By Mika Hartman March is here and the old saying, “out like a lion, in like a lamb” may be true about the weather; but it’s also about everything that was cold finding a new warmth. Blooming, coming out of hibernation, cheerful colors and more kindness, well. seems to follow. This month holds one of the best days of the year for my family: 3-21 is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). I remember our first WDSD, I was just released from the hospital after fighting to stay pregnant with Hudson. I remember wearing “Wonder Woman” socks with this true belief that I was unstoppable. And that Hudson’s bravery was completely undeniable, even in my belly. He braved my heart failure and he thrived through it. To celebrate, our nurse brought us the most beautiful cookies; they were yellow and blue with royal iced “Hudson”, “Homie with an EXTRA Chromie”, Down syndrome ribbons and more. To be celebrating, what I had hoped was the first of many WDSDs and to still be pregnant, both exactly what I had prayed for. This year will be our 7th year celebrating this EXTRA beautiful day. The celebration on this day has grown every year on purpose. Hudson is growing and celebrating him and his accomplishments only makes sense to be EXTRA! We celebrate by wearing crazy socks, asking for local and state WDSD proclamations, sharing Down syndrome awareness in our communities, reading books about Down syndrome to children and so much more. Some of our friends even run marathons for Down syndrome awareness. To be a part of one or more of these is how we become the difference for our buddies with Down syndrome. This year, in addition to the fun listed above, we are challenging people to do random acts of kindness on WDSD with us. Here on the Coast, I am part of a “Ds Kindness Team”. Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society is doing 21 days of 21 acts of kindness per day leading right up to our World Down Syndrome Day celebrations. We will be sharing 21 books about Down syndrome, giving out 21 pairs of John’s Crazy Socks, sharing 21 bags of Buddy Blend Coffee from Central Mississippi Down Syndrome’s Buddy Center, 21 boxes of EXTRA gum will be shared, we have 21 boxes of Crayola’s “Kindness” crayons and more… 16 more kindness acts to be exact. Can I challenge you to join us on March 21st and do a random act of kindness for Hudson in your local area? It could be small, medium or large; all kindness is good and it encourages others to do the same. It’s a ripple effect of goodness. You could buy a cup of coffee for the grouchy person in your office, you could pay for a strangers meal at lunch, you could give a flower to someone you noticed that didn’t get flowers on Valentines Day. Just remember to say, “Happy World Down Syndrome Day” or “This is for Hudson, it’s World Down Syndrome Day”. However you spend 3-21, I hope you love EXTRA, laugh EXTRA and that you dance EXTRA in your crazy or mismatched socks. “With us, not for us” is our motto. And if all of this wasn’t enough, several momma’s, including myself, have several schools joining in our WDSD fun, too. Baseball and Softball teams across the Coast will be wearing Down syndrome ribbons on their helmets, coaches will participate and even some schools, like Pass Christian, will have a local “buddy” throw the first pitch. If you are in the area, come see the Pass Christian Pirates Girls’ Varsity Softball game on 3-21 at 6:15… it will be EXTRA fun and on WDSD! Be sure to wear your crazy socks, too! However you choose to celebrate, just celebrate! People born with Down syndrome give love and laughter to many all year round. This day is for us to find our EXTRA and spread love like a buddy would! EXTRA acts of kindness should be as easy as a new bloom on tree; always there, just waiting to be warmed by love. Hudson is my warmth. He can be yours, too. EXTRA EXTRA Amazing news about HB 873 The PURPLE Alert: It unanimously passed the House floor. Rep. Fabian Nelson presented our bill and did an amazing job. He clearly has a heart like Rep. Clay Mansell; good needed change is happening. It has been transmitted to the Senate. Hope to share that it “has passed” and “is law” in my next article. The outpouring of love for this bill has been humbling. I knew it was going to be important to the families who need this. I am so thankful to be a voice that is being heard. This bill will save lives. Also, Hudson lost his first tooth! He is so big and doing bigger things daily. Inch stones add up to milestones. Hudson CAN! I know he can..

By Bob Arnold In the midst of personnel changes and a reaccreditation process, Co-Lin is continuing its strong role in southwest Mississippi as the leading workforce development partner among government agencies and private organizations working to shape the area’s economy, preparing and certifying people for jobs and careers, training workers as needed for existing and new employers and connecting job-seekers and employers. Through July 2024 and the end of the school term, the college’s Workforce Education Division, which offers non-degree programs, has 25 events on its calendar, including testing in which workers can demonstrate career readiness and training for workers to acquire skills they need to qualify for jobs.  Its Career and Technical Education Division will award certificates and grant Associate Degrees to students who equip themselves for specialized jobs and career paths.  In partnership with ed2go, Co-Lin also offers online open enrollment programs designed to provide skills necessary to acquire professional level positions in many in-demand occupations. Outside its educational activities, Co-Lin manages and staffs the Mississippi Department of Employment Security WIN (Workforce Investment Network) Job Centers at Brookhaven and Natchez where employers list jobs for which they are hiring and job-seekers can search for employment and get counseling and assistance in pursuing work and required training for jobs. As a matchmaker of employers and job-seekers, Co-Lin also conducts an annual job fair.  On March 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., more than 20 employers, including organizations from the manufacturing, medical, construction and financial sectors, will be on hand at the Thames Center on the college’s Wesson campus to meet more than 100 students and persons from the wider community seeking jobs.  Today, prospective employees and hiring organizations alike use Handshake, an online service on which  they can complete and then engage, connecting before the event to make appointments for serious conversations.  Job-seekers discover jobs and internships, receive direct messages from employers about jobs and events, connect with employees at organizations and get an inside look at employers and jobs. “In a year of a transition, Co-Lin is continuing its important contributions to the area economy, but initiating no new programs,” Dr. Jackie Martin, Vice President of the Wesson Campus, explains.  “We’re preparing for 10-year site visits of accreditation teams that will look at the quality of our existing programs and evaluate planned enhancements, such as addressing anxiety of students and stress-relief.” Personnel changes with new program management approaches are part of the current transition as well.  Dr. Sharolyn Magee of Collins has been named Dean of Career and Technical Education overseeing all the Division’s programs and faculty on all three Co-Lin campuses, as well as the Adult Education program on each campus. She will also recommend initiation or termination of Career-Tech programs for the college district, maintain partnerships between the Mississippi Community College Board and the Mississippi Department of Education and be responsible for all annual assessments and reporting.  The college is also interviewing for a Dean of Workforce Education to replace Luke Laird, former director of the division. Historically, the Career and Technical and Workforce Education divisions of Co-Lin have produced the region’s workers by training people for existing and new jobs and assuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills for changing work requirements throughout its service area encompassing Adams, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln and Simpson Counties.  Together, through certificate, degree and non-degree programs, the respond to business needs for ongoing and special training so workers have current skills and knowledge to do their jobs safely and productively. The college’s certificate and Associate Degree programs include construction equipment operation, cosmetology, diesel equipment technology, food production and management technology, HVAC technology, practical nursing, precision machine technology, Business and Marketing Management Technology, Business and Office Technology, Computer Networking Technology, Drafting and Design Technology/Architectural Engineering Technology, Early Childhood Education Technology, Electronics Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Radiological Technology, Military Technology and Respiratory Care Technology. Among events on the 2024 Workforce Education calendar are 10 assessments for Career Readiness Certification in support of the American College Testing (ACT) Work Ready Program to certify emerging, existing and transitional workforces in the seven Co-Lin district counties as “Work Ready” in attracting new employers.  The calendar also includes basic Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Clinical and Medical Assistant and IV Therapy trainings, three Online Entry Level Driver trainings and eight day and night Commercial Truck Driving Classes.  Other training not on the 2024 Workforce Education calendar are welding, fiber splicing and power line repair. Professionals from varied fields of expertise design the college’s online programs, and instructors/mentors are actively involved in learning experiences of students, responding to their questions and concerns, and encouraging and motivating them.  The online programs span ten subject areas: Business (89 programs), Information Technology (61 programs), Construction and Trades (53 programs), Hospitality (27 programs), Computer Science (17 programs), Legal (15 programs), Computer Applications (14 programs), Arts and Design (10 programs), Health and Fitness (7 programs), Languages (2 programs).

Remember the old TV cartoon “Popeye The Sailor Man?” He had a favorite saying: “I yam what I yam and dat’s all I yam.” And poor old Olive Oyl could never get him to see himself any other way. A popular song put out in the last few years made me remember Popeye and how wrong he was. The lyrics have a repeating line in the chorus: “I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am.” Word salad? Not at all. Broken down, that one sentence says so much about you. Those seven little words are saying who you truly are, who created you for His purpose, and how and why you exist. “I am who I am....”  You are not just the weird little result of Mom’s ‘romp in the hay.’ There’s no one else, nor has there ever been, anyone in the world exactly like you. A unique combination of certain gifts and talents was put into only you. Creating a special and God-given drive within that is hard to deny. For example; ever seen a disappointed mother arguing with her wannabe-professional-singer son that he needed to become a lawyer? One of them walked away disgruntled. Hope it was the mom. “...because the I AM…”   Just who in the world is this great I AM, and what gives that dude the right to say who you are? Well, the Bible says He is your Creator and He calls himself I AM, so I would guess that gives The Dude that right. After all, if you were the One who has always been, always will be, and the creator who spoke everything into being – then you would certainly have the right to do exactly as you please. “…tells me who I am.” That very I AM says that you are wonderful and lovable in His sight. That you were worth letting His son die to pay the penalty for your sins. In a nutshell, that should tell you just who you are…somebody special indeed. But a popular piece of garbage says that you were just a blob of cells until you popped out of Mom. That only at birth did you become human, with the ability to learn, think, and to experience emotions. Then and only then did you begin the journey into who you are now. But according to your Bible, from the very beginning of Mom’s pregnancy the Creator made the you that looks back in the mirror each morning. The you that He wanted in this world. Then life experiences began happening, and you developed personality warts on that perfect you. So, remember who you are when the going gets rough and it is so tempting to get down on yourself. Underneath the anger, the anxiety, the depression, the hopelessness, and all your rough edges, there is the Real You. Keep digging. Because you’re worth it.

By Bob Arnold Following a year that saw completion of a major industrial investment and a small manufacturer and several retail organizations beginning operations, Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (BLCCC) and Brookhaven-Lincoln County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Garrick Combs is thinking about things that would make his work in economic development easier. If the economic development fairy could grant him one wish, Combs says it would be free community college for persons who don’t participate in the labor force for lack of skills employers require. “In talking to prospective employers, we can show them that 750,000 people -- 360,000 between 18 and 24 years old -- live within a 60-minute commute of Brookhaven and Lincoln County, but an important issue for them is that only 45 percent of working age adults participate in the labor force compared to 50 percent statewide and 60 percent nationally,” Combs explains.  “Lack of childcare facilities and public transportation are factors, but the cost of community college is an important difference from other parts of the state.” In northern Mississippi, business support has helped fund free community college education, and Combs believes the same models there could be implemented in southwest Mississippi. Yet if there are ways to do better, Combs adds “we, nevertheless, have had a good couple of years with a lot of industrial investment.” During 2023, Emory Dry Ice, a Houston-based company which supplies Omaha Steaks and United Airlines, opened a 20,000-square foot facility that created 20 jobs compensating workers $70,000 each through a $10 million investment on Industrial Park Road in Brookhaven. At the same time in a July ceremony, AITX, formerly American Rail Car, celebrated completion of a $32 million investment in property, redevelopment, construction and equipment -- the region’s largest industrial expansion in decades -- and opened for full service on Industrial Park Road in Brookhaven.  With more than 100 new workers, it is doing complete repair and maintenance of all types of rail cars at the new facility, while continuing a similar rail car operation in Franklin County as long as there is short line service to the location.  The project included a new rail spur into the area.  Wages and benefits for the new jobs at the Brookhaven operation are 110 per cent of the state average, Combs says. Combs, whose work focuses exclusively on industry, also cited new retail businesses settling in Brookhaven --T.J. Max, Rally’s, Starbucks and Huey Magoos -- through the efforts of a specialized business development organization paid by the BLCCC tourism committee with funds it receives from With funds it receives from a two percent sales tax assessed Brookhaven hotels and motels.  The Council also uses the tax monies to build retail traffic and stimulate sales at existing stores through social media and special events – in the process, generating convincing data for retail organizations looking for new markets. In 2023, an agreement was also reached with Walmart Distribution Center under a new Mississippi law to pay a fee over the next ten years in lieu of a taxes as an incentive reward for its $180 million investment in automation and new technology at the Brookhaven facility.  Over ten years, Brookhaven and Lincoln County government and local schools will each receive approximately $100,000 and Co-Lin will get somewhat less from the Walmart fees.  “Although Walmart did not create new jobs with its investment, it made a commitment to long-term involvement in the community with it, and the fee in lieu tax agreement demonstrates its material support to community life,” Combs says. At the start of 2024, industrial interest in the area is “surprisingly strong,” but will probably slow down as business investors delay decisions during an election year, Combs predicts.  He says a spec 50,000 industrial building in Linbrook Business Park ready for a business to set up operations will continue to be the focal point of marketing geared to attracting industrial companies to the area.  Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) has recognized the unique BLCC-CLCEDA economic development model centered around speculative industrial buildings to lure an employers that want to deploy workers and machinery to get products to market as quickly as possible without a long wait to construct manufacturing facilities. “Ninety percent of companies looking to locate a facility want an existing building rather than raw land on which to build,” Combs points out.  A web site which promotes the building is the initial BLCC-BLCEDA connection to industrial organizations seeking a business location followed by numerous meetings and telephone calls with prospects.  “Our strategy is to stimulate interest with a spec building, sell it and reload with another building,” Combs explains.  “We also show prospective employers how we can support them through worker training and job fairs for their recruiting.” Even if the prospective employer doesn’t find the spec building suitable, Combs can often suggest alternatives as he did in bringing Emory Dry Ice to Brookhaven last year. This year, Combs also expects Southwest Electric (SE), which provides electrical power to area business and residential customers, to move forward with the purchase of land for a Brookhaven district headquarters with a dispatch office, IT services, a full warehouse, mechanic shop, a truck staging area and laydown yard to house emergency storm crews so its staff, material and equipment are distributed across the SE service area to better serve its 25,000 members in Lincoln, Copiah, Franklin, Amite, Adams, Hinds, Jefferson and Wilkinson Counties and increase overall system reliability.  “SE has an option on the land, which had some wetlands issues, but it has recommitted to its purchase, and it should happen this year, although groundbreaking for the new facility probably won’t happen until 2025,” says Combs Based at Lorman, Mississippi, in Jefferson County, SE plans to invest  $16 million and create 100 jobs with location of a district office on 65 acres in Brookhaven's Linbrook Business Park.  SE, which incorporated in 1937, operates its headquarters facility at Lorman and a work center at Natchez. On the retail side, a new Brookhaven grocery store remains a high priority.  “We believe there is a need and there is a good business opportunity, but our data so far has not yet convinced a prospect,” says Combs. All and all, Combs says, the area has bright future with challenges to confront.

By Kara Kimbrough Seconds away from pulling a frozen pizza from the supermarket freezer case last week, I glanced at the nutritional info. Learning that a couple of slices, or roughly one-fourth of the pizza, contained close to 800 grams of sodium sent my blood pressure soaring without taking a single bite. Realizing that I’d likely already consumed the cutoff point of 1,500 sodium grams that day caused me to return the offending object back to the freezer. Once home, I uncovered a simple way to make my own pizza without any accompanying guilt or blood pressure spike. Searching for a better way to enjoy pizza caused me to resurrect a kitchen item that often goes overlooked. Unless I’m making cornbread, I rarely use one of my cast iron skillets. However, that may soon be a thing of the past. Not only did I find a way to make quick, easy and relatively-healthy pizza in a skillet, I also learned that steak cooked in a skillet rivals almost anything I’ve been served in a pricy steakhouse. It may sound a little strange to bake a pizza in a skillet, especially when pizza stones are touted as the only way to make delicious homemade pizza. However, using a stone requires homemade or store-bought pizza dough. If you’re like me, it’s not always readily available. Baking the dough in a skillet creates a crispy, textured dough that rivals anything you’ll find a restaurant and especially in a frozen pizza. Sidenote: in my opinion, with a few exceptions, frozen pizza crusts generally taste like cardboard, so it doesn’t take much to top those versions. To make your own healthier pizza at home, try this version that, despite the unusual combination of Greek yogurt and self-rising flour, actually tastes really, really good. And, keep the skillet handy the next time a steak dinner is on the menu. I promise your version will rival or even surpass anything served in an expensive steakhouse. Easiest Skillet Pizza You’ll Ever Make 2 tablespoons extra-virgin oil 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup self-rising flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup pizza sauce (jarred or homemade) 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Toppings: crumbled, cooked ground beef or bacon, pepperoni, shaved sirloin steak or your favorite meat; sliced vegetables, if desired Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush a 12-inch cast-iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of the oil.  Mix the yogurt, flour and salt together in a medium bowl with your hands until it becomes a ball, then flatten into a disk and press into the skillet. Brush the pizza dough with remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the sides, for the crust. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese (along with meat and vegetables, if adding) evenly over the sauce. Top with grated Parmesan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned, then let cool in the pan for 3 minutes. To turn it into a cheeseburger pizza, cook pizza using ground beef crumbles; when pizza is baked, topped with chopped tomatoes and sliced lettuce, then top with a burger sauce of equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise, along with a tablespoon of relish that has been whisked together. Better Than a Steakhouse Skillet Steak 2- 2 1/2-inch-thick steak (porterhouse or T-bones are good cuts) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons butter, cubed Minced garlic, fresh thyme (optional) Remove meat from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the broiler, then heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Season steak with salt and pepper on both sides. Add oil to the skillet, then place steak in the skillet. Cook until a nice sear forms, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from the heat, transfer to a cutting board and cut the meat from around the bone, reserving bone. Slice the steak against the grain into thick pieces. Put the bone back into the skillet and assemble the steak around it (goal is to make the steak look as it originally did) with the seared side up. Top with pieces of butter. Top with garlic and a few sprigs of thyme, if desired. Place skillet in oven and broil on top rack to desired doneness, approximately 4 minutes for medium rare, 5-6 minutes for medium; a few minutes longer for well done. Transfer to a serving dish and pour pan drippings over the steak. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Emall her at kkrpco@yahoo.com.

If you don’t think the area offers enough fun and entertainment events, you must have missed the early weeks of February when Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce (BLCCC) and Lincoln County Civic Center (LCCC) started staging their year-long events. In Brookhaven, the Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Jazzed Up, which seeks to create a New Orleans style Mardi Gras festival experience for visitors to the downtown area, managed to preserve the musical component of the event from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, as weather washed out Bounce houses, a 360-degree photo booth, train rides, face painting, among other outdoor activities, and a second line parade in which walkers, some with their pets and strollers, and bikers were scheduled to fall in behind the Ole Brook Mardi Gras Band from Brookhaven High School to march from the West Cherokee Street Post Office to conclude the event. An assortment of jazz bands lined up by former Co-Lin band director Shaw Furlow, now a local music events promoter, moved inside Recess 101, a venue for performing artists, and continued to provide musical entertainment in the spirt of Mardi Gras from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m..  The bands included the National Guard 41st Army Jazz Band, Eddie Pope Jr., the Barry Leach Trio, the Raphael Semmes Quartet and the Southeastern Louisiana University Jazz Ensemble.  Business specials with Mardi Gras themes also continued despite the rain:  Betty’s Eat Shop Happy Hour.  Downtown Shoes discounts and treats   Magnolia Blues BBQ Company brunch.  Mississippi Ice Daquiri Shop 20-oz. King Cake daiquiris.  Southern Oaks Properties  jambalaya in Railroad Park   Tortilla Soup  2-for-1 top shelf margaritas, and 50 percent off queso or guacamole.  United Country McDaniel Gray Realty King Cakes. If Mardi Gras fun wasn’t your thing, Lincoln County Civic Center offered a couple of alternatives: A spectacular laser light show on February 2 and 3.  Accompanied by rock and popular, an array of lasers lit up the evening skies with a rainbow of colors designed to dazzle onlookers. Clowns, tightrope walkers and motorcyclists, among other circus acts delighted kids and adults with child-like hearts alike on February 8 in a fun show produced by All America Circus at the Civic Center. Between BLCCC and LCCC, more than 40 shows, concerts, festivals, fun events and other activities offer locals ways to relax, unwind, reduce stress levels alone or with friends and family. The BLCCC tourism council, with funds from Brookhaven’s two percent hotel-motel, plans and implements free events guided and staffed by the Chamber’s Katie Nations and Jillian Ricceri. LCCC produces its own events and books others offered by entertainment companies for the public and private parties, such as weddings.  At LCCC, Chaston Bullock and a staff including Diane Ryan, Annie Johnson and Ronda Ballard, who focuses exclusively on baseball, coordinate events that are both free and require ticket purchases.  Including private parties, they work on more than 100 events throughout the year. The BLCCC and LCCC events calendar during the year ahead includes: March 2. Car show sponsored by BLCCC, which featured 299 vehicles in parking lots along railroad avenue and on Cherokee Street.  $10 pre-registration.  $15 same-day registration.  For information:  601-233-8620/601-833-1411. March 16. Crawfish & Christ Festival.  Gospel music and food at Lincoln County Livestock Arena (1096 Belt Line Drive NE, Brookhaven).  For tickets, visit narrowpathms.com. April 6. Making Mississippi Gala banquet at LCCC spotlighting state and local artists and entrepreneurs. March 20. BLCCC Mississippi Economic Council luncheon at Mitchell’s.  Features Director of State Economic Council as speaker. March 26-June 30. LCCC baseball season at the Sports Complex with regular season games of local leagues Monday-Friday and weekend tournaments with teams from the Baseball Players Association and Grand Slam. April (TBA). BLCCC Legislative breakfast featuring report on actions by State Legislature from State Representatives Becky Currie and Vince Mangold and State Senator Jason Barrett. May 8. Bubble Magic Show at LCCC May 10. BLCCC summer concerts start in Railroad Park. June 14. BLCCC summer concert. June 14 & 15. LCCC’s Ole Brook Rodeo.  Participants from throughout the state and region compete for awards and to qualify for other rodeo competition. June (TBA). BLCCC Girls Night Out, including dinner and shopping in downtown Brookhaven.  Ticket sales start in May. July 4. Fireworks display at LCCC sponsored by State Representatives Becky Currie and Vince Mangold and State Senator Jason Barrett. Bayou Independent Wrestling competition at LCCC. July 12. BLCCC summer concert. August 9 & 10. Christian Motorcycle Association banquet and conference at LCCC. Fall (TBA) BLCCC concert series. September 27 & 28. LCCC Wildlife Expo features local, state and out-of-state vendors with products for hunters, fishermen and outdoorsmen. October 4 & 5. 50th BLCC Ole Brook Festival.  Food and fleas. October 15 &15. Junior Auxiliary Shrimp Bowl fundraiser at LCCC.  Take home shrimp dinners. October 25 & 26. Warriors of the Badge feature poker run and car show in event at LCCC honoring local police officers killed in the line of duty. November 11. Veterans Day ceremony led by local legislators at LCCC. November 29. BLCCC Christmas Tree Lighting.  More than 500 persons attended the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. lighting of a 30-foot tree last year. December 1-14. Classic Kids consignment show at LCCC.  A big garage sales for shoppers. December 5. BLCCC Christmas Parade rolls at 5:30 p.m. December 18 & 19. Kids R Us Day Care/Pre-School Awards at LCCC.

Goodwill Industries of Mississippi is pleased to announce the appointment of Zach Jenkins as the organization's new Vice President of Operations. In this role, Jenkins will lead strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and further the organization's mission of transforming lives through lifelong learning and meaningful work. Jenkins brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community service to his new position. A native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, he attended the University of Mississippi as part of the Airforce ROTC program, serving in the Airforce for a four-year tenure. Jenkins recently earned his MBA from the University of East London through Ducere Global Business School. He also holds the title of a Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE) through the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE). With a background that includes roles at Kroger and various Goodwill locations across the country, Jenkins has developed a deep understanding of operational excellence and leadership. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Retail for Goodwill of Northeast Texas, where he played a pivotal role in improving their retail program and operational efficiency Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jenkins is a devoted husband to his wife, Lasharra, and a proud father of two children, ages 8 and 4. In his free time, he enjoys cheering on the University of Mississippi’s football team, hiking, cycling, and actively participating in his local church community. When asked about his motivation for joining Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, Jenkins expressed his desire to give back to his home state and make a positive impact on the lives of its residents. "This is my home state, and I want to be a part of building something and growing resources for the state and its communities," said Jenkins. "I'm excited to be moving back to Mississippi to assist Goodwill with its mission of transforming lives." In his new role as Vice President of Operations, Jenkins is eager to work with the dynamic team at Goodwill Industries of Mississippi to unlock the organization's full potential. "Operationally, I believe there's tremendous opportunity to take the organization to the next level," said Jenkins. "I'm excited to bring my expertise and leadership to the team and help drive positive change." Goodwill Industries of Mississippi looks forward to the valuable contributions Zach Jenkins will bring to the organization and the communities it serves. His dedication to service and operational excellence will undoubtedly strengthen Goodwill's impact across the state. For media inquiries or more information about Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, please contact Roy Johns at 601-201-2938 or rjohns@goodwillms.org.

Keith Stovall of Brookhaven, Co-Lin Social Science Division Chair and Instructor of Psychology, Sociology and Child Advocacy Studies; and Co-Lin sophomore Katherine Gifford of Liberty have been selected to receive awards as William Winter Scholars at the 35th annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration (NLCC) to be held February 22-24, 2024, in Natchez, Mississippi The William Winter Scholar awards are a highlight of the annual event that will be thematically framed this year by “Rites, Rituals, and Religion in the Deep South,” reflecting a program that will explore life and death experiences in a series of presentations on religious traditions, burial rituals, cemetery history, mourning practices, and historic holidays -- all deeply embedded in the Southern Experience. Over two-and-a-half-days, presentations will parallel an evolving historical American narrative of the living and the dying based on both “Old World” traditions and a sense of democracy, race, and ingenuity -- a mix that has created the eccentric culture that is Mississippi. Most conference events are free of charge and held at the Natchez Convention Center. The annual William Winter Scholar awards at NLCC carry prestige and public acknowledgment of how highly each scholar is regarded by his or her institution.  Each award recipient is allowed to attend most of the NLCC program events without charge. Stovall earned a bachelor’s degree from William Carey University and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Counseling Psychology.  He started his professional career as a Therapist and Forensic Interviewer at the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in McComb, Mississippi. W hile at the SMSCAC, he conducted nearly 600 interviews in four years and served as an Expert Witness in Circuit Court cases.  He is a two-time recipient of the Robert M. Segal Multi-Disciplinary Team Award and fought for children during and following his tenure at the CAC. "An exemplary instructor, a steadfast advocate, and a beacon of inspiration, Stovall embodies the essence of excellence in education,” says Co-Lin Wesson Campus Vice President Jackie Martin. “As a recipient of the William Winter Scholar Award, his dedication as a division chair and tireless advocacy for child welfare stand as testaments to his unwavering commitment to nurturing not only academic growth but also compassion and empathy." Stovall came to Co-Lin in 2006.  In 2022, the Child Advocacy Response and Education (CARE) student organization was created at Co-Lin with Stovall as its Faculty Advisor.  In 2023, Stovall launched the Virtual CARE house to provide simulated education online.  The development of the Virtual CARE lab at Co-Lin will expand the footprint of child advocacy education.  The virtual space will continue to bring personalized, nuanced, and realistic child advocacy training for years to come.  Stovall and his wife Teresa are the proud parents of three children. Gifford serves as President of the C.A.R.E student group on the Co-Lin campus, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, and the Baptist Student Union.  She serves as a Trailblazer student recruiter and a manager of the Lady Wolves Softball team.  After Co-Lin, she plans to continue her education and pursue a career as an occupational therapist. With Stovall’s selection as a William Winter Scholar, he was able to select a student who he felt deserved recognition for hard work, dedication, and overall integrity for honor as well and chose Gifford. “Gifford is an absolutely outstanding student and deserves to receive recognition as a William Winter Scholar,” says Stovall. “I selected her because she is a visionary and helped create the C.A.R.E. student organization on campus.  She has a heart for eradicating child abuse.” The full agenda for the NLCC can be found at www.colin.edu/nlcc.

Story by Lt. Col. Deidre D. Smith and Mr. Daniel Szarek Bryan Andrew Zemek Derek Joshua Abbott The Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) hosted a joint press conference with the governor’s office regarding the helicopter crash February 23 in Prentiss County, Mississippi. Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of Mississippi, joined Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to hold a press conference shortly after 2:00 p.m., Feb. 24, 2024, at the MSNG Joint Force Headquarters in Jackson. The MSNG experienced a helicopter crash at approximately 2:00 p.m., Feb. 23, 2024, in a wooded area near Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi. A report from Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar confirms the tragic loss of two Soldiers as a result of the crash. The AH-64 Apache helicopter was on a routine training flight when the incident occurred, according to the MSNG State Army Aviation Office. Gov. Reeves announced the names of the fallen soldiers and praised them for their dedicated service to our state and nation. “This is a sad time for the state of Mississippi as we mourn the loss of two of our own Mississippi National Guard heroes,” said Reeves. “Both Service Members served at the Mississippi National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility 2 located in Tupelo.” Reeves announced the fallen MSNG Soldiers, “One Soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, age 36, was in Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment serving as an AH-64 Delta Apache Standardization Instructor Pilot in Tupelo. The second Soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, age 42, was in Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot in the Mississippi National Guard.” “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of our fallen soldiers. We will always remember these dedicated soldiers for their honorable service, and we grieve with the families during this tragic time.” Maj. Gen. Boyles echoed the governor’s sympathy to the surviving family members of our fallen Soldiers in the Mississippi National Guard. “Today is a devastating day for the Mississippi National Guard as we mourn the loss of two of our brave brothers in arms. This accident serves as a constant reminder of the selfless service, sacrifice, and commitment that our brave service men and women face while performing in the line of duty.” Boyles went on to address the next steps in recovery after the accident. “Like all accidents, this incident is under investigation. We are not at liberty to discuss any details of the accident during an ongoing investigation,” said Boyles. “Our paramount concern at this time is to ensure proper casualty assistance is available to support the surviving family members through this difficult time. The Mississippi National Guard is family. In fact, the National Guard is family. Our hearts are truly broken at the loss of these two members of our family.” Boyles also took a moment to thank the first responders and local authorities who responded Friday’s accident at a moment’s notice. Reeves closed the press conference honoring the fallen Soldiers of the Mississippi National Guard. “I want to once again pay tribute to the lives of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Zemek and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Abbott. Our state owes them a debt that can never be fully repaid. Their service to our state and our nation will not be forgotten, and we remain thankful for their comrades in arms who continue to serve, as they did, with honor and distinction,” said Reeves. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, was in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, serving as an AH-64D Apache Standardization Instructor Pilot. A native of Oxford, Mississippi, Zemek is survived by his wife of three years and their four children. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters; the Army Achievement Medal; the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Senior Army Aviator Badge; and many other decorations and state awards. Zemek was a graduate of New Albany High School, class of 2005. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Joshua Abbott, 42, was in Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Lakota Medical Evacuation unit, serving as a Maintenance Test Pilot. A combat veteran and native of Fulton, Mississippi, Abbott is survived by his wife of 18 years and their 3 children. His awards include the Air Medal with Valor and numeral 2; Army Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters; the Combat Action Badge; the Senior Army Aviator Badge; and many other decorations and state awards.

A free family law clinic is scheduled for March 1, 9 a.m. to noon on the Third Floor of the Hinds County Chancery Court, 316 South President Street in Jackson. Low-income residents of Hinds County who qualify for free legal assistance can receive help with uncontested no-fault divorce, visitation, child custody, guardianships and name changes. Volunteer lawyers will provide legal assistance to people who can’t afford to hire an attorney. Attorneys will help clients prepare documents, give limited legal advice and help them get ready to go to court. Participants must be residents of Hinds County and must be screened for eligibility based on income. Participant must register and make an appointment by calling the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project at 601-882-5001 or by visiting the MVLP website at http://www.mvlp.net https://www.mvlp.org/clinics. The clinic is sponsored by the Hinds County Chancery Court, the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Capital Area Bar Association and Mission First. The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Access to Justice Commission have scheduled free civil legal assistance clinics in other areas of the state. A list of free civil legal clinics  is at this link: https://courts.ms.gov/Legal/CivilLegal.php.

By Guest Columnist Mika Hartman As a parent, we fear so many things while raising our children. We understand the underlying risks in most of our daily adventures. We all do our best to teach our children to be safe in a world where bad and danger exists; it comes with the parental roles: protect, teach, nurture, love and support. When your child has a disability or multiple disabilities, the fear grows. A nonvocal and/or nonverbal child, for example, can’t always share needed information to locate a family, and they can’t yell “help.” They may not even understand that help is needed. When a child or an adult with a cognitive disability is lost or wanders too far, even if verbal and/or vocal, they may not be able to share needed information. Children and adults with special needs, especially those with Down syndrome or autism, have a high risk of wandering or elopement, sometimes referred to as bolting, particularly if a dual diagnosis of both Down syndrome and autism exists together. Hudson has been dual diagnosed with both. Half of children with autism are wanderers. Noise levels can be triggering, and the child may try to get away from it. It could be that they see something, and they are determined to get closer. No matter the reason, half of children with autism can easily become lost. Hudson is a runner - really a bolter - and a seeker of water. He is also nonverbal. When a child becomes lost, the risk of severe danger is great: drowning, running into a busy street, unable to hydrate, weather elements, and/or possible encounters with strangers or animals. If you live in areas with snakes, that’s a risk, too. Every second matters. As Hudson’s mom, it is my job to be as prepared as possible. Our home is safe, and we have alarms and locks on every door. Our neighbors know Hudson. I take new photos almost daily. I work with him on swimming, but I’m unsure how he would be without me there. Even with all of these measures in place at home, they don’t apply in public spaces or even at friends’ homes. Daily living and travel bring new levels of fear. Many families use GPS trackers to provide a sense of peace over their runners, but even GPS trackers in shoes won’t work if different shoes - or no shoes - are worn. Some use bracelets, but kids with sensory issues may not be able to tolerate wearing them. Recently, Kayla, a seventeen-year-old in Pennsylvania, was dropped at school by her special needs bus… and the school was closed due to a smell reported the day before. Kayla was missing for over eight hours. Kayla even went in convenience stores, and surveillance cameras reveal that no help was offered. She was found in downtown Pittsburgh in cold temperatures, but she was reported to be okay. Yesterday, I was sent an article about a four-year-old with autism who went missing on January 12. Phenix was missing for more than twenty-four hours. He was found because of over one hundred volunteers who wouldn’t stop looking. The public knowing was everything in this search. I have a friend here locally who has several locks on their doors at home, but her son still gets out and has been found several miles from home, multiple times. She has locks high up, but he gets a chair or a broom handle. She has GPS trackers, but he has to be wearing his belt or shoes. Her constant fear is heavy. At dinner the other evening, a stranger shared that his best friend’s son always gets away at Cruising the Coast. He knows several people and always finds a face that can help. What if he didn’t? There are 100,000 faces. However, he loves going and should be able to have fun. It is such a balance; that is why we - all families like mine - weigh the risk-benefit in everything we do. Sadly, a buddy up north was found drowned in a pond. He was at his grandfather’s house, and no alarms told them he went outside. When they realized a back glass door was slimly open, they ran to find him. It was a family Christmas gathering a few years ago. Over and over, this happens often. Seventy to ninety percent of tragic deaths are caused by drowning when a special needs child wanders away. If you see us out, you’ll often see Hudson in his wheelchair. He can walk really well, but it is for his protection in public places. He doesn’t really walk; he runs. He does not look back to see if you’re with him. He won’t turn to his name being called. He is fast, and he loves water. I know I am repeating myself, but it is important that you know many of our loved ones with Down syndrome, autism or who are dual diagnosed are very similar in their love of water! I share all of this, and I could share hundreds of stories, to say that there is something we can do to help families like mine. It is called a “Purple Alert.” You know about the “Amber,” the “Silver,” and even the “Blue;” now, it’s time to add the “Purple.” Florida already has the “Purple Alert,” and it is written like this: Purple: For adults with mental or cognitive disabilities. I want to take Mississippi’s “Purple Alert” to the next level: as both a single alert or one that can be in combination with “Amber” or “Silver.” I have proudly teamed up with District 56 Representative Clay Mansell to author House Bill 873 to add this “Purple Alert” to our alert system here in the great state of Mississippi. Ours simply states: “Purple Alert: Establish an additional means to aid in the search of persons with cognitive disabilities.” When time matters, information received is everything. Cognitive disabilities affect newborns to elders, and this alert should be used to provide law enforcement and the public with needed vital information in the quickest manner. Saving our loved ones from the tragic outcomes comes down to time… and not much of it. These are all very hard conversations, but a “Purple Alert” is easy. It’s not reinventing the wheel; it’s adding a needed color to the wheel to provide information to help if needed. Pennsylvania is trying to get this alert now, after what happened to Kayla. We should not wait for something to happen, because it already happens daily; you just don’t know about it. Mississippi is a wonderful and safe home for all, and this simple change will bring some relief for families - and it could save lives. This addition is a beautiful step to protecting our citizens, being a voice for those with no voice and protecting those who cannot understand the dangers out there. Please join me in getting the “Purple Alert” added to our Mississippi Alert System; we can easily add in protections like this to make Mississippi the gold standard for our loved ones and neighbors with cognitive disabilities. Call your local legislators, and ask them to say “Yes!”

By the end of the month, nurse practitioners Kayla Thurman and Amber Martin plan to open a Brookhaven pediatric clinic -- Ole Brook Kids -- to treat fevers, coughs, acute illnesses, minor injuries and simple wounds. Dr. Darren Scoggin of Jackson will be their physician partner.  The clinic will be at 301-C U.S. 51 South.  For the last five years, Thurman and Martin have shared a small office space and worked closely together.  Martin and Thurman have 24 years and 11 years of pediatric experience respectively.