Special to Wesson News A frame of surveillance video shows the Toyota SUV that was involved in the hit-and-run that killed Sam Easterling. Photo courtesy Hazlehurst Police Dept. Authorities with the Hazlehurst Police Department are asking for the public’s help as they continue investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a local man earlier this month. According to investigators, 69-year-old Sam Easterling was struck by a vehicle while walking along Caldw

Locals are starting an American Legion Baseball Team for 14-17-year-olds. The tryout date is scheduled for May 2 at 10 a.m. at Copiah Academy. The games will be a true high school feel and atmosphere. Players will be exposed to junior and senior collegiate coaches. Interested players must reside in the state, but must still attend all practices and games. Players may be come from homeschools or high schools. American Legion Baseball is a national institution that had a modes

Special to Wesson News Copiah-Lincoln Community College has been awarded a major FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant to construct a new, large-scale safe room facility. The $16,294,746 grant will be used for Phase II of construction on a nearly 35,000-square-foot standalone, multipurpose safe room on the Wesson Campus of Co-Lin. An additional $175,000 administrative grant was awarded for the project, bringing the total FEMA investment in the project to just over $18 million, which i

Special to Wesson News A new sweet spot has officially opened its doors in downtown Wesson. Destiny’s Delights celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting today with a festive event that drew community leaders, local business owners, friends, family, and customers to mark the special occasion. The celebration took place at the bakery’s new location in the recently built shopping center—the white buildings at the four-way stop in downtown Wesson, located at 2037 Highway 5

Horace E. "Sonny" Smith May 15, 1946 - October 1, 2025 79 years of age Horace “Sonny” E. Smith, Jr., passed away on October 1, 2025, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Columbia, Tennessee. He was born on May 15, 1946, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, to the late Horace E. Smith, Sr. and Mildred McCardle Turnbo. Sonny graduated from Copiah Lincoln High School where he played Basketball, Football and was on the Track Team. He was voted Mr. Copiah Lincoln High School his senior year and

By Bob Arnold Ask Copiah County Economic Development District (CCEDD) Executive Director Arthur Lee (Pokey) Evans about his work in the past year and what he foresees in the coming year, and he points to one simple measure of his work: jobs . “For me, economic development is not about recruiting a big or small business or a particular type of business, but the job opportunities in Copiah County,” Evans says. “My mission is jobs. On that basis, I

Donald Hilburn "Tripp" Jones, III February 7, 2008 - February 28, 2026 18 years of age A graveside service will be held for Donald Hilburn “Tripp” Jones, III at 12 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will take place starting at 10 a.m. until time of graveside service at Riverwood Family. Donald Hilburn “Tripp” Jones, III, 18, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away February 27, 2026. He was born in Jackson, MS, on February 7, 2008, to Donald Hilburn

Wesson News Clifford Jackson Sr., known as A.J., a native of Wesson, has launched a new business venture, Power Insulation. Power Insulation, a spray foam insulation contractor, is helping homeowners and business owners cut their monthly energy bills—often by nearly half. Spray foam insulation is considered the premier product for energy efficiency, and A.J. emphasizes that their work is powered by the mighty hand of God—a ministry that drives them to do this work with purp

Special to Wesson News Blues musician Houston Stackhouse was born in Wesson. While the Mississippi Delta is considered to be the birthplace of the blues, musicians from all across the state sang and played instruments in the unique style. Several of them had their roots in Copiah County: Tommy Johnson from Crystal Springs grew up in a musical family with brothers and an uncle who taught him to play and sing. A supreme vocalist who could jump from a falsetto to a growl,

Wesson News A major arts and crafts expo featuring name artisans from throughout the Southeast will debut on May 2 and 3 at Lincoln Civic Center. “This expo will bring together the recognized pros,” says Lincoln Civic Center Director Chaston Bullock. “The exhibitors must formally apply to participate. They will be thoroughly vetted, and their crafts will be authenticity screened. This won’t be a show of amateur hobbyists no matter how good they are.” Among the expect

As a reminder, Mississippians need to be aware of upcoming important dates and deadlines for the 2026 Primary Election for U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on March 10. Visit the My Election Day portal to receive election information tailored to your specific address, including a sample ballot. As you type your address into the system, similar addresses should populate. Simply click on yours to get started. Mississippians are encouraged to educate themselves on

Special to Wesson News Hadleigh Denton (left), a Wesson Attendance Center, student and Maggie Miller, a Wesson resident who attends Copiah Academy, received a Gold prize at DTU competition for their duet. Four dancers from the Precision Dance Company in Wesson PDCW brought home prizes for their solo and duet routines from the Mississippi Dance Teachers United (DTU) competition and convention at Hattiesburg January 23 and 24. Harper Moore earned a

Special to Wesson News The Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) will return February 26–28, 2026, bringing three days of events, speakers, performances, exhibits, and conversations centered around this year's theme, "Stories of American Freedom." The 2026 celebration brings together nationally recognized authors, historians, scholars, artists, and performers to explore the diverse narratives that have shaped the American experience. The majority of the NLCC is

A new bakery called Destiny’s Delights will have its grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at 11 a.m. The bakery is located at 2037 Highway 51 in Wesson. Owners and Wesson locals, Clifford and Nekitha Jackson, will offer free samples and giveaways. Everyone is invited to join the fun. The Jacksons say that Destiny’s Delights was born from love, faith and a passion for bringing joy through sweet treats. Founded in 2010, what began as homemade sweets pr

Special to Wesson News Wesson Kindergarten student A'layrion Jackson recites "Black Boy Affirmation" Wesson Attendance Center celebrated its 19 th annual celebration of Black History Month with a program on Friday, February 20 at 6 pm in the school's gymnasium. The program was sponsored by WAC staff members, Albert Brown, Dr. Kendra Armistad, and Tomeka Brice. This year's program had a theme, "Black Voices: Honoring the Past, Equipping the Present, and Inspiring the Future."

By Bob Arnold Brookhaven new base for international contractor. In an economy characterized by uncertainty in which employers are passing on location and expansion decisions, a major international construction and maintenance firm that serves downstream and midstream oil and gas companies, manufacturers and electric utilities throughout the world has established an operations base in the area that has created more than 70 jobs. Baton Rouge-based MMR Group purchased Brookhav

Pictured: Breazeale presenting Martin with award Wesson-based company Jessica Breazeale Consulting (JBC) recently named Chloe Martin of Hurley as the JBC “Student of the Year”. Martin received the award at the Pine Belt chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) at its recent monthly meeting. Martin’s entire family made the trek from Moss Point to celebrate with her. The award came with a $500 scholarship and a membership to PRAM who recognizes her acad

The 13th Annual Princess Ball brought a fun evening out and quality time for daddies and daughters on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Co-Lin’s Thames Center. The event is an annual fundraiser for student scholarships hosted by the Blue Wave Band and Colette alumni chapter. The ball had two sessions, 4:30 and 6:30 evening times. Refreshments were served. Namebrand Photography had portraits set up for an additional fee. DJ Stanley Martin of Wesson, Owner of Super Sounds DJ/Karaoke, mana

Special to Wesson News Pictured L to R: Owner Marla Weeks, Corley Sandifer of Wesson (esthetician who specializes in lashes), Skylar McDaniel of McComb (specializing in hair and nails) Stylists from Knockout Salon & Spa recently went to Dallas to learn the newest techniques and updates for Japanese Head Spa, a new service offered at 506 Highway 51 in Brookhaven. “We can’t wait to start implementing all this new knowledge and upgraded experiences for you all. We truly had the

By Bob Arnold Steel Outdoors, a Wesson-based metal fabricator, is going back to its original product emphasis under a new CEO after a two-year struggle to survive against increasing competition. Brandon McLemore, son of Steel Outdoors founder Dwayne McLemore, is charting the company’s new course taking the corporate leadership reins from his father, who is now pursuing a career in the ministry. The elder McLemore started Steel Outdoors in 2007 in a b