Special to Wesson News For the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 79, Department President Sara Black Lassiter installed the new Unit officers. Pictured (l to r) are Sharon Langley, chaplain; Vivian Hoeflich, historian; Laurie Chassion, treasurer; Judy Chester, secretary; Janet Currie, vice president; and Kim Whittington, president. Not pictured is Camille Johnston, sergeant-at-arms. American Legion Post 79 recently held a special meeting recently to install its 2026-27 officer

By Jessica Breazeale The Wesson Public Library and Wesson Friends of the Library kept young readers busy throughout July with a lineup of hands-on programs as part of this year's Summer Reading Program, "Unearth a Story." The month kicked off July 9 with a paleontology presentation that drew more than sixty attendees. The program was led by Sabrina Cummings, M.S., C.I.G., a conservation biologist and outreach educator with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, who sh

Special to Wesson News The Co-Lin Foundation recently celebrated raising $2 million in revenue for the first time in its history at their July board meeting. Pictured are Foundation executive director Angela Furr and Co-Lin president Dr. Dewayne Middleton (center) and the Foundation Board of Directors. For the first time in its history, during the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Foundation received more than $2 million in donations. The Foundation’

Special to Wesson News A new Mississippi attendance law (Mississippi Code Annotated § 37-13-91) takes effect this school year (starting July 1, 2026). The new state legislative mandates are designed to bolster classroom engagement and academic performance for public school students. The Copiah County School District recently outlined the upcoming guidelines, which stem from the updated Mississippi state law and apply uniformly to every public school district across the

By Sarah Grace Coleman Marsha Raiford and her family at Clark Creek in Woodville Marsha Raiford is a life-long resident of Wesson, where she lives with her husband, Lance Raiford, and their two youngest children, Nick and Savannah. Her oldest daughter, Kelly Grace, lives on her own. Growing up, Raiford’s dream was to be a dancer and cheerleader. She attended Nena Smith’s School of Dance, where she later worked as a student teacher in high school. Raiford attended Copiah-Lin

Dr. Walterine Nelson Copiah-Lincoln Community College has announced the establishment of its new Division of Nursing and Allied Health, a strategic organizational enhancement that reflects the continued growth of the college's healthcare programs and aligns Co-Lin's organizational structure with many colleges and universities where healthcare programs are housed within a specialized division. The new division will house Associate Degree Nursing, LPN-to-RN, Medical Laboratory

By Jessica Breazeale Wesson native Landon Beasley Landon Beasley left Wesson for the Army and saw more than thirty countries. Now, he's betting on bringing his hometown back to what he remembers it being. Beasley, 38, was born and raised in Wesson. He's an active-duty Major in the Mississippi Army National Guard, a graduate of Mississippi State University and the University of Maryland, and the founder of Southern Grid Properties, a real estate investment company he started

Special to Wesson News Pictured (l to r) are Erika Gemelli, Debbie Brown, Danielle Graham, Alana Lyons, LeAnne Duet, Natasha Lewis, Edna Stevens, Megan Lang, Ruth Case, Katie Hall and Susan Lee. For the third year in a row, dozens of Wesson Attendance Center students walked into the new school year with fresh haircuts, courtesy of local stylists who donated their time and skills free of charge. The event, held August 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the school's old gym, drew six stylis

A 27-year-old Crystal Springs man was killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Copiah County, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 3:52 p.m. Thursday near the 51-mile marker on Interstate 55 South. Preliminary information from the Mississippi Highway Patrol indicates that Anthony Antoine McKnight Jr. was driving a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.

Special to Wesson News (Photo courtesy of Copiah County Sheriff's Office Facebook) A Copiah County Drug Court participant has been sentenced to prison after authorities discovered an indoor and outdoor marijuana growing operation during the execution of a search warrant, according to the Copiah County Sheriff's Office. The Copiah County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant July 23 at 1032 Thornton Lane in Crystal Springs. During the search, investigators

Special to Wesson News Football season is just around the corner, and excitement is building as the Wesson Cobras prepare to take the field for the 2026 campaign. Following a strong 2025 season, the Cobras enter preseason practice looking to build on last year's success. Coaches and players have begun fall workouts under Mississippi High School Activities Association guidelines as they prepare for another competitive season. Wesson will open the regular season on the road Fri

By Dr. Raymond Barranco, MSU Professor of Sociology In addition to being a merge-as-soon-as-possible guy, I'm also a return-the-buggy-no-matter-what guy (buggy = shopping cart for my non-Deep South brethren). Such an approach makes it easy to tell how many jerks were at Walmart before me – simply count the uncorralled buggies. That's probably too harsh. I'm willing to knock "jerk" down to "lazy" if they at least left it at the Four Corners – the spot where four parking spaces

Special to Wesson News Megan Lang with Thirty One Bakes By Megan (Photo credit Jessica Breazeale) A patriotic pop-up market brought vendors and shoppers together late last month ahead of the celebration of the nation’s Independence Day holiday. The Happy Birthday America Pop-Up was held at 2064 US Highway 51 in Wesson, offering a festive pre-Fourth of July shopping experience. Pictured are Semone, Piper and JC Curole of Wesson with Bossy Girl’s Farm. (Photo credit Jessica Bre

One person was killed Monday after a vehicle was struck by an Amtrak train in Copiah County, according to the Copiah County Sheriff's Office. The crash occurred near Hazlehurst when Amtrak Train 58, traveling from New Orleans to Chicago, struck a vehicle that was obstructing the railroad tracks, according to a statement from Amtrak. Sheriff's officials said the driver of the vehicle died at the scene. The victim's identity has not been released pending notification of next of

(Photo courtesy of Copiah-Lincoln Community College Institute for Learning in Retirement website) The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) has announced an exciting lineup of classes, workshops, travel opportunities, and social events for the Fall 2026 semester, offering senior adults a variety of opportunities to learn, connect, and explore. The semester begins with a Welcome Back Social on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Thames

By Raymond Barranco, MSU Sociology Professor Do you ever wonder why we do things the way we do? Or why we believe what we believe? Probably – but only when a child is asking, "Why?" Over and over again. We all tend to end that conversation the same way: "Because." Take something as simple as eye contact while talking with someone. Most Americans would say good eye contact means you are confident and respectful. Bad eye contact suggests dishonesty, disrespect, or disinterest.

Special to Wesson News With the start of a new school year just around the corner, excitement is building as Wesson Attendance Center prepares to kick off another fall sports season. Student-athletes, coaches and fans are looking forward to months of competition as the Wesson Cobras and Lady Cobras return to the field, court and course. The football team will once again take center stage on Friday nights, as the Cobras look to build on last season's successes and compete for

Special to Wesson News One person was killed and two others were injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 55 in Copiah County, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 1:39 p.m. July 29 near mile marker 70. Authorities said a 2018 Kenworth dump truck was traveling south on Interstate 55 when it crossed the median into the northbound lanes and collided head-on with a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox. The driver of the dump

By Jessica Breazeale The Hood Family If you think you’re busy, spend five minutes with Josh Hood. At 35, Hood juggles three jobs, pastors two churches, teaches a Bible college class in India every Thursday morning at 4 a.m., and is raising six children — ranging in age from three weeks to nearly nineteen years old — alongside his wife, Hannah. And, somehow, he still finds time to fix tires. Hood is the pastor of Wesson Baptist Church, located at 2083 Highway 51 in Wesson, wh

Special to Wesson News Vanda Brister (center) is pictured (l, to r) with the 2025-26 Cobra yearbook staff, front row: Jaide Shoop, Zoey Ashley, Lexi Prestridge, Blair Mathis, Maria Hall, Vanda Brister, Kate Norwood, Kylie Rorie, Rylan Oswalt, Charley Shelton, Laina Hart and Adelynn Coleman; and back row: Bella Sills, Micqueal Berry, Laney Hewitt, Caylie Britt, Madelynn Brooks, Jayden Allen, Anna Caballero and Shayla Fluentes. The 2026 Cobra yearbook staff of Wesson Attendan