2
United Christian Baptist Church, 232 Nabors, 662-549-4322 or 662-329-
23,The guest speaker will be the Rev. ber-placing
given numbers.puzzleThe object 1 4 2 9 3 6 5 8 7

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

Yorkville Road East. “Making your grieving 1234, for prayer requests.
Sammie Lyons, Pastor of Prairie Chapel based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 5 8 9 7 4 2 6 1 3
journey easier.” For more information, call
M.B. Church of Columbus. The public is grid
1 to 9with
in theseveral
empty spaces 2 9 3 1 5 4 8 7 6
invited. 662-327-0604 or e-mail unitedchristian@ Prayer Ministry given
so thatnumbers.
each row, eachThe 8 7 6 2 9 3 1 5 4
cableone.net. New Beginning Everlasting Outreach object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place box
numbers 4 1 5 8 6 7 2 3 9
contains the1same to 9 number
in
Ministry invites the public to call in with
Revival Celebrate Recovery their prayer requests at 662-327-9843. the empty spaces so 3 2 1 6 7 5 4 9 8
Spirit of Prayer Holiness Church, 267 only once. The difficulty 7 6 8 4 1 9 3 2 5
The Assembly Church, 2201 Military that each row, each
Byrnes Cr., Columbus, hosts a revival at level increases from
Road, and Meadowview Church, 300 Prayer Service column and each
Monday
9 5 4 3 2 8 7 6 1
boxtocontains
Sunday.
7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and at 11 a.m. Feb. Linden Circle in Starkville, host Celebrate Church of the Eternal Word, 106 3x3 Difficulty Level 2/13

15 and 16. The guest speaker will be
Evangelist Eugene Maddox of Fitzgerald,
Georgia. For more information, call Pastor
Terry Outlaw, 662-329-4823.
School of Ministry Enrollment
Mississippi State School of Ministry
is now taking applications for enrollment.
Earn a certification, associates, bache-
lor, master or doctoral degree in divinity.
For more information, call Dr. Michael T.
Boyd, 662-425-8443.
Forgive and Live
Forgive and Live meets from 6-7 p.m.
every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
in the downtown YMCA Board Room.
Inquire and seek information to succeed
spiritually, physically and financially and
be eager to be a blessing to the commu-
nity, churches and families through the
Word of God. The public is invited to at-
tend. For more information, call Pat Fisher
Douglas, 662-251-5899.
Recovery at 6 p.m. every Sunday at The
Assembly Church (next to Lowe’s) and
at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at Meadowview
Church. Get help, healing and support
for any habit, hurt or hang-up using the
Christ-centered 12 steps.
Divorce Recovery
The DivorceCare Recovery support
group meets from 4:30-6 p.m. each Sun-
day beginning Jan. 12-April 5 at Mead-
owood Baptist Church, 1512 Hatley Road
in Amory. Child care provided through
5th grade. Standalone seminar sessions
topics are “Facing My Anger”, “Facing My
Loneliness”, “New Relationships”, and
“Forgiveness”. For more information, call
Meadowood Baptist Church, 662-256-
5616, or email meadowoodamory@gmail.
com.
Prayer for Youth
Every 2nd and 3rd Saturday, Pleasant
Ridge Faith Center hosts a prayer for the
22nd. St. S., Columbus, holds prayer the same number only once. The difficulty level
service Thursday nights 5-6 p.m. Contact increases from Monday to Sunday.
Marie Nabors, 662-549-4322. Church
service times: Sunday school 10 a.m.;
Sunday worship 11:15 a.m.; Tuesday
Bible study 7 p.m. For information, call
Pastor District Elder Lou Nabors, 662-
329-1234.
Fitness Transformations
The Transformational Church, 2301
Jess Lyons Road, hosts boxing lessons
Mondays and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m.,
weight-loss boot camp Tuesdays and
Thursdays 5-7 p.m. and both on Satur-
days 9-11 a.m.
Youth Fellowship
The Transformational Church, 2301
Jess Lyons Road, hosts Youth Fellowship
from 7-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Games,
prayer, service, food, & more. Transpor-
tation available. For information, call Iris
Roberson, 662-295-7456.

Judge orders open hearing on NFL

team’s emails with church
Lawyers: Saints emails show team executives did behind-
the-scenes public relations damage control amid the
Archdiocese of New Orleans’ clergy abuse crisis
BY KEVIN MCGILL
The Associated Press
News outlets and the
public will be able to at-
tend a hearing next week
in New Orleans on the
confidentiality of emails
between Roman Catho-
lic officials and the city’s
NFL franchise concern-
ing clergy sex-abuse
scandals.
A state judge in New
Orleans ruled Thursday
that the Feb. 20 hearing
will be open, although she
cautioned attorneys that
they must not disclose the
contents of the emails at
that hearing.
As The Associat-
ed Press reported last
month, victims’ lawyers
allege that hundreds
of Saints emails show
team executives did be-
hind-the-scenes public
relations damage control
amid the Archdiocese
of New Orleans’ clergy
abuse crisis. The team
has gone to court to keep
the emails from being
ing allowed to participate
in arguments for release
of the emails. Until the
judge ruled Thursday, the
Feb. 20 hearing before
the special master was to
made public, saying court be closed to the public.
rules would ordinarily The owners of The
keep them under seal and T i m e s - P i c a y u n e/ T h e
that the plaintiffs’ lawyers New Orleans Advocate, ACROSS
want them released “for WVUE-TV, WWL-TV 1 Elite Navy
publicity purposes.” and WDSU-TV filed a group
A court-appointed motion for access to the 6 Scrooge, e.g.
special master is to de- hearing. A lawyer for the 11 Cow of com-
termine whether they local news outlets said the mercials
may be released and will AP should not be the only 12 Singer Cara
preside over next week’s media outlet present at 13 Cobbler fruit
hearing. the hearing.
14 Flat fish
The AP has been al-
15 West of films
Judge Ellen Hazeur
16 Rich desserts
lowed to intervene in the agreed. “All the public
18 PC key
effort to get the emails re- has a right to it,” she said,
19 Bro’s sibling
leased and lawyers for the ruling from the bench af- 20 Lode material
news cooperative are be- ter a brief hearing. 21 Jot down
23 Inclines
25 Put in stitches
27 Hosp.
workers DOWN 24 Bol. neighbor

401(k)s hit records as workers sock away more, stocks jump 28 General
Powell
30 “The Naked
1 Mariners
2 Rio Grande
city
26 Testimony
giver
28 Some stock
BY STAN CHOE skews the average higher. across accounts in 2019: return. Investments of all Maja” painter 3 Andrew Lloyd 29 Squirrel’s
AP Business Writer Surging markets The S&P 500 index had types logged gains, from 33 Clumsy one Webber musical snack
around the world were one of its best years in de- junk bonds to stocks from 34 Soaking spot 4 Rap’s — Kim 31 Terse conces-
NEW YORK — How’s a big reason for growth cades with a 31.5 percent developing economies. 36 In favor of 5 Appears sion
your 401(k) doing? 37 Falcons’ 6 Exploited 32 Silver, in
President Donald home 7 Ticks off heraldry
Trump likes to ask that 39 Galoot 8 Song from 33 Desert spots
question around the coun- 40 Burner setting “Rent” 35 Some football
try, sometimes throwing 41 “Gladiator” 9 Keys in players
out big gains like 90 per- star 10 Oscar winner 38 Gung-ho
cent or 95 percent. The 43 “The King” Witherspoon 42 Workout unit
average 401(k) did indeed 44 Bacon from 17 Squeak
hit a record last year, al- “Diner” stopper
though its growth was 45 Canary chow 22 Long swim-
considerably less than 46 Used up mer
that.
The average 401(k)
balance rose 17 percent
last year to $112,300 from
the end of 2018, according
to a review of 17.3 million
accounts by Fidelity In-
vestments. The average
individual retirement ac-
count, or IRA, balance
rose the same percentage
to $115,400.
Those figures are av-
erages, not medians, and
the typical 401(k) might
be closer to a quarter of
that. The top 1 percent of
401(k) savers has more
than $1 million in each
of their accounts, which

cdispatch.com
Classifieds
LEGALS
CALL US: 662-328-2424
Legal Notices
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
NOTICE OF SALE
WHEREAS, the following ten-
ants entered into leases with
FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES for storage space in
which to store personal prop-
erty and
WHEREAS, default has been
made in the payment of rent
and FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES pursuant to said
Leases is authorized to sell the
personal property to satisfy the
past due and any other
charges owed to it by the fol-
lowing tenants.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is
hereby given that FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will of-
fer for sale, and will sell at auc-
tion to the highest bidder for
cash all personal property in
storage units leased by the fol-
lowing tenants at FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES 903
Alabama St. Columbus, MS.
Auctions will begin at 8:30
A.M. on the 6th day of March,
A.D. 2020 at 308 Shoney
Drive, Columbus, MS and will
continue to all FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSE locations in
the following sequence: 903
Alabama Street, Columbus,
MS; 44 Beatty Road, Colum-
bus, MS; 4504 Highway 69
South, Columbus, MS. All auc-
tions are with reserve and
therefore all units can be with-
drawn from the sale at any
time by the auctioneer/man-
ager.
Title to the personal property to which to store personal prop-
be sold is believed to be good, erty and
but at such sale, FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will
convey only such title as is ves- made in the payment of rent
ted in it pursuant to its lease
with the following and its al-
lowed under Mississippi Code
Annotated Section 85-7-121 et personal property to satisfy the
seq (Supp 1988).
Tyterena Moten - E51
Doran Johnson - E357, E358
Carl Gardner - E237
Jennifer Overpeck - E226
Ramona Frierson - E43
Deona Glass - E472
Jonathan Morris - E266
Lance Lejeune - E225
Troy Anderson - E99, E336
Jeanette Lloyd - E66
Patricia Wilson - E360
Shiffon Gathright - E221
WITNESS MY SIGNATURE on
this the 4th day of February,
A.D. 2020.
FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSES
By: C.H.L.
Publish: 2/7, 2/14, &
2/21/2020
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
NOTICE OF SALE
WHEREAS, the following ten-
ants entered into leases with
FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES for storage space in
which to store personal prop-
erty and
WHEREAS, default has been
made in the payment of rent
and FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE- Wendy Blunt - H60, H104
HOUSES pursuant to said
Leases is authorized to sell the WITNESS MY SIGNATURE on
personal property to satisfy the this the 4th day of February,
past due and any other
charges owed to it by the fol-
lowing tenants.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is
hereby given that FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will of- Publish: 2/7, 2/14, &
fer for sale, and will sell at auc- 2/21/2020
tion to the highest bidder for
cash all personal property in
storage units leased by the fol-
lowing tenants at FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES 44
Beatty Road, Columbus, MS.
Auctions will begin at 8:30
A.M. on the 6th day of March,
A.D. 2020 at 308 Shoney
Drive, Columbus, MS and will
continue to all FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSE locations in
the following sequence: 903
Alabama Street, Columbus,
MS; 44 Beatty Road, Colum-
bus, MS; 4504 Highway 69
South, Columbus, MS. All auc-
tions are with reserve and
therefore all units can be with-
drawn from the sale at any
time by the auctioneer/man-
ager.
Title to the personal property to
be sold is believed to be good,
but at such sale, FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will
convey only such title as is ves-
ted in it pursuant to its lease
with the following and its al-
lowed under Mississippi Code
Annotated Section 85-7-121 et
seq (Supp 1988).
Milton Rawle Jr. - B56
Chris Herring - B27
Margaret Slaughter - B37
Larry Gillard II - B26
James Allison - B63
WITNESS MY SIGNATURE on
this the 4th day of February,
A.D. 2020.
FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSES
By: C.H.L.
Publish: 2/7, 2/14, &
2/21/2020
All notices must be
emailed to
classifieds@
cdispatch.com.
Legal Notices
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: ESTATE OF BRUCE
HENDERSON, DECEASED
ROBERT BRIAN HENDERSON,
EXECUTOR
CAUSE NO.: 2020-00022-JNS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to the
undersigned upon the Estate of
Bruce Henderson, Deceased,
by the Chancery Court of
Lowndes County, Mississippi,
on the 11th day of February
2020. This is to give notice to
all persons having claims
against said estate to Probate
and Register same with the
Chancery Clerk of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, within
ninety (90) days from this date.
A failure to so Probate and Re-
gister said claim will forever
bar the same.
This the 11th day of February
2020.
Robert Brian Henderson
ROBERT BRIAN HENDERSON
PUBLISH: 2/14, 2/21, &
2/28/2020
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
NOTICE OF SALE
WHEREAS, the following ten-
ants entered into leases with
FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES for storage space in
WHEREAS, default has been
and FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES pursuant to said
Leases is authorized to sell the
past due and any other
charges owed to it by the fol-
lowing tenants.
NOW THEREFORE, notice is
hereby given that FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will of-
fer for sale, and will sell at auc-
tion to the highest bidder for
cash all personal property in
storage units leased by the fol-
lowing tenants at FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES 4504
Highway 69 South, Columbus,
MS. Auctions will begin at 8:30
A.M. on the 6th day March,
A.D. 2020 at 308 Shoney
Drive, Columbus, MS and will
continue to all FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSE locations in
the following sequence: 903
Alabama Street, Columbus,
MS; 44 Beatty Road, Colum-
bus, MS; 4504 Highway 69
South, Columbus, MS. All auc-
tions are with reserve and
therefore all units can be with-
drawn from the sale at any
time by the auctioneer/man-
ager.
Title to the personal property to lowing tenants.
be sold is believed to be good,
but at such sale, FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will
convey only such title as is ves- CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will of-
ted in it pursuant to its lease
with the following and its al-
lowed under Mississippi Code
Annotated Section 85-7-121 et storage units leased by the fol-
seq (Supp 1988).
Stacy Norris - H64
Don Vaughn - H87
Kyron Taylor - H98
Robert Clark - H70
Joyce Vaughn - H99
A.D. 2020.
FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSES
By: C.H.L.
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MAR-
ILYN HARRIS THOMPSON,
DECEASED
BY: SHERRY DIANE EADS,
PETITIONER
CAUSE NO.: 2019-0186-JNS
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: THE KNOWN AND UN-
KNOWN HEIRS of Marilyn
Thompson, Deceased.
You have been made a Re-
spondent in the suit filed in
this Court by Sherry Diane
Eads in Petition for Determina-
tion of Heirship and Wrongful
Death Beneficiaries.
You are summoned to appear
and defend against the com-
plaint or petition filed against
you in this action at 9:00 A.M.
on the 17th day of March,
2020, in the courtroom of the
Lowndes County Courthouse at
Columbus, 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 not required to file an
answer or other pleading, but
you may do so if you desire.
ISSUED UNDER MY HAND AND skills, awesome at filling
THE SEAL OF SAID COURT, this out forms, honest, people
the 11th day of February,
2020.
/s/ Cindy Goode by Shantrell
W. Granderson, D.C.
CINDY GOODE, Chancery Clerk
Lowndes County, Mississippi
PUBLISH: 2/14, 2/21 &
2/28/2020
Legal Notices
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE: MATTER OF THE LAST
WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WIL-
BERT THOMAS, SR., DE-
CEASED, VERONICA THOMAS
HAIRSTON, EXECUTRIX
CAUSE NO. 2019-0066
SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
TO: MARY GUNTER THOMAS,
222 Sara Sista Circle, Harvest,
AL 35749, who is an adult non-
resident of the State of Missis-
sippi, or not to be found
therein after diligent inquiry,
and whose post office address,
except as set forth above, is
unknown to the Petitioner after
diligent inquiry.
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT
THE COMPLAINT OR PETITION
WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS
SUMMONS IS IMPORTANT AND
YOU MUST TAKE IMMEDIATE
ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR
RIGHTS.
You are required to mail or
hand-deliver a copy of a writ-
ten response to the Complaint
to Gary Street Goodwin, attor-
ney for the Plaintiff, whose
post office address is Post Of-
fice Box 524, Columbus, Mis-
sissippi 39703-0524, and
whose street address is The
Plaza Building, 501 7th Street
North, Suite 10, Columbus,
Mississippi 39701. Your re-
sponse must be mailed or de-
livered within thirty (30) days
from the date of delivery of this
Summons and Complaint, or a
judgment by default will be
entered against you for the
money or other things deman-
ded in the Complaint.
You must also file the original
or your response with the clerk
of this Court within a reason-
able time afterward.
Issued under my hand and the
seal of said Court, this the
24th day of January, 2020.
CINDY GOODE, LOWNDES
COUNTY CHANCERY CLERK
P.O. BOX 684, COLUMBUS, MS
39703
(SEAL)
BY: s/ TINA FISHER D.C.
Publication dates: January 31,
February 7 and 14, 2020
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
NOTICE OF SALE
WHEREAS, the following ten-
ants entered into leases with
FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES for storage space in
which to store personal prop-
erty and
WHEREAS, default has been
made in the payment of rent
and FRIENDLY CITY MINI-WARE-
HOUSES pursuant to said
Leases is authorized to sell the
personal property to satisfy the
past due and any other
charges owed to it by the fol-
NOW THEREFORE, notice is
hereby given that FRIENDLY
fer for sale, and will sell at auc-
tion to the highest bidder for
cash all personal property in
lowing tenants at FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES 308
Shoney Drive Columbus, MS,
at 8:30 am on the 6th day of
March, A.D. 2020 and will con-
tinue to all FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSE locations in
the following sequence: 903
Alabama Street, Columbus,
MS; 44 Beatty Road, Colum-
bus, MS; 4504 Highway 69
South, Columbus, MS. All auc-
tions are with reserve and
therefore all units can be with-
drawn from the sale at any
time by the auctioneer/ man-
ager.
Title to the personal property to
be sold is believed to be good,
but at such sale, FRIENDLY
CITY MINI-WAREHOUSES will
convey only such title as is ves-
ted in it pursuant to its lease
with the following and its al-
lowed under Mississippi Code
Annotated Section 85-7-121 et
seq (Supp 1988).
Matthew Belleville - N158
Ebony M. Davis - N81
Thomas A. Irvin - N115
William Thomas III - N223
Hank Johnson - N132
John Spencer - N150
Patricia Webber - N216
Dorothy Bluitt - N125
Onterrio Lowery - N34
WITNESS MY SIGNATURE on
this the 4th day of February,
A.D. 2020.
FRIENDLY CITY
MINI-WAREHOUSES
By: C.H.L.
Publish: 2/7, 2/14, &
2/21/2020
EMPLOYMENT
CALL US: 662-328-2424
General Help Wanted
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST-
ANT: You’re an admin pro
who doesn’t want to be a
secretary. You have great
MS Office and computer
person, who is great at
organizing paperwork and
projects. Exceptional at
follow through and details.
Looking for a good work
environment with some-
what flexible hours.
Send us a resume:
job107@cdispatch.com
ADS APPEAR IN THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH,
THE STARKVILLE DISPATCH AND ONLINE
Medical / Dental
General Help Wanted
THE COMMERCIAL
DISPATCH is seeking a
mechanically-minded indi-
vidual to work in its press-
room. Applicants must be
comfortable working around
heavy machinery, adhering
to tight deadlines and must
have an eye for detail &
quality. Flexible hours are a
must. Must pass drug test.
Email resume to
mfloyd@cdispatch.com
or drop resumes off at
516 Main Street
Columbus, MS 39701.
No phone calls please.
VETERINARY ASSISTANT/
KENNEL HAND needed.
Part time position. Animal
experience is necessary.
If interested, please call
662-524-4155.
Restaurant / Hotel
SUBWAY OF Columbus is
now taking applications for
opening shift at Walmart
location. Apply in person at
Alabama St location or to
set an interview, send your
name and number to
sub2000inc@gmail.com
RENTALS
ADS STARTING AT $25
Apts For Rent: South
TWO 1BR/1BA APTS
located at 121 5th St. S.
$700/mo. 662−328−
8655.
Apts For Rent: West
VIP
Rentals
Apartments & Houses
1 Bedrooms
2 Bedroooms
3 Bedrooms
Furnished & Unfurnished
1, 2, & 3 Baths
Lease, Deposit
& Credit Check
viceinvestments.com
327-8555
Apts For Rent: Other
1ST MONTH − RENT FREE!
1−2 BR Apt: $350−435
1−2BR TwnHome:
$625−650
Lease, Dep, Credit Check.
Coleman Realty
662−329−2323
DOWNTOWN: 2BR/1BA
CH&A, 1 story, W/D,
historic district, 1 block
from downtown.
$575/mo. + $575 dep.
NO PETS. 662−574−8789.
Peaceful & Quiet area.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
PROMOTE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS STARTING AT ONLY $25
Carpet & Flooring
CARPET INSTALLATION.
Re−Stretch & Repair also
avail. I accept select jobs.
Call Walt, 662−574−8134.
DAVID’S CARPET &
UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING
1 Room − $50
2 Rooms − $70
3+ Rooms − $30 EA
Rugs−Must Be Seen
Car Upholstery
Cleaning Available
662−722−1758
ads.cdispatch.com
To place ads starting at only $12,
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020 n 6B
Mobile Homes for Rent General Merchandise
RENT A CAMPER! ESTATE SALE − ONGOING
CHEAPER THAN A MOTEL! FEB 1−29. ALL MUST GO!
Utilities & cable included, 662−435−0641. 548 Hwy.
from $145/wk − $535/ 45 N. Frontage Rd. 10−till.
month. Columbus & County By appt: 662−352−4460.
School locations. 662−242 Furn, home decor, linens,
−7653 or 601−940−1397. Tonneau cover, comm kit
items, etc. No junk.
RV/MOBILE HOME SITE MULTIPLEX DISPLAY
near CAFB, Caledonia EXHIBIT or portable room
schools. Call 601−940− dividers. 49in wide x
1397. 59.5in tall x 1in thick.
Seven panels, double
Office Spaces For Rent sided, finished, washable
surface, medium brown in
color. $150 per panel. Call
OFFICE SPACE FOR
LEASE. 1112 Main St., 662−323−8614.
Ste. 5. 3700 sq. ft.
Plenty of private parking. WANTED FREON R12.
662−327−9559. We pay CA$H.
R12 R500 R11.
Convenient.
Certified professionals.
REAL ESTATE
312−291−9169
RefrigerantFinders.com/ad
Sporting Goods
ADS STARTING AT $25
ED SANDERS GUNSMITH
Houses For Sale: North OPEN FOR SEASON!
9−5: Tues−Fri &
Apts For Rent: Other FSBO: 3BR/2BA, 3304 5th 9−12: Sat.
Over 50 years experience!
St N. Fenced back yard w/
Repairs, cleaning,
sm shop. Great neighbor−
hood. $110,000. 662−356 refinishing, scopes
−4764 or 901−848−0051. mounted & zeroed,
handmade knives.
Located: Hwy 45 Alt, North
Houses For Sale: Caledonia
of West Point, turn right on
Yokahama Blvd, 8mi & turn
FSBO: 3BR/2BA ON 2.5
left on Darracott Rd, see
ACRES. 1600 sqft. sign, 2.5mi ahead, shop on
Completely remodeled.
left. 662−494−6218.
$178,000. 662−386−
7113.
VEHICLES
Lots & Acreage
Beautiful 1+ acre
construction ready lot ADS STARTING AT $12
Honeysuckle Drive, NH
School District, paved Campers & RVs
frontage, $15,000. 662−
549−3764. $15,000.00
662−549−3764 2012 JAYCO EAGLE 5th
WHEEL. 39ft, 4 slide−outs.
2BR, 48" TV & 27" TV.
$26,500. 662−386−9605.
COLEMAN 1.75 ACRE LOTS.
Good/Bad Credit Options.
RENTALS Good credit as low as 10%
COMMUNITY
TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS down, $299/mo. Eaton
Land, 662−361−7711.
1 BEDROOM
2 BEDROOMS ADS STARTING AT $12
GARAGE SALES
3 BEDROOMS
Instruction & School
LEASE,
© The Dispatch
TWO FREE SIGNS
DEPOSIT
AND Estate Sales
CREDIT CHECK
662-329-2323
INDOOR SALE @ 2212
NEW HOPE RD. Krohe
family. Tables, clothes,
2411 HWY 45 N
jewelry, etc. Fri/Sat/Sun,
6a−6p. 901−293−7608.
COLUMBUS, MS Christian Women’s Job
Corps Class Spring
Joy Peters Estate Sale! 2020−FREE TRAINING
Commercial Property For Rent 372 Cedar Drive Evening classes in
Columbus, MS 39705 Computer Training,
FOR RENT LOCATED NEAR Sat. Feb. 15, 8am−5pm
Resume Writing &
DOWNTOWN. 3,000 sq. ft. Sun. 16, 1pm−5pm Interview Skills for Job
truck terminal, 9,500 sq. Mon. 17, 9am−4pm Seeking Women.
ft. shop & 3,200 sq. ft.
Selling Entire Contents of Enrolling now for Tues &
office/shop. Buildings can Home and Garage, High Thurs starting February
be rented together or
Quality Furniture and 4th at Christian
separately. All w/ excellent Decorative items, Kitchen Women’s Job Corps.
access & Hwy. 82 visibility. Items, China, Crystal,
Min H.S. Diploma or
662−327−9559. Pottery, Tools, Antique Equivalent required. Call
French Bed, Women’s 662−722−3016 or visit
Houses For Rent: North Clothing, hundred of items. cwjcgtms.org
Stewart’s Antiques,
3BR/1BA, BRICK HOME, Appraisals & Estate Sales Pets
central heat & window air, Benny Shelton
fenced yard. Close to
shopping! $575/mo +
Columbus, MS 662−251−
1515 www.estatesales.net AKC GERMAN SHEPHERD
$500 dep. 1120 6th Ave. PUPPIES. Exc. ped. Blk/
red. Vet checked, w/s,
N. 662−352−4776. Garage Sales: New Hope
wormed. Ready to go!
662−213−4609.
3BR/2BA BRICK Home,
ch/a, stove, dw, & fridge
MOVING SALE 188 Bobbitt
St. Fri. 12−6pm & Sat. Pet Supplies / Accessories
furn. Fenced backyard. 7am−1pm. Everything must
1204 6th St. N. $785/mo go. Lots of h/h items, Happy Jack® LiquiVict 2x:
sewing machine, patterns, recognized safe & effective
+ dep. 662−352−4776.
vacuum cleaner, bikes, by U.S. CVM against hook
piano, clothes 2x−3x name & round worms in dogs.
COLONIAL TOWNHOUSES. brand, nice shoes, purses, At Tractor Supply.
2 & 3 bedroom w/ 2−3 coats, lamps. Must see to (www.kennelvax.com)
bath townhouses. $625 to appreciate. Come make an
$675. 662−549−9555. offer.
Ask for Glenn or text.
Five Questions:
1 Red and white
MERCHANDISE
GREAT LOCATION! Dead
end street. Very private and
2 Play-Doh
country atmosphere with
city convenience. Updated
ADS STARTING AT $12
3 Extra virgin
and remodeled. $900.00
901−413−8121
olive oil
Burial Plots
Houses For Rent: East
4 Bethenny
Four Burial plots in Mem−
3 BR/1BA HOUSE Poplar orial Gardens, Columbus.
Frankel
St. 425/mo. 425/dep. No Close to trees and the
Hud. No Section 8. 205− white statue. Vaults
5 “The O.C.”
442−2011 or 601−940− included. $900 each, sold
1397. together. 662−364−2106.
General Services General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping
A & T TREE SERVICES
Bucket truck & stump MONOGRAMMING JESSE & BEVERLY’S
LAWN SERVICE
removal. Free est.
Serving Columbus
since 1987. Senior Just for Ladies Mowing, cleanup,
landscaping, sodding,
& tree cutting.
citizen disc. Call Alvin @
242−0324/241−4447
"We’ll go out on a limb for
Mossy Oak Mall • West Point
662-492-4221 • Mon.-Sat.
662−356−6525
Painting & Papering
CHILDREN’S & LADIES’ CONSIGNMENT
you!"
SULLIVAN’S PAINT
WORK WANTED:
Licensed & Bonded.
Carpentry, minor electrical,
JEWELRY REPAIR SERVICE. Special Prices.
Interior and Exterior
RKERS Painting. 662−435−6528
minor plumbing, insulation, PA
ON
J.
painting, demolition, Tree Services
gutters cleaned, pressure
100 Russell St.
washing, landscaping, E
W ELER Starkville, MS J&A TREE REMOVAL
J
cleanup work, moving help.
662-268-8058
Work from a bucket truck.
662−242−3608.
Insured/bonded.
Call Jimmy Prescott for free
GRAVEL. $360 PER LOAD. CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY estimate, 662−386−6286.
Local delivery, 14 yd truck. $545 plus Filing Fee
Backhoe & Dozer work.
CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY
Mobile Home Pads & All Attorney Fees Through The Plan
Read local.
Driveways.
662−497−1388 Jim Arnold, Attorney
662-324-1666 cdispatch.com
104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville