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Thursday | December 17, 2020

First COVID vaccines coming to area hospitals

Hundreds of doses of Moderna shot will be
available next week for front-line workers
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com
Golden Triangle hospitals will
begin receiving shipments of
COVID-19 vaccine as early as Mon-
day, according to officials from area
hospitals.
Both Baptist Memorial Hospi-
tal-Golden Triangle in Columbus
and OCH Regional Medical Center
in Starkville are set to receive 500
doses and 100 doses, respective-
ly, of the Moderna vaccine from
Mississippi State Department of
Health, which is shipping Moder-
na and Pfizer vaccines to hospitals
throughout the state. North Mis-
sissippi Medical Center in Tupelo
— which has a satellite location in
West Point — received its first ship-
ment of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday.
While the Food and Drug Admin-
Hilton Judson
istration approved the Pfizer vac-
cine for emergency use last week,
the Moderna vaccine is scheduled
to go before an FDA advisory panel
today. The panel will vote on wheth-
er to approve it for emergency use.
That’s not quite the same thing
as outright approving the vaccine,
said Baptist Director of Pharmacy
Eli Hilton, since the FDA’s policies
for approving drugs take a long
time. Instead, it means the FDA has
determined the benefits to releas-
ing the vaccine outweigh the risk
of waiting to go through the entire
approval process.
“That’s not to say that the medi-
cation or the vaccine wasn’t studied
rigorously,” Hilton said. “Actually a
lot of work went into this vaccine,
more than probably has ever been
done before.”
The major difference between
the two vaccines is Pfizer’s must be
stored in sub-zero temperatures,
whereas Moderna’s can be stored
in a regular freezer, Hilton said.
Both showed efficacy of more than
90 percent during clinical trials.
Initially, both vaccines will only
be available for health care workers
and hospital staff in close contact
with COVID-19 patients.
See VACCINES, 6A
Baptist has four ICU
beds left, OCH unit
spilling into ER
Doctor: ‘We will not run out of
beds’ to treat COVID patients
BY ISABELLE ALTMAN
ialtman@cdispatch.com
As COVID-19 numbers increase
throughout the state and hospitals
fill with patients, there are a dwin-
dling number of beds available in
their intensive care units — includ-
ing at hospitals in the Golden Trian-
gle.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Gold-
en Triangle had four beds available Martin
in its ICU as of Wednesday after-
noon, Baptist Chief Medical Officer James Martin
said in an email to The Dispatch. The ICU holds 18
beds total.
See ICU, 6A

Trufant moves Crime Stoppers founding member retires

out of athletic Fred Bell instrumental in fundraising as local chapter started from scratch
BY SLIM SMITH

director role ssmith@cdispatch.com

On a typical board, there

at MUW are those who sit and those

Will now serve as
special adviser to
President Nora Miller
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
Mississippi Univer-
sity for Women Athletic
Director Jason Trufant
has been relieved of his
current duties and will
be shifted into a role
as a special adviser to
President Nora Miller,
the school confirmed Trufant
Wednesday night.
MUW released an official state-
ment to The Dispatch upon request,
after multiple sources connected to
the university had confirmed off-the-
record that Trufant was no longer ath-
letic director.
“The university confirms there
has been a leadership change in ath-
letics,” the statement reads. “Jason
Trufant has been asked to serve in a
new role, special adviser to the presi-
dent, wherein he will work solely with
the president on matters assigned by
her. The university will release more
information once an interim director
is named.”
Trufant’s shift comes about six
weeks after The Dispatch concluded
a five-month investigation into Tru-
fant’s reported mistreatment of staff
and student athletes during his time
at MUW. In The Dispatch’s findings,
one current university employee, two
former student athletes and six for-
mer athletic department employees
described a toxic culture cultivated by
who serve.
Fred Bell, a founding
member of the Golden Tri-
angle Crime Stoppers, was
definitely among the latter.
During its monthly meeting
held at Justice Court in West
Point on Wednesday, the
Crime Stoppers Board of Di-
rectors, Bell’s fellow board
members and area law en-
forcement took time out to
honor Bell, who is retiring
from the chapter he helped
form in 1991.
“I honestly don’t know if
we could have put this to-
gether without Fred,” said
board member Pete Bow-
en who was the Columbus
police chief when the lo-
cal chapter of the national
Crime Stoppers organiza-
tion began operations on
Oct. 31, 1991.
“I just call him Mr. Crime
Stoppers,” said Clay Coun- Slim Smith/Dispatch Staff
ty Sheriff Eddie Scott, who Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott, president of the Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers, presents
Fred Bell with a plaque commemorating Bell’s 29 years as a board member. Bell is flanked
serves as board president
by his wife, Fay, and Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins during Bell’s retirement ceremo-
for the chapter, which in- ny at Justice Court in West Point on Wednesday.
cludes Clay, Lowndes, Mon-
roe, Oktibbeha and Noxu- and others were organizing
bee counties. the chapter, it relied entirely
Crime Stoppers, founded on donations.
in 1976 in New Mexico, is a Bell, who worked in the
community-based program retail business in Columbus
that solicits anonymous tips at the time, proved critical
from the community to help not only to setting up the
solve crimes ranging from nonprofit, but in soliciting
theft to murder. Golden Tri- donations from local busi-
angle Crime Stoppers pays nesses.
informants anywhere from “When we got started, it
$100 to $1,000 for informa- was definitely from scratch,”
tion that leads to an arrest, Bowen said. “Mr. Bell was
based on the nature of the involved in just about every-
crime. thing we did.”
Today, Golden Triangle Bell secured an attorney
Crime Stoppers is funded to help the organization set Slim Smith/Dispatch Staff

Trufant within the Owls’ athletic de-
partment that was largely ignored by
higher-ranking administration.
Trufant’s alleged behavior ranged
See TRUFANT, 3A
largely by annual contribu-
tions from area cities and
counties, along with dona-
tions from the community,
But in 1991, when Bowen
up its charity and draw up
guidelines for the program.
But it was his influence as a
fundraiser that proved criti-
See BELL, 6A
Fred Bell cuts the cake during Wednesday’s meeting of the
Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at Justice Court in West
Point. The cake was presented to Bell by the board to honor
his 29 years as a founding board member of the organization.
Bell, 84, is retiring from the board, will be remembered as
“Mr. Crime Stoppers,” said Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott.

WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS CALENDAR LOCAL FOLKS PUBLIC

Arie Bordon
First grade, Annunciation
1 What hip-hop artist and actor was born Saturday and MEETINGS
Aubrey Graham? Dec. 30: Lowndes
2 During a quiet moment at a 2016 presi- Sunday, Dec. 19-20 County Board of Su-
dential campaign event, what did Jeb Bush ■ Christmas at the pervisors meeting,
ask the audience to “please” do? Blues Museum: More 9 a.m., Lowndes
3 Japanese organizing consultant Marie than 18 trees decorated County Courthouse,
Kondo is the author of the bestselling by businesses, churches facebook.com/
book titled “The Life-Changing Magic of …”
what? and schools are up at the LowndesCountyMis-
future Black Prairie Blues sissippi/
4 What company, now a household name,

46 Low 26
began as Pacific Aero Products, in 1916? Museum in downtown Jan. 4: Lowndes
High 5 What word, Japanese for “picture charac- West Point, open on days County Board of
Clear and cold
ter,” reached new heights in 2017 with its listed from 1-4 p.m., Supervisors, 9
own animated movie? and upon request on a.m., Courthouse,
Full forecast on Answers, 6B
page 3A. weekdays. Take pictures facebook.com/
in the Santa Room and LowndesCountyMis-
enjoy hot chocolate and sissippi/
INSIDE cookies. 662-494-5121 Jan. 5: Columbus
Business 4B Dear Abby 3B or email lklutts@wesst- City Council, 5 p.m.,
Classifieds 6B Obituaries 5A pointms.org for details or Municipal Complex,
Comics 3B Opinions 4A to request a special open- Temiko Davis, of Starkville, enjoys facebook.com/City-
141st Year, No. 239 Crossword 6B ing. (Masks required.) spending time with her kids ofColumbusMS/

DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471

2A THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

DELIVERING CHRISTMAS DINNER

Tess Vrbin/Dispatch Staff

TaSonya Williams, left, thanks Debra Austin, an executive assistant at Prairie Opportunity Community Action
Agency’s Starkville office, for giving her and her two children a box of frozen food for her family to eat on Christ-
mas. Williams’ hours at work were cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the agency’s gift was her “last hope”
for having a Christmas dinner for her family, she said.

Renita Randall,
left, opens the
trunk of her moth-
er’s car for Debra
Austin, center, to
load a box of fro-
zen food into the
trunk Wednesday
morning outside
the Prairie Oppor-
tunity Community
Action Agency’s
Starkville office.
The agency dis-
tributed Christ-
mas dinner for 30
families with el-
derly and disabled
members, said
Crystal Aaron,
right, Starkville’s
Prairie Opportuni-
ty case manager.
Anita Jackson,
Randall’s mother,
said she greatly
appreciated the
gift.
Tess Vrbin/Dispatch Staff

TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Thursday, Dec.
17, the 352nd day of 2020.
There are 14 days left in
the year.
Today’s Highlight
in History:
On Dec. 17, 1903,
Wilbur and Orville Wright
of Dayton, Ohio, conduct-
ed the first successful
manned powered-airplane
flights near Kitty Hawk,
North Carolina, using
their experimental craft,
the Wright Flyer.

On this date:
In 1777, France recog-
nized American indepen-
dence.
In 1933, in the inau-
gural NFL championship
football game, the Chicago
Bears defeated the New
York Giants, 23-21, at
Wrigley Field.
In 1938, German
chemists Otto Hahn and
Fritz Strassmann discov-
ered nuclear fission by
splitting the nuclei of ura-
nium into lighter elements.
In 1944, the U.S. War
Department announced it
was ending its policy of ex-
cluding people of Japanese
ancestry from the West
Coast.
In 1975, Lynette
“Squeaky” Fromme was
sentenced in Sacramento,
Calif. to life in prison for
her attempt on the life of
President Gerald R. Ford.
(She was paroled in Aug.
2009.)
In 1979, Arthur
McDuffie, a Black in-
surance executive, was
fatally injured after leading
police on a chase with
his motorcycle in Miami.
(Four white police officers
accused of beating McDuf-
fie were later acquitted,
sparking riots.)
In 1989, the animated
TV series “The Simp-
sons” premiered on Fox
with a Christmas-themed
episode.
SOURCE: AP

Juvenile arrested in Wednesday shooting
Victim taken
to hospital with non
life-threatening injuries
DISPATCH STAFF REPORT
A juvenile is in custody fol-
lowing a Wednesday afternoon
shooting in Columbus that sent
Ten states sue Google for ‘anti-competitive’ online ad sales
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Ten states
on Wednesday brought a
lawsuit against Google,
accusing the search giant
of “anti-competitive con-
duct” in the online adver-
tising industry, including
a deal to manipulate sales
with rival Facebook.
Texas Attorney Gener-
al Ken Paxton announced
the suit, which was filed
in a federal court in Texas,
saying Google is using its
“monopolistic power” to
control pricing of online
advertisements, fixing
the market in its favor and
eliminating competition.
“This Goliath of a com-
pany is using its power to
manipulate the market,
destroy competition, and
harm you, the consumer,”
Paxton said in the video
posted on Twitter.
Google, which is based
in Mountain View, Cal-
ifornia, called Paxton’s
claims “meritless” and
said the price of online ad-
vertising has fallen over
the last decade.
“These are the hall-
marks of a highly compet-
itive industry,” the com-
pany said in statement.
“We will strongly defend
ourselves from (Paxton’s)
baseless claims in court.”
Paxton led a bipartisan
coalition of 50 U.S. states
and territories that an-
nounced in September
2019 they were investi-
gating Google’s business
practices, citing “poten-
tial monopolistic behav-
ior.”
AROUND THE STATE
Congress approves
funding for Mississippi
courthouse repairs
ABERDEEN — A fed-
eral courthouse in Mis-
sissippi that was deemed
uninhabitable because of
mold and moisture is set to
undergo renovations.
Lawmakers in Wash-
ington approved a $24.3
million plan by the Gener-
al Services Administration
to upgrade the Thomas
G. Abernethy courthouse
in Aberdeen, members of
Mississippi’s Congressio-
nal delegation announced
last week.
“This is an outstanding
outcome for the federal
courthouse in Aberdeen,”
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker
said in a statement. “This
long overdue project will
allow the GSA to complete
decades of deferred mainte-
nance, ensuring the health
and safety of the public and
federal workers for years to
come.”
Trouble started in the
summer of 2016, when the
Trufant
Continued from Page 1A
from language with ho-
mophobic and racial un-
dertones to verbal bully-
ing of staffers.
“It’s like a prison men-
tality and you have a war-
den,” former women’s
basketball coach Howard
White Jr. told The Dis-
patch in July. “We used
to call it ‘Shawshank.’”
In a sit-down inter-
view with The Dispatch
on Nov. 2, Trufant out-
right denied the allega-
tions. During the same
interview, Miller con-
tended the university
had taken the necessary
steps in addressing any
allegations of misdeeds,
one person to the hospital.
Columbus Police Chief Fred
Shelton did not give the suspect’s
name, but said he was arrest-
ed Wednesday evening and has
been charged with two counts of
aggravated assault.
The shooting occurred at
about noon on the 2100 block
14th Avenue North, Shelton said.
The victim, who is an adult, and
Now Texas is bringing
the suit along other Re-
publican attorneys gener-
al from Arkansas, Idaho,
Indiana, Kentucky, Mis-
sissippi, Missouri, North
Dakota, South Dakota
and Utah.
The complaint targets
the heart of Google’s
business — the digital
ads that generate nearly
all of its revenue, as well
as all the money that its
corporate parent, Alpha-
bet Inc., depends upon
to help finance a range of
far-flung technology proj-
ects.
As more marketers
have increased their
spending online, those
digital ads have turned
Google into a moneymak-
ing machine. Through
the first nine months of
this year, Google’s ad
sales totaled nearly $101
billion, accounting for
86% of its total revenue.
And now the states
contend Google intends
to use its alleged stran-
glehold on digital ads to
choke off other avenues
of potential competition
and innovation. The com-
pany struck an illegal
deal with Facebook, a
major competitor for ads,
to manipulate advertising
auction, according to the
complaint. Facebook de-
clined to comment.
“Google has an appe-
tite for total dominance,
and its latest ambition is
to transform the free and
open architecture of the
internet,” the suit alleges.
In the “ad tech” mar-
building had air condition-
ing problems and mold
developed. A crew did re-
mediation work that fall,
but problems persisted,
and courthouse employees
experienced allergies and
other respiratory problems.
The GSA in 2017 said the
building was uninhabitable.
Officials last year
thought they had identi-
fied a $12 million funding
stream for the project, but
that fell through.
Sharion Aycock, chief
judge of the northern Mis-
sissippi U.S. court district,
said she was worried that
new money wouldn’t mate-
rialize.
“Anytime there’s a
change of administration,
so many people have to get
caught up to speed,” she
told the Monroe Journal.
“Plus, they’re in the middle
of a huge budget debate.
I was so worried we were
going to drop through the
cracks here.”
Mississippi’s other U.S.
senator, Cindy Hyde-Smith,
said the GSA came up with
including during an in-
vestigation into Trufant’s
behavior in August 2019
that resulted in his tak-
ing a leave of absence
that lasted less than a
week.
Trufant was hired
at MUW in the spring
of 2016, a year before
sports returned to the
school following a 14-
year hiatus after a torna-
do ravaged the existing
athletic facilities in 2003.
During Trufant’s time
as athletic director, the
women’s basketball team
won the United States
Collegiate Athletic As-
sociation national title
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
the suspect knew each other and
had been involved in an “alter-
cation” prior to the shooting, he
said.
The victim was taken to Bap-
tist Memorial Hospital-Golden
Triangle, but his injuries were
not life-threatening, Shelton said.
The suspect’s case is likely to
be handled in Lowndes County
Youth Court.
ketplace that brings to-
gether Google and a huge
universe of online adver-
tisers and publishers, the
company controls access
to the advertisers that
put ads on its dominant
search platform. Goo-
gle also runs the auction
process for advertisers
to get ads onto a publish-
er’s site. Nine of Google’s
products in search, vid-
eo, mobile, email, map-
ping and other areas are
estimated to have over a
billion users each, provid-
ing the company a trove
of users’ data that it can
deploy in the advertising
process.
Google officials say
the company shares the
majority of its “ad tech”
revenue with publishers,
such as newspaper web-
sites. An official recently
rejected even the asser-
tion that Google is dom-
inant, saying that mar-
ket dominance suggests
abuse, which is foreign to
the company.
The state’s suit comes
after the U.S. Justice De-
partment sued Google
in October for abusing
its dominance in online
search and advertis-
ing — the government’s
most significant attempt
to buttress competition
since its historic case
against Microsoft two de-
cades ago.
Separately, the FBI
is investigating wheth-
er Paxton, a close ally of
President Donald Trump,
broke the law in using his
office to help a wealthy
a plan to “reprogram exist-
ing dollars.” The GSA will
support the project using
excess funds from other
repair and construction
projects.
The work on the court-
house is expected to start
next year and end in 2024.
It will include mold and lead
paint abatement and the in-
stallation of a new HVAC
system.
2 schools named after
Confederate leaders to
get new names
JACKSON — Two
Mississippi elementary
schools named for Confed-
erate leaders will get new
names, officials said.
Robert E. Lee Elemen-
tary School in Jackson will
be renamed Shirley Ele-
mentary School after doc-
tors Aaron and Ollye Shir-
ley, WAPT-TV reported.
Aaron Shirley became
the first African-American
resident at the Universi-
ty of Mississippi Medical
Center in 1965 and went
in 2019, while the base-
ball and softball teams
reached the USCA A
Small College World Se-
ries in 2018 and 2019.
Trufant has also over-
seen the hiring of all
MUW coaches since
sports were restarted at
the school. In all, MUW
has seen at least nine
head coaches among
its 15 athletic programs
leave for various reasons
since the 2017-18 school
year.
The Dispatch attempt-
ed to contact both Miller
and Trufant directly, but
neither returned calls or
messages by press time.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 3A
donor who is also under
federal investigation.
This fall, eight of the
attorney general’s top
deputies accused him of
bribery, abuse of office
and other crimes in the
service of an Austin real
estate developer who
employs a woman with
whom Paxton is said to
have had an extramarital
affair.
All eight of Paxton’s
accusers have since
been fired or resigned,
including the deputy at-
torney general who had
been leading the office’s
probe of Google. The
court complaint list attor-
neys with private firms
in Houston, Chicago and
Washington, D.C., as the
lead lawyers on the case.
Paxton announced the
lawsuit the week after
the U.S. Supreme Court
rejected his legal push
to overturn Joe Biden’s
victory in the presiden-
tial election, a case that
prompted widespread
speculation that the at-
torney general is angling
for a preemptive pardon
from Trump.
The American Eco-
nomic Liberties Project,
an organization that ad-
vocates for government
action against business
concentration, welcomed
the states’ suit.
“Google’s current busi-
ness model is a threat to
democracy and the free
press,” Sarah Miller, the
group’s executive direc-
tor, said in a statement.
on to help develop several
medical institutions in the
state. Ollye Shirley is the
former president of the
Jackson Public Schools
Board of Trustees.
The Power Academic
and Performing Arts Com- Get promoted? Win an award?
plex in Jackson, named Send us your business brief.
after a Confederate colo-
nel, will become the Ida B. news@cdispatch.com
Wells Elementary School. subject: Business brief
Wells was a Holly Springs
native who went on to be-
come a journalist, educator
and civil rights leader.
SOURCE: AP
SOLUNAR TABLE
The solunar period indicates
peak-feeding times for fish and game.
Thurs. Fri.
Major 3:33a 4:27a
Minor 11:17a 12:01p
Major
Minor
4:01p
8:43p
4:53p
9:46p
Courtesy of Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
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Opinion
4A THURSDAY, DECEMBER 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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Voice of the people
A better Columbus and
inclusion
Reading Leslie Sorrell’s
letter in the December 14
edition was a breath of fresh
air because many writers
are obsessed with the “sins”
of Trump and his efforts to
“Make America Great,” when
the “friendly” city they call
home has almost run off the
rails through mismanagement
and lack of leadership. I have
been called a “Racist” and a
complainer for my concern
about the city’s direction and
services. A friend called me
the other day and said the
street sweeper must be out of
service because his neighbor-
hood had curbs and gutters
stopped up with leaves. I told
him there were piles of debris
that have not been picked up in
months in my neighborhood.
The city’s answer to this is
“See Click Fix”? I see the city’s
“4 men and a truck” driving
around everywhere. Several
properties in my neighborhood
look like junk yards, no code
enforcement. The medians
on main street are constantly
maintained, but not so with
ditches in East Columbus and
other areas. But I have com-
plained about this before. In
my neighborhood, most of the
residents keep the litter picked
up and our ditches trimmed.
Pride of ownership. Leslie,
you are not alone in “one
person can make a difference.”
Hopefully your letter will wake
many up and citizens will join
the “ABC” movement.
I was shocked to read, some
of our city officials seem down
right “gitty” over letting a
Hindu from Nevada have the
invocation at a council meet-
ing. While I fully understand
the “freedom of religion” bit,
what’s the big deal? At least
Mr. Mickens and Mr. Gavin
showed some concern over the
decision. As far as being “like
any other preacher”? Some-
one explain that to me. As far
as an evangelical Christian
pastor and a Hindu Guru being
similar, I beg to differ. But at
least we’re an all ”inclusive”
city? The bright spot is, the
meetings are started with an
invocation.
One other point, I hope our
DA will prosecute and convict
Mr. Rawle. You can be assured
the bond company that paid
the state for the city’s money
Mr. Rawle embezzled will go
after him. That might be inter-
esting. No wonder the millage
rate has increased eight times.
No one understands the city’s
finances, no one questions the
financial reports, because a
lot of numbers are just thrown
out. If the interim accountant
has not made the firm looking
at the city’s books aware of
the lack of bank statement
not reconciling, Mr. Rawle
might never have been caught.
Join the “A Better Columbus
Group.”
God Bless Columbus and
America.
Lee Roy Lollar
Columbus
Points out recent good news
Within the span of a couple
of days this month, a bundle
of encouraging, hopeful, good
things started to happen:
n Preventable Covid-19
vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech)
are rolling and Moderna is on
the way.
n Electoral college votes
confirmed Biden-Harris
victory.
n As a result, the latest
congratulation messages to
Biden are from Senate major-
ity leader Mitch McConnell
and the leader of another super
power: President Putin.
n Sadly though, President
Trump’s impact on Georgia’s
runoff election is a negative.
n Money markets are still
doing great after a Biden
victory.
n A few injuries but no
death out of post-election
violence.
Though the surge of the
virus is on the rise again and
a harsh winter locally has al-
ready had a detrimental effect
on plants, the new year will
certainly be happier.
Merry Christmas.
Jiben Roy
Columbus

OTHER EDITORS CARTOONIST VIEW

Eviction is the New Year’s
gift that no one deserves
but millions could get
Millions of households
nationwide could find
themselves evicted from
their homes soon after New
Year’s Day as one of the last
safeguards from eviction
during the pandemic, the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention nationwide
eviction moratorium, is set
to expire.
In September, the CDC
issued an order halting all
evictions nationwide. The
order was significant, and
explicit about the impor-
tance of preventing evictions
during a pandemic. Keeping
people in their homes can
ensure a space for quaran-
tining, enhance their ability
to comply with stay-at-home
orders, and reduce pressure
on homeless shelters.
The timing of the order’s
expiration couldn’t be worse.
New cases and deaths have
reached an all time high
as the nationwide death
toll surpasses 300,000. If
an eviction moratorium is
an “effective public health
measure,” as the CDC clear-
ly states, the United States
needs it now more than ever.
As the pandemic has
gotten worse, so has the
financial situation of many
households. According to
one estimate, 12 million
renter households will owe
an average of $5,000 in rent
by the end of the year. A
Census Bureau survey es-
timates that nearly 400,000
adults in Pennsylvania are
A time to reflect on health, wealth and happiness
I
either behind on rent or t is often said that health money that conscientious of their energy and money has been al-
mortgages or have no con- is wealth, and at no time in Americans may have been tered. Staring us in the face is a rational
fidence that they’ll be able our lives has this proven able to save during the last choice: Continue spending money on
to make payments in the more true than during the nine months. No longer are those material goods and activities or
coming weeks. COVID-19 pandemic and the many spending large chunks start saving the money for things that
Black and Hispanic resulting political, economic of their income commuting are more likely to pay off in the long
families with children, and social upheaval. to work or shuttling their run. Those who preserve their hard-
particularly those headed by This has been a year un- children to activities. There’s earned capital should see a spike in their
a single woman, are at the like any other. At this point, no longer a daily need to pur- savings.
highest risk of eviction. nearly a year into the pandem- chase subway or train tickets, That is not to say that there isn’t
It’s not that tenants aren’t ic, each of us probably knows pay highway or bridge tolls tremendous value in spending money
trying to pay. The Federal someone who has contracted or put fuel and pricey mainte- on entertainment. After all, I appreciate
Reserve Bank of Philadel- COVID-19. We have learned a Armstrong Williams nance into automobiles that the drama and exhilaration of a spirited
phia found a 70% increase in lot about the preciousness of are being driven less. sporting event. There’s little that com-
the number of people paying life. While most have managed to defeat What about clothing? With so many pares with the excitement of a crowded
rent on a credit card — set- this insidious virus, going through days of us working from home, we no longer arena or stadium as you cheer for your
ting the stage for a future of unpleasantness but ultimately emerg- have to pay for dry cleaning to keep our team with your fellow fans.
crisis in personal debt ... ing a survivor, others have not been so shirts and suits pressed. Why spend However, COVID-19 has served as
As the first Americans get fortunate. Sadly, hundreds of thousands money on a new tie or a new blouse a much-needed reset. Today, we are
the coronavirus vaccine, the of Americans — and many more across when you can work from home in casual making significant changes to our lives
end to this pandemic may be the globe — have succumbed to this clothes? and reevaluating what is of the utmost
in sight. The question is how awful virus. The consumer culture, notorious importance. Many have used this time to
many people will survive the It is painfully clear that the virus does among Americans, has taken a hit as rediscover the wonders of nature, the joy
winter to get the vaccine. A not discriminate. It cares not about the a result of the pandemic. Acquiring of exercise and the opportunity to speak
critical part of the final push ethnicity of its victims, their religious objects and spending money on material with friends and family about issues that
is maintaining people in practices or their political affiliations. things makes little sense and, perhaps matter as opposed to filling our conver-
their homes. The CDC must Rich and poor alike find themselves more importantly, is a serious obstacle to sations with the surface-level banalities
extend the order halting vulnerable. amassing wealth. that had defined so many of our days.
evictions — and Congress So, in the face of COVID-19, we are all Consider the tremendous savings we My prayer for all Americans in this
needs to step up and pro- the same — and this means that each of stand to retain now that we no longer holiday season is that we continue to stay
vide critical financial relief us rolls the dice, unsure whether con- are spending money on things that we healthy in the coming months. May we
to tenants, landlords, and tracting the virus will mean an unpleas- once would have sworn were essential. emerge from this strange era stronger
homeowners. An eviction av- ant illness or paying the ultimate price. I’m talking about live sporting events, mentally and content in the knowledge
alanche leading to a surge in In these trying times, lessons abound. concerts, plays and other forms of that we have clarified what brings each
coronavirus and homeless- The pandemic has been a time of entertainment — nightclubs, expensive of us the most happiness in our lives.
ness starting on New Year’s reflection. Many people are finding that restaurants, dinner parties, alcohol and Above all, I hope that we will continue to
Day is no way to set 2021 as being restricted to our homes has had fancy excursions. take care of ourselves and one another.
a year of recovery. a material difference not only on our The lifestyle to which so many Armstrong Williams is an American
Philadelphia (PA) health but also on our wealth. Americans had grown accustomed and political commentator, entrepreneur, au-
Inquirer Consider for a moment the sums of to which many had dedicated so much thor, and talk show host.
 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 5A

COMMERCIAL DISPATCH
OBITUARY POLICY
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tion including visitation and
service times, are provided
free of charge. Extended obit-
uaries with a photograph, de-
tailed biographical information
and other details families may
wish to include, are available
for a fee. Obituaries must be
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body has been donated to
science. If the deceased’s
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Ada Valentine
COLUMBUS — Ada
Blair Valentine, 95,
died Dec. 9, 2020, at
Baptist Memorial Hos-
pital-Golden Triangle.
Funeral services will
be at 11 a.m. Friday, at
Stephen Chapel M.B.
Church, with the Rev.
Joe L. Peoples officiat-
ing. Burial will follow
in Sandfield Cemetery.
AREA OBITUARIES
Visitation da and Willie George lumbus is in charge of Gladu; children, Chris- Arrangements are
is from Taylor of Palm Coast, arrangements. topher, Dennis and incomplete and will be
2-6 p.m. Florida; 26 grandchil- Mrs. Sims was April-Dawn; siblings, announced by Lown-
today, at dren; 42 great-grand- born July 9, 1953, in Diane Payson and Ani- des Funeral Home of
Carter’s children; and three Columbus, to the late ta Boie; and six grand- Columbus.
Funeral great-great-grandchil- Lola Belle Taggart and children.
Services. dren. James Rowan. Jerry Endsley
Carter’s Valentine In addition to her Donna Baughn COLUMBUS — Jer-
Funeral Earnestine Sanders parents, she was pre- SULLIGENT, Ala. — ry Endsley, 76, died
Services of Columbus COLUMBUS — Ear- ceded in death by her Donna Faye Baughn,
Dec. 17, 2020, at his
is in charge of arrange- nestine Sanders, 81, siblings, Raymond Tag- 69, died Dec. 15, 2020,
residence.
ments. died Dec. 16, 2020, at gart and Mary Alice at North Mississippi
Mrs. Valentine was Arrangements are
Baptist Memorial Hos- Callahan. Medical Center of incomplete and will be
born Jan. 18, 1925, pital-Golden Triangle. She is survived by Tupelo.
in Tibbee, to the late announced by Lown-
Arrangements are her husband, Roy Sims; Graveside services des Funeral Home of
Commas Blair and incomplete and will be children, Clint Sims, will be at 1 p.m., Friday,
Alice Brown. She was Columbus.
announced by Carter’s Alex Sims and Heather in Blooming Grove
a member of Stephen Funeral Services of Lang; siblings, Faye Cemetery, with Glenn
Chapel M.B. Church. Columbus. Greggs, Shirley Delk, Boman officiating.
In addition to her Bicky Dvorak, Sue
Otts Funeral Home of
parents, she was pre-
ceded in death by her John Clark McAdams, Betty Hil- Sulligent, Alabama is
ALICEVILLE, Ala. dreth, Rowena Smith in charge of arrange-
husband, Rayfield Val- and Stanley Taggart;
— John Edward Clark, ments.
entine Sr.; son, Randy and four grandchildren.
81, died Dec. 12, 2020, Mrs. Baughn was
Valentine; and siblings,
at Aliceville Manor born May 17, 1951, in
Willie S. Taylor, James
Taylor, John Taylor, Nursing Home. Claude Gladu Amory, to the late J.C.
Susie Evans, Mattie Graveside services COLUMBUS — Black and Edith Louise
Otts. She was a grad-
Evans and Todd Taylor. will be at noon Satur- Claude O. Gladu, 80,
She is survived by day, in Cluster Baptist passed away. uate of Lamar County
her children, Sandra Church Cemetery. Lowndes Funeral High School and was Charlie Upton
Ann Horton, Annie Visitation will be one Home of Columbus is formerly employed with Incomplete
Louise Johnson, Mary hour prior to services. in charge of arrange- the Lamar County Cir- 2nd Ave. N. Location
Jean Turner, Jimmy New Haven Memo- ments. cuit Clerks Office and
Lee rial Funeral home of Mr. Gladu was the Tidwell Homes. She Margaret Ross
DeKalb is in charge of attended New Prospect Visitation:
Valentine, Bobby Val- son of Quebecois immi- Saturday, Dec. 19 • 1-2 PM
entine all of Columbus, arrangements. grants. He was a grad- Church. 2nd Ave. N. Location
Alice Bean of Forest uate of Sacred Heart She is survived by Graveside Services:
Saturday, Dec. 19 • 2:30 PM
City, Arkansas, John Doris Sims Academy and Rhode her husband, Michael Friendship Cemetery
McArthur Valentine of COLUMBUS — Do- Island College. He was Baughn; children, Burial
Casey Baughn and Friendship Cemetery
Pasadena, California, ris Arlene Sims, 67, formerly employed as 2nd Ave. N. Location
Rayfield Valentine, died Dec. 14, 2020, at a social studies teach- Courtney Baughn; and
JR. of Fayetteville, Baptist Memorial Hos- er with Lincoln High four grandchildren.
North Carolina and pital-Golden Triangle. School.
Bennie Lee Valentine Gravesides services He was preceded in James Gills
of Rialton, California; will be at 2 p.m. Friday, death by his wife, Dawn COLUMBUS — memorialgunterpeel.com
siblings, Corrinda in Lone Oak Cemetery Gladu. James “Jack” Gills, 90,
Hilton, Lillie Ann Petty of Steens. Lowndes He is survived by died Dec. 17, 2020, at
both of Miami, Flori- Funeral Home of Co- his wife Jane Eubanks Windsor Place.

Close but not yet: Deal near

on COVID-19 economic aid bill
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Congressional
negotiators are closing in on a $900
billion COVID-19 economic relief pack-
age that would deliver additional help
to businesses, $300-per-week jobless
checks and $600 stimulus payments to
most Americans. But there was no deal
quite yet.
The long-delayed measure was com-
ing together as Capitol Hill combatants
finally fashioned difficult compromises,
often at the expense of more ambitious
Democratic wishes for the legislation,
to complete the second major relief
package of the coronavirus pandemic.
A hoped-for announcement Wednes-
day failed to materialize as lawmakers
across the spectrum hammered out de-
tails of the sprawling legislation and top
negotiators continued to trade offers.
But lawmakers briefed on the outlines
of the aid bill freely shared them.
It’s the first significant legislative
response to the pandemic since the
landmark CARES Act in March, which
delivered $1.8 trillion in aid and more
generous jobless benefits and direct
payments to individuals. Since then,
Democrats have repeatedly called for
ambitious further federal steps to pro-
vide relief and battle the pandemic,
while Republicans have sought to more
fully reopen the economy and to avoid
padding the government’s $27 trillion
debt.
President-elect Joe Biden is eager
for an aid package to prop up the econo-
my and deliver direct aid to the jobless
and hungry, even though the package
falls short of what Democrats want. He
called the emerging version “an import-
ant down payment” and promised more
help next year.
Republicans, too, are anxious to ap-
prove some aid before going home for
the year.
“We’re still close and we’re gonna get
there,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch
McConnell of Kentucky told reporters
Wednesday evening as he left the Capi-
tol. And during a Senate GOP lunchtime
call a day earlier, party leaders stressed
the importance of reaching an agree-
ment before the upcoming Georgia Sen-
ate runoff election.
The details were still being worked
out, but lawmakers in both parties said
leaders had agreed on a top-line total of
about $900 billion, with direct payments
of perhaps $600 to most Americans and
a $300-per-week bonus federal unem-
ployment benefit to partially replace a
$600-per-week benefit that expired this
summer. It also includes the renewal
of extra weeks of state unemployment
benefits for the long-term jobless. More
than $300 billion in subsidies for busi-
ness, including a second round of “pay-
check protection” payments to especial-
ly hard-hit businesses, are locked in, as
is $25 billion to help struggling renters
with their payments and provide food
aid and farm subsidies, and a $10 billion
bailout for the Postal Service.
Visit us
on the web at
cdispatch.com
US jobless claims rise to 885,000
amid resurgence of virus
WASHINGTON — The number
of Americans applying for unemploy-
ment benefits rose again last week
to 885,000, the highest weekly total
since September, as a resurgence of
coronavirus cases threatens the econ-
omy’s recovery from its springtime
collapse.
The Labor Department said Thurs-
day that the number of applications
increased from 862,000 the previous
week. It showed that nine months af-
ter the viral pandemic paralyzed the
economy, many employers are still
slashing jobs as the pandemic forces
more business restrictions and leads
many consumers to stay home.
Before the coronavirus erupted in
March, weekly jobless claims had typ-
ically numbered only about 225,000.
The far-higher current pace of claims
reflects an employment market under
stress and diminished job security for
many.
The total number of people who
are receiving traditional state unem-
ployment benefits fell to 5.5 million
from 5.8 million. That figure is down
sharply from its peak of nearly 23
million in May. It means that some
jobless Americans are finding jobs
and no longer receiving aid. But it
also indicates that many of the unem-
ployed have used up their state ben-
efits, which typically expire after six
months.
SOURCE: AP
Democrats acknowledged that the re-
moval of a $160 billion-or-so aid package
for state and local governments whose
budgets have been thrown out of bal-
ance by the pandemic was a bitter loss.
“It’s heartbreaking for us,” said Sen.
Dick Durbin of Illinois, whose state has
big fiscal problems.
The emerging package was serving
as a magnet for adding on other items,
and the two sides continued to swap of-
fers. It was apparent that another tem-
porary spending bill would be needed
to prevent a government shutdown at
midnight on Friday. That was likely to
easily pass.
House lawmakers returned to Wash-
ington on Wednesday in hopes of a vote
soon on the broader package, which
would combine the COVID-19 relief
with a $1.4 trillion governmentwide
funding bill and a host of other remain-
ing congressional business, including
extending expiring tax breaks and pass-
ing other unfinished legislation.
Negotiations intensified on Tuesday
after months of futility. Before the elec-
tion, with Democrats riding high in the
polls, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took
a hard line for more aid. Now, McCon-
nell is playing a strong hand after a bet-
ter-than-expected performance in the
elections limited GOP losses in Senate
races.
6A THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Vaccines
Continued from Page 1A
“The plan is to offer
it to 100 percent of our
employees,” Baptist’s
Employee Health Nurse
Johnny Judson said. “How
soon that will happen will
depend on the schedule of
us receiving (the vaccine).
Initially, because we’re
only getting 500 doses (of
Moderna’s) and we have a
lot more employees than
that, we’re going to prior-
itize it to the nurses that
have direct patient care
for those COVID patients,
like our ER (emergency
room) patients, our criti-
cal care patients.”
That includes not just
doctors and nurses, but
other staff like house-
keepers and ambulance
personnel who come
into direct contact with
COVID-19, Judson said.
The same goes for
OCH and North Missis-
sippi Health Services,
which runs NMMC-West
Point. Both hospitals use
a tier system to determine
health care workers who
have the most exposure
to the virus and will there-
fore receive the vaccine
first.
“We have (three) tiers
related to how much
COVID exposure employ-
ees have,” OCH Quality
Control Coordinator and
Patient Safety Officer
Amy Loggins said in a
text message to The Dis-
patch.
That first tier includes
staff from the ER, inten-
sive care unit, emergency
medical services and pul-
monology clinic, among
others.
“If we haven’t given all
the shots out after offer-
ing it then, we begin to of-
fer it to the (second) tier,”
Loggins said.
Judson said the idea is
to provide a defense for in-
dividuals with the highest
risk of constantly coming
in contact with the virus.
“That’s the only way
you’re going to get (the
virus) under control,”
he said. “If you can tar-
get them first and then
(spread) it out to every-
one else, that’s just kind
of natural. It’s the same
process they use every
year with the flu vaccine,
especially in times of
shortages. They always
target the at-risk people
first.”
Hospitals not requiring
staff to vaccinate
However, none of the
three hospitals will require
staff to be vaccinated.
“(MSDH) … is not
making it a requirement at
this time for clinical staff
to receive the shot,” OCH
Director of Marketing and
Public Relations Mary
Kathryn Kight said.
She added that hospital
administration believes
it should be a personal
health choice for staff to
make with their own doc-
tors, especially since the
vaccines are new and still
being studied.
Judson said the same is
the case at Baptist.
“What we’re trying to
do is educate our employ-
ees about the vaccine and
let them make a decision
based on that,” he said.
Some health care work-
ers throughout the state
have already received the
first dose of the Pfizer
vaccine. State Health Of-
ficer Dr. Thomas Dobbs
was the first person in
Mississippi to receive it
on Tuesday, and other doc-
tors received the vaccine
during a special event in
Ridgeland on Wednes-
day, including Dr. Emily
Landrum of Starkville.
Landrum said she
was one of several doc-
tors who the Mississippi
State Medical Associa-
tion and MSDH reached
out to about receiving the
vaccine early in an event
meant to help educate the
public about the vaccine.
“A lot of
us … have
been talking
about ways
to try and
educate the
public and
try to de-
crease some Landrum
of the hes-
itancy about getting the
vaccine,” said Landrum,
who runs the Family
Health Clinic in Starkville.
“So we started talking
about doing live videos
and that kind of thing just
to show us getting the vac-
cine.”
How the vaccine works
Landrum said the
COVID-19 vaccines are
generating more ques-
tions and curiosity from
the public than typical
vaccines that have been
around for years.
“This one in particu-
lar, being that we’re in the
middle of a pandemic, has
the primary goal of trying
to prevent the really se-
vere cases so that we can
decrease the number of
patients who require hos-
pitalization and kind of
decrease the burden that
is occurring in the health
care system as a whole,”
she said. “Obviously we
want people to get it to pre-
vent as many infections as
we can, but the more we
can prevent serious com-
plications and the severity
of the disease, we hope
that we can decrease that
burden and then hope-
fully prevent people from
having some of the longer
term complications that
they can get after having
COVID.”
Both vaccines are ad-
ministered in two doses,
Judson said, which pa-
tients will receive 21-28
days apart, depending on
the vaccine (21 days for
Pfizer, 28 days for Moder-
na).
He said the most com-
mon side effects are typi-
cally the same side effects
seen with most shots,
such as soreness at the in-
jection site, muscle aches
and possibly a low-grade
fever.
Landrum, who spoke to
The Dispatch about three
hours after receiving her
first dose of the vaccine,
compared it to the flu shot.
“Obviously a needle
in your arm hurts just a
little when you get it, but
I would say very compara-
ble to the flu shot or other
vaccines that we get,” she
said. “I’ll occasionally feel
a little twinge of soreness
on my arm where I got it,
but it’s not hurting or ach-
ing on a constant basis by
any means.”
OCH has published a
list of frequently asked
questions and answers
about the vaccine to its
website and social media
pages, in which it says
the vaccines will hopeful-
ly begin to be available
to the general public in
the spring. Landrum said
by the time that happens,
enough health care and
long-term care facility
workers will have received
it that the general public
will know what to expect.
All the health care
workers The Dispatch
talked to emphasized re-
ceiving a vaccine does
not mean individuals
shouldn’t still wear masks,
wash their hands and stay
socially distant in order
to curb the spread of the
virus.
“I just want to encour-
age the general public to
listen to people like the
CDC and Mississippi State
Department of Health and
their physician when they
say to wear the mask …
to not gather in crowds,
to wash their hands,” Jud-
son said. “Just do the right
thing. We’re in this togeth-
er, and that’s the only way
we’re going to control this
together.”

ICU
Continued from Page 1A
Mean-
while, at
OCH Re-
gional Medi-
cal Center in
S t a rk v i l le ,
some ICU
patients are
now in beds Kight
in the hos-
pital’s emergency room,
something Director of
Marketing and Public
Relations Mary Kathryn
Kight said is happening
to hospitals all over the
country.
“The ER nurses have
the capability to also pro-
vide that acute level of care
for ICU patients down in
the ER, and so many hos-
pitals have turned to that
this year when there are
no ICU beds available,”
she said.
OCH has six ICU beds,
and six COVID-19 patients
in need of intensive care.
There are 17 COVID-19
patients total in the hospi-
tal, up from only five this
time last month.
Baptist has 31
COVID-19 patients not in
the ICU and seven in the
ICU, Martin said. He said
those numbers have been
fairly consistent for the
last month.
The number of positive
COVID-19 cases has been
growing in Lowndes and
Oktibbeha counties, with
3,430 cases and 2,950 re-
spectively as of Monday,
according to the most
recent data from Missis-
sippi State Department of
Health.
There are also 1,130
cases in Clay County,
though a representative
from North Mississippi
Medical Center in West
Point did not return calls
from The Dispatch to an-
swer questions about the
hospital’s ICU unit.
Both Martin and Kight
said despite the growing
number of cases, they are
not worried about the hos-
pitals becoming overrun.
“We will not run out of
beds,” Martin emphasized
in the email. “But we have
a surge plan to open up
more beds in our PACU
(Post Anesthesia Care
Unit) and PCU (Progres-
sive Care Unit) if needed.”
Kight said OCH will
continue to utilize the ER
for extra ICU patients.
“Unfortunately that’s
the case statewide right
now,” she said. “We’re go-
ing to do whatever it takes
to take care of our com-
munity and right now that
means having three ICU
patients in the ER.”
Both hospitals also
have the capability to send
patients to other hospitals
if needed.

Bell
Continued from Page 1A
cal in those early days.
“We really had to
scramble to come up with
the money we needed,”
Bowen said. “For a lot of
years, we held telethons,
but a lot of it was just go-
ing to businesses and
asking for their support.
Mr. Bell was really good
at that.”
Bell, 84, said he was
happy to play a role in or-
ganizing the local chapter
of Crime Stoppers.
“At the time, we had a
lot of crime all over the
area,” he said. “So when
I heard this thing was
being organized, I joined
in because I thought if
(citizens) don’t have an
active part in cleaning up
our neighborhoods, who
will?”
Wednesday’s board
meeting was both typi-
cal and atypical, as the
monthly report indicated.
The coordinator’s re-
port listed 10 credible
tips. Typically, that num-
ber ranges from 10 to 15
after the dozens of tips
are investigated.
Unlike most months,
there were no arrests re-
ported or payouts.
“That’s sort of unusu-
al,” Bowen said. “Most
months we’ll have two or
three.”
Since 1991, the local
Crime Stoppers has paid
out more than $300,000 to
more than 1,000 tipsters.
“We’ve had millions
and millions of dollars of
stolen property recovered
and taken so many felons
off the street,” Bowen
said. “It’s doing what we
hoped it would do when
we started this.”
Bell says he’s proud of
have been part of Crime
Stoppers
“I think it shows what
can happen when citizens
and law enforcement work
together,” he said. “We’ve
had so many good people
working on this over the
years, people who just
want to help their neigh-
borhoods and make them
safer. I’m proud to have
been a part of it.”

Help us help them,

The Humane Society
662 327-3107
Sports
MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL
SPORTS LINE
662-241-5000
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020
B
SECTION

Bulldogs lose three big pieces, add 19 as early signing period opens
BY BEN PORTNOY
bportnoy@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE — On a day usually
reserved for optimism and a chance to
gaze upon oozing potential, Mississippi
State suffered hit after hit
as the early signing peri-
od opened Wednesday.
Heading into the day
with a top-30 recruiting
class nationally according
to the 247 Sports compos-
ite rankings, the Bulldogs
watched their group drop Leach
to No. 36 overall and No.
10 in the Southeastern Conference fol-
lowing the flips of four-star receiver Ma-
lik Nabers (LSU), four-star athlete MJ
Daniels (Ole Miss) and three-star junior
college linebacker Navonteque Strong
(LSU).
Strong, who decommitted from MSU
on Tuesday, was perhaps the biggest
loss of the trio given he was the pre-
sumed heir to Erroll Thompson’s slot at
middle linebacker next year assuming
Thompson does not return for an extra
year in Starkville.
“We’re still recruiting, and we’re on a
number of guys,” Leach said in response
to a question about the flips. “And then
also, some may be announced later, too.
But we’re going to see what unfolds as
the dust settles in January and, obvious-
ly, the transfer portal as well.”
While the Bulldogs lost a handful
of important pieces, Wednesday was
not completely lost. MSU made a ma-
jor addition in previously uncommitted
four-star receiver Antonio Harmon out
of Kosciusko — a town Leach needed a
brief aid in pronouncing during his early
signing day press conference. Harmon
signed with the Bulldogs over a slew of
Power Five offers including Texas, LSU
and Georgia and provided a slight buffer
given the loss of Nabers.
Other additions Wednesday includ-
ed former Virginia Tech pledge Canon
Boone and one-time South Carolina
commit Simeon Price. Boone filled a
major need at offensive tackle and was a
prospect MSU was heavy on during the
early part of the 2021 cycle prior to his
commitment to the Hokies.
As for Price, the high school wide re-
ceiver profiles as a running back in the
air raid and received a comparison from
Leach to former Missouri standout Jer-
emy Maclin in terms of body size and
speed.
“They’d move (Maclin) all over the
field, and (Price has), you know, just that
kind of versatility,” Leach said.
The crown jewel of MSU’s 2021 class
arrived in the form of four-star quar-
terback Sawyer Robertson. A native of
Lubbock, Texas, where Leach spent a
decade as the head coach at Texas Tech,
Robertson ranks as one of the most pro-
lific passers in Texas High School foot-
ball history and is also slated to play
baseball for the Bulldogs upon his arriv-
al.
Standing nearly 6-foot-4 and 200
pounds, Leach said Robertson is a prov-
en commodity given his track record of
success and that he’s relatively mobile
for his size. The first-year MSU head
coach also addressed the balance Rob-
ertson will need to strike between play-
ing for MSU’s baseball team while also
learning the requirements of a quarter-
back in his program.
“We’ll just have to see what happens,”
Leach said in reference to Robertson
playing both baseball and football. “I
mean, it’s challenging. I’ve had guys do
it, though. You know, I’ve had our start-
ing receiver was also the center fielder
there at Texas Tech, but it is tough, and
the sports are hard enough but then the
academics in the midst of it.”
With 19 players now aboard, it’s ex-
pected MSU will add as many as seven
more prospects to its 2021 class, while
Leach alluded to a handful of signees
who did not have their paperwork pub-
licly announced Wednesday. He also
made note that the Bulldogs have al-
ready begun looking for replacements
for the spots vacated by Strong, Nabers
and Daniels.
“At this point, our class is what it is,”
Leach said. “There’s no real ahead of
schedule at this point. Now it’s just the
objective of filling the other scholar-
ships. And we want a number of them
filled by February, but still, I wouldn’t
rule out keeping a few back and seeing
what transpires as far as transfers and
things after spring football.”
Mississippi State 2021 signees
• Four-star QB Sawyer Robertson
— Lubbock, Texas
• Four-star WR Teddy Knox —
The Woodlands, Texas
• Four-star LB John Lewis — Mad-
ison
• Four-star WR Antonio Harmon
— Kosciusko
• Three-star QB Daniel Greek —
Argyle, Texas
• Three-star WR/RB Simeon
See NATIONAL SIGNING DAY, 2B

Catching up MISSISSIPPI STATE 81, CENTRAL ARKANSAS 65

with Mizzou
BY GARRICK HODGE
ghodge@cdispatch.com
Strong second half carries Mississippi
State past Central Arkansas
STARKVILLE —
Dave Matter has covered
Missouri for many years
for the St. Louis Post-Dis-
patch. He took some
time to speak with The
Dispatch ahead of Mis-
sissippi State’s matchup
against the Tigers on Sat-
urday.
In a conversation with
The Dispatch that can be
found in its entirety on
the newspaper’s podcast,
Bully Banter, Matter dis-
cussed Eli Drinkwitz,
star linebacker Nick
Bolton and more.
This interview has been
edited for length and clar-
ity.
Q: Obviously, the last
game of the season is
coming up, but what’s
the mood been like in Eli
Drinkwitz’s first season
in Columbia?
A: It’s been really
positive. Obviously there
were a lot of obstacles
with games moving
around and COVID cas-
es, but he’s done a really
See MISSOURI, 2B

Starkville QB
Altmyer signs
to Ole Miss Courtesy of MSU Athletics
Making his first start of the season, Mississippi State forward Jalen Johnson (0) finished with a team-high 17 points. MSU defeated
BY THEO DEROSA Central Arkansas 81-65 on Wednesday at Humphrey Coliseum.
tderosa@cdispatch.com

STARKVILLE —
Luke Altmyer never real-
ly thought he’d be here,
seated in a black fold-
ing chair behind a table
where his future lay on a
slim piece of white paper
before him.
During his middle
school and high school
days, the Starkville quar-
terback had seen the
moment happen for oth-
er Yellow Jackets — A.J.
Brown, Willie Gay Jr.,
Kobe Jones — seeking
college football stardom
in the Southeastern Con-
ference.
“You see them come
through, and you just
dream of being in their
shoes one day,” Altmyer
said.
For Altmyer, that day
was Wednesday — Na-
tional Signing Day for
this year’s early signing
period — as he official-
ly made his collegiate
choice.
See ALTMYER, 2B
Once again, Bulldogs pull away after halftime break
BY GARRICK HODGE a good job in second halves here ly wanted to make a great first rebounded UCA 41-33.
ghodge@cdispatch.com at home.” impression starting with Bull- “In the second half, I felt like
The Bulldogs (4-3), who nev- dog nation,” Johnson said after we were a lot more aggressive
STARKVILLE — In Mis- er trailed all night, received the win. defensively,” Smith said. “We
sissippi State’s home slate, the
a balanced effort as four play- The Louisiana transfer was didn’t have much foul trouble,
Bulldogs have followed a very
ers finished in double figures. first informed of his new role on so we didn’t have any problem
consistent formula.
Fresh off a career-high 32 the bus ride back to Starkville being aggressive.”
Let an underdog hang around
points in a double overtime loss on Saturday following the dou- MSU opened the game on an
the opening half. Cling to a nar-
to Dayton, redshirt sophomore ble overtime loss to Dayton. 8-0 run, but only took a 39-35
row lead at halftime. Use a big
D.J. Stewart led the team with Johnson replaced freshman for- lead into halftime. The Bulldogs
run to eventually pull away and
secure a win. 17 points on a 7-of-13 shooting ward Cameron Matthews, who outscored the Bears, who fin-
Rinse and repeat. effort. Stewart came into the had been in the starting lineup ished a three-game Southeast-
That formula held true for contest averaging around 19 for the first six contests. How- ern Conference road trip with
MSU’s fourth home game at points per game. land’s only regret after making three double-digit losses, by 12
Humphrey Coliseum, as the “I thought D.J. had an incred- the move was taking six games points in the second half.
ible game tonight,” Howland to do it. Poor free throw shooting has
Bulldogs led winless Central
said. “He shot it really well and “He made me look really stu- been the ruin of the Bulldogs
Arkansas (0-6) by four points at
really played smart.” pid that I wasn’t starting him in two of their three losses this
halftime but eventually pulled
While Stewart’s performance earlier,” Howland said. “It’s season, but MSU rectified that
away after the break and deliv-
seemed to be business as usual, obvious he’s a huge difference for one night by turning in a
ered a 81-65 victory over the vis-
his teammate delivered a per- for our team offensively to have 13-of-19 performance from the
iting Bears on Wednesday.
formance that could indicate him out there spacing the floor.” charity stripe. The Bulldogs
“To start the second half,
progress worth watching going Other players with double shot 47.5 percent from the floor
I really implored our guys to
forward. Making his first start digit point totals included Iver- and held Central Arkansas to
come out and play hard to start
of the year, senior graduate son Molinar (14) and Tolu Smith 39.3 percent from the floor.
the half because we did not do
transfer Jalen Johnson finished (10 points, 10 rebounds for his MSU is back in action against
that as well against Dayton,”
with 15 points, converting three third double-double). Seven Mississippi Valley State at 7
MSU coach Ben Howland said.
3-pointers and six free throws. MSU players chipped in at least p.m. Monday at Humphrey Col-
“You have to really come out
and set the tone. We have done “When I got out there, I real- five points and the Bulldogs out- iseum.
2B THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Altmyer
Continued from Page 1B

“It’s time to get down
to business,” the quar-
terback told an excited
crowd in the Starkville
gym Wednesday after-
noon. “For the next three
to four years of my life, I’ll
be taking my talents to
the University of Missis-
sippi.”
Altmyer, who had
been committed to Flor-
ida State since February,
announced Nov. 30 he no
longer would play for the
Seminoles. On Dec. 4, the
four-star quarterback an-
nounced his commitment
to Lane Kiffin and Ole
Miss and solidified that
pledge Wednesday.
“It’s very special to see
a first-year coach like him
have so much success in
a crazy freaking year with
COVID and so many rule
changes, stuff like that,”
Altmyer said of Kiffin
after the signing cere-
mony. “To see him have
a lot of excitement buzz-
ing around Oxford and
the SEC and the nation is
something that I want to
be a part of.”
The quarterback holds
Starkville High records
for career completions,
passing yards and pass-
ing touchdowns. In 2019,
his 251 completions were
tops in a single season in
school history, and his
3,093 passing yards and
37 touchdown tosses were
second only to Brady Da-
vis in 2014 (3,412 yards,
42 touchdowns).
“We appreciate all
that you’ve done for the
program in your time
here,” Starkville Athletic
Director Greg Owen told
Altmyer shortly before he
signed his national letter
of intent to play for the
Rebels. “ … It was a joy
to get to see you compete
each Friday night.”
Now, Altmyer will
trade those Fridays for
Saturdays — and maybe
eventually for Sundays,
as Yellow Jackets coach
Chris Jones alluded to.
“Sooner or later, it’s
going to end — hopeful-
ly about 10, 12, 15 years
playoffs.
“There were a lot of
days where I was on top
of the mountain, but there
were a few days where I
was in the pit,” Altmyer
said.
But those down days
“shaped” and “formed”
the young quarterback
into one of Mississippi’s
top recruits. Altmyer is
currently ranked 13th in
the nation among pro-
style passers and the
Theo DeRosa/Dispatch Staff
Starkville High School quarterback Luke Altmyer signs fourth-best recruit in
his national letter of intent to play football at Ole Miss Mississippi according to
on Wednesday in the Starkville gym. Altmyer’s parents the 247 Sports composite
Chad and Betsy and his brothers Steele (back row, rankings.
center) and Whit (back right) look on. On Feb. 3, Altmy-
er committed to head
from now, it’s going to at which Altmyer wasn’t
end,” Jones said of Alt- sure that hard work coach Mike Norvell at
Florida State. But just
myer’s football career, would be enough. Along
over a month later, the
referencing a potential with the highs of his time
COVID-19 pandemic hit,
lengthy career in the at Starkville — reaching
and the quarterback re-
NFL. “Whenever it ends the state semifinals in his considered his choice.
for you, I feel like you’ll freshman and junior sea- “It was just hard for me
be fine regardless, what- sons — there were lows, to see myself in Tallahas-
ever you decide to do be- such as a 2020 season see, so far away, and I felt
cause you’re a good dude, delayed and shortened by like Ole Miss was the spot
a good person. You’ve al- COVID-19 in which the for me,” he said.
ways worked hard.” Jackets failed to qualify Conversations with
But there were times for the MHSAA Class 6A Kiffin — a “great offen-
sive mind,” Altmyer said
— helped the Jackets star
pick a new destination. Al-
tmyer committed to Ole
Miss on Dec. 4 after de-
committing from Florida
State on Nov. 30, though
he made clear Wednes-
day he harbors no ill will
toward Norvell and offen-
sive coordinator/quarter-
backs coach Kenny Dill-
ingham.
“I’m so appreciative
of them — what they’ve
done for me, how they
believed in me,” Altmyer
said.
Ultimately, though,
he felt his heart truly be-
longed in Oxford. The
signal caller will enroll
early at Ole Miss in or-
der to get a head start on
a dream that once never
seemed possible.
“It’s really crazy to see
how far I’ve come,” Alt-
myer said. “I’ve battled
through a lot of adversi-
ty. I’ve fought through a
lot. But I wouldn’t change
anything for the world.”

Missouri
Continued from Page 1B
good job of maintaining
energy and momentum
for the program. They
haven’t been competitive
against the elite teams
they’ve played like Ala-
bama and Georgia and had
a bad loss in the middle
to Tennessee that looks
worse every week. But
other than that, they’ve re-
ally held their own against
those mid-tier teams in
the SEC. They’ve had to
pull out some games in
the fourth quarter, which
is encouraging because
that’s the type of thing
Missouri couldn’t do in
the past. Gradually, he’s
built excitement around
this program. Recruiting
is a big part of it and a
big factor. When they’ve
played well, the offense
has been exciting. His
personality and charisma
have also been a real plus,
it’s a lot different than Bar-
ry Odom. I said last week,
Drinkwitz could probably
run for mayor of Colum-
bia and he’d probably win
right now just because of
how he’s energized this
fan base.
Q: I remember (former
Missouri head coach)
Barry Odom hyping up
this hot-shot freshman
linebacker two years ago
named Nick Bolton. I
think he said ‘If I can’t
turn him into an all-SEC
linebacker, I’ve failed.”
Seems like he did well
there, huh?
A: That’s a great mem-
ory and line that you re-
membered. Bolton is one
of the best linebackers
in the country, there’s no
doubt about it. He’s been
a little banged up lately
and hasn’t had quite the
same burst. There was a
targeting penalty against
Arkansas where he had to
sit out in the second half.
It was one of those polar-
izing, — well, maybe not,
because Arkansas fans
probably would agree it
wasn’t a very good call —
but nevertheless, he had
to miss the second half
of that game. Other than
that, he’s been outstand-
ing. He’s been one of the
face of the program type
guys and someone that
will likely be playing on
Sundays. He makes plays
all over the place.
Q: Another guy that’s
made a lot of plays is Con-
nor Bazelak. What’s been
his progression like in
terms of his maturity?
A: Maturity is a good
word. This kid is really
calm and poised, and this
is all a bunch of cliches
but it really fits for him,
he never gets too high
or too low. His numbers
are weird because he’s
fourth in the SEC in yards
per game, and I think his
efficiency rating is up
there too, but he only has
five touchdown passes.
I think it more speaks to
Missouri that it doesn’t
have breakout receivers
and they get tackled a lot
in the end zone or around
the 5 and then they have
to punch it in with the run-
ning game. He’s not in the
same class as Kyle Trask
or Mac Jones, but when
he’s good, he’s been real-
ly good. Even when he’s
bad, he’s still really good.
Considering he doesn’t
have much around him, I
think it’s a really promis-
ing year.
The full interview with
Matter can be found on
Bully Banter, which is
available wherever pod-
casts are listed.

National Signing Day

Continued from Page 1B
• Price — Pensacola, Fla. • Three-star DE transfer Randy Charlton — Miami, Fla. (UCF)
• Three-star OL Canon Boone — Dickinson, Texas • Three-star WR Jacobi Moore — Gulfport
• Three-star DE Tre’von Marshall — Locust Grove, Ga. • Three-star OL Albert Reese — Clearwater, Fla.
• Three-star LB Nic Mitchell — Jacksonville, Fla. • Three-star OL Gabe Cavazos — Lake Cormorant
• Three-star S Corey Ellington — Lexington • Three-star OL Carson Williams — Perkinston (Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.)
• Three-star LB Timar Rogers — Deland, Fla. • Three-star LB DeShawn Page — Knoxville, Tenn. (East Mississippi C.C.)
• Three-star WR Rodarius Thomas — Eufaula, Ala. • Three-star JUCO OT Nick Jones — Byhalia (East Mississippi C.C.)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Williams, Hunter lead Purdue to upset of No. 20 Ohio State

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WEST LAFAYET TE, Ind. — Trevi-
on Williams found a fix for his shooting
struggles over the weekend.
A few days later, he was content to
help his teammates score.
The junior forward had 16 points,
nine rebounds and a career-high eight
assists to lead Purdue past No. 20 Ohio
State 67-60 on Wednesday night.
“I could care less about scoring,”
Williams said. “Getting my teammates
involved just makes me happy. I feel like
I’ve always been a good passer.”
It was all by design.
Williams expected the Buckeyes (5-1,
0-1 Big Ten) to double-team him when
he posted up, so the preseason all-con-
ference selection started finding team-
mates as they charged down the lane
— once flicking the ball behind his head
for a nifty play that normally would have
brought a sellout crowd to its feet.
Instead, with only a few dozen fans
and many more cardboard cutouts in-
side Mackey Arena, players had to cre-
ate the energy themselves and Williams
did just that.
“Outstanding,” guard Eric Hunter Jr.
said when asked to critique Williams’
passing skills. “I think he threw one like
right over the back of his head and after
that I said, ‘We’ll be fine.’”
Hunter played well, too, scoring a sea-
son-high 15 points as Purdue (5-2, 1-0)
won for the fourth time in five games.
It was Matt Painter’s 50th win over a
ranked team in his 16 seasons as Boiler-
makers coach.
And after a rocky non-conference
start, Purdue is at least off on the right
foot in league play.
Justice Sueing led the Buckeyes with
14 points and Duane Washington Jr. had
13.
But behind Williams and Hunter, the
Boilermakers were just good enough.
They finally broke it open midway
through the second half by methodical-
ly extending the margin to 59-45 when
Hunter made a 3-pointer with 8:36 to
play.
Ohio State closed to 65-59 when
Washington made a 3 with 2:50 left, but
the Buckeyes got no closer.
“I don’t think we were as physical as
we needed to be for this league, and I
don’t think we played with enough poise
in the last five minutes of the game when
it was a two-possession game,” coach
Chris Holtmann said. “We’ve got to take
it, learn from it and move forward.”
Ole Miss 70, Middle Tennessee 51
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Romel-
lo White had 16 points to lead five Ole
Miss players scoring in double figures,
and the Rebels beat Middle Tennessee
70-51 on Wednesday night.
White, a graduate transfer from Ari-
zona State, made 7 of 8 from the field and
is shooting 80% (20 of 25) this season.
KJ Buffen had 11 points and Devontae
Shuler, Luis Rodriguez and Jarkel Joiner
scored 10 apiece for Ole Miss (4-0).
Middle Tennessee went 0 for 6 from
the field with six turnovers in the first
six-plus minutes as the Rebels, who
never trailed, jumped to a 13-2 lead. Ole
Miss scored 12 points off 12 Blue Raid-
ers turnovers in the first half and took a
32-22 lead into the break.
Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis set a
program record of 332 win during his
16 seasons (2002-18) as head coach at
Middle Tennessee. The Rebels have won
seven of the 13 matchups between the
schools. Davis is 7-1, going 3-0 for Ole
Miss and 4-1 for the Blue Raiders.
Dontrell Shuler, Devontae’s young-
er brother, led Middle Tennessee (2-4)
with 19 points and Tyler Millin had 12
points and eight rebounds.
Ole Miss shot a season-high 55% (28
of 51) from the field despite finishing
with a season-low seven assists.

MLB reclassifies Negro Leagues as major league

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Willie
Mays will add some hits
to his record, Monte Ir-
vin’s big league batting
average should climb
over .300 and Satchel
Paige may add nearly 150
victories to his total.
Josh Gibson, the
greatest of all Negro
League sluggers, might
just wind up with a major
league record, too.
The statistics and re-
cords of greats like Gib-
son, Paige and roughly
3,400 other players are
set to join Major League
Baseball’s books af-
ter MLB announced
Wednesday it is reclassi-
fying the Negro Leagues
as a major league.
MLB said Wednes-
day it was “correcting
a longtime oversight
in the game’s history”
by elevating the Negro
Leagues on the centen-
nial of its founding. The
Negro Leagues consist-
ed of seven leagues, and
MLB will include records
from those circuits be-
tween 1920-48. The Ne-
gro Leagues began to
dissolve one year after
Jackie Robinson became
MLB’s first Black player
with the Brooklyn Dodg-
ers in 1947.
Those leagues were
excluded in 1969 when
the Special Committee
on Baseball Records
identified six official
“major leagues” dating to
1876.
“It is MLB’s view that
the Committee’s 1969
omission of the Negro
Leagues from consider-
ation was clearly an er-
ror that demands today’s
designation,” the league
said in a statement.
The league will work
with the Elias Sports
Bureau to review Negro
Leagues statistics and re-
cords and figure out how
to incorporate them into
MLB’s history. There
was no standard method
of record keeping for the
Negro Leagues, but there
are enough box scores to
stitch together some of
its statistical past.
For instance, Mays
could be credited with 17
hits from his 1948 season
with the Alabama Black
Barons. Irvin, a team-
mate of Mays’ with the
New York Giants, could
see his career average
climb from .293 to .304
if numbers listed at Base-
ball-Reference from his
nine Negro League sea-
sons are accurate. And
Paige, who currently is
credited with 28 major
league wins, should add
at least 146 to his total.
While some have es-
timated Gibson slugged
over 800 homers during
16 Negro League sea-
sons, it’s unlikely that
enough records exist for
him to officially pass Bar-
ry Bonds for the career
record at 762.
Depending on what
Elias and MLB rule,
though, Gibson could
wind up with another
notable record. His .441
batting average in 1943
would be the best sea-
son mark ever, edging
Hugh Duffy’s .440 from
1894. Gibson’s line came
in fewer than 80 games,
however, far short of the
modern standard of 162.
“We couldn’t be more
thrilled by this recogni-
tion of the significance
of the Negro Leagues in
Major League Baseball
history,” said Edward
Schauder, legal represen-
tative for Gibson’s estate
and co-founder of the Ne-
gro Leagues Players As-
sociation. “Josh Gibson
was a legend who would
have certainly been a
top player in the major
leagues if he had been
allowed to play.”
MLB said it consid-
ered input from the Na-
tional Baseball Hall of
Fame and Museum, the
Negro League Research-
ers and Authors Group
and studies by other
baseball authors and re-
searchers.
“The perceived de-
ficiencies of the Negro
Leagues’ structure and
scheduling were born of
MLB’s exclusionary prac-
tices, and denying them
major league status has
been a double penalty,
much like that exacted of
Hall of Fame candidates
prior to Satchel Paige’s
induction in 1971,” base-
ball historian John Thorn
said.

Supreme Court agrees to hear NCAA athlete compensation case
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — For
the first time in more than
three decades, the Su-
preme Court will hear a
case involving the NCAA
and what it means to be a
college athlete.
The high court on
Wednesday agreed to re-
view a court decision in
an antitrust lawsuit the
NCAA has said blurred
“the line between stu-
dent-athletes and profes-
sionals” by removing caps
on compensation that
major college football and
basketball players can re-
ceive.
The case will be ar-
gued in 2021 with a deci-
sion expected before the
end of June. The last time
Comics & Puzzles
DILBERT
ZITS
GARFIELD
CANDORVILLE
BABY BLUES
BEETLE BAILEY
MALLARD FILLMORE
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com
the Supreme Court heard restrictions, including
an NCAA case was 1984. player compensation.”
NCAA vs. the Board of The high court’s deci-
Regents of the University sion to hear the so-called
of Oklahoma changed the Alston case comes after a
way college football could three-judge panel of the
be broadcast on televi- 9th U.S. Circuit Court
sion, setting the stage of of Appeals ruled in May.
billion-dollar media rights The panel upheld a lower
contracts and conference court ruling barring the
realignment. NCAA from capping edu-
“That was a cation-related compensa-
shape-shifting decision tion and benefits for stu-
that in many ways fun- dent-athletes in Division
damentally changed eco- I football and basketball
nomics of college football programs. Division I con-
and college football televi- ferences can still inde-
sion,” said Gabe Feldman, pendently set their own
director of the sports law rules.
program at Tulane. “And The case was brought
ever since that 1984 deci- by former West Virginia
sion, courts have been re- football player Shawne
lying on that language to Alston and others.
try to interpret antitrust The narrow ruling in
law applies to all NCAA the case, which required
FAMILY CIRCUS
any compensation to ath-
letes to be tethered to
education, left both sides
claiming victory at the
time.
And now both sides are
celebrating the decision
by the Supreme Court to
hear the case.
Donald Remy, the
NCAA’s chief legal offi-
cer, said in a statement
that the NCAA is pleased
the court will review the
case. “The NCAA and its
members continue to be-
lieve that college campus-
es should be able to im-
prove the student-athlete
experience without facing
never-ending litigation re-
garding these changes,”
Remy said.
Jeffrey Kessler, the
lead attorney for the
Dear Abby
D
EAR ABBY:
My ex had
a prior
relationship with
my cousin “Earl.”
When she talked
about her past
relationships, a
common theme
emerged. Her
partners were
emotionally
abusive — cheat-
ing, berating her,
throwing rage
fits where they
screamed in her Dear Abby
face and threw
things. My own
history is similar. My part-
ners have done the same to
me. (I do not engage in such
behavior.)
Earl told her he still has
feelings for her, despite the
emotional abuse he had
inflicted upon her. I confronted
him and told him that what he
did was inappropriate. Abby,
when she heard about it, she
dumped me and tried to get
back together with Earl!
My cousin, having done
work to remedy his issues,
rejected her outright. He
told her it would never work
between them despite the
lingering feelings. Now she has
come back to me, saying she
wants a serious relationship.
Should I take her back? — SO
Horoscopes
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY
(Dec. 17). Once you seize the
opportunity, your professional
landscape spreads out in mag-
azine-level loveliness. People
make the difference, and
you’ll be adding to your circle,
especially after March. Fateful
introductions come through
friends, though you have to
initiate by asking, “Who do
you know that I should know?”
Gemini and Pisces adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 8, 40,
15, 30 and 12.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
The mentor/apprentice relation-
ship is a special bond in which
both parties profit. Today, you’ll
likely be the teacher, and yet,
you will feel as though you are
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020
plaintiffs, said: “It is time
for the Supreme Court to
reaffirm that the big mul-
tibillion-dollar businesses
of Division I basketball
and FBS football are fully
subject to antitrust review
and that the era of ex-
ploiting the athletes who
provide the labor in these
businesses must come to
an end.”
In August, Justice Ele-
na Kagan had denied the
NCAA’s request to put
lower court rulings in fa-
vor of athletes on hold at
least temporarily while
the NCAA formally peti-
tioned the Supreme Court
to take up the case.
The NCAA had said
the ruling “effectively
created a pay-for-play
system for all student-ath-
MIXED-UP
DEAR SO
MIXED-UP: Heck
no. This woman
has made clear
that you are her
second choice.
Please don’t
take her up on
her offer. You
can’t fix what’s
wrong with this
very mixed-up
woman, and you
shouldn’t waste
your time trying
because if you
do, she will only
cause you more
pain.
DEAR ABBY: My husband
is smart, hard-working and a
wonderful father to our young
son. We hope to grow our
family. However, my husband
is a cigarette smoker and
extremely defensive about any
suggestion about him possibly
quitting.
Both of his parents passed
away from cancer relatively
young, and his mother was a
smoker, too. I’m terrified he
will get sick and die young.
Not only that, he constantly
misses precious moments
with our son, who stands at
the window and cries when he
sees his father go outside. I’m
becoming resentful of the con-
stant breaks he takes while I
the one being enriched.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
A few days from the solstice,
there’s good fortune in the prep
work you do to ready yourself for
the change of season. Update
your contacts, addresses and
calendar for an ultra-organized
approach to the new year.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
What is it going to take to get
to a smiling, laughing place?
You really want to go there, and
that’s a start. Notice who brings
about your lighter side. You
could use a few more of these
people in your world.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
The situation itself is neutral
and can be interpreted in
multiple ways, none of which
3B
letes, allowing them to
be paid both ‘unlimited’
amounts for participating
in ‘internships’” and an
additional $5,600 or more
each year they remain el-
igible to play their sport.
The NCAA is in the
process of changing its
rules to permit athletes
to be compensated for
the use of their names,
images and likenesses.
That should open oppor-
tunities for athletes to be
paid for endorsement and
sponsorship deals, for ap-
pearances and for promot-
ing products or events on
social media accounts.
NCAA bylaws regard-
ing NIL compensation are
on course to be changed
as soon as January.
sit inside comforting our son.
I have tried reasoning with
him and suggesting we ask a
doctor for help, but he shuts
me down and gets angry.
How can I try to approach it
again? — ANTI-SMOKER IN
COLORADO
DEAR ANTI-SMOKER: You
fell in love with an addict.
Your husband is addicted to
tobacco and appears not to
understand or care about how
it may affect himself or you
and his son in the coming
years. My advice would be to
stop pressuring your husband
for now and ask your doctor to
refer you to a support group
for friends and family mem-
bers of people with a smoking
addiction.
DEAR ABBY: A man and a
woman liked (and loved) each
other in their teenage years,
but they married different
people. After a decade, the
man sends wedding anniver-
sary wishes to the woman
on Facebook. Without any
reply, the next day the woman
blocks the man, and on the
second day she deactivates
her account on FB. What does
it mean? — MYSTIFIED IN THE
MIDDLE EAST
DEAR MYSTIFIED: It means
the long-ago chapter of your
storybook teen romance is
over. She has moved on and
so should you.
would be completely right or
totally wrong, so you may as
well choose an interpretation
that makes you feel empowered
and perhaps a bit lighter.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You
challenge your own bias while
many people around you refuse
to recognize it. You’ll ask excel-
lent questions, too, and become
enlightened as stereotypes
collapse under even the briefest
interrogation.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
You put more effort into coming
off as effortless than anyone
you know, and this is your
success secret. “Spectacular
achievement is always preceded
by unspectacular preparation.”
— Robert H. Schuller
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
A chore by any other name
could be an artistic experi-
ence, a grind, a story for the
ages, a workout, the superior
accomplishment that gives you
bragging rights. It’s all in how
you frame it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
The one who admits being jeal-
ous is also admitting feelings of
inferiority. This takes a degree
of vulnerability, and you have a
tender heart for a person strug-
gling in this way now because
you’ve been there before.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.
21). Even though your intuition
is a powerful tool, feelings, a
bias toward familiarity and the
impulsivity of desire will also be
driving forces, and hard to sepa-
rate from psychic perception.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). You have plenty of faith,
and it is easier to have it since
you also are willing to research,
plan and execute every step you
can think of to make something
happen.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). An improved headspace
has nothing to do with thinking
harder about a thing; rather,
it’s a matter of relaxing your
thinking, breathing more oxygen
into it and letting it open up to
new possibilities.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March
20). With new people, you’ll be
dancing between how much to
reveal and what to hold back.
Your awareness of others helps
you feel your way through the
getting-to-know-you process.
Office party
SOLUTION:
4B THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com

Business
BUSINESS MOVES WITH MARY

Properties at 4300 will start

hosting Sunday brunch in 2021
plimentary El Veracruz is open every day
PLUS: Columbus Bloody
Mary
from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is the
restaurant’s fifth location, with two
vacuum and sewing drinks,
Mimosas
in Corinth, one in Tupelo and one
in Booneville.
shop prepares and valet
parking.
Be sure to welcome the new
restaurant to Starkville!
for closure The
brunch
Moving to Columbus, a business
that’s stayed open for more than
menu will three decades on Main Street is
BY MARY POLLITZ rotate pe- closing.
biz@cdispatch.com riodically Columbus Vacuum and Sewing
Mary Pollitz

W
e are nearing the end
of 2020 (add huge sigh
of relief), and 2021 is
already looking better.
Starting in January, Properties
at 4300 will host Sunday brunches
in Starkville. The bed and break-
fast opened in May at 4300 South
Montgomery Road and is expand-
ing in phases. Owner Robin Hus-
bands said hosting Sunday brunch
has always been the plan; however,
2020 has continually pushed those
plans back.
“It’s going to be buffet-style,”
Husbands said. “We’ve done things
very incrementally and that was
our business model. The property
had sat vacant for three years.
There were all kinds of repairs that
needed to be done and remodeling.
… COVID kind of backed us up
for all of it. We decided to move
forward (with brunch) since we
are such an intimate restaurant, so
we are able to control things a lot
easier than if we were seating 150
people.”
The Sunday only brunch will
start Jan. 10 with two time slots:
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Brunch is by
reservation only and includes com-
with some
dishes
remaining week to week such as
shrimp and grits, chicken and
waffles and the prime rib carving
station. Husbands also plans to
include vegan, vegetarian and
dairy-free breakfast options.
The next step for Properties at
4300 will be dinner plans. Hopeful-
ly by February, the bed and break-
fast will have plated dinners two
nights a week, also by reservation.
“We’re also working on packag-
es for spending the night on Satur-
day night and staying and enjoying
brunch,” Husbands said. “If it’s an
anniversary weekend or if you get
a sitter and get away for the night,
we are getting those packages
together.”
If you’re interested in reserving
a Sunday brunch or checking out
staying for a weekend staycation,
call Husbands at 601-287-2379.
The restaurant news in
Starkville just keeps coming.
El Veracruz officially opened on
Wednesday. The Mexican restau-
rant is located at 1275 Stark Road,
the former location of Beef ‘O’
Bradys and Blue 22 Soul Food.
Center, 1218 Main St., will close by
this year’s end.
Alfred Harden, who runs the
store with his son and owner
James, said business has slowly
declined in recent years.
“We prided ourselves with
having high quality products and
service here,” he said. “But, over
the years, Amazon has pretty
much done us in. When the virus
hit, everything around us pretty
much went down.”
Harden said the business first
opened in Columbus in 1983, and
he purchased it in 1985.
Merchandise is 20 to 40 percent
off and he’s “selling to the bare
walls.” Harden added he’s enjoyed
his run in Columbus and is getting
ready to retire. In fact, when he
said everything is for sale that
included the 3,000 square-foot
building on Main Street.
“This is a good location,” he
said. “I’ve seen a lot of good im-
provements in Columbus but I’ve
seen a lot of hurt in Columbus as
far as businesses are concerned.
But, I’m optimistic as far as this
virus is concerned. Things will get
better.”

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Dr. Krist Joins West
Point Children’s Clinic
WEST POINT —
Pediatrician Keith Krist,
M.D., recently joined
West Point Children’s
Clinic. Dr. Krist joins Dr.
Keith Watson and nurse
practitioners Whitt Fos-
ter and Jennifer Rigdon at
the clinic, which is locat-
ed at 63 Medical Center
Drive. For appointment
information, call (662)
494-1620. Dr.
Krist is a 1990 gradu-
ate of Frostburg State
University in Maryland,
where he earned a bach-
elor’s degree in business
adminis- 1997, and he completed a ola Pediatrics, where he
tration/fi- pediatric residency there practiced and also served
nance with in 2000. He earned a as executive medical
a minor in master’s degree in health director.
economics. administration from the In his free time, Dr.
He also at- University of Cincinnati Krist enjoys being out-
tended the in Ohio in 2018. He is doors, playing the guitar
University board certified by the and great cinema. When
of South Krist American Board of Pedi- he is not cheering on his
Carolina atrics. beloved Pittsburgh Steel-
in Aiken and Harvard Dr. Krist served ers and Penguins, Dr.
University in Cambridge, as a pediatrician with Krist finds every opportu-
Massachusetts, where he White-Wilson Medical nity to enjoy his two sons’
was certified in industrial Center in Fort Walton musical performances.
hygiene, audiology and Beach, Florida, for 16
hearing conservation.
Dr. Krist earned his
years. During his tenure
there, he also served
LOCAL GAS PRICES
Source: gasbuddy.com
medical degree from as vice president of the
the University of South medical group’s board of COLUMBUS
Alabama College of directors. He comes to
Medicine in Mobile in West Point from Pensac- 1.94 MURPHY USA
1913 US-45 N

1.95 SPRINT
3115 US-45 N

BUILDING PERMITS 1.95 SPIRIT

1450 Jess Lyons Rd.

struct pool house; owner

Lowndes County n Fortner; Wakefield Drive; construct s/f resi- STARKVILLE
1.76
Dec. 16, 2020 dence; Clardy Home Development
MURPHY USA
n Michael Clardy; 294 S. Rayleigh Dr.; con- n Aubry and Joy Nichols; Mt. Vernon Road; 1012 MS-12
struct pool; Sunrise Pools construct s/f residence; Don White Construc-
n David Pitts; 2500 Honnoll Mill Road; con- tion
1.81 BREAK TIME
1045 Louisville St.

If you don’t read The Dispatch, how are you gonna know? 1.79 RACKLEY OIL
225 Industrial Park Rd.
The Dispatch • www.cdispatch.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 5B
Classifieds
Ads appear in The Commercial Dispatch,
The Starkville Dispatch and Online
To place ads starting at only $12,
call 662-328-2424 or visit ads.cdispatch.com
THE DISPATCH n CDISPATCH.COM n THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 n 6B

Apts For Rent: Other Mobile Homes for Sale

Rentals The Military Square 2019 Clayton Mobile Home Community

Support your community this Christmas season by shopping local!

Ads starting at $25
Apts For Rent: North
2−3BR/1BA DUPLEX,
newly renovated with bonus Refrigerator, New A/C Unit!
room. HUD accepted.
662−425−6954.
Apartments are now Brand new, never lived in.
accepting applicants! Fully furnished, perfect for
We have 1, 2, and 3 an older couple or person. Ads starting at $12
bedroom units available. Attached front porch with
All apartments are newly roof. May have to be Good Things To Eat
remodeled, and include: moved unless lease is
New Washer/Dryer, New approved by land owner.
$40,000. 828−674−8659
We also offer rent

Merchandise
discounts for:
−Active Military
FOX RUN APARTMENTS −Veterans
1 & 2 BR near hospital. −Seniors
$595−$645 monthly. Call us at: 662−205−0005 Ads starting at $12
Military discount, pet area,
pet friendly, and furnished
corporate apts.
24−HOUR PROFESSIONAL
COLEMAN Appliances

GYM. ON SITE SECURITY. RENTALS Appliances! Brand new In

ON SITE MAINTENANCE.
ON SITE MANAGEMENT.
Sudoku
box Electrolux front load
TOWNHOUSES & APARTMENTS
washer. Kenmore gas YESTERDAY’S ANSWER
1 BEDROOM range/oven and front and

Sudoku
24−HOUR CAMERA
SURVEILLANCE. Benji & 2 BEDROOMS front load Electrolux washer
both only 2 years old. Call
Sudoku is a number- Yesterday’s answer
Ashleigh, 662−386−4446.
3 BEDROOMS for price or to come check placing puzzle based on
out... 662−435−7232. Sudoku
a 9x9 gridis witha several
num- 4 5 7 3 1 9 6 8 2
Apts For Rent: West LEASE, ber-placing
given numbers.puzzleThe object 8 1 2 5 4 6 3 9 7
© The Dispatch

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

DEPOSIT
Firewood / Fuel based onthe
is to place a 9x9
numbers 3 9 6 7 8 2 4 5 1
VIP AND FIREWOOD FOR SALE.
grid
1 to 9with
given
in theseveral
so thatnumbers.
empty spaces
The
1 6 5 4 2 7 8 3 9

Rentals
CREDIT CHECK Various lengths. each row, each 7 8 3 9 6 1 2 4 5
662−295−2274. object
column and each 3x3 the
is to place box
numbers 9 2 4 8 3 5 1 7 6
Apartments & Houses 662-329-2323 General Merchandise contains the1same to 9 number
in
6 7 8 1 5 4 9 2 3
the empty spaces so
only once. The difficulty 5 3 1 2 9 8 7 6 4
that each row, each
1 Bedrooms 2411 HWY 45 N Pre moving sale: Table, 4 level increases from
column and each 2 4 9 6 7 3 5 1 8
2 Bedroooms
chairs, china cabinet Oak
COLUMBUS, MS $650. Twin bed complete Monday
3x3 boxtocontains
Sunday. Difficulty Level 12/16

3 Bedrooms Houses For Rent: North

$50. Night stand $20.
Dresser $25. Rocker $25.
the same number only once. The difficulty level
increases from Monday to Sunday.
Furnished & Unfurnished COLONIAL TOWNHOUSES.
2 bar stools $40. Old trunk
$40. Cedar wardrobe $30.
1, 2, & 3 Baths 2 & 3 bedroom w/ 2−3
bath townhouses. $650 to
Chest of drawers $25.
Serious inquiries only.
Lease, Deposit $750. 662−549−9555. 662−570−1730
& Credit Check Ask for Glenn or text.
You’ll find the best deals
Mobile Homes for Rent Roper Dryer, standard size,
viceinvestments.com good condition, $200. when you advertise
327-8555 3BR/2BA MH in New Hope. 662−312−6617.
$650 dep + $650/mo. No
and shop here!

Apts For Rent: Other

pets, quiet area. Leave full ads.cdispatch.com
name & message, TABLE SAW & FURNITURE
205−712−6697. Craftsman table saw. 10"
$100. Craftsman
RENT A CAMPER! compound miter saw. 12" Five Questions:
CHEAPER THAN A MOTEL! $100. "Tell City" 70" table
Utilities & cable included, w/ extensions rumford
from $145/wk − $535/mo finish. Six chairs. $600.

1 Drake
Columbus & County School "Ethan Allen" china cabinet
locations. 662−242−7653 w/ hutch. 66" cherry finish.
or 601−940−1397. $600. "Ethan Allen"
highboy dresser. mahogany
76" height. $400.

2 Clap
Call 662−368−6779

Real Estate Sporting Goods

Ads starting at $25 ED SANDERS GUNSMITH

3 Tidying up
Open for season!
Tue−Fri: 9−5 & Sat: 9−12
Lots & Acreage Over 50 years experience!
Repairs, cleaning, refin−
1.75 ACRE LOTS Good/ ishing, scopes mounted &
Bad Credit Options. Good
4 Boeing
zeroed, handmade knives.
credit as low as 20% down, Located: Hwy 45 Alt, North
$499/mo. Eaton Land, of West Point, turn right on
662−361−7711. Yokahama Blvd, 8mi & turn
left on Darracott Rd, will
Read local. Approx. 7 acres located
between Dale Road and
see sign, 2.5mi ahead
shop on left.
5 Emoji
Buck Egger Road. Access 662−494−6218.
cdispatch.com off either road. $30,000.
662−549−0696

Medical / Dental

Place an ad safely ACROSS

1 Health resorts

from home with 5 Organ parts

10 St. Louis sight
11 Painter’s
the Classifieds. place
12 Antifur org.
13 Came to
earth
14 Slapstick
staple
16 Junior, for
example
20 Pickled buds
23 Golfer Hogan
24 Manual
ads.cdispatch.com readers
25 Heaped 3 Play start fish
27 Even score 4 Kirk’s portrayer 26 Freezing
28 Forearm

Service Directory
5 Tent anchor 28 Supports
muscle 6 Airs 30 Hackneyed
29 Utah has a 7 Unmatched 31 Cruise vessel
big one 8 Cobbler’s 33 Vicinity
32 Low-cal cousin 34 Philosopher
snack 9 Lawn material Immanuel
Promote your small business starting at only $25 36 Debt medium 11 Criticizes 35 Otherwise
Carpet & Flooring General Services General Services Lawn Care / Landscaping 39 Vaccine type 15 Sea dogs 36 Game caller
40 Brightens 17 Skilled 37 Pipe bend
A & T TREE SERVICES TERRA CARE 41 Camera part 18 Retain 38 Calendar box
Bucket truck & stump
removal. Free est.
LANDSCAPING L.L.C.
Phone: 662−549−1878
42 Daring 19 Some line-
Serving Columbus Landscaping, Property venture men
since 1987. Senior Clean Up, Plant Care, 43 Postmark part 20 Meat choices
citizen disc. Call Alvin @
242−0324/241−4447
Bush Hogging,
Herbicide Spraying
DOWN 21 Seoul setting
"We’ll go out on a limb for 1 Easy targets 22 Zest source
you!" Painting & Papering 2 Get ready 25 Long-snouted
**HOLIDAY SPECIAL** WORK WANTED: Licensed QUALITY PAINTING.
4 ROOMS − $100 & Bonded. Carpentry, minor Ext/Int Painting.
1 Room − $50 electrical, minor plumbing, Sheet Rock Hang, Finish &
2 Room − $70 insulation, painting, demo− Repair. Pressure Washing.
3 Rooms − $90 lition, gutters cleaned, Free Estimates. Ask for
Carpet−Rugs−Tile−Cars pressure washing, land− specials! Larry Webber,
DAVID’S CARPET & scaping, cleanup work. 662−242−4932.
UPHOLSTERY 662−242−3608.
CLEANING SULLIVAN’S PAINT
Call for more info! Lawn Care / Landscaping SERVICE
662−722−1758 Special Prices.
LIST YOUR JESSE & BEVERLY’S Interior & Exterior Painting.
BUSINESS HERE! LAWN SERVICE 662−435−6528
Got leaky pipes? Ads starting at $25 ads.
Mowing, cleanup, tree
cutting, landscaping,
Find a plumber in the cdispatch.com. sodding & bush hogging. Are you a painter?
classifieds. 662−356−6525 Advertise here!

Buy. Sell. Discover. In the Classifieds section.

On the web: ads.cdispatch.com • Or call: 662-328-2424