Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras will look to build on a dominant season-opening performance when they welcome North Pike to town Friday night. Wesson and North Pike enter the Sept. 4 matchup with 1-0 records, giving both teams an opportunity to remain unbeaten early in the 2026 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Stone Stadium on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College campus in Wesson. The Cobras opened their season Aug. 28 with an impressive 41-0 road victory over Bogue Chitto. Wesson controlled the game on both sides of the ball, with the defense keeping the Bobcats off the scoreboard throughout the night. North Pike also enters Friday's contest following a victory. The Jaguars defeated Franklin County 17-12 in their season opener. Friday's game will be Wesson's first home contest of the season and a rematch of a matchup the Cobras controlled a year ago. Wesson defeated North Pike 44-15 during the 2025 season. For Wesson, the matchup provides an opportunity to show that its convincing opening-week victory can carry over against a North Pike team that also arrives with early-season momentum. The Cobras will also have the benefit of playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season. Kickoff between Wesson and North Pike is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Stone Stadium in Wesson.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB The big drawback to getting in an advance review of “Coyote vs. Acme” last week is that “Insidious: Out of the Further” is even less relevant this week. The horror film toppled from second place to fourth at the domestic box office, behind even the seventh weekend of “The Odyssey,” while “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” continues to dominate at #1. Fortunately, that drawback is offset by the knowledge that the film was never worth much attention anyway. If there’s one horror franchise that loves its jump scares, it’s “Insidious.” The 2010 original sold itself with a trailer that included a jump scare after it had supposedly concluded - not “at” the last moment, like a lot of horror trailers, but “after” the last moment, when the audience thinks they have a beat to rest. The film itself had a gnarly jump scare too, with its infamous red demon appearing in a drably-colored, but well-lighted scene with multiple characters in the daytime, also a setting where viewers think they can lower their guard. But that film also boasted performances by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne and an originality to its world. “Insidious: Out of the Further” is the sixth installment in the franchise, it doesn’t boast greats like Wilson and Byrne, and fans very much know what to expect from these films at this point. We open with a sequence where nine-year-old Gemma (Charli Penton) comes home to a mother (Laura Gordon) who manages a few loving platitudes, but is clearly out of sorts. The mother attacks the child before locking herself in a bathroom, which doesn’t end well. In the present day, adult Gemma (Amelia Eve) is a single mother determined to be better to her own daughter, Maya (Island Austin). She’s present for her at the beginning and end of every school day and talks to her as much as possible about every subject except her late, presumedly-mentally-ill grandmother. This being an “Insidious” film, it’s not long before strange things start happening: old toys reappear after being missing for decades, suspicious people are seen around the neighborhood, and Gemma starts having scary dreams that may or may not be dreams. Things ramp up. Dentist Gemma has an unsettling appointment with one of the new neighbors (disappointing scares in the rest of the movie aside, people uncomfortable with dentistry “will” be freaked out by this sequence). She gets unreasonably lost in a coffee-table-sized blanket fort and barely escapes with her life. Her cop boyfriend Nick (Brendon Parea) doesn’t believe her when she says she’s in danger. Franchise mainstay Dr. Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) does, but she can only be so much help considering she’s been dead for over ten years. Eventually Gemma learns that all the scares are because her bloodline has ties to the purgatory-like realm known as The Further and that she and Maya are being targeted by cult leader Cyrus Lam (Sam Spruell), who is supposed to give off main-villain energy, but is somehow less scary-looking than any of his followers. Like many horror movies, “Insidious: Out of the Further” is at its scariest in its early stages when we don’t know what’s going to pop out. We know that “something” is going to pop out, which itself depletes the scare, but we don’t know what and how. Once the veil has been pulled back on the villains and their motives, the film can’t be scary or exciting to save its life. Even a returning familiar face (other than Lin Shaye’s) couldn’t get a reaction out of my theater. And the non-horror action wasn’t pulling me in. I’m sure the actors are doing their best, but there’s not much interesting about the umpteenth horror setup with a parent, a kid, and generational trauma. After this film, I ask that the “Insidious” franchise go away and stay even Further away than before. Grade: C- “Insidious: Out of the Further” is rated PG-13 for strong violent content, bloody images, terror and some strong language. Its running time is 106 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Special to Wesson News A 78-year-old truck driver was found dead outside his tractor-trailer near the Interstate 55 rest area in Wesson on Thursday, authorities said. The man was discovered just south of the northbound rest area, located near mile marker 54 in Copiah County. Copiah County Emergency Operations Center Director Darryl Hilliard said the driver was found lying on the ground near the passenger side of the 18-wheeler. A passerby spotted the man and alerted authorities. Investigators believe he had been dead for several hours before he was discovered. The man was driving an 18-wheeler for JC Transport at the time of his death. Authorities have not publicly identified him and are withholding his name until his family can be fully notified. Hilliard said a preliminary investigation indicates the driver died of natural causes. No additional details about the circumstances surrounding the man's death or his hometown had been released as of Thursday afternoon. The Wesson rest area is located along Interstate 55, the major north-south interstate corridor running through Copiah County and connecting communities including Wesson, Hazlehurst and Crystal Springs. Additional information could be released after the driver's family has been notified.

Wesson residents now have access to faster internet options following an expansion of Sparklight’s Multi-Gig network in Southwest Mississippi. Sparklight announced Wednesday, Sept. 2, that residential customers in Wesson can access internet speeds of up to 2 Gig as part of the company’s latest regional network expansion. The expansion follows nearly $10 million in network investments in McComb and surrounding communities. According to Sparklight, the improvements have increased network capacity and redundancy while preparing its system for future technology demands. “Bandwidth needs continue to grow as technology becomes an even bigger part of everyday life,” Charlie Oakes, Sparklight senior regional director for the Gulf Coast, said in announcing the expansion. For Wesson residents, increased internet speeds can help accommodate households with multiple connected devices and growing demand for streaming, remote work, online education, gaming and other internet-based services. Reliable high-speed internet has also become increasingly important for small businesses and people who work from home, particularly in smaller communities where broadband options can be more limited than in larger metropolitan areas. The Wesson expansion is part of a larger Sparklight project that also includes Brookhaven, McComb, Bogue Chitto, Fernwood, Magnolia and Summit. Sparklight said it has invested nearly $1 billion in network upgrades across the communities it serves during the past three years. Availability may vary by address, and Wesson residents interested in the Multi-Gig service should verify whether the upgraded service is available at their location.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com So. You are a parent of a five-foot five-inch, sixteen-year-old son. A son whose dream is to be a professional basketball player. Who lives and breathes the game of basketball. He eats his breakfast with his ball tucked under one arm. And sleeps with it nestled on the pillow next to him at night. Except for the game of roundball, there’s not much else that commands him time and attention. Not even the pretty girls at school, who endlessly flirt and coax him to spend time with them. Your lovable, dedicated, basketball-consumed child is either practicing his dribbling, working on his outside shot, or engrossed in the latest news of his favorite NBA team. There is not a statistic on any of the team’s players that he doesn’t have committed to memory. They’ve not played a game this year that he hasn’t watched, eyes sparkling, muscles twitching, and mouth almost drooling. This kid is eaten alive with basketball. The promise of the daily practice times under the watchful eyes of his high school basketball coach drives him to endure those dull teachers in his classes. Until he finally gets to escape the drudgery and head to his home – the gym. You realized it a few years ago. Your house is really not his home – it’s only the place where he can eat, sleep and tune into the latest basketball news. Home to him is a smelly, drafty, echoing cavern - otherwise known as his school’s basketball gymnasium. But to listen to him talk, it should be called Heaven. His team mates should be addressed as almost angels. And according to him, bowing your head reverently when you speak of his coach, the awesome Coach Cameron, should be a given. Your son is driven and extremely determined to live his goal in life. To play in the NBA. At five foot five inches tall in his basketball shoes. And absolutely nothing can dissuade the boy. No amount of reasoning from his not-extremely-tall dad and mom. Nor the endless kidding and almost cruel mockery from his brother. His mind is set in concrete. He believes he can make this happen. That if he eats enough healthy food, exercises, and prays to God for growth, that his body will eventually be tall enough to play in the NBA. What do you say? What do you do to make him realize the truth of his situation, and move on to a more attainable goal? Listen to me closely. NOT A THING. Don’t discourage, don’t ridicule, don’t logically rationalize. Instead, encourage him to aim high in life. Give him all the support and love a teenager needs from his parents. Show him that you believe in him. That is your job as his mom and dad. Believe me, if his long-held vision doesn’t pan out, the world is very eager and capable of dousing every flicker and flame of hope he holds. He certainly doesn’t need his loved ones doing the same thing to him.

Special to Wesson News Copiah County’s burn ban is scheduled to expire at midnight Tuesday, Sept. 1, pending any official extension by local authorities or the Mississippi Forestry Commission . At the time of this writing, no update or extension to the burn ban has been announced. The county has been under the burn ban since Aug. 17 amid hot, dry conditions and an increased risk of wildfires. The restriction was implemented as Mississippi experienced a significant increase in wildfire activity. According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, firefighters responded to 60 wildfires statewide in July before that number climbed to 154 in August when burn bans were announced in several counties. Burn bans are used during periods of elevated fire danger to reduce the risk of outdoor fires spreading and threatening homes, property and wooded areas. Unless local officials extend the restriction, Copiah County’s current burn ban will end at midnight Sept. 1. Residents planning outdoor burning after the ban expires should continue to use caution and monitor weather conditions. Dry vegetation, wind and high temperatures can allow fires to spread quickly even when a burn ban is no longer in effect. Residents are encouraged to check for updated restrictions before conducting outdoor burning, as burn bans can be extended or reinstated when conditions warrant. The Mississippi Forestry Commission maintains an updated list of active burn bans and wildfire information on its website.

By Charlie Rook After a 10-win season in 2025, the Wesson Cobras picked up right where they left off Friday night with a dominant 41-0 victory over Bogue Chitto. Wesson controlled the game from start to finish and had built a 35-point advantage by the end of the third quarter. The Cobras' defense kept Bogue Chitto off the scoreboard for the entire game to start the season 1-0. Damarion Smith helped lead the defensive effort for Wesson, returning two fumbles for touchdowns. His second defensive touchdown came at the beginning of the second half and helped put the game out of reach. The victory comes after Wesson finished 10-1 last season and won the Class 2A Region 7 championship. The Cobras' only loss came by two points in the postseason. Wesson will now turn its attention to North Pike, which defeated Franklin County 17-12 in its opener. The Cobras host North Pike Friday night as they look to improve to 2-0.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras opened the 2026 football season in commanding fashion Friday night, shutting out Bogue Chitto 41-0 on the road. Wesson controlled the Aug. 28 matchup on both sides of the ball, building a comfortable advantage before putting the game away in the second half. The Cobra defense played a major role in the victory. Senior Damarion Smith returned two fumbles for touchdowns, including his second defensive score to open the second half. Offensively, Wesson finished with 293 total yards, including 151 rushing and 142 passing. Junior running back Traden Barlow led the ground attack with 71 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Sophomore Tre Ellis recorded 85 receiving yards, while senior B.P. Robbins finished the night with two total touchdowns. Wesson's defense kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard throughout the game, giving the Cobras their first shutout since the 2025 season. The victory also continued Wesson's recent success against Bogue Chitto. The Cobras defeated the Bobcats 46-8 when the teams met in 2025. Historical records show Wesson holds a 28-4 advantage in the series. With the victory, Wesson begins the season 1-0 while Bogue Chitto falls to 0-1. The Cobras will now turn their attention to their home opener against North Pike. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, in Wesson. Wesson defeated North Pike 44-15 last season. The longtime series between the programs is tied at 10 victories apiece, giving Friday's matchup an opportunity to break the deadlock. Bogue Chitto will travel to Pisgah on Friday.

By Misty Strieff Prine “God understands the cries of our hearts, even when they’re too deep for words.” There are so many people grieving the loss of loved ones in our local community today and over the past few weeks and I’m sure many others that you may know as well. There are also things that may be on your heart that are honestly just hard to put into words in a prayer. God’s word tells us in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” God knows our hearts and He knows the reason for every tear. Even if we just be still and say His name, He will meet us where we are and comfort us in ways that are beyond words. Trust me. In the stillness, God calms you just like He can calm a raging sea. Get in the habit of doing that when you can’t find the words to say. Just be still and say His name and either talk to Him like you’re talking to a friend or just simply be still and listen in the quiet and surrender your worries and heart to Him.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras will kick off the 2026 high school football season Friday night with a road matchup against Bogue Chitto. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. Wesson enters the new season looking to build on a strong 2025 campaign. The Cobras finished last season with a 10-1 record and captured the Class 2A Region 7 championship. Wesson also found success against Bogue Chitto last season, earning a 46-8 victory. Friday's matchup will give the Cobras their first opportunity to set the tone for another competitive season. Head coach Jeremy Loy enters his 11th season leading the Wesson football program. Following Friday's road opener, Wesson will return home Sept. 4 to face North Pike. The Cobras then travel to Franklin County on Sept. 11 and Lumberton on Sept. 18 before hosting Lawrence County on Sept. 25. Region play is scheduled to begin Oct. 2 when Wesson hosts Enterprise. The Cobras will look to carry the momentum from last year's region championship into a new season beginning Friday night at Bogue Chitto.

The funeral service for the former Mayor of Brookhaven, Robert V. (Bob) Massengill, will be at Faith Presbyterian Church located at 400 Magee Drive in Brookhaven at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, with visitation at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and his wife of 59 years, Carol. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving second wife, Ann Williams Sherman Massengill. He was the proud father of Karen M. Hickman (and husband, Andrew) and Robb Massengill (and wife, Fran), and of six grandchildren: Hannah Halliwell (and husband, Zach), Will Hickman (and wife, Sara), Heath Hickman, and Maggie M. Andrews (and husband, Carter), Gracey, and Robert Massengill, III. He is also survived by his great grandsons, Witt and Wells Halliwell, and two great-granddaughters, Frances Andrews and Mary Carol Halliwell, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Massengill was a native of Brookhaven and after completing Brookhaven High, graduated from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss he was a member of the Ole Miss Freshman baseball team, a member of ODK, was elected President of the School of Business and Commerce, was Business Manager of The Daily Mississippian, was selected Outstanding Senior Army ROTC Cadet, was a member of Scabbard and Blade, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After graduation, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Finance Corp of the US Army, taught Finance at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and then obtained his MBA from Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania. For over 23 years he was President and General Manager of Southern Wholesale Company, a grocery distribution company, until it was sold to McLane Company in 1986. Mr. Massengill then served as President of Trustmark National Bank, Brookhaven, for six years. He was a member of the Trustmark National Bank Corporate Board of Directors for over fifteen years. Upon leaving Trustmark, he taught “Ethics in the Marketplace” at Belhaven University, and for over twenty years, served as a management consultant to his friend, Jeff Gatlin, to his friend Bernie Reed, and to several other local businesses and individuals. In 1999, he and Bill Sones helped found the Bank of Brookhaven, where he served as Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Loan Committee. He served his community well by serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Industrial Development Foundation, Chairman of the Brookhaven School Board, Chairman of the Kings Daughters Foundation, served on the KDMC board, and was active in other civic and community affairs. In 2001, he was elected Alderman of Ward 4 for the City of Brookhaven, and was elected Mayor for all of the people of Brookhaven in 2004, a position he held until he retired in 2009. He considered the following as the highlights of his time as mayor: helping see the community through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; meeting with the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs regarding the response of the city and the local churches to the victims of Hurricane Katrina; overseeing the construction of the Jimmy Furlow Senior Citizens Center; installing water parks at City Park and Bi-Centennial Park; adding decorative street signs and attractive lighting in the downtown business area; working with the city and county boards regarding the purchasing and development of Linbrook Business Park; planning and obtaining funding for the construction of the Multi-Modal facility; overseeing renovation of the old Highway Patrol building and converting this into a new office for the Brookhaven Police Department; obtaining Interstate lighting at Exit 40; and holding the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfasts for Pastors in an effort to encourage them to pray for the city while helping build relationships between area churches. Mr. Massengill was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon until being elected as an Elder in 1983. He loved World Missions and oversaw Faith’s World Missions Team for many years. He and his wife, Carol, led several mission trips to Belize and Ukraine and also took mission trips to Mexico, Malawi, and Kyrgyzstan. In the late 1990’s he served as Co-Chairman of Presbyterian Church in America’s million fund raising project for the renovation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Odessa, Ukraine. From 1994 to 2014, he enjoyed serving on the Presbyterian Church in America’s Committee on Mission to The World, and served as Chairman of that denominational committee twice. He was Chairman of the Mississippi Fellowship of Christian Athletes State Board in 1994 and 1995. He served as Secretary of the Board of African Bible Colleges from 1998 until 2012. Mr. Massengill taught Sunday school at his church, helped lead a small group Bible study, and for several years he and Carol hosted this Sunday evening Bible study at their home. Bob loved traveling with family, enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events, rooted for the Ole Miss Rebels, and enjoyed playing golf. He readily admitted that he was better at finding golf balls than at playing; but even so, he had three holes in one. Mr. Massengill had the desire to see the love of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shared with others, both locally and throughout the world. One of his favorite verses was Micah 6:8, which states, “And what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” He strived to be faithful in each of these, but he knew his salvation depended not on his own righteousness, but on the righteousness of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Mission Fund, Faith Presbyterian Church, PO Box 5090, Brookhaven, MS 39603.

By Jessica Breazeale Look at this picture. What do you see? Imagine a man walking along with a cloud hanging directly above his head. He walks into town. The cloud follows. He goes home. The cloud follows. He travels across the country. The cloud still follows. Now, what do you see? One person might say, “That man is depressed. Darkness is following him everywhere he goes.” Another might say, “No, he’s a thinker. That cloud is filled with ideas, imagination and creativity.” Someone else may see the cloud and say, “He’s carrying a burden.” And another may look at the very same picture and say, “That reminds me of Moses. The cloud represents the presence of God.” Same man. Same cloud. Different perspectives. So, who is right? Maybe they all are. We often look at people and situations and immediately decide what we are seeing. We see the cloud and assume we know the story. But what if there is more to it? What if the darkness we see is actually protection? What if the burden we see is creativity? What if the thing that appears to be following someone is actually guiding them? That is the bigger picture. Sometimes the most important thing isn't what we see but realizing that someone else may be looking at the same thing and seeing something completely different. So the next time you see someone walking beneath a cloud, don’t be too quick to decide what it means. You may be looking at the picture. But are you seeing The Bigger Picture? Downloadable version