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Monday | February 17, 2020

Reps hope to introduce family dynamics in the classroom

Some legislators, educators feel home economics
skills should not be ‘sole responsibility of educators’
BY TESS VRBIN
tvrbin@cdispatch.com
State Rep. Kabir Karriem (D-Colum-
bus) is still in touch with Mary Moore,
his home economics teacher from
eighth grade. She still teases him about
the time he put salt instead of sugar in a
batch of cookies, he said.
“(The class) was an experience that
taught me how to cook and how to sew,”
Karriem said. “I wear a suit every day.
Sometimes I hit a snag and might lose a
button, and because of Ms. Moore, I’m
able to sew my own button back on.”
Current state statute requires the
option of home economics classes for
students in grades 10 through 12, spe-
cifically “course work in responsible
parenting and family living skills ... with
emphasis on nutrition, emotional health
Karriem Taylor Mickens
and physical health.” Karriem is one of
10 representatives, three from the Gold-
en Triangle, co-sponsoring a bill in the
Legislature that proposes additional and
mandatory life skills coursework.
The bill would require all Mississip-
pi school districts to implement “course
work in birth to age three development,
financial management and household fi-
nances, and teen pregnancy prevention”
for students in seventh, eighth or ninth
grade.
Existing home economics classes are
not required for all students and there-
fore are not enough for “a generation
that is lacking in soft skills,” said Rep.
Cheikh Taylor (D-Starkville), a co-spon-
sor of the bill and a member of the House
See LEGISLATORS, 6A

Supes approve
MONDAY PROFILE
purchase of multi-
‘Just a helper’ purpose floor at
McComic finds ways to aid veterans, Crawford gym
disabled in his community Jeff Smith dissatisfied
with the decision, abstains
‘He’s just one of from all votes thereafter
those guys that you, BY YUE STELLA YU
syu@cdispatch.com

if you know him, The Crawford Elementary

you never have to School gym is getting a new
floor. But not the kind its district
question where you county supervisor Jeff Smith
would like to see.
stand with him.’ Lowndes County Board
of Supervisors voted 3-2 Fri-
BY SLIM SMITH day morning to purchase a
ssmith@cdispatch.com multi-purpose floor for the gym Smith
at an estimated cost of $39,400.

T
oday from 2-5 p.m., at
American Legion Post 38
in West Point, veterans
and first responders will be
treated to a barbecue lunch with
all the trimmings.
The meal is sponsored by
the American Legion Riders,
a motorcycle group from the
American Legion Post. Charles
“Hoss” McComic, 58, has been
spreading the word but insists
he’s “just a helper.”
The real credit, he said,
belongs to the group’s officers,
which includes his girlfriend,
Linda Babcock, the group’s
secretary-treasurer.
“I don’t do any of this stuff for
publicity,” McComic insisted.
For those familiar with Mc-
Comic, which seems to be just
about everyone in his home-
town, it’s a familiar refrain.
“He’s just an outgoing per-
son,” Babcock said. “He’s got a
real heart for his community. If
somebody needs help, he’ll help
them, and if he can’t, he’ll find
people who can. He’s great at
pulling people together because
he knows so many people.”
In many respects, McComic
is not unlike the TV charac-
ter from the 1960s TV series
“Bonanza” with whom he shares
a nickname. Barrel-chested
and genial, McComic can also
be plain-spoken and critical,
especially where he believes the
town’s leadership is concerned.
“We need things for our kids
and our older people in this
town,” said McComic. “Yeah,
I’ve been pretty clear about that
Smith and District 5 Supervisor
Leroy Brooks were the two dis-
senting votes.
The renovation of the gym
is funded through a $350,000
bond package approved by the
state Legislature last year. The
reconstruction of the site is ex- Short
pected to reach completion in
May.
In an early February meeting, the board
postponed the decision on the gym floor and
directed County Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment Director Roger Short to present more de-
tailed floor plans and cost analysis. Smith op-
posed having a multi-purpose floor at the time
and suggested a hardwood floor would better
fit the gym.
During Friday’s meeting, Bruce Gleneck,
owner of Memphis-based athletic flooring
company Sports Floors who came at Smith’s
invitation, told the supervisors that the choice
of flooring boils down to how long the floor is
expected to last.
Deanna Robinson/Dispatch Staff
Some people may soon get tired of the plas-
Hoss McComic, center, poses for a photo with his girlfriend Linda tic floor and replace it, he said, whereas a hard-
Babcock and his friend John “Cowboy” Woodard Thursday at the
American Legion in West Point where Woodard is the post sergeant at wood floor lasts about 75 years, which saves
arms. McComic is a West Point native who tries to find ways to help money in the long run.
people in his community, from rigging a wheelchair for use outdoors “It’s gonna cost you roughly $2,200 per year
to helping organize and promote a barbecue for first responders on to have that (plastic) floor, because you are go-
President’s Day. ing to pull it up in a certain amount of time,” he
said. “Hardwood floors would cost you $1,000
and I know a lot of people may you stand with him,” Ward said. a year.”
think I’m a SOB, but all I know “If you’re his friend, you know But County Parks and Recreations Direc-
is that when I put my head on it. He’ll give you the shirt off tor Roger Short still recommended the Sport
my pillow at night, I sleep just his back, do anything for you. Court multi-purpose floor. He said refinishing
fine.” If you’re on the other side, well, a hardwood floor would cost $5,200 a year, a
Historian Rufus Ward, who you know that, too.” cost a multi-purpose floor would not generate.
grew up in West Point, said McComic seems to shed District 2 Supervisor Trip Hairston op-
McComic is one of those people compliments and criticisms with posed the idea of a hardwood floor, expressing
who give small-town life its equal aplomb. concerns of the difficulty to protect the floor in
character. “What I do is for other peo- a public facility.
“He’s just one of those guys ple, not for me. I don’t even like “It’s gonna cost us extra maintenance every
that you, if you know him, you talking about it,” he said. “I’ve year to do a hardwood floor,” Hairston said.
never have to question where See PROFILE, 6A Smith told The Dispatch Friday afternoon
that hardwood floor isn’t a must. However, he
said, he doesn’t think plastic floors are of
See GYM, 6A

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS CALENDAR LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

1 What DJ is the third member of the hip-hop Wednesday, Feb. 19 MEETINGS
group Salt-N-Pepa? Feb. 17: Oktibbe-
■ Table Talks: Friends of the Columbus-Lown-
2 In 2013, volunteers in which state stitched ha County Board
des Public Library revives its Table Talk series at
a replica of the 1813 flag that flew over Fort of Supervisors
McHenry and inspired the national anthem? 5 p.m. with author John Bateman of Starkville
discussing his book, “Who Killed Buster Spar- meeting, 5:30 p.m.,
3 What band was inducted in to the Rock and Chancery Court-
Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, along with their kle?,” at the library at 314 Seventh St. N. Free.
guitarist and his signature shoplifted top hat? Call 662-329-5300 for more information. house
London Black Feb. 18: Starkville
4 What low-cost airline launched in 2000 with ■ Artist talk: Brent Funderburk of Starkville
Fifth grade, Annunciation Board of Aldermen
only two destinations, but in 2015 flew to 84 presents an artist talk, “Stories from the Soul

70 Low 58
locations in 24 states and 12 countries? House,” at 10 a.m. at the Oktibbeha County Her- meeting, 5:30 p.m.,
High 5 Which tool company took out the ampersand itage Museum, 206 Fellowship St., Starkville. City Hall
Chance of rain
in its logo, which linked the names of its two Feb. 24: Public
This Chit Chat Series program is free to the
founders, and inserted a plus sign instead in hearing regarding
Full forecast on 2014? public.
page 3A. Answers, 6B ■ The Orators: The Mississippi State Shack- Oktibbeha County
ouls Honors College presents Denise James, Lake, 5:30 p.m.,
director of Women’s and Gender Studies at the Chancery Court-
University of Dayton, with “The Poet Audre Lorde house
INSIDE Goes to Mississippi: An Imperfect Person Called Feb. 28: Starkville
Classifieds 5B Dear Abby 4B Hero” at 2 p.m. in the Griffis Hall Forum Room. A Shannon Dismukes loves Board of Aldermen
Comics 4B Obituaries 5A reception follows. For more information, contact cooking and spending time work session, 11
Crossword 6B Opinions 4A Donna Clevinger, 662-325-2522. with her family. a.m., City Hall

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020
Anna Price, left, watches as Matt Stokes throws a tennis ball for their 4-month-old Labradoodle, Riley, and their friend
Samantha Kelly’s 3-month-old chocolate Labrador, Bear, on Saturday at Brownsville Station Apartments in Starkville.
CAMPAIGN 2020
One thing unites establishment
Democrats: Fear of Sanders
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS — A growing num-
ber of Democratic lawmakers,
union officials, state leaders and
party strategists agree that Bernie
Sanders is a risky nominee to put up
against President Donald Trump.
There’s less agreement about
whether — and how — to stop him.
Critics of the Vermont senator,
who has long identified as a dem-
ocratic socialist, are further than
they’ve ever been from unifying be-
hind a moderate alternative. None
of the viable centrists in the race is
eager to exit the campaign to clear
a path for a candidate to become a
clear counter to Sanders. And Sand-
ers is looking to Saturday’s Nevada
caucuses to post another win that
would further his status as an early
front-runner.
With fear and frustration rising
in the party’s establishment wing,
a high-stakes math problem is
emerging. It could be impossible
to blunt Sanders as long as a trio
of moderate candidates — former
South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete
Buttigieg, former Vice President
Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy
Klobuchar — stay in the race. And
with former New York Mayor Mike
Bloomberg pumping hundreds of
millions of dollars into the swath of
states that vote on Super Tuesday,
March 3, the effort to stop Sanders
will become even more challenging
when the campaign goes national
next month.
“You see this tremendous angst
in the party — ‘What are we going
to do?’” said Terry McAuliffe, a for-
mer Virginia governor who was also
chairman of the Democratic Nation-
al Committee. “We need to unify as
fast as we can.”
The dynamic is complicated be-
cause each of the major moderate
candidates has glaring vulnerabili-
ties.
Biden began the campaign as a
front-runner, but the aura around
his operation took a hit after a
fourth-place finish in Iowa gave way
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
PLAYING WITH PUPS
Rival Democrats accuse
Bloomberg of trying
to ‘buy’ election
CARSON CITY, Nev. — With
the Nevada caucuses less than a
week away, Democratic presiden-
tial candidates campaigning this
weekend were fixated on a rival
who wasn’t contesting the state.
Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden,
Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth War-
ren and Pete Buttigieg all target-
ed billionaire Mike Bloomberg,
accusing him of buying his way
into the election and making clear
they were eager to take him on in
a debate.
“He thinks he can buy this elec-
tion,” Sanders said of the former
New York mayor at a Sunday rally
in Carson City, Nevada. “Well, I’ve
got news for Mr. Bloomberg — the
American people are sick and tired
of billionaires buying elections!”
Their attacks are a sign of how
seriously the field is starting to
take Bloomberg as he gains trac-
tion in the race and is on the cusp
of qualifying for Wednesday’s
Democratic debate in Las Vegas.
Bloomberg has bypassed the tradi-
to a fifth-place finish in New Hamp-
shire. Buttigieg has proved to be
the most effective centrist in raising
money from the party’s traditional
high-dollar donors, which puts him
in a strong position to compete in an
expensive national contest. But the
38-year-old faces linger questions
about his experience and his ability
to win support from black and Lati-
no voters, a challenge that could
come into greater focus if Buttigieg
loses badly in Nevada and South
Carolina.
Kloubchar is newly emboldened
after a third-place finish in New
Hampshire, but she too has little
support among minority voters and
has largely run a bare-bones cam-
paign operation.
“When you have three or four
candidates in that same lane, math
Tess Vrbin/Dispatch Staff
tional early voting states including
Nevada, focusing instead on the 14
states that vote in the Super Tues-
day primary on March 3. He has
spent more than $417 million of his
own multibillion-dollar fortune on
advertising nationwide, an unprec-
edented sum for any candidate in
a primary.
The focus on Bloomberg comes
amid anxiety among many estab-
lishment-aligned Democrats over
the early strength of Sanders, who
won last week’s New Hampshire
primary and essentially tied for
first place in Iowa with Pete Butt-
igieg, the former mayor of South
Bend, Indiana. Sanders is hoping
to notch a victory in Nevada on
Saturday as moderates struggle
to unite behind a candidate who
could serve as a counter to the Ver-
mont senator, who has long identi-
fied as a democratic socialist.
The hundreds of millions of dol-
lars that Bloomberg has pumped
into the Super Tuesday states has
only heightened the sense of un-
certainty surrounding the Demo-
cratic race.
SOURCE: AP
becomes a problem,” said Harold
Schaitberger, general president
of the International Association of
Firefighters and a Biden loyalist,
who admits being “disappointed”
by Biden’s bad performances and
Sanders’ rise.
Though the opening contests of
the primary have only begun, time
may quickly run out for a moderate
alternative to emerge.
By the end of Super Tuesday,
more than one third of all delegates
will be awarded. Should Sanders
build a significant delegate lead —
and his strength in California alone
makes that possible — it would be
very difficult for any other candi-
date to catch him in the slew of
state-by-state elections that follow
based on the way delegates are ap-
portioned.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 3A

Cracker Barrel shooter sentenced to 30 years in prison

Defendant testified his emotions were out
of control on day of restaurant shooting
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com
Cracker Barrel manager
Stafford Shaw said on Friday
that a member of the restau-
rant’s kitchen staff was afraid
to go into the restaurant’s cool-
er in summer 2018 because
that was where she had been
when Robert Beck, 29, a former
employee, opened fire in the
restaurant at about 4 p.m. on
June 22, 2018.
Between seven and 10 other
staff members quit their jobs
in the aftermath, especially
younger ones whose parents no
longer felt it was safe for them
to work there, Shaw said.
But the staff members’ fear
was nothing compared to what
Shaw himself went through, af-
ter Beck shot him three times.
Shaw said he sustained injuries
to his hand, shoulder and chest,
and underwent surgery, and
still has nerve damage and lim-
ited range of motion in his left
arm.
So when Shaw testified at
Beck’s sentencing hearing at
Lowndes County Circuit Court
on Friday, he asked Sixteenth
District Circuit Judge Lee Cole-
man to sentence Beck to the
maximum penalty of life in pris-
on for attempted murder, which
Beck pleaded guilty to on Feb.
5.
“What happened to me af-
fected a lot of other people,”
said Shaw, who at the time of
the shooting was a father-to-be.
“I don’t see why this hap-
pened to me,” he later added.
Coleman sentenced Beck
to 30 years in Mississippi De-
partment of Corrections. The
sentence was a middle ground
between Shaw’s request and
Beck’s request for the mini-
mum sentence of 20 years, af-
ter his attorney, Mark Cliett of
West Point, pointed out Beck
took responsibility for his ac-
tions and saved taxpayers the
expense of a trial by pleading
guilty.
Cliett added that in many
similar cases, the charge would
have been aggravated assault,
which carries a maximum of
20 years in prison, and that a
sentence of life in prison would
be no different than if Shaw
had died and Beck had been
charged with murder.
“Mr. Shaw’s request for the
court is not a reasonable one,”
Cliett said, “... although no one
can blame him for being upset.”
‘I lost my mind’
Beck also testified during
the sentencing hearing, claim- Isabelle Altman/Dispatch Staff
ing he was upset and wasn’t Robert Beck and his attorney, Mark Cliett, await Beck’s sentencing in Lowndes County Courthouse on Fri-
himself at the time of the shoot- day. Beck pleaded guilty to attempted murder for shooting Stafford Shaw, a manager at the Cracker Barrel
ing. in Columbus, at the restaurant on June 22, 2018. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Beck, who had been banned
Beck added at the time, he’d that would do to him?” Colom employees but to Columbus’
from Cracker Barrel’s premises been on drugs and was stressed said. “... Did you think about the reputation.
before the day of the shooting,
out because his grandmother, fact that there were kids in the “Mr. Beck had the audaci-
had arrived that day to talk to who raised him, was seriously Cracker Barrel and customers
ty to cause these three harms
his ex-girlfriend, a server there, in there?”
ill with lung cancer. and, a few days later, pose for
and to confront other employ- He pointed to Beck’s actions
“I’m on drugs, so my emo- the camera with what I believe
ees who he said he felt were following the shooting — driv-
tions is going from the bottom to be (finger) guns,” he said.
“disrespecting” her. He said ing to Cook County, Tennessee
when Shaw came to the front of my feet to the top of my Cliett hotly refuted Colom’s
head,” he said of the shooting. while “smoking marijuana” claim that Beck’s actions hurt
to tell Beck to leave the store, while Shaw was undergoing
he pulled out the gun he kept in “... I lost my mind. Columbus’ reputation, pointing
surgery at Baptist Memorial
the waistband of his pants as a “It was the stupidest thing I out there have also been shoot-
Hospital-Golden Triangle, and
“scare tactic.” ever did in my life,” he added, smiling and making finger ings outside the Trotter Con-
Beck then said Shaw raised saying that he is having to give guns at a Dispatch reporter vention Center and The Prin-
his hands and made a move to- up the last couple of moments taking his photo at his arraign- cess Theater downtown in the
ward him, as though to tackle his grandmother has on this ment a few days after his arrest. past couple of years.
him and take the gun — though earth because of his actions. Colom argued Beck should “(Colom) acts like this is the
Shaw had already testified he But District Attorney Scott receive a “significant” sen- one thing that’s going to make
raised his hands in self-defense Colom seemed skeptical of tence, not just because of the Columbus look bad,” Cliett said.
— and that’s when Beck shot Beck’s version of events. harm done to Shaw, Cracker “My client made a mistake,”
him. “Did you think about what Barrel and its customers and he added.

UNDER THE CAPITOL DOME

Analysis: Legislators approaching busy part of 2020 session

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSON — Mississippi
lawmakers have had a slow start
to their four-month session, but
the pace is about to quicken as
committees start debating bills
dealing with the criminal justice
system and other issues.
March 3 is the first big
deadline. That’s the last day for
House and Senate committees
to either pass or kill the first
round of general bills filed in
their own chamber.
Mississippi’s prison system
is under investigation by the
U.S. Justice Department after
outbursts of violence that killed
some inmates and injured
others. Cliff Johnson, director of
the MacArthur Justice Center
at the University of Mississippi
law school, told members of two
House committees Thursday
that prisons are crowded and
understaffed.
Mississippi has one guard for
almost every 17 inmates, while
Louisiana has one guard for ev-
ery 5.5 inmates and Tennessee
has one guard for every four in-
mates, Johnson said. But he did
not suggest that the Mississippi
try to hire enough guards to
lower the ratio. Rather, Johnson
urged lawmakers to find ways to
safely release some people from
prison.
As of November, more than
14,000 Mississippi inmates had
at least one sentence that makes
parole impossible, Johnson
said. Senate Bill 2123 would
open the possibility of parole
consideration. Inmates convict-
ed of nonviolent crimes could
be considered for parole after
serving 25% of a sentence or 10
years, whichever is less. Those
convicted of violent crimes could
be considered after serving 50%
of a sentence or 20 years, which-
ever is less.
Shortly after violence erupted
at the Mississippi State Pen-
itentiary at Parchman in late
December and early January,
the state entered an emergency
contract to move 375 inmates
from Parchman to a privately
run prison in nearby Tutwiler.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves
has said he wants the Depart-
ment of Corrections to shut
down Parchman’s Unit 29,
where the much of the trouble
took place. He said the state
could consider reopening a pris-
on at Walnut Grove. The House
on Thursday passed House Bill
756, which require the state
Department of Finance and
Administration to determine the
potential cost of repairs to the
Walnut Grove facility. It is owned
by the state but was run by pri-
vate companies. The bill goes to
the Senate for more work.
Legislators this year could
consider pay raises for some of
the lowest-paid state employees.
Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert
Hosemann has said he wants to
boost pay for people currently
earning less than $21,000 a year
in full-time jobs.
The full Senate has already
passed a bill to a $1,000 pay
raise to most teachers and
teachers’ assistants. Slightly
larger raises of $1,100 would go
to teachers in the first two years
of their careers, in an effort to
boost the beginning pay and
make the jobs more attractive.
Senate Bill 2001 awaits action in
the House.
Reeves has already signed
House Bill 1, to provide enough
money to pay the full $1,500
pay raise that teachers started
receiving this school year. The
raise was approved during the
election-year legislative session
of 2019, but too little money was
originally budgeted because of a
bureaucratic error in how school
districts count certain catego-
ries of teachers.
Under the heading of spend
a little money to try to keep a
lot, Reeves has already signed
Senate Bill 2149. It allocates
$400,000 for the state to do
advertising and marketing
about the 2020 Census. The
federal head count is done every
10 years, and it’s important
because Census numbers deter-
mine how many seats each state
has in the U.S. House of Repre-
sentatives and how much federal
money each state receives for a
wide range of programs.

AROUND THE STATE

With ‘Mother Nature in
charge,’ dams unleash
floodwaters
JACKSON— Days and
days of heavy rain have
created a dilemma for au-
thorities managing dams
along swollen rivers in
Mississippi and Tennes-
see. The water has to be
released eventually, wors-
ening the flooding for peo-
ple living downstream.
Dramatic video post-
ed by a Tennessee fire
department showed the
impact: Two houses tum-
bled down a bluff over
the Tennessee River,
while many others have
been swamped to their
rooftops, as entire neigh-
borhoods disappear in
muddy water below the
least impact. They feel it.
I feel it.”
February’s rains have
been “400 percent of nor-
mal, and we have more
coming in this week. It’s
kind of a never-ending
battle,” Hopson added.
Mississippi still faces
a “precarious situation
that can turn at any mo-
ment,” Gov. Tate Reeves
said Sunday in Jackson,
where the Pearl River was
expected to peak Monday
after flooding the state
capital and its surround-
ings. With more rain on
the way this week, it could
be days before the flood
waters begin to recede,
he warned.
In one Jackson neigh-
borhood, residents pad-
dled canoes, kayaks and
officials at a reservoir up-
river of the capitol said
Sunday that water levels
in the reservoir had sta-
bilized, allowing them to
send less water downriv-
er. The National Weather
Service, which had been
anticipating the river
would crest Sunday at 38
feet, on Sunday slightly
reduced that to 37.5 feet.
The river is now anticipat-
ed to crest Monday.
But even with that de-
velopment, officials urged
residents to pay attention
to evacuation orders,
check on road closures
before traveling and stay
out of floodwaters, warn-
ing that even seemingly
placid waters could mask
fast-moving currents and
pollution. Law enforce- SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates

Tennessee Valley Author- small fishing boats to ment officials went door
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Mon. Tues.
Major 7:37p 8:51p
ity’s Pickwick Reservoir. check on their houses, to door telling people to Minor 3:23a 4:35a
“It absolutely kills you, giving lifts to other neigh- evacuate. Major 8:05a 9:19a
2:59p
Minor 1:44p
knowing that” houses are bors. Some were able to The heavy rains and Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

getting destroyed down- enter their homes, while flooding has affected a

stream from the dam,
TVA spokesman Jim Hop-
son told The Associated
Press on Monday. “We
have engineers on duty
24-7 trying to figure out
what’s the most effective
way to move this water
downstream with the
others peeked into the
windows to see what, if
any damage, had been
done inside. Floodwa-
ters lapped at mailboxes,
street signs and cars that
had been left in drive-
ways.
In a bit of good news,
wide area. Mississippi
emergency management
officials said Sunday that
they had received pre-
liminary damage reports
from 11 counties connect-
ed with the severe weath-
er that began on Feb. 10.
SOURCE: AP
The Dispatch
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Opinion
4A MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020
PETER BIRNEY IMES Editor/Publisher
BIRNEY IMES III Editor/Publisher 1998-2018
BIRNEY IMES JR. Editor/Publisher 1947-2003

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

ZACK PLAIR, Managing Editor

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

POSSUMHAW
A stranger in the reeds
W
hen someone
is stalking you
because they think
you are stalking them it
makes you wonder who is
really the stalker? Shannon
L Alder-Inspirational Au-
thor/Life Coach
Looking out the window
through the light mist I
saw him, a stalker. At least
I presumed it was a he, it
was hard to tell. He moved Shannon Bardwell
with such deliberateness
through the reeds close to
the water, slowly moving one foot at
a time. His head moved backwards;
then forward. He was stalking alright.
I bet he was fishing. Sam doesn’t allow
fishing the ponds without permission.
I tried to photograph him with my
cell phone but he was too far away. I
thought to get the camera but when I
moved toward the window he was gone.
Moments later he appeared again. He
was stalking through the woods and up and said it strange for the stalker to
the hill. He was quite tall and thin.
My stalker wore pale blue-gray
outerwear with a black cap
plume and a yellow bill.
After disappearing into the
woods, he made his way
back down to the pond and
hid himself in the reeds.
He was definitely fishing.
With my Sibley’s bird guide
I confirmed my stalker was
a Great Blue heron. At 46”
they weigh a little over 5
pounds. I noticed he was
thin. The bird never made
a sound but according to
Sibley’s they are the loudest
and most vocal of herons. They mostly
sound off during flight. The sound
is more like an unpleasant croaking.
They are quite solitary and shy. I knew
if I open a door to get closer the stalker
would flee. Back and forth to the
window I searched for him but he had
vanished into thin air.
Sam asked why I was standing at the
windows. I told him about the stalker
venture into the woods. Sam said the
Great Blue probably thought the heavy
run-off was a stream where he might and leaving it in its wake, the roadsides
find small fish. That made sense. look worse than ever. But maybe, just
With all the rain and the sogginess of maybe, when spring comes maybe one
the ground the run-off did look like person at a time could pick up one bag
streams feeding the pond, out the at a time. And we could litter no more
spillway, down the ditches, into the and the waters could run pure…for the
creeks, then the river, to the Gulf; then stalkers.
the ocean. Columns by Shannon Bardwell of Co-
It’s amazing to think our little pond lumbus appear in The Dispatch weekly.
on Prairie contributes waters to rivers Email reaches her at msdeltachild@msn.
and oceans. It’s a good reason to think com.
about what goes into the water and on
the land that feeds these rivers and
oceans: plastic bottles, beer and soft
drink cans, cardboard boxes, plastic
buckets, paper trash, sometimes shoes
and clothing, even a couch, a mattress,
or appliance.
I will say that the Bardwells will
brake for plastic buckets on the
roadside, you can never have too
many plastic buckets. A few letters
have been written about the trash on
the roadsides. I see a lot of it driving
between Starkville and Columbus. I
guess, I, like other people feel it’s so
overwhelming where do you start?
With the rain floating up more trash

OTHER EDITORS CARTOONIST VIEW

MDOT isn’t the

problem and the
lottery isn’t the
solution
A performance audit of the Mississippi
Department of Transportation released this
month revealed few major potential cost sav-
ings.
Its biggest finding was that MDOT could
save $13 million in future costs by not replac-
ing under-utilized vehicles. That’s only rough-
ly 1 percent of the agency’s $1.1 billion budget.
The audit had a few other recommendations
but was mostly complimentary of MDOT’s
management. It found projects are bid fairly
and transparently and that best practices are
used to ensure consultant contracts are award-
ed to the most qualified firm at a fair price.
Although the audit findings are mostly good
news for the state’s taxpayers, some members
of the Legislature may be disappointed. State
leaders have in recent years tried to pass
the buck for their refusal to provide enough
money to maintain the state’s highways and
bridges onto MDOT, saying that if the agen-
cy operated more efficiently, then it wouldn’t
need so much funding.
In that vein, the Legislature commissioned
the State Auditor’s Office to do the perfor-
mance audit in 2018 when it approved up to
MISSISSIPPI VOICES
Roasted for a good cause
$80 million annually for roads and bridges
from the proceeds of a new state lottery. The
auditor’s office hired a firm from Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, with national expertise to lead
the audit.
Rather than showing MDOT’s inefficien-
cies, if anything the 125-page study makes
another case for why a gas-tax increase is
merited. That’s because the lack of spending
on infrastructure has narrowed the field of
companies interested in bidding on high-
way-paving projects.
“The data show a pronounced trend over
time towards more counties receiving just
one or two bids per contract — most likely an
unintended consequence of MDOT’s program-
matic shift away from any new construction/
expansion to almost exclusively system preser-
vation,” the audit said. “The asphalt industry
appears to have consolidated to align with
MDOT’s shrinking program.”
It said that until MDOT significantly ex-
pands its construction program, “asphalt plant
locations and capacity will continue to act as a
key market constraint, responsible for driving
higher bid pricing.”
MDOT has tried to offset that by rebid-
ding projects that come in too high. Auditors
praised the agency for that, saying it has saved
$4.5 million from 2016 to 2018 by rebidding.
However, the only real solution to getting
more bidders interested in road projects in
Mississippi is to put more money on the table.
A 2015 Mississippi Economic Council study,
also commissioned by the Legislature, found
that an additional $375 million per year was
needed just to keep up existing roads and
bridges. That figure has surely increased
since then due to inflation and highways crum-
bling further.
The $80 million from the lottery is nowhere
near enough to do the job. An increase in the
gas tax, which hasn’t been adjusted since
1987, is the obvious and fairest way to do the
job. MDOT can pinch pennies all it wants, but
until the gas tax is raised, the state’s highways
and bridges will only get worse.
Greenwood Commonwealth
O
ver the last friends’ arms. I was than fiction.
30 years as terrified we would At the start of dinner, photos
a member of have my roast and of my life were displayed on two
the Mississippi Press nobody would show up. big screens at the front of the
Association (MPA), I I must say, my room. It made me feel like I was
have attended dozens friends delivered in attending my own funeral. That’s
of “roasts.” It is MPA’s spades. To every per- a strange feeling, but I must say I
main fundraiser for son who showed up, can’t complain. If I can avoid any
its education founda- thank you, thank you, major screw ups over my remain-
tion, which supports thank you. I will never ing years, I’ll die to reasonably
journalism internships forget it. positive impressions of my life (at
for Mississippi college My children were least among my friends.)
students. Wyatt Emmerich definitely not im- A good time was had by all,
The Oxford dic- pressed. My daughter and there were nothing but
tionary has two noun Ruth begged off to go laughs and smiles and good
definitions for “roast.” The first is to a friend’s birthday party. John moments.
“a cut of meat that has been roast- had to study for an exam. My Thirty-five years ago, armed
ed.” The second is “a banquet at sister came close to flying out for with a graduate business degree
which the guest of honor is sub- the event, but I persuaded her to in computers and information sys-
jected to good-natured ridicule.” watch it on YouTube. That would tems, I was headed to the Silicon
It was my turn to be subject to the have been too much pressure. Valley to invent the internet. As
latter. There was one tense moment God would have it, I was destined
Roasts are great fun, yet they when Ginny was about to stand up to return to my Mississippi roots
seem to be dying out. I’m glad the and contribute to the roasting, but and go into the family newspaper
MPA is continuing the tradition. her friends held her down. Thank business. As I looked out across
It’s a great night of fun. I have God for small mercies! the room with so many fine peo-
learned a lot about many interest- Marshall Ramsey was the ple with whom I have worked and
ing Mississippians through their event moderator, having been played and loved, I didn’t regret a
“roasts.” roasted himself in 2017. Marshall single minute. God’s providence
Hours before the roast, my is perfect for these events. His is amazing.
wife Ginny asked me if I was wit is guaranteed to get dozens of I also want to thank the
looking forward to it. “I’m look- laughs. readers and advertisers of the
ing forward to it being over,” I The roasters were Lt. Gov. Northside Sun for allowing me to
responded. Maybe Donald Trump Delbert Hosemann (one of my fa- pursue a challenging, rewarding
likes being in the spotlight, but vorite politicians), lifelong friend and joyful career with which I
it’s a bit disturbing to me. Never- Wilson Carroll, entrepreneur and have been able to provide for the
theless, it was for a good cause. golfing buddy Jeff Good, mover family I so dearly love.
There are really two things and shaker Hayes Dent and Char- It’s been a wonderful run. And
you want in a roast: First, you lie Dunagin, editor and publisher it’s far from over. In fact, I’m just
want a packed house. Second, you emeritus of the McComb Enter- getting started!
want lots of laughs. I am relieved prise-Journal. Wyatt Emmerich is the editor
to say we got both last Thursday Having roasters who really and publisher of The Northside
night. knew me and could tell true Sun, a weekly newspaper in Jack-
One reason for the crowd was funny stories greatly added to the son. He can be reached by e-mail at
my shameless twisting of my event. Reality is always funnier wyatt@northsidesun.com.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 5A

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
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John Gibson
STARKVILLE —
John L. Gibson, 67,
died Feb. 6, 2020, in
Jackson.
AREA OBITUARIES
in charge of arrange- deen. Services will
ments. be at 11 a.m. Tuesday,
He is survived by at Tisdale-Lann Fu-
his mother, Callie Mae neral Home Chapel
Gibson; son, Bakari of Aberdeen, with
Gibson; daughters, Jonathan Hagar and
Dischedia Williams Tim Wilson officiating.
and Leronica Franklin; Burial will follow at
and sister, Annie Mae Center Hill Cemetery.
Lowery. Visitation will be from
9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday,
at the funeral home.
Joyce Emerson Tisdale-Lann Funeral
STARKVILLE —
Joyce Ann Emerson, Home of Aberdeen is
63, died Feb. 8, 2020, in in charge of arrange-
ments.
Columbus.
Mrs. Suggs was
Services will be at 2
born May 3, 1927, in
p.m. Tuesday, at Good
Franklin, Alabama,
Hope Church of Pheba.
to the late Dove Idella
Burial will follow at
Hill Jones and James
Spring Valley Cemetery Alfred Jones. She was
in Mathiston. Visita- formerly employed
tion is from 3-6 p.m. as a seamstress with
today, at West Memo- Seminole Manufactur-
rial Funeral Home of ing of Aberdeen and a
Starkville. West Memo- member of Church of
rial Funeral Home of Christ.
Starkville is in charge In addition to her
of arrangements. parents, she was
She is survived by preceded in death by
her children, Lekeisha
her husband, Sammie
Emerson, Chadqui- Suggs; and siblings,
an Emerson, Kerry Rena Francisco, Lucille
Emerson, and Corlond Garrett, Dorothy Dull,
Emerson; and siblings, Minnie Lou Murff and
Willyne Brownlee, James Audrey Jones of
Jeanette Duck, Terra Okolona, MS.
Robinson, Kelly Word- She is survived by
ton Rehabilitation and announced by Memori- des Funeral Home of
Healthcare Center of al Gunter Peel Funeral Columbus is in charge
Birmingham, Alabama. Home & Crematory of arrangements.
A Home Going College St. location.
Celebration will be at
noon, Saturday, at Spirit Allie Robinson Jerry Kendall
and Truth Pentecostal COLUMBUS — Jer-
STARKVILLE — ry U. Kendall, 83, died
Church of Aliceville, Al- Allie W. Robinson, 92,
abama. Burial will fol- Feb. 15, 2020, at Bap-
died Feb. 14, 2020, in
low at New Cumberland tist Memorial Hospi-
Columbus.
Presbyterian Church Arrangements are tal-Golden Triangle.
Arrangements are
cemetery of Carrollton, incomplete and will be
incomplete and will be
Alabama. Visitation will announced by Century
be from 5-6 p.m. Friday, Hairston Funeral Home announced by Memori-
at Lavender’s Funeral of Starkville. al Gunter Peel Funeral
Service. Lavender’s Home & Crematory
Funeral Service of Second Avenue North
Ruth Nichols location.
Aliceville, Alabama is COLUMBUS —
in charge of arrange-
Ruth Clark Nichols, 98,
ments.
died Feb. 15, 2020, at
her residence.
Richard Laws Services are at 11
COLUMBUS — a.m. today at Lown-
Richard R. “Poogie” des Funeral Home of
Laws Sr., 86, died Feb. Columbus. Burial will
16, 2020, at UAB Med- follow at Mt. Vernon
ical Center of Birming- Cemetery of Columbus.
ham, Alabama. Visitation is one hour
Arrangements are prior to services at the
incomplete and will be funeral home. Lown-
Charlie Holcomb
Visitation:
Saturday, Feb. 22 • 12-2 PM
First Baptist Church
Services:
Saturday, Feb. 22 • 2 PM
First Baptist Church
Burial
Memorial Gardens
Second Ave. North Location

Services will be at law, Marvin Wordlaw, her sisters, Betty Jean

11 a.m. Tuesday at Mt.
Peiler M.B. Church.
Burial will follow at
Mt. Peiler Cemetery I.
Visitation is from 1-6
p.m. today at West Me-
morial Funeral Home.
West Memorial Funeral
Home of Starkville is
Timothy Wordlaw, Dean of Las Vegas, Judi Betts
Arthur Wordlaw, Jr. and Nevada and Peggy Sue Visitation:
Monday, Feb. 17 • 11 AM-1 PM
Gary Wordlaw. Criddle of Columbus. College Street Location
Services:
Monday, Feb. 17 • 1 PM
Bernice Suggs Joyce Hurst College Street Location
ABERDEEN — Ber- CARROLLTON, Ala. Burial
Lone Oak Church Cemetery
nice Jones Suggs, 92, — Joyce Ann “Molly”
died Feb. 14, 2020, at Hughes Hurst, 64, died Jerry Kendall
Care Center of Aber- Feb. 11, 2020, at Arling- Incomplete
Second Ave. North Location

Richard Laws
Incomplete
College Street Location
AROUND THE WORLD

Virus fears rise after Cambodia’s

acceptance of cruise ship
memorialgunterpeel.com

alert health authorities if they develop

Cruise ship was turned
away elsewhere in Asia
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The
feel-good story of how Cambodia al-
lowed a cruise ship to dock after it was
turned away elsewhere in Asia for fear
of spreading the deadly virus that began
in China has taken an unfortunate turn
after a passenger released from the ship
tested positive for the virus.
News over the weekend that an
83-year-old American woman who was
on the ship and flew from Cambodia to
Malaysia was found to be carrying the
virus froze further movement of the pas-
sengers and crew of the MS Westerdam.
Some are now in hotels in Cambodia’s
capital, Phnom Penh, while others are
still aboard the ship.
The American woman was among
several hundred passengers who were
flown out of Cambodia on Friday and Sat-
urday. According to authorities in Ma-
laysia, 143 continued their flights home
from that country, while the woman and
her 84-year-old husband, who was di-
agnosed with pneumonia, remained be-
hind for treatment.
The virus has infected more than
71,000 people globally and killed more
than 1,770, with the vast majority of the
cases in China, where the outbreak be-
gan two months ago.
The dispersal around the world of
passengers from the ship with possible
exposure to the virus has sparked con-
cern.
“I think now given that there is a con-
firmed case that is suspected to have
acquired infection on board the ship,
the other passengers should be asked
to quarantine themselves at home and
fever or respiratory symptoms within
the 14 days since disembarkation,” said
Professor Benjamin Cowling from the
School of Public Health at Hong Kong
University.
Dr. Gagandeep Kang, executive di-
rector of India’s Translational Health
Science and Technology Institute, said
it is unclear whether the woman’s infec-
tion would result in an outbreak in an-
other part of the world.
“We will have to wait and see,” she
said, adding that it would depend on
where the woman got the infection, and
at what stage of the infection she was in
while in contact with other people.
The ship’s operator, Holland Amer-
ica Line, said in a statement Monday
that Cambodian health officials were
on board the ship testing the 255 guests
and 747 crew who were awaiting clear-
ance, and that guests currently staying
at a Phnom Penh hotel had all been test-
ed.
“At this time, no other guests or crew
on board or at the hotel have reported
any symptoms of the illness. Guests who
have already returned home will be con-
tacted by their local health department
and provided further information,” it
said.
The statement pointed out that the
American woman who tested positive in
Malaysia was not one of the 20 people on
board the Westerdam who had reported
to the ship’s medical center during the
cruise. All of those 20 have tested nega-
tive for the virus, it said.
The rest of the passengers and crew
had health checks that included filling
out a written health questionnaire and
having their temperatures checked,
which has become standard procedure
for air and sea passengers considered at
risk.

AROUND THE WORLD

Today is Monday, Feb. 17, the 48th day
of 2020. There are 318 days left in the
year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Feb. 17, 1801, the U.S. House
of Representatives broke an electoral tie
between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron
Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr
became vice president.
On this date:
In 1815, the United States and
Britain exchanged the instruments
of ratification for the Treaty of Ghent,
ending the War of 1812.
In 1863, the International Red
Cross was founded in Geneva.
In 1864, during the Civil War,
the Union ship USS Housatonic was
rammed and sunk in Charleston Har-
bor, South Carolina, by the Confederate
hand-cranked submarine HL Hunley
in the first naval attack of its kind; the
Hunley also sank.
In 1933, Newsweek magazine was
first published under the title “News-
Week.”
In 1944, during World War II, U.S.
forces invaded Eniwetok (ehn-eh-WEE’-
tahk) Atoll, encountering little initial re-
sistance from Imperial Japanese troops.
(The Americans secured the atoll less
than a week later.)
SOURCE: AP
6A MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020
Legislators
Continued from Page 1A
Education Committee.
He also said the shrink-
ing middle class has put
more people in a lower
socioeconomic status and
therefore at a disadvan-
tage in terms of learning
household and financial
skills.
“A lot of times, you
have to revert to skill sets
that allow you to make it
through the coldest win-
ter and the hottest sum-
mer,” Taylor said.
Karriem agreed the
proposed coursework
will bridge skill gaps for
students who might not
otherwise have the op-
portunity to learn those
skills. The financial liter-
acy element of the propos-
al is especially important,
he said, so that students
learn how to save mon-
ey, write a check and de-
posit money into a bank
account, among other
things before they leave
the nest.
“A lot of things we
take for granted because
we know them, but a lot
of people in a lot of com-
munities, and a lot of
children, they just don’t
know some things,” Kar-
riem said. “Since schools
have our children for the
majority of the time of the
day, I think that’s the best
place that some of these
things can be taught.”
Profile
Continued from Page 1A
never done one thing I
can think of and expected
anything in return.”
McComic is a roll-
with-the-punches kind
of guy, which is true not
only of his personality
but of his working career.
He’s held a factory job,
managed a restaurant,
owned and managed a
meat market/restaurant.
In his current job, he
works as a mechanic for
the city of Aberdeen, tak-
ing care of the city’s fleet
of automobiles despite no
real training for the job.
“My deal is when
Gym
Continued from Page 1A
good quality.
“It’s slippery. ... I can
go on and on,” Smith said.
“It’s a cheap product.
Cheap products provide
cheap results.”
During the meeting,
Brooks said the situation
has developed into an
“adversarial” relationship
between Smith and Short.
Smith responded by say-
ing that his criticism was
“strictly professional,” but
said county supervisors
DID YOU HEAR?
Museum’s Rembrandt
knockoff turns out to
be the real thing
ALLENTOWN, Pa. —
Thanks to modern tech-
nology and some expert
detective work, a nearly
400-year-old painting
that had long been at-
tributed to an unknown
artist in Rembrandt’s
workshop has now been
judged to have been a
work of the Dutch master
himself.
For decades, the Al-
lentown Art Museum
displayed an oil-on-oak
panel painting called
“Portrait of a Young
Woman” and credited it
to “Studio of Rembrandt.”
Two years ago, the paint-
ing was sent to New York
University for conserva-
tion and cleaning.
There, conservators
began removing layers
of overpainting and dark,
thick varnish that had
been added over centu-
ries — and they began
to suspect Rembrandt
himself was responsible
for the original, delicate
brushwork underneath.
Conservators used a
variety of tools, includ-
ing X-ray, infrared and
electron microscopy, to
The coursework will
particularly benefit chil-
dren who come from
unstable home lives or
whose parents are always
working, said Rep. Carl
Mickens (D-Brooksville),
also a co-sponsor of the
bill and a member of the
Education Committee.
The authority to
require coursework
S o m e
leg isl at or s
and school
officials
hold a dif-
ferent opin-
ion on who
is respon-
sible for Labat
teaching
children
about home
e c onom i c s
and family
dynamics.
Colum-
bus Munic-
ipal School Allison
District Su-
perintendent Cherie La-
bat and Lowndes County
School District Superin-
tendent Sam Allison said
they will do whatever
they can to comply with
the bill if it becomes law
but do not believe school
is necessarily the right
place for all students to
learn the life skills enu-
things happen, you move
on to the next,” McComic
said. “I’ve done a lot of
different kinds of work,
but I like that. It’s fun
trying new things.”
McComic became a
well-known figure down-
town in the early 2000s
when he opened Main
Street Market, a meat
market and restaurant in
a vacant building across
from the Sunflower gro-
cery store.
“I put a ton of money
into the place to get it
cleaned up and going,”
he said. “After about
should not fall down “the
rabbit hole of listening to
our department heads.”
Board president Har-
ry Sanders said it was
Short’s job to make rec-
ommendations on the
flooring. He later cut
Smith short by moving to
approve the purchase of
the multi-purpose floor,
which gained three votes.
The order was placed
Friday afternoon, he told
The Dispatch.
bolster the case that it
was the work of one of
the most important and
revered artists in history.
The scientific analysis
“showed brushwork, and
a liveliness to that brush-
work, that is quite consis-
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
merated in the bill.
“It cannot be the sole
responsibility of educa-
tors to teach these skills,”
Labat said. “Meeting the
needs of students has to
be a community effort.”
Allison said he sees
the benefit of the pro-
posed coursework but
does not “think every
course is for every stu-
dent.”
The Starkville-Ok-
tibbeha Consolidated
School District declined
to comment through
spokeswoman Nicole
Thomas, who said the
proposed coursework
is already offered as an
elective at SOCSD. Alli-
son said the coursework
is offered at all three high
schools in LCSD.
Karriem is an alum-
nus of CMSD, but Labat
said the district does not
currently offer any home
economics courses.
Implementing a new
course requirement
could be a financial bur-
den on some school
districts, said Rep. Rob
Roberson (R-Starkville),
a member of the Educa-
tion Committee. He said
he will only support the
bill if it includes an appro-
priation to cover those
costs.
Additionally, many
believe the authority to
three years, I got kind of
burned out and sold it,
but the new owner con-
vinced me to stick around
and be the manager for
a couple of more years.
After that, I wanted to do
something else, which
is how I got the job I’m
doing now.”
In his spare time, Mc-
Comic likes to hunt and
fish, as well as spending
time with Linda.
But he’s always on the
look-out for someone in
need, especially veterans
and disabled people.
“There are a lot of
“We’ve gone on and
on,” Sanders said. “The
longer we wait, the more
(the gym is) going to be
out of service.”
Smith countered by ab-
staining from every vote
at the meeting thereafter.
“I think (the decision
is) being forced upon
our community,” he said.
“I don’t see that I have
a voice for the town of
Crawford.”
tent with other works by
Rembrandt,” said Shan
Kuang, a conservator at
New York University’s
Institute of Fine Arts
who restored “Portrait of
a Young Woman.”
SOURCE: AP
mandate
courses
falls on lo-
cal school
districts
and the
Mississippi
State Board
of Educa- Roberson
tion, not
the state Legislature, so
the main purpose of in-
troducing those bills any-
way is to start a discus-
sion among legislators,
Roberson said.
“It gives them the op-
portunity to discuss it
and get a groundswell
of people who would
support the idea of hav-
ing (this) type of class,”
Roberson said. “They’re
good ideas, but they’re
ideas that have to have a
funding source.”
Mickens, Karriem and
Taylor all said they co-au-
thored the bill because
they are serious about
getting it passed and will
have whatever discus-
sions are necessary with
their fellow legislators to
achieve this. The bill has
been referred to both the
Education and Youth and
Family Affairs commit-
tees.
“I think this thing can
be handled in the House
and the Senate and I
think it will gain trac-
tion,” Taylor said.
people that need help
from time to time,” Mc-
Comic said. “Last year,
we helped a disabled
veteran by rigging him
a wheelchair that he
could use outdoors, so he
could hunt and fish like
he used to do. It’s things
like that that can make a
big difference for people.
And if you can help, I re-
ally don’t know why you
wouldn’t.”
Sports
CERANTOLA’S FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE CARRY MSU TO SWEEP
Mississippi State’s Eric Cerantola prepares to throw a pitch Sunday against Wright State at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — Mis-
sissippi state sophomore
pitcher Eric Cerantola
stepped off the rubber
and took a deep breath of
the cool, February air.
For months, the imag-
es of last season’s disas-
trous midweek outings in
which Cerantola walked
11 batters in 14 2/3 in-
nings — five of whom
were hit by pitches —
raced through his head.
But instead of spiraling
as he had so many times a
year ago, the 6-foot-5 inch
right hander remained
calm and collected, strik-
ing out eight batters in
MSU women fall to No. 18 Kentucky in Lexington
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
The Mississippi
State women’s basket-
ball team suffered its
first defeat in more
than a month Sunday,
falling to No. 18 Ken-
tucky 73-62 in Lexing-
ton.
“I just thought (Ken-
tucky) was sensation-
al today,” coach Vic
Schaefer said post-
game. “I thought they
out-toughed us. They
were more physical,
more aggressive.”
Despite outscoring
the Wildcats 21-16 over
the game’s final 10 min-
utes, the Bulldogs to-
taled just nine points in
the first and third quar-
ters — shooting just
26.9 percent from the
field in those frames.
MSU received solid
offensive contributions
from freshman guard
Rickea Jackson, soph-
MISSISSIPPI STATE 5, WRIGHT STATE 1
four innings of work as
he guided MSU to a 5-1
win and series sweep of
Wright State Sunday at
Dudy Noble Field.
“I was just thinking
about the next pitch.
Coach (Scott Foxhall)
always tells me ‘Hey the
last pitch doesn’t matter,
it’s already done.’ So I just
went out there and tried
filling it up and I know I
have a good (defense) be-
hind me.”
While Cerantola’s
three pitch mix of fast-
ball, changeup and cur-
veball fooled Wright
State’s lineup down the
stretch, it took coaxing
from catcher Logan Tan-
ner and pitching coach
omore center Jessika
Carter, while junior
guard Andra Espino-
za-Hunter provided
instant-offense off the
bench in a 12-point ef-
fort.
Jackson notched
her sixth-
straight
d o u -
ble - digit
perfor-
ma nce,
conclud-
ing her
day with Schaefer
16 points
on 9 of 20
shooting — 14 points
of which came in the
fourth quarter.
Carter, who had
earned two fouls in
the first half of five of
her past seven games,
avoided foul trouble
Sunday — scoring 18
points in 32 minutes of
action.
Defensively, the
Bulldogs struggled to
Scott Foxhall to keep the
hard-throwing Canadian
in check.
As Cerantola wallowed
off the mound after allow-
ing the first two batters
he faced reach base on a
walk and single before re-
tiring the next three Raid-
ers, Tanner leapt from his
stance and ran toward his
battery-mate. Reaching
the emblazoned Missis-
sippi State logo painted
on the turf just outside
the dugout, he offered
Cerantola a reassuring
knuckle bump and a pat
on the back as they head-
ed for the MSU bench.
One inning later, Fox-
hall strolled out of the
Bulldogs’ dugout after
contain Southeastern
Conference scoring
leader Rhyne Howard.
Howard — who entered
the contest averaging
23.1 points per game
— had missed three of
Kentucky’s previous
four games due to inju-
ry. And while the effects
may have lingered, she
looked the part of the
SEC’s most dangerous
offensive threat, finish-
ing with 26 points on 10
of 22 shooting.
Guard Chasity Pat-
terson also added 15
points for the Wildcats
off the bench in just 19
minutes played.
“She really gives
them a different di-
mension because she’s
another player that can
create her own shot,”
Schaefer said. “So now
you’ve got her and How-
ard and that makes it
very difficult unless
you have two players on
your team that can de-
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020
Cerantola had loaded the
bases with no outs in the
third inning.
After a short meeting
on the mound between
the pair and Tanner,
Cerantola returned to
his dominant form. His
first out came on a lineout
from Wright State’s Tyler
Black to MSU junior sec-
ond baseman Justin Fos-
cue. A strikeout of Raider
cleanup hitter Zane Har-
ris followed. One batter
later, Cerantola delivered
a devastating 84 mile
per hour curveball on a
1-2 count for a swinging
strikeout of designated
hitter Alex Neff.
Leaping off the mound
as his pitch met the leath-
fend on the perimeter.
But we really struggled
tonight with that sec-
ond defender.
With the loss, MSU
is now 2-2 against As-
sociated Press top 25
teams this season, hav-
ing previously dropped
a game at No. 1 South
Carolina Jan. 20.
The Bulldogs next
hit the road for a meet-
ing with Auburn Thurs-
day before closing the
season with home con-
tests against Alabama
and No. 23 Arkansas
and an away game ver-
sus in-state rival Ole
Miss.
“We’re going to learn
from it,” Schaefer said
of Sunday’s loss. “To be
what we are at 22-4 with
this young group, I’ve
been proud of them all
year. I’m disappointed
in today, but we ran into
a really good team and
a big crowd and some-
times that happens.”
er in Tanner’s mitt, Ceran-
tola flexed his core and let
out a fiery “Yeah!” The
8,173 fans in attendance
roared in approval.
“Probably going to
need some TUMS during
some of those innings,”
coach Chris Lemonis
joked of watching Ceran-
tola Sunday. “But we knew
we were going to get that
and that’s part of his prog-
ress and his growth is just
learning how to manage
innings and command,
but he was really good
today.”
“Last year he just tried
to do too much,” Lemonis
continued. “This year, he
gets it, he’s been there,
he’s able to slow it down
Rain postpones
Daytona 500
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAYTONA BEACH,
Fla. — The Daytona 500
has been postponed by
rain for the first time
since 2012, dampening
NASCAR’s season open-
er that started with a bal-
lyhooed visit from Presi-
dent Donald Trump.
The race was post-
poned after two lengthy
delays totaling more
than three hours. The
race will now begin at
4 p.m. Monday and be
broadcast live on Fox.
It’s the second time in
62 years that “The Great
American Race” will fin-
ish on a Monday.
The first delay of
the day came moments
after the presidential
motorcade completed a
ceremonial parade lap
around the 2 1/2-mile
track. Trump’s armored
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
B
SECTION
MSU athletics
a little bit more and make
some pitches.”
While Cerantola
backed up redshirt fresh-
man Christian MacLeod’s
dominant 11 strikeout
performance Saturday
with a gem of his own, it
was a quiet day at the dish
for the MSU batting order
as they notched five runs
on seven hits Sunday.
Freshman third base-
man Kamren James con-
tinued his recent tear to
open the season, earning
a two RBI single in the
bottom of the third to give
MSU a three-run lead.
Now three games into
his MSU career, James
is 5-for-11 with four RBIs
See BASEBALL, 3B
limousine nicknamed
“The Beast” exited
Daytona International
Speedway, and the sky
opened for a brief show-
er that forced drivers
back to pit road.
The start already had
been pushed back 13
minutes to accommo-
date Trump’s trip. Ricky
Stenhouse Jr. eventually
led the field to the green
flag and was out front for
the first 20 laps before
heavier rain soaked a
racing surface that takes
hours to dry.
NASCAR called driv-
ers back to their cars
around 6:40 p.m. EST,
hoping to get more laps
in before more showers
hit again. Some drivers
showed, but the heaviest
rain of the day forced a
postponement.
See DAYTONA, 3B
2B MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

BRIEFLY Nolan Arenado ready to get to work with Rockies, for now
College Baseball THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ence in that locker The slugging third there and compete,” guys do best, is play,”
room. That’s never re- baseman did hear the Arenado said. “That’s Black said. “I’m here
Rebels take down top-ranked Louisville SCO T T SDA L E , ally been my style. So I chatter about a trade to why I’m here, that’s for these guys in a lot of
Ole Miss took care of business in Sunday’s
Ariz. — Nolan Arena- feel like I’m going to be the Cubs for fellow third what my job is to do. different ways. I’m here
series-deciding ballgame against the No. 1 ranked Lou-
isville Cardinals, and edged them out for a 7-6 victory do said he never went me, nothing’s going to baseman Kris Bryant, I’m excited for that. on the baseball side and
and a first weekend series win. as far as to request a change. I want to win.” saying “it would have Obviously there’s some I’m also here for a voice
The Rebels (2-1) used a four-run seventh inning to trade from the Colora- Arenado said he sent been interesting.” things going on. I’m not
take their first lead of the day after trailing for the entire
of experience, and some
do Rockies in the wake text messages to team- Arenado worked out too worried about them, of these things that
game and relied on a strong relief outing from freshman
Wes Burton to hold the lead through the game’s final of feeling a “disrespect” mates and that he is in recent days at Ari- I’m worried about going maybe I went through
two innings. from the club given he committed to Colorado zona State’s Phoenix out there and getting as a player — every-
Freshman Derek Diamond turned in a quality out- was part of trade dis- as spring training be- Municipal Stadium, but ready for the season body’s career is differ-
ing of 5.2 IP to set the tone early and was able to keep cussions this offseason, gins — “that was good,” insisted it was only be- and just doing the best
the game close until the Rebel bats caught up. ent — I might be able to
With the victory today, Ole Miss secured a series
and the All-Star third manager Bud Black cause he didn’t want to I can.” lend some wisdom to all
win over the top-ranked Cardinals after strong showings baseman is ready to said — even if Arenado wait around to get his Arenado expects to players, whatever they
on Saturday and Sunday. The Rebels now improve move forward despite is unsure if he will be hitting in at Salt River be in meetings in the
to 5-0 under head coach Mike Bianco in home series need, and I’m here for
frustrations with a quiet around for all of 2020. Fields at Talking Stick coming days but wasn’t
against teams ranked No. 1 in the country, having taken them. I think they know
winter by his team. The Rockies went 71-91 but rather have a more sure whether he would
down top-ranked Florida (2015, 2012), South Carolina that I’m here for them
(2011), Georgia (2009), and now Louisville at Swayze “There was different last season for fourth efficient batting prac- sit down one on one
so if they need that, I’m
Field. talks. I wouldn’t say it place in the five-team tice of about 90 minutes with Bridich to discuss
went to those lengths,” available.”
Golden Eagles complete sweep with 8-7 win NL West. with his younger broth- his situation. Bridich is
Arenado said Sunday, Arenado said he isn’t
The uncertainty er, Jonah. expected to talk with
over Murray State when he reported to wasn’t something Are- While there are reporters Tuesday at one to “hold grudges.”
Charlie Fischer collected four hits and Isaiah He is ready to get to
Rhodes threw three strong relief innings to lift Southern Rockies camp ahead nado let bring him down “different things” that Cactus League media
Miss to an 8-7 victory over Murray State Sunday after- of Monday’s first full- or distract him from frustrated him with day, the Rockies said. work.
noon to complete a three-game sweep at Pete Taylor squad workout. his offseason work, the the franchise that have The infielder and “I’m in camp so that
Park/Hill Denson Field. It has nearly been seven-time Gold Glover been discussed, Arena- Black briefly chatted means we’re trying to
The Golden Eagles opened up 3-0 for the sixth- win,” Arenado said, not-
straight season as they collected season highs for both a year since Arenado said. do didn’t want to go into Saturday and Black
runs and hits (12). signed a $260 million, “I wasn’t panicking detail about any discord said his door is always ing there were “a few
Fischer, the sophomore from Edina, Minn., posted eight-year contract — at all about it,” he said. with general manager open for Arenado or any times” he wasn’t sure
two doubles and drove in three runs and had the and now it’s unclear “It is what it is. It didn’t Jeff Bridich. player to talk baseball he would be here this
program’s first four-hit game since Matt Wallner did it spring. “But at the same
against Marshall on May 23, 2019.
how long he will stay. really fluster me or any- Winning could help or life.
The Golden Eagles overcame three deficits in the “I’m committed thing. These talks are repair any issues, too, time it’s still a business.
contest before taking the lead for good with three runs in here. I’m here and I’m what they are, they hap- Arenado said. Not that Black feels You never know what
the seventh at 8-6. ready to go out there, pen. Sometimes there’s “I’m just more con- he needs to discuss could happen. At the
The Golden Eagles continue their season-opening end of the day I’m hap-
I’m going to play hard,” a little bit of friction, cerned to play and play Arenado’s offseason
seven-game homestand Tuesday when they entertain
New Orleans for a 6 p.m. contest. he said. “I’m not going and that’s OK. It didn’t hard and play for my with him. py to be back. I’m ready
to be a negative pres- affect me.” teammates and go out “That’s what these to help this team win.”
College Basketball
Ole Miss gets blown out by No. 23 Arkansas
The Ole Miss women’s basketball team gave No.
23 Arkansas a fight in the first quarter, but a lethal Ra-
zorback offense that ranks first in the SEC and fourth in
the NCAA pulled away as it exploded toward a 108-64
Adam Scott wins at Riviera, and this time it counts
win over the Rebels at The Pavilion on Sunday.
Arkansas (20-5, 8-4 SEC) broke its own program
record for points against an SEC opponent and shooting
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS victory. That changed tee so badly that the into the hill and it came No. 7 in the world, his
percentage after draining 64.4 percent of its shots from at Riviera, his favorite shot traveled 129 yards up short and rolled first time in the top 10
the field on Sunday, less than one week after dropping LOS ANGELES — course, on a final day so and led to double bogey. back. He flopped the in nearly three years.
an SEC-only program record 103 points on No. 15 Adam Scott contemplat- tough no shot shot bet- Matt Kuchar went 15 next one about 20 feet
Kentucky. The Rebels fought blow-for-blow in a wild first Scott won by two
ed the safe shot to get ter than 68. holes with three bogeys away and three-putted
quarter of action in which both teams shot a combined
him out of his mess on shots over Sung Kang,
22-of-29 (.759) and scored 55 total points, but Ole Miss Scott made clutch and no birdies to fall be- for triple bogey.
the 15th hole at Riviera, who started eagle-dou-
cooled off as the Razorbacks kept the pedal down, putts for birdie, par and hind. On the par-3 sixth,
scoring at least 25 a quarter the remainder of the game. knowing it would prob- bogey. But it was that “Honestly, I didn’t he hit it on the wrong ble bogey and shot
The Rebels (7-18, 0-12 SEC) remain at home this ably cost him his two- decision — and the shot expect it to be as diffi- side of the bunker in the 69; Scott Brown, who
Thursday to host No. 18 Kentucky, with tipoff set for 7 shot lead but not yet the played bogey-free on
p.m. inside The Pavilion at Ole Miss.
— that stood out. cult as it was, but every- middle of the green and
tournament. “I had a little bit of one was finding it tough dropped another shot. the back nine and bird-
College Softball On a Sunday filled that kind of mindset, out there,” McIlroy said Scott tried a flop ied the 18th for a 68;
MSU wins second consecutive tournament title with big blunders and not just today but the after a 73 that left him behind the fifth green and Kuchar, who had a
On the back of a dozen strikeouts from Emily untimely mistakes, whole week, of ‘what in a tie for fifth, but that came up short. He
Williams, Mississippi State softball defeated Tennessee 72.
Scott changed his mind. have I got to lose?’ ... still No. 1 in the world. went to his long putter,
State, 4-0, on Sunday to claim the Bulldog Kickoff Hideki Matsuyama
Classic title. State has now won two tournaments over “I thought, ‘Well, Give myself a good “Adam held on well at barely got it up the hill
you can maybe win the made the cut on the
the first two weeks of the season. chance to get back in the end.” and onto the green and
With a 9-1 record, head coach Samantha Ricketts tournament if you hit the winner’s circcle on Tiger Woods had his made double bogey. number and finished
now boasts the best 10-game start by any head coach a great flop shot here.’ three shots behind in a
the PGA Tour,” he said. problems, too, but he The difference was the
in program history.
“”It was good to get her [Williams] out there for her So I thought I might as The victory comes was never in contention. next hole. He made an tie for fifth with McIl-
first start of the year, try and lengthen her out a little well go for it,” Scott said 15 years after Scott won Woods played a five- 18-foot birdie above the roy, Bryson DeCham-
bit, because we know we’ll be using her a lot down the after his two-shot vic- a playoff at Riviera that hole stretch late in his hole. beau, Max Homa and
stretch,” Ricketts said in a news release. We mixed up tory in the Genesis In- didn’t count as official round at 5 over and shot “It’s not time to get
the roles and had Annie [Willis] come in in the save Joel Dahmen.
situation just to give them different looks and prepare
vitational, this one that because rain shortened 77 to finish last among flustered and try some- “I’m stoked with
them for some different things we might do throughout counts in the record the tournament to 36 the 68 players who thing new on the sixth
this,” Scott said. “It’s a
the year. [Williams] threw a great game. Any time they book. holes. He earned every made the cut. It was the hole of the final round,”
got on, she came right back and got the next one out, The flop shot to 5 bit of this victory, his big step, whatever point
first time Woods has Scott said. “I just really
and that’s really what we’re asking for out of the pitching feet allowed him to es- 14th on the PGA Tour finished last alone since tried to do what I had in my career I’m at. I
staff.” haven’t won for three
Williams faced 18 batters, allowing two hits. Annie cape with bogey. Two and 29th worldwide. the Memorial in 2015. done all week on that
Willis threw 2.0 shutout innings for the save. The holes later, he ran in a So tense was Sunday “Good news, I hit next swing and made a years. This feels very
Bulldogs have shutout the opponent in five of their 10 10-foot birdie putt for a that nearly a dozen play- every ball forward, not good swing and made special.”
games this year and are averaging 10.0 strikeouts per two-shot cushion and ers had a chance to win. backwards, a couple a good putt. That gave
game as a staff.
It showed at the end.
The Bulldogs will head out on a long road trip next carried that to a 1-un- Five players had a share sideways,” Woods said. me the belief that I just He rapped in a 3-foot
week, playing six games in Louisiana and California der 70 and a win that felt of the least at some The final round be- had to keep doing that par putt, stood back and
before returning to Starkville. The trip begins Tuesday at overdue. point. came wide open after all day and believe that
Southeast Louisiana with first pitch set for 6 p.m. raised his right fist in
Scott won the Aus- The list included the fifth hole when there was enough good
the air. This victory was
Prep Basketball tralian PGA two months Rory McIlroy, who nev- Scott and McIlroy hit golf in me to get me in
a long time coming, and
Pickens Academy girls win state title ago and hadn’t played er recovered from a tri- shots that bounced over a position at the end to
The Pickens Academy girls basketball team won since then. Still, it had ple bogey; Harold Var- the green and across a have a chance.” it came on his favorite
the AISA Class 2A state title at the Multiplex at Cramton been nearly four years ner III, who chunked series of swales. McIl- He finished at 11-un- PGA Tour course. And
Bowl in Montgomery Saturday, beating Monroe since his last PGA Tour his 3-wood off the 10th roy tried to bump a shot der 273 and moved to this time, it counted.
Academy 52-31.
It was the school’s fifth girls basketball state cham-
pionship. Jessi Latham led the team with 15 points and
8 rebounds. Kate Wilkins had nine points, while Shelby
Lowe had eight. For Monroe, Bailee Jones had 11 and
Ruth Dees had 10 points. Pickens Academy finishes
All-Star weekend, as expected, was about honoring Kobe
with a final record of 17-5.
SOURCE: From Special Reports
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS seven others were killed his team’s cheer coming world.” he would work for two
in a helicopter crash in out of the post-chalk- Magic Johnson — like hours before practice
CALENDAR CHICAGO — It has
become one of the NBA’s
Southern California. And talk huddle needed no Bryant, a Los Angeles and then go through an-
the mourning period explanation: “Mamba Lakers legend — had other two-hour session
Today most revered traditions: is still very active, very on three!,” they yelled. been hired two years with the team.
Women’s College Basketball On the morning of the real, very necessary. “One! Two! Three! Mam- ago to introduce Bryant “That’s who Kobe
East Mississippi Community College NBA All-Star Game, the The first Kobe Bryant ba!” at the Legends Brunch, Bryant was,” Johnson
at Itawamba Community College, 5:30 league pays tribute to MVP Award was handed It’s a doubly somber the one that Bryant said. “He was always
p.m. retired players with what out later Sunday night, time for the NBA, since couldn’t attend because thinking about ‘How
Men’s College Basketball is called the Legends given to the player voted the league is also coming his daughter had a game can I get better? How
East Mississippi Community College Brunch. It brings togeth- as the biggest star of the to grips with the Jan. 1 that morning. can I lead my team to
at Itawamba Community College, 7:30 er about 3,000 guests, All-Star Game — a tro- On Sunday, Johnson
death of Commissioner victory?’ And when
p.m. and every year a recent phy that Bryant hoisted Emeritus David Stern — finally got his chance to you think about him
Prep Girls Basketball Playoffs retiree with ties to the four times. Jennifer Hud- the person credited for speak at the event and scoring 81 points in a
DeSoto Central at Starkville, 6 p.m. game’s host city is hon- son , wearing the Lakers’ taking a fledgling league pay tribute to Bryant. He game, only second to
Noxubee County at Independence, 6 ored. deep purple, performed and turning it into one of told the story about how, Wilt Chamberlain, and
p.m. When the game was a pregame tribute to Bry- the planet’s most pow- before Bryant was draft- then five NBA cham-
Tuesday in Los Angeles two years ant. Players on James’ erful sports brands, a ed in 1996, Jerry West pionships, and then to
Men’s College Basketball ago, the NBA wanted to team wore Gianna’s No. 2 multi-billion-dollar entity called him to say that score 60 points in his
Ole Miss at Missouri, 7:30 p.m. honor Kobe Bryant. on their jerseys and play- with a reach that touches he had seen the great- last game — that was
College Baseball He declined. He ers on Antetokounmpo’s nearly every outpost on est draft workout that he probably the greatest
Samford at Mississippi State, 4 p.m. couldn’t attend. His rea- team wore Kobe’s No. 24 earth. Stern was remem- could recall. thing I’ve ever seen
Arkansas State at Ole Miss, 4 p.m. son: his daughter Gianna on theirs. And all players bered as well at the Leg- He was speaking of from any athlete. He
College Softball Bryant had a game that wore a patch with nine ends Brunch, and Silver Bryant’s workout. said, ‘Hey, I’m going to
Mississippi State at Southeastern morning. stars, one for each victim drew a parallel between “And I said, ‘Really,’” go out Mamba-style.’”
Louisiana, 6 p.m. “That said, to us, ev- of the crash. Bryant and his former said Johnson, who also The brunch paid trib-
Prep Baseball
erything about his pri- Everyone at the All- boss. paid tribute to Stern ute this year to four indi-
New Hope at Starkville, 7 p.m.
orities,” NBA Commis- Star Game on Sunday “Just as a reminder: and Bryant at United viduals: USA Basketball
Hartfield Academy at Heritage Acade-
sioner Adam Silver said got a 24-page tribute pub- Who more embodies Center before Sunday’s managing director Jer-
my, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday as he recalled lished by Sports Illustrat- the spirit of All-Star game by addressing ry Colangelo received
ON THE AIR that conversation with
Bryant.
ed devoted to Bryant’s than Kobe? ... He always fans. “He said, ‘Yes, the Lifetime Achieve-
career. On the last page played hard. He didn’t this guy named Kobe ment award, newly re-
Today This All-Star week- of text, just before the care if it was an All-Star Bryant. Just was incred- tired three-time NBA
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) end is in Michael Jor- back cover, was a quote game,” Silver said. “And I ible in his workout and champion and Chicago
5:30 p.m. — Xavier at St. John’s, FS1
6 p.m. — Bucknell at Holy Cross, dan’s longtime home of from Jordan: “I loved think that’s what he and we’re going to do every- native Dwyane Wade re-
CBSSN Chicago, which will be Kobe — he was like a David had in common. thing we can to draft ceived the Community
6 p.m. — North Carolina at Notre highlighted by a game little brother to me,” it They always competed. him.” Ambassador award, re-
Dame, ESPN where LeBron James began. Next to that quote They believed in the The rest is history. tired WNBA player and
6 p.m. — North Carolina Central at
North Carolina A&T, ESPNU and Giannis Antetok- was a photo, Bryant power of sports. They Bryant came to the another Chicago native
8 p.m. — Iowa State at Kansas, ESPN ounmpo will serve as guarding Jordan in 1997, believed in winning and Lakers in a draft-night Cappie Pondexter was
8 p.m. — Jackson State at Prairie View captains — but it was, sticking his tongue out they believed it was nec- trade and played there the Hometown Hero
A&M, ESPNU predictably and under- much in the same way essary to always give for 20 years, winning recipient, and longtime
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)
6 p.m. — Minnesota at Michigan State, standably, overshadowed that the Bulls’ guard of- their all. And I think five titles. Johnson Chicago Bulls star and
BTN by Bryant. It’s been three ten did. that’s why their losses said he was quickly six-time NBA champion
6 p.m. — Vanderbilt at South Carolina, weeks now since he, And in James’ locker have resonated with so impressed with Bry- Scottie Pippen was the
SECN 13-year-old Gianna and room before the game, many people around the ant’s work ethic, how Legend of the Year.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 3B

SEC stacked with NCAA tournament bubble teams

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The SEC has three
teams that should be
locks for the NCA A Tour-
nament.
The rest of the con-
ference may have some
work to do.
No. 11 Auburn (22-3)
climbed as high as No.
5 in The AP Top 25 and
was among the top 16
seeds in the NCA A’s pre-
liminary rankings earlier
this month. The Tigers
have lost just three times
in their follow-up to the
2019 Final Four run.
No. 12 Kentucky (20-
5) was No. 1 early in the
season, among the initial
NCA A top 16 and has
won eight of nine.
No. 25 LSU (18-7)
has slipped up lately
with three losses in four
games, but still should be
in the field of 68, barring
a late-season collapse.
Then things get inter-
esting.
Florida (16-9)
bounced back from los-
ing four of six by beating
Texas A&M and Vander-
bilt last week. The Gators
have a tough road ahead,
though, with Arkan-
sas, Kentucky (twice)
and LSU still left on the
schedule.
A fourth straight
NCA A Tournament ap-
pearance under Mike
White will likely depend
on those games.
“Their team is so
good,” Texas A&M coach
Buzz Williams said after
a 78-61 loss to the Gators
on Wednesday. “They put
stress on you in every
possible way.”
South Carolina (16-
9) has a strange resume
with wins over Kentucky
and Virginia offset by
home losses to Boston
University and Stetson.
Six wins in seven games
and a winning SEC re-
cord (8-4) should help
the Gamecocks’ chances.
Arkansas (16-9) has
gone from appearing to
be safely in the bracket in
coach Eric Musselman’s
first season to being on
the bubble.
The reason: Isaiah
Joe’s knee injury.
The sophomore guard
was the SEC’s sixth-lead-
ing scorer before under-
going knee surgery on
Feb. 4. The Razorbacks
have played four games
since then and lost every
one.
Arkansas has a couple
of resume-building op-
portunities coming up,
with games against Flor-
ida and LSU before the
SEC Tournament.
Mississippi State’s
last-second win over
Arkansas on Saturday
was a huge boost to the
Bulldogs’ NCA A Tourna-
ment chances. The win
was Mississippi State’s
second against a Quad 1
opponent and gives the
Bulldogs (16-9) a chance
at a 20-win regular sea-
son with no games left on
the schedule against the
SEC’s top 3 teams.
Alabama’s waning
NCA A Tournament
chances got a huge boost
with wins over Auburn
and LSU this week. Still
some work to do, but
those are huge on the re-
sume.
Rising
Virginia (17-7), 9-5
ACC). The reigning na-
tional champions sur-
vived what could have
been a debilitating loss
by beating North Caroli-
na by two — yes, the Tar
Heels have fallen that
far — and have some re-
sume-building potential,
with No. 7 Duke and No.
5 Louisville coming up.
Creighton (20-6, 9-4
Big East). Seven wins in
eight games, including
over No. 10 Seton Hall,
has Greg McDermott’s
team in good shape.
Rutgers (18-8, 9-6
Big Ten). The Scarlet
Knights’ run toward their
first NCA A Tournament
berth since 1991 got a
nice bump with a win
over Illinois on Saturday.
Saint Mary’s (21-6, 8-4
WCC). The Gaels won a
can’t-lose game against
Pacific on Saturday and
have a couple of more be-
fore facing No. 2 Gonza-
ga in the regular-season
finale.
Falling
Illinois (16-9, 8-6 Big
Ten). The No. 22 Illini
have lost four straight
and saw star Ayo Dosun-
mu go down with a knee
injury against Michigan
State. The good news:
Dosunmu suffered no
structural damage and Il-
linois has a solid resume
to this point.
Stanford (16-9, 5-7
Pac-12). Once the sur-
prise of the Pac-12, the
Cardinal are stuck on the
bubble after seven losses
in eight games.
Memphis (17-7, 6-5
A AC). Blowing a 10-point
lead in an overtime loss
to Cincinnati was a big
blown opportunity. Two
games against Hous-
ton and another against
Wichita State will be
huge.
Virginia Common-
wealth (17-8, 7-5 Atlan-
tic-10). Three losses in
four games makes Tues-
day’s showdown with
Dayton massive.

Dale Jr. alters approach to flying after scary plane crash

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DAYTONA BEACH,
Fla. — Dale Earnhardt
Jr. spent decades taking
risks on the track and in
the air.
He’s trying to mini-
mize both these days.
Earnhardt said Sunday
before the Daytona 500
that he’s changed his ap-
proach to flying following
a harrowing crash land-
ing near Bristol Motor
Speedway last August.
Earnhardt, his wife Amy,
daughter Isla, dog and two
pilots escaped the fiery jet
in east Tennessee.
Earnhardt was physi-
cally unscathed, but emo-
tionally scarred.
“It’s really tough on me
getting back in the plane
and it will never be the
same now that you know
the real realities and dan-
gers,” he said during a
wide-ranging, 24-minute
interview. “It will never,
ever be the same again.
“Something you will
never be able to forget and
never block out no matter
how many flights you take.
… For me to be able to get
back in there and go and
do and travel like I want,
the only
way I can
do it is re-
ally was to
get into the
details.”
E a r n -
hardt has
tried to Earnhardt Jr.
learn ev-
erything
he can short of becoming
a pilot. He did a deep dive
into his jet’s capabilities,
specifically regarding
how long it needs runways
to be for takeoffs and land-
ings. And he’s checking
detailed weather reports
days before stepping on
the plane.
“I’m diving into the
deep end trying to learn
everything I can about
the plane’s ability and the
decisions they make and
why they make them,” he
said. “It’s been extremely
educational, as you could
imagine.
“I’ve learned so much
in such a short period of
time. It’s kind of empow-
ered me and given me
more confidence in what
we’re doing and that we
are safe and that I am go-
ing to be safe as opposed
to … I don’t want to just
quit flying; I don’t want
to just quit getting into an
airplane. I need to get over
that fear and work hard to
get through it.”
He spoke to a number
of people about his expe-
rience, and the advice he
heard repeatedly: keep
getting back on the plane
and in the air.
“I just sort of have to
figure this out on my own,
and it’s working out pretty
good so far,” he said.
Earnhardt retired from
full-time racing following
the 2017 season and is now
working as a NASCAR an-
alyst for NBC Sports. He
got back in the car at Rich-
mond for the second-tier
Xfinity Series in 2018 and
drove at Darlington last
year. He’s scheduled to
race at Homestead-Miami
Speedway next month.
He said he misses
racing and “it’s getting
worse.”
“I thought as I got out
of the car, and the further
I got from my full-time ca-
reer, the less that would
bother me,” he said. “But
it actually is getting worse
for some reason. I really
look forward to getting
some seat time and smell-
ing the smells and hearing
the noises and just enjoy-
ing being in the car.”
But he has no plans to
expand beyond one race
a year for his JR Motor-
sports team, an annual
ride that eases his angst
and pleases his sponsors.
“It’s a healthy thing to
miss it, to want to do it,” he
said. “I think it helps me in
the booth to have that en-
ergy as a fan. I think one’s
plenty, probably one’s
more than I should be do-
ing. I got my wife and Ilya
and all that. I should de-
vote as much as I can to
them. One’s just perfect. I
think it really helps me re-
member what drivers are
thinking about.”
He does hope to get be-
hind the wheel during test
sessions just to get a feel
for NASCAR’S new aero-
dynamics package.
“I’d love to be able to
speak on that a little better
than I can in the booth,”
he said. “I may seek out
those opportunities, but
no more official races.”
Earnhardt was at Day-
tona in an official capacity
for the third consecutive
year for the Daytona 500.
He was the grand marshal
in 2018, the pace truck
driver in 2019 and now
the honorary starter. He
will wave the green flag
to start “The Great Ameri-
can Race.”
“I was flag man at Pe-
vely dirt track once, so
a little experience,” he
quipped. “I skipped a few
steps along the way to get
up to the big time and here
today for the biggest race
in the stock-car season.
I’m excited, should be a lot
of fun.”
As for next year, he
wants to be involved and
insists track president
Chip Wile has something
in store for him.
“I’m not singing the an-
them,” Earnhardt said. “I
don’t think y’all want me
to do that. That’ll proba-
bly be my last time at any
sporting event if I ever
did that.”

Manfred: No tolerance for beanballs in wake of Astros’ scam

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NORTH PORT, Fla.
— With baseball ablaze
over the Houston As-
tros’ cheating scandal,
commissioner Rob Man-
fred met with nearly half
of the major leagues
managers Sunday and
told them to knock off
any notion of get-even
beanballs.
“I hope that I made it
extremely clear to them
that retaliation in-game
by throwing at a batter
intentionally will not
be tolerated, whether
it’s Houston or anybody
else,” Manfred said.
“It’s dangerous and it is
not helpful to the cur-
rent situation.”
Cody Bellinger, Kris
Bryant, Trevor Bau-
er and Carlos Correa
were among the All-
Stars recently trading
threats, accusations
and barbs as spring
training opened. The
revelation of Houston’s
sign-stealing scam, the
punishment imposed
by Major League Base-
ball and poorly received
apologies by the Astros
further enhanced anger
across the sport, with
players, club manage-
ment and fans all joining
in.
“I think that the back
and forth that’s gone on
is not healthy,” Manfred
said.
Manfred had previ-
ously planned to attend
a news conference at
the Atlanta Braves’ new
camp, along with man-
agers and representa-
tives of teams training
in Florida to talk about
the upcoming season.
Instead of an uplifting
look at the upcoming
season, as this annual
press session is, there
was no doubt what was
the No. 1 topic.
Manfred said he
would personally talk
to the managers of the
teams that train in Ari-
zona on Tuesday.
In further fallout from
the Astros’ scheme,
Manfred said the inves-
tigation into the Boston
Red Sox could be com-
pleted within two weeks.
He also said he planned
to meet the players’
union to discuss new
rules limiting in-game
video access.
“I do expect that we
will for 2020 have really
serious restrictions on
player and playing per-
sonnel access to video
in-game,” Manfred said.
“I think it’s really im-
portant for us to send a
message to our fans that
not only did we investi-
gate and punish, but we
altered our policies in a
way that will help make
sure it doesn’t happen
again.”
Manfred said MLB
officials discussed the
possibility of vacating
the Astros’ 2017 World
Series championship.
“First of all, it had
never happened in base-
ball,” Manfred said. “I
am a precedent guy. The
2017 World Series will al-
ways be looked at as dif-
ferent, whether not you
put an asterisk or ask for
the trophy back. Once
you go down that road as
for changing the result
on the field, I just don’t
know where you stop.”
Astros players were
granted immunity for
taking part in the investi-
gation but Manfred said
that “if I was in a world
where I could have found
the facts without grant-
ing immunity, I would
have done that.”
“They had an obliga-
tion to play by the rules
and they didn’t,” Man-
fred said. “ I understand
when say the players
should have been pun-
ished.”
Manfred said expand-
ing the MLB playoff for-
mat is being discussed
internally but that no de-
cision has been reached.

Daytona
Continued from Page 1B
It no doubt choked some of the excitement out
of an event that had been a raucous celebration for
hours, some of it prompted by Trump’s dramatic
entrance. Thousands cheered as Air Force One
performed a flyover and landed at Daytona Inter-
national Airport a few hundred yards behind the
track. Trump’s motorcade arrived a few minutes
later, eliciting another loud ovation. Both entranc-
es were broadcast on giant video boards around
the superspeedway.
At least a dozen drivers were escorted from the
pre-race meeting to a private introduction with
Trump.
“I got to meet the president! How cool is that?”
driver Aric Almirola said.
Trump served as the grand marshal for the
Daytona 500 and gave the command for drivers to
start their engines. Trump, with first lady Melania
Trump by his side, addressed the crowd and called
the opener “a legendary display of roaring engines,
soaring spirits and the American skill, speed and
power that we’ve been hearing about for so many
years.”
“For 500 heart-pounding miles, these fierce
competitors will chase the checkered flag, fight for
the Harley J. Earl trophy and make their play for
pure American glory,” Trump said. “That’s what it
is: pure, American glory.”
Trump and his wife then got in the limousine
and turned a lap. They avoided the high-banked
turns at Daytona and stayed on the apron through
the corners.
The president’s visit was widely welcomed by
NASCAR fans. Trump 2020 flags flooded the in-
field, and some fans wore them as capes in the ga-
rage area.
His presence also created huge lines at entranc-
es, with many fans complaining while waiting
hours to get through security.
Former NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian
France, who was replaced following his August
2018 arrest on DUI charges, was on Air Force One
with the president and first lady. They traveled
from West Palm Beach.
Among those who met them at the airport: cur-
rent NASCAR chairman Jim France and fellow top
executives Lesa France Kennedy and Ben Kenne-
dy.

Baseball
Continued from Page 1B

and recorded four assists and two put-
outs as the Bulldogs’ starting third
baseman — a role he earned after a
preseason competition with sopho-
more Landon Jordan.
“It gives me a ton (of confidence),”
he said of finding a groove on opening
weekend. “ I’m not going to lie, I was a
little nervous my first at bat. (To) get
that first hit out of the way, have those
first few games — it’s definitely huge
for my confidence and makes me feel
like maybe I can belong here.”
“Some of the things with Kam you
don’t realize is he made some great
plays on the weekend,” Lemonis add-
ed of James’ fielding. “Usually fresh-
man struggle defensively and he runs
out there with a lot of poise at third
(base).”
Junior shortstop Jordan Westburg
also aid to his early season RBI tally
when he brought junior centerfielder
Rowdey Jordan home from second with
a third-inning single up the middle.
With the win, MSU’s starting pitch-
ers — MacLeod, Cerantola and sopho-
more JT Ginn — concluded the week-
end with a combined 23 strikeouts in
12 innings pitched, allowing just two
runs on six hits.
“Before the game that was the best
I’ve felt this year,” Cerantola said. “So
it felt really good. I had some goods
and some bads (in 2019). I learned a
lot from last year so I was excited.”
4B MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020
Astros’ Baker accepts that no one is moving on from scandal
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WEST PALM
BEACH, Fla. — Hous-
ton Astros manager
Dusty Baker has gone
from hoping aloud that
fallout from his new
team’s sign-stealing
scandal would go away
quickly to accepting
that the back-and-forth
is lingering.
“You realize it’s going
to take a while to move
on. You don’t just move
on, just ‘cause you say,
‘Move on.’ We do realize
that sometimes the guys
have something to say.
Sometimes you guys
have a job to do,” Baker
told reporters Sunday at
spring training. “Every-
Comics & Puzzles
DILBERT
ZITS
GARFIELD
CANDORVILLE
BABY BLUES
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
thing heals in time, and mate José Altuve and re-
I’m just hoping that the joinder to players from
time to heal has come other teams — a group
and gone.” that included reigning
Then he added: NL MVP Cody Bell-
“Probably not, but I inger of the Los Ange-
hope so.” les Dodgers and catch-
This comes 72 hours er Kurt Suzuki of the
after Houston’s poorly Washington Nationals,
received news confer- who beat Houston in the
ence and attempts to 2019 World Series.
apologize, when Baker Suzuki, for one,
said, “We’re hoping that made clear Sunday he is
we don’t have to contin- ready to move on from
ue to answer these ques- the whole deal, joking:
tions, and hopefully we “Honestly, I’m too old to
can get the season start- get in the middle.”
ed because it has been a “I really don’t asso-
distraction.” ciate myself with this
He said Sunday, he kind of stuff,” said the
was fine with Astros 36 -year-old Suzuki,
shortstop Carlos Cor- whose team shares a
rea’s vociferous defense spring training com-
on Saturday of team- plex with the Astros. “I
FAMILY CIRCUS
just kind of go about my
business and try to stay
out of everything and
get ready to play base-
ball.”
The Nationals have
said they got ready
for the Fall Classic in
October under the as-
sumption the Astros
were cheating; a Ma-
jor League Baseball
investigation released
last month said Hous-
ton used video feeds to
steal opposing catchers’
signs in 2017 and 2018.
Part of the fallout was
that Astros manager A J
Hinch and GM Jeff Luh-
now were fired.
“You hear stuff
around the league. And
all you do is do your due
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY: I
need some
help. A ter-
rible car accident
happened in front
of my house a few
months ago that
resulted in the
death of a hus-
band and father.
The family comes
out every Sunday
to place flowers at
the accident site,
which is my front
yard. At first, I had
no problem with
them expressing Dear Abby
their grief and
tried to console the widow every
time I saw her. The problem is,
she has gradually added to the
area a memorial stone, an angel
statue, vases and some of her
husband’s belongings. My front
yard is beginning to look like a
graveyard — a tacky one.
Now she’s asking to place a
protective shelter over the site.
I don’t know how to respond.
My husband is threatening to go
and pull everything up as it is.
To add to the stress of all this,
another fatal accident occurred
last month, resulting in the death
of a 22-year-old. He was the son
of one of my children’s teachers.
I can’t imagine what she must
be feeling right now, passing our
home and seeing the graveyard
out front. It must be heartbreak-
ing. We live on a dangerous
road, and we are petitioning
for changes, but I don’t want to
Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb.
17). Your word will be the first
and last, defining business and
setting rules for your crew to
live by in the months to come.
Your professional world gets
sorted. You make excellent calls
that pay off, namely in who to
hire and trust. A decision you
make about family turns out to
be so good that destiny will be
favorably altered. Libra and Leo
adore you. Your lucky numbers
are: 8, 4, 44, 20 and 18.
ARIES (March 21-April
19). This day, this opportunity,
is one to be played with. The
experimental approach will open
up your world for a different kind
diligence and you try to
prepare yourselves to
not get into that situa-
tion,” Suzuki said. “And
we just did our home-
work on our end and
did everything we pos-
sibly can to combat the
rumors that are going
around and we just pre-
pared ourselves. That
was the bottom line. It
was just getting ready
for it, if it did happen.”
Correa took a jab at
Suzuki’s assertion to
The Washington Post
earlier in camp that he
heard whistling during
the World Series when
Houston was batting,
and told the catcher, via
the media, to “enjoy” his
ring and his teammates.
make our front
yard a spectacle.
— GRIEVING IN
THE MIDWEST
DEAR
GRIEVING: You
are obviously a
caring person
or you wouldn’t
have allowed this
situation to have
gone as far as
it has. It won’t
be a pleasant
conversation, but
the time has come
for you and your
husband to talk
with the widow to-
gether and explain that while you
sympathize with her devastating
loss, you prefer your yard not
be used this way. You have that
right. It’s private property.
Suggest to her that there may
be some other way to memori-
alize her husband, but you need
the stone and other objects
removed within a reasonable
time frame. You may also want to
check with your local officials to
see what the laws are about this.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been happily
married for 34 years, and my
wife and I are supportive of each
other. She’s a gourmet cook, and
I’m an OK one. She takes extra
care when she cooks. She wants
her meals to be exceptional, and
I appreciate it.
Sometimes she will cook
something like an awesome
enchilada casserole or pork loin.
When she serves it, I like to add
of tomorrow than you’d have if
you never took a chance.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
There are no dead ends on this
journey, though there are some
roads that don’t continue on
pavement. You have to get out
and be on foot, which will be
both more work and more fun.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
Self-improvement step? Try this
easy one: Stop saying you “have
to” do things. When you say you
“get to” or “want to” or “choose
to” you’ll feel more empowered
and excited.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
You’ll be thinking about tem-
perature today — not just the
So naturally, Suzuki
began a brief session
with reporters Sunday
by saying, “I’m just en-
joying my World Series
with my teammates.
That’s what I’m doing
right now. So we’re just
enjoying ourselves and
getting ready for the
season.”
And then he let a wide
smile cross his face.
“Carlos is a grown
man and you have to an-
swer for what you say.
He believed in what he
said and he said what he
said,” Baker said. “So I
didn’t have any problem
with it and I certainly
don’t waste my thoughts
on it.”
lots of other toppings, like sour
cream and hot sauce or BBQ
sauce. I don’t do it with every-
thing — just with certain dishes.
I always taste the food first, but
I know how I like my food, and I
season it the way I like.
She wishes I would eat her
food the way she prepared it.
She insists that by altering the
dish, I ruin her creation, which is
disrespectful. I disagree. I should
be allowed to enjoy my food the
way I want and not be made to
feel bad about it.
Why would she want me to
enjoy my meal less by not fixing
it up the way I enjoy? We both
agreed to seriously consider
what you have to say about
this. — RECIPE FOR DISASTER IN
TEXAS
DEAR RECIPE: Your wife
feels creative pride in the meals
she prepares for you. When you
alter them with “lots of” sour
cream, hot sauce or BBQ sauce,
she may feel that somehow her
creation was a failure. Reassure
her that her meals are excellent,
but not everyone has the same
palate. It may have something
to do with the geographic region
in which a person was raised, or
the household in which someone
grew up.
If you need certain dishes
spicier in order to enjoy them,
perhaps your wife should consid-
er altering the seasonings in a
portion of what she prepares to
suit you. If she can’t do that, she
shouldn’t blame you for doing it.
To each his own.
one outside but the one in you
and the one in the heart of ev-
eryone you meet. The essence
of humanity is warmth.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22).
Children take for granted
everything up to the point of
their existence, and this is how
it should be. An appreciation
would be nice, but it’s not
what’s necessary to forward the
movement.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.
22). This is a time to limit your
exposure. Think of yourself as
a brilliant torch. While you give
your light, you also burn it away.
Show yourself less and be more
esteemed.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
Of course, it’s an entitled and
inherently privileged point of
view, but it does seem like, at
times, there is nothing good out
there to enjoy. Pleasure will be
had by going through the old
stuff again.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.
21). You don’t have to be in
a hurry to see the benefit of
cutting to the quick. Honesty is
the direct route to what’s next.
Speak your mind and set the
stage for future communication.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-
Dec. 21). It takes courage to
deal head-on with the problem
that’s been plaguing you, and,
good news, you have plenty of
courage today to donate to the
cause.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). What can you take away
that leaves you still appreciating
the essence of what was? Brev-
ity won’t be the first choice. It’s
an efficiency and an elegance
that’s found after the realization
of what’s essential.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). We live in an age when it’s
unlikely you’ll be looted by actu-
al pirates. The real pirates will
be subtle distractions that steal
your hours and give precious
little back. On guard!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). When you are in wonder-
ment over an experience, it’s
usually because you’ve not
done a thing like it. But today,
you’ll wonder about a thing
you’ve done hundreds of times.
You’ve changed, and so has
your perspective.
Spate parts
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
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AND JONATHAN SANDLIN PETI-
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TO: JOSHUA W. EGLER, whose

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES

Letters Testamentary have

been granted and issued to
Mark Collier Hardy, Executor of
VERSUS The Starkville Dispatch and Online
whereabouts are unknown

the Estate of Betsy B. Hardy,
deceased, by the Chancery
Court of Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, on the 3rd day of Feb-
ruary, 2020. This is to give no-
tice 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 after
the first publication of this No-
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tice Creditors. A failure to so
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT
JOSHUA W. EGLER AND COM-
MONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
CABINET FOR HEALTH AND
THE DOCUMENT THAT IS AT-
TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS
To place ads starting at only $12,
FAMILY SERVICES RESPOND-
ENTS
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Your are summoned to appearn
SUMMONS and defend against the Peti-
tion for Adoption at 9:00
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI o’clock a.m., on Monday, the
COUNTY OF LOWNDES 2nd day of March, 2020, in the
Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices
Lowndes County Chancery
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to the
undersigned upon the Estate of
M D Morgan, Deceased, by the
Chancery Court of Lowndes
County, Mississippi, on the
10th day of January, 2020.
This is to give notice to all per-
sons having claims against
CDISPATCH.COM n MONDAY,said gister
estate to probate and re-
FEBRUARY 17,the
same with 2020 n 5B
Chancery
Clerk of Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, within ninety (90) days
from the first publication date
of this Notice to Creditors. A
Legal Notices Legal Notices
failure to so probate and re-

LEGALS
Probate and Register said
claim will forever bar the same.
/s/ Mark Collier Hardy
Call us: 662-328-2424 Mark Collier Hardy, Executor
TO: JOSHUA W. EGLER, whose
whereabouts are unknown
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT
THE DOCUMENT THAT IS AT-
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
KIMBERLY DAVIS SANDLIN
Court, at the Oktibbeha County
Courthouse, Starkville, Missis-
sippi, and in case of your fail-
ure to appear and defend, a
judgment will be entered
against you for the money or
gister said claim will forever
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF bar the same.
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI This the 29th day of January,
KIMBERLY DAVIS SANDLIN
2020.

Legal Notices
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
IN RE:
ESTATE OF BETSY B. HARDY,
DECEASED
MARK COLLIER HARDY, EX-
ECUTOR
CAUSE NO. 2020-0019-JNS
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters Testamentary have
been granted and issued to
Mark Collier Hardy, Executor of
the Estate of Betsy B. Hardy,
deceased, by the Chancery
Court of Lowndes County, Mis-
sissippi, on the 3rd day of Feb-
ruary, 2020. This is to give no-
tice 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 after
the first publication of this No-
tice to Creditors. A failure to so
Probate and Register said
claim will forever bar the same.
OF COUNSEL:
Aubrey E. Nichols, MB # 3842
The Nichols Firm, PLLC
Post Office Box 1081
Columbus, MS 39703-1081
(662) 243-7312
anichols@thenicholsfirm.net
hardy.houston(002)
Published: 2/10, 2/17,
2/24/2020
IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
SIPPI
KIMBERLY DAVIS SANDLIN
AND JONATHAN SANDLIN PETI-
TIONERS
VERSUS
JOSHUA W. EGLER AND COM-
MONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
CABINET FOR HEALTH AND
FAMILY SERVICES RESPOND-
ENTS
CAUSE NO:2019-0006-S
SUMMONS
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY OF LOWNDES
TO: JOSHUA W. EGLER, whose
whereabouts are unknown
TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS AND JONATHAN SANDLIN PETI- other things demanded in said AND JONATHAN SANDLIN PETI- /s/ Marilyn Michelle Butler
IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST TIONERS Petition. TIONERS MARILYN MICHELLE BUTLER,
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO Executrix
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. VERSUS You are not required to file and VERSUS
Answer or other Pleading, but PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, &
Your are summoned to appear JOSHUA W. EGLER AND COM- you may do so if you desire. JOSHUA W. EGLER AND COM- 2/17/2020
and defend against the Peti- MONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY MONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
tion for Adoption at 9:00 CABINET FOR HEALTH AND Issued under my hand and seal CABINET FOR HEALTH AND
o’clock a.m., on Monday, the FAMILY SERVICES RESPOND- of said Court, this 28th day of FAMILY SERVICES RESPOND- IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF
2nd day of March, 2020, in the ENTS January, 2020. ENTS LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
Lowndes County Chancery SIPPI
Court, at the Oktibbeha County CAUSE NO:2019-0007-S Chancery Court Clerk of CAUSE NO:2019-0259-S
Courthouse, Starkville, Missis- Lowndes County, Mississippi PALMER HOME FOR CHILDREN
sippi, and in case of your fail- SUMMONS Cindy E. Goode SUMMONS PLAINTIFF
ure to appear and defend, a By: Shantrell W. Granderson
judgment will be entered THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI vs
against you for the money or COUNTY OF LOWNDES PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, & COUNTY OF LOWNDES
other things demanded in said 2/17/2020 MICHAEL DAVID SIMPSON AND
Petition. TO: JOSHUA W. EGLER, whose TO: JOSHUA W. EGLER, whose CRYSTAL GAIL PUTNEY DE-
whereabouts are unknown IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF whereabouts are unknown FENDANTS
You are not required to file and LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS-
Answer or other Pleading, but NOTICE TO DEFENDANT SIPPI NOTICE TO DEFENDANT CAUSE NO CV2014-0427
you may do so if you desire.
THE DOCUMENT THAT IS AT- KIMBERLY DAVIS SANDLIN THE DOCUMENT THAT IS AT- SUMMONS
Issued under my hand and seal TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS AND JONATHAN SANDLIN PETI- TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS (Service by Publicatlon)
of said Court, this 28th day of IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST TIONERS IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST
January, 2020. TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. VERSUS PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS.
Chancery Court Clerk of TO: CRYSTAL GAIL PUTNEY,
Lowndes County, Mississippi Your are summoned to appear JOSHUA W. EGLER AND COM- Your are summoned to appear whose address, PO Box and
Cindy E. Goode and defend against the Peti- MONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY and defend against the Peti- whereabouts. is unknown after
By: Shantrell W. Granderson tion for Adoption at 9:00 CABINET FOR HEALTH AND tion to Terminate Parental diligent search and inquiry
o’clock a.m., on Monday, the FAMILY SERVICES RESPOND- Rights at 9:00 o’clock a.m., on
PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, & 2nd day of March, 2020, in the ENTS Monday, the 2nd day of March, You have been made a Defend-
2/17/2020 Lowndes County Chancery 2020, in the Lowndes County ant in the suit filed in this
Court, at the Oktibbeha County CAUSE NO:2019-0258-S Chancery Court, at the Oktib- Court by Palmer Home for Chil-
Courthouse, Starkville, Missis- beha County Courthouse, dren seeking Modification of

Service Directory
/s/ Mark Collier Hardy
Mark Collier Hardy, Executor
OF COUNSEL:
Aubrey E. Nichols, MB # 3842
The Nichols Firm, PLLC
Post Office Box 1081
Promote your small business
Columbus, MS 39703-1081
(662) 243-7312
Your are summoned to appear
anichols@thenicholsfirm.net
Automotive Services
hardy.houston(002)
Published: 2/10, 2/17,
Auto Sales
2/24/2020
New & Used
Tires
Maintenance
sippi, and in case of your fail- SUMMONS Starkville, Mississippi, and in Custody and Other relief. A de-
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT ure to appear and defend, a case of your failure to appear fendant other than you in this
judgment will be entered THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI and defend, a judgment will be action is Michael David
THE DOCUMENT THAT IS AT- against you for the money or COUNTY OF LOWNDES entered against you for the Simpson.
TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS other things demanded in said money or other things deman-
IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST Petition. TO: JOSHUA W. EGLER, whose ded in said Petition. You are summoned to appear
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO whereabouts are unknown and defend the complaint or
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. You are not required to file and You are not required to file andpetition filed against you in this
starting at only $25
Answer or other Pleading, but
you may do so if you desire.
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT Answer or other Pleading, but
you may do so if you desire.
action at 9:00 O'clock a.m. on
the 6th day of March, 2020, at
and defend against the Peti- THE DOCUMENT THAT IS AT- the Oktibbeha County Court-
General
tion for Services
Adoption at 9:00 General Services Issued under my hand and seal TACHED TO THIS SUMMONS IS
Tree Services Issued under my hand and seal house, located in Starkville,
o’clock a.m., on Monday, the of said Court, this 28th day of IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST of said Court, this 28th day of Mississippi, and in case of
2ndAday January, 2020. TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO January, 2020. your failure to appear and de-
& TofTREE
March,SERVICES
2020, in the
JEWELRY REPAIR
J&A TREE REMOVAL
Lowndes
Bucket County
truckChancery
& stump Work from a Clerk
bucket PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. fend a judgment will be entered
Court,removal.
at the Oktibbeha County Chancery Court of truck. Chancery Court Clerk of against you for the money or
Free est. Insured/bonded.
Lowndes County, Mississippi Lowndes County, Mississippi
Courthouse, Starkville, Missis- RKERS Your are summoned to appear other things demanded in the
Serving Columbus
sippi, and in case of your fail- PA Call Jimmy
Cindy E. GoodePrescott for free and defend against the Peti- Cindy E. Goode complaint or petition.
ON

Brakes since 1987. Senior a By: Shantrell662−386−6286.

estimate, W. Granderson By: Shantrell W. Granderson
J.

ure to appear and defend, tion to Terminate Parental

Insurance citizen will
judgment disc.be Call Alvin @
entered Rights at 9:00 o’clock a.m., on You are not required to file an

Are you a
against you for the money or 100 Russell St. PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, & Monday, the 2nd day of March, PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, & answer of other pleading but
662-605-5125 242−0324/241−4447 E
W ELER Starkville, MS 2/17/2020 2/17/2020
J

other
"We’llthings demanded
go out in said
on a limb for 2020, in the Lowndes County you may do so if you desire.
7596 Hwy 45 Alt N • West Point
painter?
Petition. you!" 662-268-8058 Chancery Court, at the Oktib-
beha County Courthouse, IN THE CHANCERY COURT OF Issued under my hand and the
Carpet & Flooring You are not required to file and Starkville, Mississippi, and in LOWNDES COUNTY, MISSIS- seal of said Court, this the
Answer
WORK or other Pleading, but
WANTED: case of your failure to appear SIPPI 27th day of January, 2020.
CARPET INSTALLATION. you may do&soBonded.
Licensed if you desire. CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY and defend, a judgment will be
Re−Stretch & Repair also Carpentry, minor electrical, $545 plus Filing Fee entered against you for the IN THE MATTER OF THE ES- Cindy E. Goode, Chancery Clerk
Issued
minor under my hand
plumbing, and seal
insulation, money or other things deman- TATE OF M D MORGAN, DE- Clerk of Lowndes County, Mis-
avail. I accept select jobs. of said Court, this 28th day of CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY ded in said Petition. CEASED sissippi
Call Walt, 662−574−8134. painting, demolition,
January, 2020. All Attorney Fees Through The Plan (SEAL)
gutters cleaned, pressure You are not required to file and CAUSE NO.2019-0667-F By: Tina Fisher, D.C.
washing,Court
Chancery landscaping,
Clerk of Jim Arnold, Attorney Answer or other Pleading, but Deputy Clerk
cleanup County,
Lowndes work, moving help.
Mississippi 662-324-1666 you may do so if you desire. NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Cindy E. Goode
662−242−3608.
By: Shantrell W. Granderson
104 South Lafayette Street, Starkville Advertise Issued under my hand and seal STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
Publish: 2/3, 2/10, &
2/17/2020
GRAVEL.2/3,
$360 PER& LOAD.
here to of said Court, this 28th day of COUNTY OF LOWNDES
PUBLISH: 2/10, January, 2020.
2/17/2020
Local delivery, 14 yd truck. Lawn Care / Landscaping grow your Letters Testamentary have

Employment
Chancery Court Clerk of
Backhoe & Dozer work.
Mobile Home Pads & JESSE & BEVERLY’S business. Lowndes County, Mississippi
been granted and issued to the
undersigned upon the Estate of
Driveways. LAWN SERVICE Cindy E. Goode M D Morgan, Deceased, by the
662−497−1388 Mowing, cleanup, By: Shantrell W. Granderson Chancery Court of Lowndes
DAVID’S CARPET & landscaping, sodding, County, Mississippi, on the Call us: 662-328-2424
UPHOLSTERY & tree cutting. PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, & 10th day of January, 2020.

MONOGRAMMING
CLEANING 2/17/2020 This is to give notice to all per-
662−356−6525 sons having claims against General Help Wanted
1 Room − $50

Just for Ladies

said estate to probate and re-
2 Rooms − $70 gister same with the Chancery VETERINARY ASSISTANT/
Painting & Papering
Read local.
3+ Rooms − $30 EA Clerk of Lowndes County, Mis- KENNEL HAND needed.
Rugs−Must Be Seen sissippi, within ninety (90) days Part time position. Animal
Car Upholstery Mossy Oak Mall • West Point
SULLIVAN’S PAINT Got leaky pipes? from the first publication date
experience is necessary.
Cleaning Available SERVICE. Special Prices. Find a plumber fast cdispatch.com of this Notice to Creditors. A
662-492-4221 • Mon.-Sat. Interior and Exterior failure to so probate and re- If interested, please call
662−722−1758
CHILDREN’S & LADIES’ CONSIGNMENT Painting. 662−435−6528 in the classifieds. gister said claim will forever 662-524-4155.
bar the same.

Just a click away!

This the 29th day of January,
2020.

/s/ Marilyn Michelle Butler

MARILYN MICHELLE BUTLER,
Executrix

PUBLISH: 2/3, 2/10, &

2/17/2020

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601-981-3060
Week of February 16, 2020
Ads starting at $12
Houses For Rent: North Mobile Homes for Rent Instruction & School
COLONIAL TOWNHOUSES. RENT A CAMPER!
2 & 3 bedroom w/ 2−3 CHEAPER THAN A MOTEL!
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Ask for Glenn or text. month. Columbus & County
School locations. 662−242
GREAT LOCATION! Dead −7653 or 601−940−1397.
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662−327−9559.
Houses For Rent: South 4th at Christian
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FOR RENT: 408 11th Ave Min H.S. Diploma or

COLEMAN Real Estate

comfortable working around S. 3BR/2BA, CH/A, Equivalent required. Call
heavy machinery, adhering garage, fenced yard, quiet 662−722−3016 or visit
to tight deadlines and must cwjcgtms.org
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Email resume to Houses For Rent: Other Houses For Sale: North
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2 BEDROOMS AKC GERMAN SHEPHERD
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516 Main Street
RENTALS St N. Fenced back yard w/ red. Vet checked, w/s, 1 Go by
LEASE, 802 17th St. N. All 5 Hunting garb,
© The Dispatch

Columbus, MS 39701. sm shop. Great neighbor− wormed. Ready to go!

electric, 2BR/1BA, 662−213−4609.
No phone calls please. DEPOSIT Renovated with fresh
hood. $110,000. 662−356 for short
−4764 or 901−848−0051.
AND paint, new appliances, 9 Bit of change
Pet Supplies / Accessories
Restaurant / Hotel ceramic tile bath. 10 Chilled
CREDIT CHECK $435/mo. Lease, Houses For Sale: Caledonia
SUBWAY OF Columbus is deposit, credit check. Happy Jack® LiquiVict 2x: 12 Heart, for one
recognized safe & effective 13 10th president
now taking applications for
opening shift at Walmart
662-329-2323 No pets. FSBO: 3BR/2BA ON 2.5
ACRES. 1600 sqft. by U.S. CVM against hook 14 14th president
Completely remodeled. & round worms in dogs.
location. Apply in person at
2411 HWY 45 N
1933 Cherry St. 2BR/
$178,000. 662−386− At Tractor Supply. 16 Quarterback
Alabama St location or to 1BA, CH&A, fresh paint,
7113. (www.kennelvax.com) Manning
set an interview, send your COLUMBUS, MS appliances. Lease,
deposit, credit check. 17 Survey
name and number to
sub2000inc@gmail.com Commercial Property For Rent
$435/mo. No Pets Lots & Acreage 18 5th president
21 Commercials
Downtown Area. 2BR/ Beautiful 1+ acre
FOR RENT LOCATED NEAR 1BA. CH&A, hardwood, construction ready lot 22 Most dreadful
DOWNTOWN. 3,000 sq. ft. 23 Basic belief
Rentals
appliances. Walk to Honeysuckle Drive, NH
truck terminal, 9,500 sq. 24 Cook’s
Sunday’s answer
MUW, churches, shops. School District, paved
ft. shop & 3,200 sq. ft.
office/shop. Buildings can
$675/mo. No Pets, no frontage, $15,000. 662− collection
smoking. Lease, 549−3764. $15,000.00
Ads starting at $25 be rented together or deposit, credit/ 662−549−3764 26 High tennis ment 20 Tennis court
separately. All w/ excellent reference check. shot divider
access & Hwy. 82 visibility.
Apts For Rent: South 662−327−9559.
NO HUD. 29 28th presi- DOWN 22 1920s art
1.75 ACRE LOTS.
South Columbus. 3 BR/ Good/Bad Credit Options. dent 1 Sentence style
TWO 1BR/1BA APTS Houses For Rent: North 1BA brick house. Good credit as low as 10% 30 Rabbit’s ender 23 “My country
located at 121 5th St. S. Renovated, CH&A, new down, $299/mo. Eaton cousin 2 California team — of thee”
$700/mo. 662−328− 3BR/1BA, BRICK HOME,
8655. central heat & window air,
appliances, carpet, Land, 662−361−7711. 31 Start of a 3 Mongrel’s 24 Fabled sailor
fresh paint. Lease until count
fenced yard. Close to closing with approved warning 25 Polite word
shopping! $575/mo + 32 33rd presi- 4 Dubbing 26 Bemoan
Merchandise
Apts For Rent: West applicant. No pets. No
$500 dep. 1120 6th Ave. smoking. $675. Lease, dent concern 27 Grove fruit
N. 662−352−4776.
34 44th presi-
VIP
deposit, credit check. 5 Barracks bed 28 Flexes
NO HUD.
3BR/2BA BRICK Home, Ads starting at $12 dent 6 One or more 29 Sheep coat

Rentals
ch/a, stove, dw, & fridge LONG & LONG REAL 37 Change, as 7 Some runners 30 One of the
furn. Fenced backyard. ESTATE Burial Plots the Constitution 8 Spotted cat primates
1204 6th St. N. $785/mo 662−328−0770 38 Surgical
Apartments & Houses + dep. 662−352−4776. 9 Dad 33 Tennis star
Four Burial plots in Mem− beam 11 Pennsylvania Nadal, to fans
1 Bedrooms orial Gardens, Columbus.
Close to trees and the
39 Viper feature port 35 Singer Tormé
2 Bedroooms One call will bring you results. white statue. Vaults 40 Sub shop
41 Poker pay-
15 Famous 36 “Exodus”
662-328-2424 19 Metal sources hero
3 Bedrooms
included. $900 each, sold
together. 662−364−2106.
Furnished & Unfurnished
1, 2, & 3 Baths
Lease, Deposit Five Questions:
& Credit Check
viceinvestments.com
327-8555 Looking for goods 1 Spinderella
or services?
2 Maryland
Apts For Rent: Other

1ST MONTH − RENT FREE!

1−2 BR Apt: $350−435

3 Guns
1−2BR TwnHome:
$625−650

N’ Roses
Lease, Dep, Credit Check.
Coleman Realty
662−329−2323

DOWNTOWN: 2BR/1BA
CH&A, 1 story, W/D,
Find it in the 4 JetBlue

classifieds!
historic district, 1 block

5 Black +
from downtown.
$575/mo. + $575 dep.

Decker
NO PETS. 662−574−8789.
Peaceful & Quiet area.