Special to Wesson News   Dr. Nadia Alexis, head of the Literary Arts Department at Brookhaven-based Mississippi School of the of McComb, debuted the collection of her poetry and photography this past year in Watersheds , published by CavanKerry Press, with the help of the Mississippi Art Commission (MAC) for the second year in a row. As part of more than $1.7 million in 2025 grants, MAC awarded Dr. Alexis a $4,250 literary artist fellowship to support the revision process of

Benson Schexnaydre (Photo by Scarlett Hart) Copiah-Lincoln Community College sophomore Benson Schexnaydre of McCall Creek is making Mississippi chess history. Already the highest-rated player in the state, he recently claimed the Mississippi Chess Championship title for the sixth year in a row. In 2024, he earned his U.S. Chess Master title—becoming the first Mississippian since at least the 1980s to achieve the designation and the only homegrown player in the state to ever r

By Bob Arnold   In an age when nearly everything seems large, fast and impersonal, small public libraries, says Kathleen Hutchison, quietly stand as some of the most meaningful institutions in our communities.   In Copiah and Jefferson Counties, Hutchison is working to make sure they are doing just that.   At age 75, Hutchison came out of retirement this past year to become Director of the Copiah-Jefferson Library System (CJLS), which encompasses the small Wesson Public Libra

By: Dr. Andrew Dale     December can be decision season for Mississippi families. As students receive semester grades and begin planning for life after graduation, one question rises to the top: How do we afford college without a lifetime of student debt? The answer is clear. Mississippi's community colleges offer the lowest tuition in the state, with an open-access mission that welcomes every learner, and an academic environment designed for student success. For thousands of

By Bob Arnold   Stop before you get in your car and drive off to buy your Christmas gifts!  Check out Wesson first.    It’s convenient, no-hassle shopping that saves you gas money to travel out of town and spares you the stress of competing with crowds to find the gifts you want and stand in long lines to pay for them.  And then there are the gifts, too. Whether its local arts and crafts, collectibles, something different to use, wear or eat and drink, Wesson is often the pla

Special to Wesson News Jackie Ard-Barclay (‘85), of Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Johnny Cook (’64), of Ridgeland, were selected as Co-Lin’s 2025 Alumni of the Year, and Stone Clanton (‘19), of Meadville, was selected as the 2025 Young Alumnus of the Year. Barclay  graduated from Co-Lin in 1985, where she served as vice president of both the Trailblazers and the Student Government Association.  She was also a member of the President’s Council, and was voted Miss Co-Lin, a campus

By Guest Columnist Eddie Smith There are three plants in my landscape that never fail to signal the arrival of fall.   When I see the golden blooms of swamp sunflower, the soft blue clusters of blue mistflower and the elegant white petals of white lycoris, I know fall has arrived. These plants add a distinct charm to the garden as the days grow shorter and the air takes on that unmistakable autumn crispness.            The swamp sunflower , known scientifically as Helianthus

Special to Wesson News   Wesson High School mighty Cobra marching band seniors and leadership council are (front left to right) Mady Woodson, Maddy Morris, Abigail Cameron, Mackenzie Mire, Ava Woodson, Brooke Coleman, Maria Hall, Alana Hux, Willow Love, Jakyiah Johns, Ashley Chamblee, (back left to right): Brendon Duguid, Sam Scopel, Dayne Newman, Brandon Thomas, Karter McLemore, Caeden Williams, John Parsons, Sullivan Roberts, Jackson Barlow, Braiden Bowman, Conner Davis, Ta

Special to Wesson News The Band and Colette chapter of the Co-Lin Alumni Association inducted Larry Greer of Madison into its Hall of Fame and honored Kristopher Coleman of Brookhaven as the Stanley Stewart Outstanding Young Alumni recipient during Homecoming festivities October 23. Larry Greer is a 1967 honors graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Blue Wave Show Band and the tennis team. After Co-Lin, he received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the Unive

Special to Wesson News   Wesson Lions Club may not be where you think it is.  The local service club and civic organization has left its long-time home and changed its meeting time to afford more members of the community greater opportunity to serve the town.   Wesson Lions now meet at the Fire House Barbeque at 12 noon on the second Tuesday of every month after many years of evening meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Co-Lin student cafeteria confe

by Tyler Teresa, Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration     Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and has been officially cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since 2011. It is an important part of the busiest shopping season for small businesses.  Last Small Business Saturday in 2024, the reported projected spending in the United States from those who shopped small on Small Business Saturday was around  $22

Work is about to begin on a $5.5 million project to upgrade the Brookway Boulevard interchange on Interstate 55 in Lincoln County. The Mississippi Department of Transportation announced that the project will bring major improvements aimed at making the area safer and easier to travel. Plans include building two roundabouts—one on each side of the interstate—adding brighter lighting, improving the drainage system and repaving the roadway. According to MDOT, the new roundabouts

By: Kelley Williams, Chair Bigger Pie Forum   Backwater flooding happens when the Mississippi River is higher (about 43’ at Vicksburg) than the Yazoo River and blocks its discharge.  It takes less rain to raise and keep the Mississippi above 43’ than it used to. ( See More Flood for Less Rain .) So backwater flooding and batture flooding inside the levees are more frequent and longer — over three times longer since 2015.  Why? What happened to cause a step change in flooding

At last check, there have been 60 fire deaths statewide in 2025. Cooking or the misuse of cooking equipment led to four of those deaths. “Many people have family and friends over for the holiday. Don’t let distractions put you and your guests in danger. Make your home safer by installing multiple smoke alarms. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short amount of time, turn off the stove,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. Use these safety

By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid   As the leaves change and Thanksgiving approaches, I’m reminded that gratitude is more than a seasonal sentiment.  It’s a wellness tool that can transform how we think, feel, and live every single day.   For me, gratitude is not just about saying “thank you” once a year.  It’s about creating a lifestyle of appreciation that fuels both our physical and emotional well-being. The Connection Between Gratitude and Health Science continues t

Special to Wesson News Sassy Mauldin, Garden Clubs of Mississippi President and Nan Harris, Natchez Trace District Director celebrate with award-winning Wesson Garden Club members Jennifer Peets, Debbie Hoaglin, Debbie Smith, Dixie Thornton, Sherri Carty and Pam Owens at GCM Natchez Trace District fall meeting. Wesson Garden Club (WGC) has awarded Society of Trees Certificates of Registration to two local couples. WGC’s Lisa Smith presented the certificates to Dr. Roy and Jer

Wesson News The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has opened an inquiry into an officer-involved shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. in Crystal Springs, not far from South Jackson Street. The incident stemmed from a joint operation led by agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, who were working in the area as part of an ongoing effort to address suspected illegal activity. According to early information, agents approached several individuals believed to be involve

Special to Wesson News Co-Lin’s Athletic Alumni Association has inducted eight new members into the college’s Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees are Jessie Bowman, Steven Gauthe, Calvin Green, Robin “Zoom” Harris, Meleah Howard, Bowmar McGehee, Jacob Ross and Nellie Ann Webster. Bowman  is a 2006 graduate of Co-Lin, where he was a member of the Wolf Pack football team. While at Co-Lin, he received NJCAA first team All-American, first team All-Region 23, and First Team All-Sou

Special to Wesson News Copiah County deputies, together with Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers, are actively seeking the public’s assistance in solving the murder of Floyd Alex Rosamond. Authorities are appealing to anyone who may have information about the case to come forward, stressing that even small details could prove critical in bringing those responsible to justice. Rosamond was found deceased on August 11, 2021, at his home on Earl Knight Road. Initially reported as

Copiah-Lincoln Community College is pleased to announce the promotion of Kina Leggett to Associate Vice President of Business Affairs, effective November 7, 2025. Leggett, who has served as Comptroller for the past six years, brings more than two decades of experience and dedication to her new role. Over her 22-year career at Co-Lin, she has served in a variety of positions, including Bookstore Assistant, Credit Union Manager, Data Entry Clerk, Business Office Clerk, Accounts