Jessica Breazeale of Wesson received top honor this year from the Pine Belt Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM) -- the 2024 Bud Kirkpatrick Practitioner of the Year Award. “It’s hard to believe someone from a small town was selected for such a huge, prestigious honor,” Breazeale said.  “I couldn’t be more thrilled.  This award did not come easy.  I’ve been in public relations for nearly 20 years.  I’ve seen everything go from print to digital, which meant I have had to adapt to ensure my efforts are effective.  Public relations isn’t easy, especially working from a small town.” Breazeale has owned and operated Jessica Breazeale Consulting (JBConsulting), a marketing firm, since 2017 at Wesson. The Bud Kirkpatrick Practitioner of the Year Award recognizes achievements in the field of public relations and service to PRAM. The annual recipient must have practiced in the field for at least five years, contributed to the success of PRAM and/or Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) and realized success in the practice or teaching public relations. The Kirkpatrick Award honors the former public relations director at The University of Southern Mississippi for 30 years and a founding PRAM member. Kirkpatrick's career spans more than four decades with inductions into six halls of fame. Breazeale teaches public speaking and journalism at Co-Lin on its Wesson campus and has served on the PRAM Board as professional development chair for the last five years. She won the Best in Show in 2019 on “Summer Safety Campaign” for her work at Georgia Pacific. Breazeale has received numerous SPRF and PRAM awards -- the 2021 Senior Practitioner Award, 2021 Award of Excellence, and 2021 Award of Merit from SPRF; and the Spark Award 2019 and Spark Award for Summer Safety Campaign from PRAM.  She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public relations at the University of Southern Mississippi. Breazeale earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2019 -- a designation of the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) to public relations practitioners who exhibit an exemplary standard of character in a general fitness for their profession. It demonstrates a high level of competence in the practice of public relations over a prescribed period of time after successfully passing written and oral examinations. The credential evidences dedication to development and growth in the public relations profession. Breazeale accepted her latest award with Callie Hodge of Madison, JB Consulting’s spring intern, who was hired as a part-time employee.  Hodge is a public relations major at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg.  She was an intern at WDAM news station before interning with Breazeale. “The internship has been such a great opportunity for me to grow in the field of public relations,” Hodge said. “JB Consulting truly wants the best for its clients. I have learned so much from this experience.”

By Bob Arnold When the McAlister’s Deli at Hattiesburg hired University of Southern Mississippi (USM) student John Grafton as a dishwasher back in 1991, he was pursuing a degree in sports management and aspired to a career in the business, administration, marketing, and management of sport programs and facilities. In short order, McAlister’s moved their new dishwasher into other areas of the restaurant’s work in the kitchen and serving customers, and with the new and varying jobs, Grafton discovered a career path more to his liking.  As management positions opened, he decided to quit college to become a full-time restauranteur.  He has never looked back. “I started with no knowledge of the business and loved it,” he says.  “There was something different every day.  You worked with different people and met many others.” Today, Grafton is general manager at Magnolia Blues in Brookhaven.  Area restaurant connoisseurs say chances are Grafton has left his mark directly or through people he has influenced at smooth-running eateries that local customers enjoy. A McComb native, Grafton thrived on sports growing up there, was the team manager of both the football and baseball teams at McComb High School (MHS) and coached in the local summer baseball league for kids when he was going to MHS. Grafton graduated from MHS in 1988 and received an Associate’s Degree in sports management at Southwest Community College at Summit, Mississippi, in 1990, before continuing his abbreviated studies in the discipline at USM cut short by his new found love of the restaurant business. For 20 years, Grafton continued his career at McAlister’s, playing a central role in its expansion throughout Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana charged with managing the openings of new restaurants with responsibility for interviewing, hiring and training workers; labor programs and employee incentives; ordering food and supplies and brand marketing.  He also served as general manager at the Hattiesburg, Oxford and Ridgeland restaurants of the Atlanta-based chain and a Southeast regional manager. Grafton points to training as one of the great joys of his work.  “People come to the job with little or no knowledge, and you see the finished product,” he relates. From 2011 to 2015, Grafton was owner-partner of eight Louisiana McAlister franchise restaurants at Monroe, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shrieveport, Baton Rouge and Bossier City “I took a two-year break from restaurants from 2015 to 2017 to help a friend with a mobile home business as a travelling manager of mobile home lots, but returned to McComb in 2017 and 2018 to manage a PJ Coffee franchise,” Grafton recounts. In 2019, Georgia Blues turned to the veteran restaurant manger to operate its Brookhaven location.  Grafton thought he had finally retired in 2022, but a friend who was a regular at Magnolia Blues recommended him to its owner Carl Craig when it needed a new manager.  “I couldn’t resist the temptation to come back to restaurant management, and this has been one of my best gigs with wonderful people, a great atmosphere and supportive town folk,” he says.  “The hours are 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. five days a week, but I get up every morning ready for an enjoyable work experience.” Grafton lives on South Jackson Street in Brookhaven with his Boxer-Weimaramer mix puppy Mocha, recently acquired from Brookhaven Animal Rescue League.  His mom and dad, a brother and three nieces live in McComb, and another sister and nephew live in Humboldt, Tennessee. What are your hobbies? Golf and poker are my pastimes.  I play most of my in Pike County at the Fernwood and Percy Quinn courses.  You can find me at the poker tables at Vicksburg and Natchez casinos, in tournament play particularly.  Upgrading and renovating my Brookhaven house will become a focus of my time in the future as well. Do you have a special interest in music. I like all genres and live music played at Magnolia Blues on Wednesday Open Mic nights and by the great variety of local talent in their weekend gigs How about movies or theater? My favorite movies are Step Brothers, Caddy Shack and Varsity Blues, and I enjoy the acting of Bradley Cooper, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell. What would you do with the winnings if you won the lottery? I will take care those who have taken care of me, but after winning, I will be pretty much be gone.  People will ask:  “John who?  Where did he go?” How would you change the world? People need to lighten up, have a sense of humor and smile more..

By Bob Garver “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is really a tale of two movies. No, not a Godzilla movie and a King Kong movie, rather a movie that follows the human characters and a movie that follows what the movie calls “Titans.” The human portion is terrible, as is the human contribution to all American Godzilla movies (and I specify “American” because the human element in the recent Japanese installment “Godzilla Minus One” made it one of the best kaiju movies ever made). But the Titan portion makes for one of the best movies of the year. Let’s get the human portion out of the way. Returning Kong expert Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) notices mysterious signals coming from Hollow Earth, the subterranean world where the giant ape lives. Her adopted daughter Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a confidant of Kong’s that communicates with him through sign language, picks up on a telepathic signal as well, one that tells her that Kong is in danger. The government allows Kong to pay a rare visit to the surface to have a tooth fixed by adventurous Dr. Trapper (Dan Stevens), provided he’s kept far away from atomic lizard Godzilla, who lives on Earth fighting dangerous “titans” and desperately wants to throw down with Kong in a battle that will undoubtedly cause massive damage. But the hurt tooth doesn’t explain the alarming signals. It’s time for Andrews to pay a visit to Hollow Earth, along with Jia, Trapper, and unofficial expert Bernie (Bryan Tyree Henry) to find out just how worried mankind needs to be. The humans spout exposition and exchange unfunny banter. The talented Hall is wasted on this stock scientist character. She brings no personality to the action scenes, and the few heartfelt moments with Jia are sincere, but unchallenging. I enjoyed the Trapper character at first, but the movie doesn’t know what to do with Stevens’ effortless charm. Bernie is just plain useless and annoying. The character is supposed to be “comic relief,” but I was far from relieved knowing that he was allowed to pollute this movie with his painful presence. Balancing out the humans is Kong. He befriends a young ape (allegedly named “Suko,” though I don’t think anyone ever calls him that) that has been forced to work as a con artist by his master, the Skar King. The Skar King has laid claim to a world beneath even Hollow Earth, where other apes work as his slaves. His power comes from a crystal that allows him to control ice monster Shimo, against whom the apes have no chance. Kong challenges the Skar King for control of his empire, and the battle comes to the surface, where Kong has to recruit Godzilla to fight Shimo if there’s any hope of bringing the villains down. But Kong and Godzilla aren’t over their own differences yet. Will the “x” in the film’s title come to mean “vs.” or “&”? As with many things in life, the answer lies with Mothra. Almost all of Kong and Godzilla’s scenes play out without human interference, and in fact do not involve dialogue. The fact that the movie can communicate so much without words is highly impressive. As are the anatomy-smashing creature-on-creature action scenes, provided you can turn a blind eye to collateral damage. It’s such a shame that there’s so much to detract from what “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” does right. I can completely understand how some viewers and critics think that the humans are a deal-breaker for this movie as a whole. But just because I understand doesn’t mean I agree. I think that the creatures, especially Kong, successfully offset the humans. It’s close, but Godzilla and Kong manage to not be completely undermined in their own movie. Grade: B- “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is rated PG-13 for creature violence and action. Its running time is 115 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Chad Austin has been named Co-Lin’s Director of Bands effective July 1, 2024. Austin has been employed in the Fine Arts division of the college since 2018 as Assistant Band Director and Percussion Instructor. As assistant director, he’s been an important part of the instruction and organization of the marching band, percussion section and ensemble, the basketball pep band, the Sojourners, and in assisting with the concert and jazz bands. He spearheaded the Delta Music Institute partnership with Delta State University, creating new entertainment industry classes offered at Co-Lin. Austin has also been heavily involved in band recruitment and helped to grow the Blue Wave Show Band to the largest band in Co-Lin history. "Austin has been a true asset to Co-Lin,” says Co-Lin Dean of Academic Instruction Dr. Amanda Hood.  “He is passionate about what he does, and it shows in his work ethic, his relationships, and the growth and success we’ve seen in the Blue Wave Show Band.  We are fortunate to have him stepping into this well-deserved position." Austin earned an associate’s degree from East Central Community College, a bachelor’s degree in K-12 instrumental music education from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in band conducting from Sam Houston State University. In 2009, Austin received the A.E. McClain Award for Mississippi's Outstanding Young Band Director from the Mississippi Bandmasters Association and was named Co-Lin’s Outstanding Academic Instructor in 2022.  He is a member of the Mississippi Community College Band Directors, Mississippi Bandmasters Association, Percussive Arts Society, and is also a Yamaha Corporation of America Artist and Innovate Percussion Artist. He and his wife Renee reside in Brandon.

Back in the ancient days of Fred Flintstone and no cell phones, when he was a young dad and a wet-behind-the-ears pastor, Andy had a habit. No, not a habit like we refer to today. But he unconsciously used a certain phrase – constantly. “I’m sick and tired of…” was the opening statement to just about anything that bothered him. In or out of the pulpit. Abuse of children, eating English peas, lazy politicians, endlessly freezing weather - you name it. He had a negative opinion and those around him were going to hear it. The day came when he was finally forced to realize how often that pet phrase escaped his lips. One evening as we were driving home from a work engagement, we became absorbed in some world-changing discussion. Our two young sons were playing and arguing in the back of the van, totally ignoring the quiet conversation in the front seats. Or so we thought. Per the usual, in the middle of our discussion Andy finally said, “Well, I for one am sick…” But before he could finish the phrase, our seven-year-old son smoothly and loudly slid in, “and tired!” Busted!! Do we parents realize that the little kids playing in the back of the van have ears that rival twenty-year-old elephants? They somehow have the ability to carry on a yelling match with their brother while at the same time listening to every word coming out of Dad’s mouth – eight feet away. Combine that ability with a child’s built-in belief system that tells them “Mom and Dad are right…period,” and you have a system in place for passing on good and bad tendencies - for generations to come. Awesome and fearful to realize we parents hold such power. Most of us are not continuously reminding ourself that the tiny geniuses sitting in the back seat are learning from us…24/7. But the old statement, “Children learn what they live with” is true. Those young brains are like dry sponges, they absorb everything. And time doesn’t necessarily erase all they experience. Angry words impact your family, as much as happy ones. And that three-foot-tall listening sponge you have in your home will soon become an adult, with all the bad and good of childhood imbedded within. That means all that carping and yelling of his childhood will get passed on to every new little sponge in his own family. With the grandparents of that new generation sadly shaking their heads and wondering, “Why are little Johnny and Janie so sarcastic and hurtful much of the time?” And that generational ball keeps rolling downhill. The Apostle Paul wrote that we “should not allow worthless rotten speech to come out our mouth, but rather that which builds up and shows kindness to the hearer.” Eph. 4:29 You may think no one is learning to mimic the good and the bad in you. But there is always someone. You simply may not realize it. ….Yet.

Mississippi legislators may be on the cusp of expanding Medicaid to encompass low income workers after more than a decade of blocking it. Late last month, the House passed legislation enabling the expansion 98-20 and advanced it to the Senate, which seems House-Speaker-Jason-White_courtes-MS-House-of-Rep-jpg.web poised to pass similar legislation in the coming weeks. Governor Tate has consistently opposed Medicaid expansion as “welfare” and “Obamacare,” but the Mississippi legislative bodies could well deliver it to him veto-proof when a final version has been passed by the House and Senate. House Medicaid Chair Missy McGee, R-Hattiesburg, explained the policy as a “moral imperative” and said it “should transcend politics.” She also said that lawmakers have yet to propose a viable alternative to expansion to deal with Mississippi’s lack of health care access and poor health outcomes and that “‘No’ is not a policy that has helped.” Authored by new House Speaker Jason White, R-West, and McGee, the bill would expand Medicaid eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty level or about $20,000 annually for an individual. The bill contains a work requirement for recipients of Medicaid expansion, but states that the expansion would go into effect even if the federal government does not approve the work requirement. “Finding affordable access to health care is not only compassionate, but it is a smart investment in our workforce,” White said in a press conference after the floor vote. “As this bill is transmitted to the Senate for their consideration, I want to acknowledge that they, too, are drafting legislation that will provide health care accessibility options.  Today we have sent them a conservative plan that addresses our shared goal to provide health care coverage for hardworking, low-income Mississippians.” White expressed optimism the governor would sign the bill, saying he believed Reeves recognizes the importance of expanding health care access. \ “A healthy workforce projects to a healthy economy,” White said. “I’m not anticipating a veto at this point. I’m anticipating a business-minded, reasonable governor who weighs all options and all things and I think he is just that.” McGee in the press conference said: “Moving beyond a decade of simply saying ‘no’ to finding a workable solution to health access takes effort.  But it’s a task I believe lawmakers from both parties in both chambers are up for.  Most importantly, I’m excited about the hundreds of thousands of working Mississippians that now, and in the future could have a way toward a better, healthier quality of life.” The federal government pays 90 percent of the cost for those covered by Medicaid expansion. Various studies have concluded Medicaid expansion in Mississippi would be a boon for the state economy and provide health care coverage for about 200,000 Mississippians -- primarily the working poor. For the first four years, there is projected to be no cost to the state because of $600 million in additional federal funds, offered as an incentive to expand Medicaid. The bill also has a built-in repealer, meaning the program would automatically end after four years unless the Legislature chooses to renew it.  This likely made it more palatable to Republicans on the fence. McGee called it a “free pilot program” during a committee meeting and said “if it doesn’t work out, if we decide that our health outcomes have not improved, if it costs too much for the state, if for any reason we do not believe that it is doing the things that we want it to do, the program will simply repeal in 2029.” Unlike the proposal Senate leaders say they are crafting, the House bill would not make expansion contingent on the Biden administration approving the work requirement. That’s important, since during the Biden administration CMS has rescinded work requirement waivers previously granted under the Trump administration, and has not approved new ones. Speaker White acknowledged his House colleagues for the overwhelming vote, his Republican colleagues for “strong support on an issue we have neglected for so long,” and the Senate for also drafting expansion legislation. “In most uncomfortable times is where we make our best marks,” White said.

By Kara Kimbrough Dilemma: a tight budget doesn’t allow room for a flight to an expensive vacation spot. But here’s a thought: there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the beauty, warm sun and cool breezes of spring for the price of a tank of gas. One of the best ways to have fun on a budget is to get outside, roll out a blanket or quilt and enjoy al fresco dining, bird-watching or just plain relaxing. Before jumping ship to another state, take your movable feast to one of Mississippi’s scenic picnic areas and experience our state’s natural beauty while soaking in the sunshine. There are too many to list in one column; here are just a few of Mississippi’s top picnic spots. 1. Visitors from around the world flock here to see it, so it’s only fitting that every Mississippian visit the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum. Located in Tupelo, the small shack where Elvis was born is the first stop, but after touring the museum, chapel and church, a picnic in the 15-acre park filled with a young Elvis statue, fountain and shady areas is in order. It’s the perfect place to relax under the trees, enjoy a meal and revel in the memories of one of Mississippi’s most famous natives. 2. Another famous Mississippian provided a place for fellow residents to study history and picnic on his property. William Faulkner’s home place in Oxford, Rowan Oaks, is a favorite stop for literary buffs, but adjacent Bailey’s Woods offers picturesque picnic spots in a tranquil setting. 3. Speaking of picturesque, nothing fits the bill like a view of the majestic Mississippi River. Thankfully, both Natchez and Vicksburg offer scenic picnic areas overlooking the mighty river. Natchez’ spot is called Bluff Park; Riverfront Park is located in Vicksburg. 4. Jackson’s Metro Area is filled with parks and picnic areas featuring playgrounds, walking trails splash pads and shaded areas. One of my favorites is Madison’s Strawberry Patch Park. Featuring a lake and lots of trees, it’s a small, but quaint spot to roll out a blanket and enjoy a spring day. 5. Daphne Park in Laurel, mentioned on the HGTV show “Hometown,” has been a favorite picnic spot of locals and visitors for decades. Located near the downtown area, it’s massive oaks, old locomotive and quiet picnic spots have entertained outdoor diners since the previous century. 6. Kamper Park and Zoo in Hattiesburg offers a spacious 40-acre park in which to picnic and an adjacent zoo for after-lunch entertainment. It’s a relatively small zoo, but a nice one that's easily navigable when time is short. 7. Last, the Gulf Coast area boasts over 100 parks and picnic areas spread from Jackson County to Harrison, then over the Bay Bridge to Hancock County. My favorite spot is Jones Park in Gulfport, located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 49 and 90. Take your pick of grassy areas shaded by palm trees, dine under the spacious Barksdale Pavilion or stroll out over the sand to the water’s edge, all while enjoying the cool breeze wafting from the gulf. Coming in a close second is the small but picturesque grounds of the historic Depot in Bay St. Louis.  The shaded grassy area surrounding the depot, served the centerpiece for the movie "This Property is Condemned" starring Robert Redford and Natalie Wood. Tables and benches around the duck pond offer the perfect spot for scenic pondside picnics. Whether it’s lunch where Elvis once walked, an afternoon snack under majestic oaks or dinner at the water's edge, nothing is more memorable than time spent outdoors surrounded by Mississippi's natural beauty. Since Vicksburg boasts several perfect picnic spots, I thumbed through the Vintage Vicksburg cookbook to find an appropriate outdoor dining recipe. Served on toothpicks with a side of sauce, Yankee Meatballs would be a perfect addition to any picnic. The irony that a recipe with the work "Yankee" in it made it into a renowned Civil War city’s cookbook doesn’t escape me...but I’m glad it did. Dot Kiely’s Yankee Meatballs 3 pounds hot sausage 1-pound mild sausage 4 eggs, beaten 1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs Mix all ingredients. Shape into small balls. Brown meatballs in skillet; drain well. Serve with sauce. Yankee Sauce 3 cups ketchup ¼ cup brown sugar ½ cup wine vinegar ¼ cup strongly brewed coffee ½ cup soy sauce Combine all sauce ingredients in a skillet and simmer 15 minutes. Add meatballs. Bake in oven for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Recipe from Vintage Vicksburg Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

March is wildfire prevention month, and again area firefighters are finding the spring one of their busiest times. With spring breezes and relatively low humidity, all it takes is one spark to cause a wildfires. In recent weeks, Ruth, East Lincoln, Bogue Chitto, Zetus, Hog Chain, Loyd Star, Heucks Retreat and New Sight Volunteer Fire Departments in Lincoln County worked together to keep 21 fires contained and protect homes and property. Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) reports fighting 239 fires over a total of 10,000 acres. The acreage includes active and completely contained or extinguished fires. MFC Outreach Officer Kevin Craft reported a stubborn Jefferson Davis County fire on 1,360 acres.  Craft serves Region 4 which includes Lincoln, Franklin, Lawrence, Pike, Amite, Wilkinson, Adams, Walthall, Jefferson Davis and Marion Counties in Southwest Mississippi. Craft says it doesn’t take long for south Mississippi to dry out and low humidity and winds have made conditions favorable for wildfires in spite rains that ended the summer drought. MFC reminds locals that 90 percent of wildfires are caused by human error and thus preventable.  One way to prevent fires is to use fire break or container when burning trash, and not to burn on windy days. Once fire hits pine straw or dry grass it can get out of hand quickly. If you do decide to burn a brush pile or a pile of leaves, make sure you check the wind forecast before you burn. Smokey Bear always says: “Only you can prevent wildfires.”

Six Wesson High School students -- three girls and three boys -- are participating in state Lions Club leadership camps this month. The girls -- Abbey Berch, Cailley Duplantis and Kala Nhem -- met this past weekend (March 8-10) and the boys -- Tate Brister, Kemari Brown and Alan Luong -- are going March 22-24. Local Lions Clubs from throughout Mississippi have been sending some 60 to 80 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to each of the camps for more than 40 years. The camps held at Lake Tiak-O-Khata in Louisville, Mississippi, offer a supportive and inclusive environment in which the students can connect with like-minded peers and form lasting relationships through interactive workshops, team-building, engaging discussions, among other activities.  Participants gain valuable insights into effective communication, problem-solving and decision-making and are empowered to navigate the challenges they face with resilience and grace. While each local Lions Club covers the cost for the students from their areas, they also to look to their communities for monetary and in-kind donations.  Wesson Lions Club is currently seeking funds and material contributions for necessities, such as food and drinks, paper goods and project supplies, and items are needed to fill goodie bags give to each camper when they arrive. For information, contact Wesson Lion Gail Freeman at 601-757-9591.

With the arrival of spring, warmer temperatures offer ideal conditions to revitalize your home landscaping or plant your first personal herb garden. Before grabbing that shovel, however, Atmos Energy reminds everyone – homeowners and professional excavators alike – to keep communities safe by contacting 811 prior to starting any excavation project. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in disruptions to critical services, serious injuries, and costly repairs to underground utility lines. Every year in April, National Safe Digging Month is an opportunity to spread safety awareness to homeowners, contractors, and any professional excavator. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number, and it is a free and easy service required by law. By making a request online or over the phone by calling 811 a few days before digging, you are helping communities maintain essential utility services, promoting safety, and reducing the likelihood of accidentally digging into buried utility lines. In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves declared April as “Safe Digging Month,” with a proclamation that reads, in part, "excavators and homeowners can save time and money keeping our nation safe and connected by making a simple call to 811 in advance of any digging project.” The Governor’s Office has issued a similar proclamation for Safe Digging Month each of the past several years. “Whether you are a landscape architect or a ‘do-it-yourselfer,’ if your backyard beautification project requires heavy equipment or power tools, make sure all underground utility lines have been located and marked,” said  Todd Fuller, Manager of Damage Prevention for Atmos Energy in Mississippi.  “National Safe Digging Month reminds us that calling 81l before any digging project is the safest way to avoid damaging your underground utility lines, which could lead to an inconvenient outage.” Everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local notification center that will take the caller's information and communicate it to local utility companies. Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags, or both. Homeowners are further encouraged to take a few precautionary measures when planning any digging project this spring: Plan ahead. If work is scheduled for an upcoming weekend, make a free 811 request on Monday or Tuesday – providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked. Confirm that all lines have been marked. Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings. If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has contacted 811. Don't allow work to begin if the lines are not marked. Please visit 811beforeyoudig.com for complete information. As part of National Safe Digging Month, Atmos Energy asks everyone to become a safety ambassador by taking the Atmos Energy Call 811 Pledge at atmosenergy.com/call811pledge. In addition, the Atmos Energy Damage Prevention Ambassador Program empowers employees year-round to help eliminate pipeline damage by making stops at excavation sites to educate the public and promote safe digging practices. In 29 percent of all stops, Damage Prevention Ambassadors found that excavators did not have a valid 811 ticket, the ticket had expired, or their excavation plan included the use of mechanized equipment within the utility tolerance zone without first exposing the utilities. If pipeline danger exists, the Ambassador is empowered to stop the work, and the excavator is asked to cease digging and call 811 so utilities can mark their lines as required under state law. With an increasing number of public infrastructure projects and expanding economic development, pipeline damage resulting from excavation remains the most common cause of outside natural gas leaks. Atmos Energy has been and will continue to be a champion for damage prevention, and this is yet one more way that Atmos Energy puts its safety vision into practice.

By Mika Hartman It has been in the news a lot about promoting abortion for disabled babies, even in the State of the Union Address. A lady in Texas crossed the border to secure her abortion of her disabled daughter, a daughter she would have kept had no diagnosis been present. Disabled lives matter. We removed God from schools and allowed The Word of God to be abandoned; many have forgotten or were never taught the Bible: Psalm 139:13-14 “For You formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; My soul knows it well.” Do you read anywhere in this passage that this only applies to only  “typical” or “healthy” babies? Nope. This applies to ALL. EXTRA Wonderfully Made! All children are unique and special, and everyone is important to God because  Genesis 1:27 God created man in His own image. Male and female, He created them. As one mom was searching to murder her unborn child, completely oblivious that her daughter is a gift from God, I am reading about two moms, one I know personally, begging God to give them more time with their beautiful babies. That every second longer they get is precious time. The two babies were both born with disabilities and are both deeply loved. Love will always want more time. Never will you know the time of your last breath, it is only known by God…. Unless you choose to end a life. So if you don’t know, shouldn’t you trust God wholeheartedly and be thankful for His gift of life? If a child is born and only survives minutes or hours, that small time is a gift. If a child surpasses time predicted, that is God, too. It is not our choice… at least it shouldn’t be. Bring God's full truth back, we need Him. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ’Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him. Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. In 2021, I was asked to speak at a Students For Life rally in Jackson. This was before the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. The victorious overturning started here in Jackson. Evil will continue to work hard to place in minds that my journey isn’t one that some would want to be on. If you trust God, you’d know He can turn your weakness into power. Hudson is a power all on his own, but he’s also a power to everyone he meets. He fights hard for his victories, he falls and he gets back up, he struggles and smiles simultaneously. He also brings joy to joyful and grumpy people he meets. He starts conversations with strangers. He makes people want to be better. I say he is EXTRA wonderfully made. My speech from November 2021: Hi! Thank you for being here. I am a mom of an amazing boy, Hudson Hartman. Who happens to have an extra chromosome. Maybe you have an extra something, too. An extra dose of sass? An extra ability for patience? Extra long legs? An extra toe, maybe? : ) Whatever it is, if it was able to be diagnosed in utero, I would still want you here. Because what you are is what makes you, you. My Hudson’s “extra” was found at 12 weeks and 5 days. I went in for what I know now was one of the scariest days of my life. Hudson’s ultrasound at 12 weeks and 5 days showed us findings of what is called “soft markers”. We didn’t know yet, boy or girl, but we could see that cutest button nose and that our baby had a thick neck like daddy’s. But, very concerning, I could see the heart blood flow. I knew it should be blue and red, but our baby had purple on the screen. Through these “soft markers” the room went dark, laughter stopped (when you're 41 and pregnant, joking/laughing is a must) but the room was cold. Panic, in and out of the room, new faces coming in, and now the news… we see concerns and you have “options”. I was invited to end Hudson’s life via abortion. A baby with a heartbeat. That can feel pain.  Wow. Well, that was shut down quickly. Umm, we have a baby! Please help us get our baby here safely. That’s all we want to know.  We knew (because my husband is medical) that information about our baby was important and we wanted to learn all we could. So we did the amniocentesis. Only to prepare us. Hardest longest three days ever. My husband was scanning in all of our ultrasound photos, just in case we wouldn’t get many more. The call came: Our BOY has Trisomy 21! The celebration of life went all weekend. We could get him here and love him and kiss him daily.  Our prayers were answered, but we weren’t out of the woods yet. But hearing Trisomy 21 was music to our ears,  a gift and we celebrated. Out of all the trisomy situations, we could begin preparing for Trisomy 21 and a baby that could function outside the womb and lead a beautiful life! But let’s rewind, I was immediately told, with no official proof of diagnosis that I had options. I am getting news that I have never processed before and instead of hearing I have support, I was given an option to end my baby’s life. WHAT?! Abortion would have ripped Hudson limb from limb, and apart from me, his mother, his only safe place. What’s happening at the Supreme Court this year, is monumental, for its potential to finally allow states to protect babies like Hudson from discrimination and violence. Right now, because of Roe v Wade and its companion cases, it is 1000% legal to kill a person based on their disability because they are in utero. It’s also 100% legal to kill babies based on their race, whether they are white or black, their gender, whether they are a boy or girl, and convenience. This has to end. We have to protect them all. Abortion declares who get to live and who doesn’t. Genocide of Hudson’s buddies occurs every single day. 68% of babies with an extra copy of the 21st chromosome get aborted in the US. Down syndrome or Trisomy 21 has this amazing fact: Only 20% of eggs with a 21st chromosome survives the first cell division. Of that 20%, only 20% survive to fertilization. Of that 20%, only 20% actually survive the first cell division following fertilization. These children are miracles and have fought to live every step of the way. We should fight for their chance at the life we all get to live. My son is a hero. A fighter. A miracle. He’s had open heart surgery at 3.5 months old and beat transient leukemia at 4 weeks of life with no medication. He walks, climbs, loves to swing, Hudson has the most powerful kisses and a smile that will change the world. He loves life and faces challenges like a boss! He’s my hero and my life is better because he was born. God makes no mistakes and Hudson, too, was created in His image. For the momma’s out there that may receive a diagnosis like I did: my life is beautiful, fun, rewarding, and exactly what I dreamed of. Hudson is a gift. My gift to learn from and my gift to share. Let’s start saving his unborn best friends… there is strength in numbers. Choose life. We love this life EXTRA big! Mississippi is doing all it can to protect children like Hudson. In Mississippi, because of advocacy from me and other concerned citizen, we have the Human Life Equality Act that protects babies like Hudson, but should it really come down to zip code? Life is the biggest National Treasure we have… not gold, or oil, but human life. Open-mindedness and education will change this conversation. I will close with this: My son, you don’t want to hear this, but he is discriminated against. No different than a baby conceived in rape. The baby is a gift, not the problem. Change your hearts. Prosecute the rapist, not give the child the death sentence. Love the extra your baby has, don’t be fooled by the sadness of the news, the journey is EXTRA amazing. Hudson is a person and he determines his abilities, I am there to be his biggest fan. Love conquers all, not some, or most, but ALL. Thank you.

By Bob Arnold A new specialty healthcare service in Brookhaven is assisting the large numbers of persons who do not get enough fluids to adequately hydrate themselves. That’s 75 percent of the population, says Sharon Hughes, who operates Halo IV Hydration. “If you’re experiencing low energy, gastro-intestinal distress, muscle weakness, joint pain, fatigue, or chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis or POTS, we might be able to help,” Hughes told the Wesson Lions Club.  “Athletes can enjoy faster muscle recovery; older persons can address varied issues associated with aging; and people who need to lose weight can find assistance.” IV hydration, she explains, involves a registered nurse administering fluids with varied vitamins and nutrients, depending on the healthcare need, directly into a client’s veins.  It allows for rapid absorption of fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients to effectively treat dehydration or deliver specific vitamins and/or specific medications to provide relief or recovery related to other health issues. Each treatment usually lasts 40 minutes to 60 minutes.  Before treatments can begin, a $25 tele-health consultation with a healthcare provider is required.  Follow-up consultations are required every six months unless changes in health require earlier consultations. Treatments at Halo IV range in price from $99 for a basic hydration, including 1,000 ml of fluids -- the equivalent of two and one-half gallons of water -- with electrolytes to $179 for specialty hydrations.  The Anti-Aging Glow includes vitamins, nutrients and electrolytes that add volume to hair and nails, boost energy and detoxify.  The Athletic Recovery fluids and electrolyte mix quickens muscle recovery after intense physical activities.  Nutrients, antioxidants and amino acids in a special treatment boost energy and mental clarity.  Pyridoxine to improve vascular functions, Taradal, anti-inflamatory, Fofran to decrease nausea combine in a Migraine Relief hydration formula.  The Myers’ Cocktail created by late Maryland physician Dr. John Myers mixes and an assortment of vitamins with fluids to treat migraines, chronic fatigue, auto-immune disorders, fibromyalgia, upper respiratory infections, sinusitis and seasonal allergies, among other health problems.  The Skinny Drip mix helps the body break down adipose tissue and boost metabolism, while suppressing appetite, to promote weight loss.  The After Party hydration even staves off hangovers. At its 127 Cherokee Street location in Brookhaven, Halo IV Hydration provides treatments in comfortable, serene environment with a fireplace, dim lights and recliners and snacks.  For $20, its professionals will also visit homes.  New clients receive 10 percent discounts, and groups, discounts of 15 percent (three to five) to 20 percent (six or more). Call 601-320-9513 for information or an appointment.